If we don't progress in the CL

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Originally Posted by Peter

We haven't fallen apart at the end this season. We were never really together.

To be honest, this season is a big disappointment whatever happens in the Champions League. Obviously were we to win it nobody would care about the rest of the season. But the fact remains we have performed well below our best pretty much all season. That is a big concern, and one that Arteta needs to put right next season.

We can't have this again. There is just too much quality in this side for us to be stumbling through games every week.

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If this season's side had the injury record of the season before, we'd have won the title. Been unlucky.

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Originally Posted by Rich

He will but it will take time. I think we're all pleased with the foundations of the project. Look how secure we are from a defensive standpoint. But because we don't score enough we draw too many games.

The next piece of the jigsaw is to improve us in attacking areas. We are clearly way short of where we need to be there. We have also had really terrible luck this season with injuries.

- A striker who can share the load with Havertz.
- A wide player (ideally comfortable on both sides) to likely take Martinelli's spot / challenge him.
- Zubimendi (who will allow Rice a more free role).
- A centre back (Huijsen from Bournemouth, perhaps).

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A CB, Rich? If everyone one is fit our second choice CBs are White and Kiwior - you'll struggle to find better depth than we have, I think. And Tomi can play there in an emergency.

Other three I agree with, let's hope

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Originally Posted by PSRB

If this season's side had the injury record of the season before, we'd have won the title. Been unlucky.

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See, I don't agree with that. I think the problem has been fitness, rather than injury (I know how stupid that sounds!). Rice, Saka and others were exhausted at the start of the season and didn't get going. Odegaard got injured and was raced back as our season looked like unravelling. The injuries from that point effectively removed team selection as an issue, as Arteta was left to pick what he had left.

We started the season with stuttering performances and they just continued as we never found any momentum. And a series of atrocious refereeing decisions made it even worse.

Worth remembering we had injuries last season. Partey missed almost the entire season. Timber did miss the entire season, and Tomiyasu most of it. Key injuries, but not quite the same volume overall.

Summer off, two or three key signings, and most of all a chance to sit down and work out how to get us back to the side we are. Find that rhythm that has been missing, and shelve the stop start antics. We need to be dominating games week in, week out. That is the only way to win the league.

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Originally Posted by WES

A CB, Rich? If everyone one is fit our second choice CBs are White and Kiwior - you'll struggle to find better depth than we have, I think. And Tomi can play there in an emergency.

Other three I agree with, let's hope

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I'm sorry about this, Wes. But I completely agree :-)

Kiwior's recent performances have shown he is a definite keep. But he needs to be trusted, and he needs 15 games a season. We can't pick Gabriel every week and leave him sat there rusting. He is good enough to play in this side and has shown it very clearly.

We do not need a centre back.

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Originally Posted by Peter

I'm sorry about this, Wes. But I completely agree :-)

Kiwior's recent performances have shown he is a definite keep. But he needs to be trusted, and he needs 15 games a season. We can't pick Gabriel every week and leave him sat there rusting. He is good enough to play in this side and has shown it very clearly.

We do not need a centre back.

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I saw Kiwior taking some criticism for his performance against PSG.

Personally, I didn't see it. Timber, however, looked terrified of Kvarta.

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Originally Posted by WES

A CB, Rich? If everyone one is fit our second choice CBs are White and Kiwior - you'll struggle to find better depth than we have, I think. And Tomi can play there in an emergency.

Other three I agree with, let's hope

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Well it sounds like we are open to a market opportunity and Dean Hijusen at 50mill may be just that. Could be looking at our first choice centreback for the next decade. But his arrival would mean a departure for one of the two you mention. Kiwior's stock must have risen in recent weeks and offers less flexibility than White (who can operate at RB and in midfield).

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Originally Posted by Peter

I'm sorry about this, Wes. But I completely agree :-)

Kiwior's recent performances have shown he is a definite keep. But he needs to be trusted, and he needs 15 games a season. We can't pick Gabriel every week and leave him sat there rusting. He is good enough to play in this side and has shown it very clearly.

We do not need a centre back.

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No smoke wihtout fire and it sounds like we are fighting with Liverpool and Real Madrid for the boy at Bournemout. I think he is a once in a geneation type footballer when you see how good he is on the ball.

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Originally Posted by WES

I saw Kiwior taking some criticism for his performance against PSG.

Personally, I didn't see it. Timber, however, looked terrified of Kvarta.

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I couldn't see an issue with Kiwior. Or Timber, I thought he played well.

The key to playing PSG is possession. When they don't have it, they are not great and they can wobble. Partey and the real Odegaard would have made the difference. We are going to need the captain to reappear in Paris.....

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Originally Posted by Rich

No smoke wihtout fire and it sounds like we are fighting with Liverpool and Real Madrid for the boy at Bournemout. I think he is a once in a geneation type footballer when you see how good he is on the ball.

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Is he left footed or right footed?

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Originally Posted by Peter

I couldn't see an issue with Kiwior. Or Timber, I thought he played well.

The key to playing PSG is possession. When they don't have it, they are not great and they can wobble. Partey and the real Odegaard would have made the difference. We are going to need the captain to reappear in Paris.....

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I'm not sure that just telling the captain to play better will work. If he could score / have a good game tomorrow that might be the key to Wednesday.