So where do we need upgrades to compete with BM/Madrid etc?

[WES]

Clearly we need a better LB but that is meant to be Timber, and while I'm not as big a fan of Gabriel as some, it's hard to argue that Saliba/Gabriel as a partnership hasn't been a strength this year. And Ben White has been very good.

So midfield then - not going to do better than Ride and Odegaard, so an upgrade on the other midfielder? Not seen this Zubimendi chap but it feels like we could use another player here.

And then we have our attacking three. Not convinced we need an out and out striker (sorry red) but certainly Gabi and even Saka have had quiet spells this year. So another and a better attacking option up front, striker or otherwise.

And finally possibly the most important new signing, another year of experience and development from a very young squad. Average age of 25 last night and a manager who seems to have the ability to develop players.

It's now on in 25 :hide:

[PSRB]

Clearly we need a better LB but that is meant to be Timber, and while I'm not as big a fan of Gabriel as some, it's hard to argue that Saliba/Gabriel as a partnership hasn't been a strength this year. And Ben White has been very good.

So midfield then - not going to do better than Ride and Odegaard, so an upgrade on the other midfielder? Not seen this Zubimendi chap but it feels like we could use another player here.

And then we have our attacking three. Not convinced we need an out and out striker (sorry red) but certainly Gabi and even Saka have had quiet spells this year. So another and a better attacking option up front, striker or otherwise.

And finally possibly the most important new signing, another year of experience and development from a very young squad. Average age of 25 last night and a manager who seems to have the ability to develop players.

It's now on in 25 :hide:

We are desperate for a quality finisher, how many chance has Jesus passed up? Even if it's a better option than Eddie.
Sell Eddie, Nelson, Patino & Zinny
Buy Isak or Watkins
Promote Nwaneri and even promote the 16 year old striker Obi-Martin who's banging them in for fun in the U18's

[Pat Vegas]

well we have definitely spent sum faaking money in the past years.

I am a bit worried about Martinelli and Saka's development, seems to be stalling

[Sir C]

We are desperate for a quality finisher, how many chance has Jesus passed up? Even if it's a better option than Eddie.
Sell Eddie, Nelson, Patino & Zinny
Buy Isak or Watkins
Promote Nwaneri and even promote the 16 year old striker Obi-Martin who's banging them in for fun in the U18's

What kind of perversity is this p?

I expect you've been watching the girls, as well :-(

[7sisters]

We are desperate for a quality finisher, how many chance has Jesus passed up? Even if it's a better option than Eddie.
Sell Eddie, Nelson, Patino & Zinny
Buy Isak or Watkins
Promote Nwaneri and even promote the 16 year old striker Obi-Martin who's banging them in for fun in the U18's

Good Lord. A 16 year old striker, no doubt good for his age but is probably only standing out because his peers haven’t caught up yet in the maturity stakes.
He’d almost certainly disappear playing with the adults..
They said similar about Patino being a potential worldy, best academy midfielder blah blah.. but he’s now on the bench every game at Swansea.

[PSRB]

well we have definitely spent sum faaking money in the past years.

I am a bit worried about Martinelli and Saka's development, seems to be stalling

Saka 18 goals and 12 assists, he had a poor game last night but another very good season. Martinelli, needs to learn to use his left foot, he's become a bit predictable.

[PSRB]

Good Lord. A 16 year old striker, no doubt good for his age but is probably only standing out because his peers haven’t caught up yet in the maturity stakes.
He’d almost certainly disappear playing with the adults..
They said similar about Patino being a potential worldy, best academy midfielder blah blah.. but he’s now on the bench every game at Swansea.

25 goals in 5 games for the U18's.....didn't seem to worry Liverpool with Fowler and Owen, plus we bought Walcott at 17? Good enough, old enough. Plus he's a beast!

Certainly give him a shot in the U21's

[PSRB]

What kind of perversity is this p?

I expect you've been watching the girls, as well :-(

Leah Williamson :-p

The U18 stuff was all over X

[Pat Vegas]

Saka 18 goals and 12 assists, he had a poor game last night but another very good season. Martinelli, needs to learn to use his left foot, he's become a bit predictable.

I love Saka, but i am worried Arteta is grinding him into the ground.

[PSRB]

I love Saka, but i am worried Arteta is grinding him into the ground.

I suspect Nelson will start against Wolves. Saka does need a break.

[Peter]

Saka 18 goals and 12 assists, he had a poor game last night but another very good season. Martinelli, needs to learn to use his left foot, he's become a bit predictable.

I've said it before, but our system just doesn't help Martinelli, particularly since Xhaka left. Getting the best out of him would make us far harder to play against.

[Peter]

We are desperate for a quality finisher, how many chance has Jesus passed up? Even if it's a better option than Eddie.
Sell Eddie, Nelson, Patino & Zinny
Buy Isak or Watkins
Promote Nwaneri and even promote the 16 year old striker Obi-Martin who's banging them in for fun in the U18's

Agree on Nwaneri. I think he will get games next year.

We have Tierney to sell/ give away, and I think Partey will go. We are going to need a new midfielder and possibly defensive cover.

BUT- Arteta sees stuff that we don't and plans things we wouldn't. He'll spend in the summer but it may well take us al by surprise.

As WES says, our biggest addition is another year's experience for the core group. THey are still 2-3 years away from their peak.

[PSRB]

Agree on Nwaneri. I think he will get games next year.

We have Tierney to sell/ give away, and I think Partey will go. We are going to need a new midfielder and possibly defensive cover.

BUT- Arteta sees stuff that we don't and plans things we wouldn't. He'll spend in the summer but it may well take us al by surprise.

As WES says, our biggest addition is another year's experience for the core group. THey are still 2-3 years away from their peak.

Your final point is spot on, the manager will also benefit from this years' CL experience.

[WES]

Your final point is spot on, the manager will also benefit from this years' CL experience.

We have clearly improved since last season, the manager seems to learn and the team is young so the future is bright.

Unfortunately I can't see anything other than ESR being sold this summer. If Arteta wouldn't rotate enough to give him minutes this year I don't see it happening going forward. Shame but I just don't see where he fits.

Zubimendi looks very good on youtube :-)

[redgunamo]

Your final point is spot on, the manager will also benefit from this years' CL experience.

Most importantly, we will ALL benefit from Pep being one year closer to the door.

[PSRB]

Most importantly, we will ALL benefit from Pep being one year closer to the door.

I think we'll all be happier when they sort these 115 charges out!

[Peter]

I think we'll all be happier when they sort these 115 charges out!

I wouldn't hold your breath.

I'd settle for forcing them to comply from now on.

[PSRB]

I wouldn't hold your breath.

I'd settle for forcing them to comply from now on.

Good God no, they need to be hammered....as do Chelsea.

[redgunamo]

I wouldn't hold your breath.

I'd settle for forcing them to comply from now on.

Sad but true. The lesson is: If you're going to cheat you'd better cheat very well :-\

[Peter]

Good God no, they need to be hammered....as do Chelsea.

My understanding is that Chelsea complied by spreading payments over giant contracts. That is going to seriously bite them over the next 5 years or so.

City are going to get away with it, one way or another.

[Peter]

Sad but true. The lesson is: If you're going to cheat you'd better cheat very well :-\

In other words, if you're crooked you have to be clever, and if you're stupid you have to be honest.

[redgunamo]

Clearly we need a better LB but that is meant to be Timber, and while I'm not as big a fan of Gabriel as some, it's hard to argue that Saliba/Gabriel as a partnership hasn't been a strength this year. And Ben White has been very good.

So midfield then - not going to do better than Ride and Odegaard, so an upgrade on the other midfielder? Not seen this Zubimendi chap but it feels like we could use another player here.

And then we have our attacking three. Not convinced we need an out and out striker (sorry red) but certainly Gabi and even Saka have had quiet spells this year. So another and a better attacking option up front, striker or otherwise.

And finally possibly the most important new signing, another year of experience and development from a very young squad. Average age of 25 last night and a manager who seems to have the ability to develop players.

It's now on in 25 :hide:

Fair enough, I guess. But we're not spending our way out of this while Pep and Manchester City are around, same as last season.

We're actually doing very well, in any case; I love our manager and our football.

[Peter]

Fair enough, I guess. But we're not spending our way out of this while Pep and Manchester City are around, same as last season.

We're actually doing very well, in any case; I love our manager and our football.

The manager is changing. He already seems calmer and more balanced in his post match comments, and slightly calmer on the touchline.

[redgunamo]

In other words, if you're crooked you have to be clever, and if you're stupid you have to be honest.

Fortunately, we are both clever AND honest. No wonder we never win anything :-|

[redgunamo]

The manager is changing. He already seems calmer and more balanced in his post match comments, and slightly calmer on the touchline.

We won't REALLY know him until he wins the Premier League, I think.

[Peter]

We won't REALLY know him until he wins the Premier League, I think.

Neither will he.

[redgunamo]

Neither will he.

Right. Just as you cannot really call yourself a driver until you've had a decent accident, for a football manager, real clarity arrives the day you either win the league or get the sack.

[Peter]

Right. Just as you cannot really call yourself a driver until you've had a decent accident, for a football manager, real clarity arrives the day you either win the league or get the sack.

I was fortunate to have a spectacular accident early on in my career. Made me the driver I am today :-) and made me appreciate the importance of keeping the car the right way up.

[redgunamo]

Good God no, they need to be hammered....as do Chelsea.

I agree with this 100%. Pour décourager les autres, as they say in the UAE.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

We have clearly improved since last season, the manager seems to learn and the team is young so the future is bright.

Unfortunately I can't see anything other than ESR being sold this summer. If Arteta wouldn't rotate enough to give him minutes this year I don't see it happening going forward. Shame but I just don't see where he fits.

Zubimendi looks very good on youtube :-)

I thought everyone looked very good on Youtube. I bet Pépé and Gervinho looked like Messi and Ronaldo on Youtube.