So PSG are apparently going to offer us 80 million for Saliba

[redgunamo]

an offer which is being described as 'difficult to refuse'

Back in the real world, it would of course be incredibly easy to refuse as its a ****ing insult.

Are these stories planted to try and put the selling club under pressure? Last month I recall Real Madrid being willing to go as far as 60 million for him.

Yes, and to put pressure on the buying club too. Remember how easy it was to convince Arsetwitter that we absolutely HAD to hand over a hundred million quid for Ivan Toney or Mikel would be a complete failure.

Sad.

[7sisters]

He's primarily there as a left back who can play at centre back. Cover for Gabriel but mainly a better defensive option than our other left backs.

While not the quickest, I think comparing him to a snail is a little harsh

Largely irrelevant as he looks as though he is going to spend most of his time injured, making him an ideal replacement for Tierney.

Well, quite. There remains that element of shoving square pegs into round holes though. He’s built his rep as a CH with Bologna and the national side.
I’m happy he’s in the team but the strategy is a bit muddled.
If we wanted an LB to replace Zinchenko, that’s what we should have focussed our efforts on, then again, we already had Timber and several good support players as cover.
I can only conclude that Edu misunderstood the brief and came back with a seriously top CH prospect.
A bit like your wife sending you out for milk and coming back home with a pack of ham and a copy of Autocar.
We‘ve all been there, I suppose.

[Peter]

Well, quite. There remains that element of shoving square pegs into round holes though. He’s built his rep as a CH with Bologna and the national side.
I’m happy he’s in the team but the strategy is a bit muddled.
If we wanted an LB to replace Zinchenko, that’s what we should have focussed our efforts on, then again, we already had Timber and several good support players as cover.
I can only conclude that Edu misunderstood the brief and came back with a seriously top CH prospect.
A bit like your wife sending you out for milk and coming back home with a pack of ham and a copy of Autocar.
We‘ve all been there, I suppose.

I don't think it was about replacing Zinchenko. I think it was more about Arteta not really trusting Kiwior who was our only cover for Gabriel. Arteta probably wants to get where City are- having the ability to change the back four regularly for different types of games, by shuffling players who can play in multiple positions. So far that hasn't really been possible as we have had 3 or 4 defenders unavailable each game so we have had to pick from what is available.

I also think this summer was the first time the financial situation has really hampered our recruitment. I have no doubt whatsoever that we wanted to strengthen the forward and creative parts of the squad but we simply couldn't afford to. Calafiori and Merino represented affordable solutions to the areas we could actually fix. Sterling was the affordable solution in the wide areas but is clearly not setting the world alight in training so far I suspect we would have been better off keeping Reiss Nelson but Arteta doesnt trust him....

[Peter]

Yes, and to put pressure on the buying club too. Remember how easy it was to convince Arsetwitter that we absolutely HAD to hand over a hundred million quid for Ivan Toney or Mikel would be a complete failure.

Sad.

Yes, or the African lad at Napoli. Toney went to Saudi for 40 million and the lad from Napoli ended up on loan in Turkey

[Pat Vegas]

You know Edu didn't/doesn't actually do things like financial stuff and contracts?

Obviously LA. He’s left the club innit

[Rich]

Well, quite. There remains that element of shoving square pegs into round holes though. He’s built his rep as a CH with Bologna and the national side.
I’m happy he’s in the team but the strategy is a bit muddled.
If we wanted an LB to replace Zinchenko, that’s what we should have focussed our efforts on, then again, we already had Timber and several good support players as cover.
I can only conclude that Edu misunderstood the brief and came back with a seriously top CH prospect.
A bit like your wife sending you out for milk and coming back home with a pack of ham and a copy of Autocar.
We‘ve all been there, I suppose.

I don't think Gabriel will be at the club much longer. That period at the start of the season where he was on the bench told me that he's open to a move if the right offer comes a long.

I think the club have been pretty foresighted in recent years and have bought in Calafiori is Gabriel's long term successor.

[Luis Anaconda]

I don't think Gabriel will be at the club much longer. That period at the start of the season where he was on the bench told me that he's open to a move if the right offer comes a long.

I think the club have been pretty foresighted in recent years and have bought in Calafiori is Gabriel's long term successor.

That was last season for two games - he's played pretty much every game since and been given a leadership role.

[PSRB]

That was last season for two games - he's played pretty much every game since and been given a leadership role.

Quite, superb partnership, vital goals, seems a great personality and has really grown. Probably more settled in the UK as well.

[Luis Anaconda]

Quite, superb partnership, vital goals, seems a great personality and has really grown. Probably more settled in the UK as well.

Timber, White and Calafiori all excellent defenders but a partnership priceless - fairly sure Arteta knows this

[Peter]

That was last season for two games - he's played pretty much every game since and been given a leadership role.

and I would think he is one of the most important players, alongside Saliba, Odegaard and Saka.

Longer term, Arteta may want to upgrade but I would think he has many, many priorities that need fixing before this.