Viva Garnacho

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Apparent he’s returned to training today, which is good news. Hopefully we can bring Amad back for next season and he can provide a similar impact from the bench as Garnacho.
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God knows what that means for Sancho.

Although I personally think Rashford is more effective up front. We need a striker but I feel we're a better defensive unit, and transition better when Marcus is up top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've warmed to the idea of Rashford as a CF this season. His penalty area instincts aren't perfect but have improved quite a lot. This combined with the emergence of Garnacho has a credible solution on the left (and Sancho whom I think we'd struggle to sell at this point) hopefully mean we can buy just one CF in the summer leaving ourselves with two high quality options in the middle and left of attack (and right if Amad is ready).
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Agreed. Rashford should be our second option up front.

comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Apparent he’s returned to training today, which is good news. Hopefully we can bring Amad back for next season and he can provide a similar impact from the bench as Garnacho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
God knows what that means for Sancho.

Although I personally think Rashford is more effective up front. We need a striker but I feel we're a better defensive unit, and transition better when Marcus is up top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've warmed to the idea of Rashford as a CF this season. His penalty area instincts aren't perfect but have improved quite a lot. This combined with the emergence of Garnacho has a credible solution on the left (and Sancho whom I think we'd struggle to sell at this point) hopefully mean we can buy just one CF in the summer leaving ourselves with two high quality options in the middle and left of attack (and right if Amad is ready).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any ideas on who we can get up front on a free?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all, although I think Rashford can be very effective up front, I still agree with Dazza that he's better on the left and that we need a high class specialist centre forward, which I don't think is available on a free this summer. My (badly articulated) point above is that Rashford being a credible option through the centre (and the presence of Garnacho meaning playing him there doesn't necessarily leave us bereft on the left) means we can probably get away with buying a first choice CF this summer rather than having to buy two CFs.

As to CFs out of contract, Marcus Thuram is the only one I'm aware of. He might have been an option if Garnacho hadn't signed up, as I think he could play on the left as well as through the middle.

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 25 minutes ago

Agreed. Rashford should be our second option up front.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just want to put it out there, in the light of our agreement on this issue, that I have never voted for a Conservative party candidate in national, local or European elections.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Apparent he’s returned to training today, which is good news. Hopefully we can bring Amad back for next season and he can provide a similar impact from the bench as Garnacho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
God knows what that means for Sancho.

Although I personally think Rashford is more effective up front. We need a striker but I feel we're a better defensive unit, and transition better when Marcus is up top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've warmed to the idea of Rashford as a CF this season. His penalty area instincts aren't perfect but have improved quite a lot. This combined with the emergence of Garnacho has a credible solution on the left (and Sancho whom I think we'd struggle to sell at this point) hopefully mean we can buy just one CF in the summer leaving ourselves with two high quality options in the middle and left of attack (and right if Amad is ready).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any ideas on who we can get up front on a free?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all, although I think Rashford can be very effective up front, I still agree with Dazza that he's better on the left and that we need a high class specialist centre forward, which I don't think is available on a free this summer. My (badly articulated) point above is that Rashford being a credible option through the centre (and the presence of Garnacho meaning playing him there doesn't necessarily leave us bereft on the left) means we can probably get away with buying a first choice CF this summer rather than having to buy two CFs.

As to CFs out of contract, Marcus Thuram is the only one I'm aware of. He might have been an option if Garnacho hadn't signed up, as I think he could play on the left as well as through the middle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was only kidding RR! Knew you'd mention Thuram!

I like one of our oppenents on Sunday. Think Ollie Watkins is a good PL striker. I'm not stating we should sign him but I don't think we should be averse in considering someone who isn't what would be considered top class but is someone who could compliment the way we play well.

I really can't accept that there aren't any players out there, for modest fees, who wouldn't be an improvement on the likes of De Gea, Fred and Martial.

Arrrrgh, you got me Diafol!

Given the budgetary constraints, I guess it's a given that we'll need to settle for some players who aren't world class but are of the right profile for the roles they play and are technically secure. A key question for the recruitment team would therefore be: in which areas do we plug in the 'good player who is the right fit' and the 'ceiling raising talent', respectively, for the greatest net benefit? I have no idea what the answer to that question is.

By the way, I'd say Arsenal have reached outstanding levels of performance this season based on two or three years of buying technically secure players with the right profile for the manager's requirements - and plenty of those purchases have been good-but-not-generational. So I for me it's the quality of the decision making more than the size of the budget that risks holding back our development.

comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Apparent he’s returned to training today, which is good news. Hopefully we can bring Amad back for next season and he can provide a similar impact from the bench as Garnacho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
God knows what that means for Sancho.

Although I personally think Rashford is more effective up front. We need a striker but I feel we're a better defensive unit, and transition better when Marcus is up top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've warmed to the idea of Rashford as a CF this season. His penalty area instincts aren't perfect but have improved quite a lot. This combined with the emergence of Garnacho has a credible solution on the left (and Sancho whom I think we'd struggle to sell at this point) hopefully mean we can buy just one CF in the summer leaving ourselves with two high quality options in the middle and left of attack (and right if Amad is ready).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any ideas on who we can get up front on a free?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It pains me to disappoint you Diafol, it really does; but my Achilles still really isn’t up to it.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 10 minutes ago
Arrrrgh, you got me Diafol!

Given the budgetary constraints, I guess it's a given that we'll need to settle for some players who aren't world class but are of the right profile for the roles they play and are technically secure. A key question for the recruitment team would therefore be: in which areas do we plug in the 'good player who is the right fit' and the 'ceiling raising talent', respectively, for the greatest net benefit? I have no idea what the answer to that question is.

By the way, I'd say Arsenal have reached outstanding levels of performance this season based on two or three years of buying technically secure players with the right profile for the manager's requirements - and plenty of those purchases have been good-but-not-generational. So I for me it's the quality of the decision making more than the size of the budget that risks holding back our development.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
First time for everything!

I'd just like us to be sensible this Summer and plug a few gaps we have in the side. If we do that I'm confident we already have enough 'game changers' in the side to improve again. It may be that the players we sign can cover a few positions.

On that subject I read a recent thread about Declan Rice that suggested he could be cover and partner for Casemiro. He was high up a 'possession kept' and a 'ball progression' chart. He'd cost a lot I'm sure but I wonder if he's someone we may consider?

This Summer will be really interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing how Ten Hag goes about evolving us as a team. He's still being quite pragmatic IMO and I can accept that for now if we can get that CL place.

comment by rossobianchi (U17054)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Apparent he’s returned to training today, which is good news. Hopefully we can bring Amad back for next season and he can provide a similar impact from the bench as Garnacho.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
God knows what that means for Sancho.

Although I personally think Rashford is more effective up front. We need a striker but I feel we're a better defensive unit, and transition better when Marcus is up top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've warmed to the idea of Rashford as a CF this season. His penalty area instincts aren't perfect but have improved quite a lot. This combined with the emergence of Garnacho has a credible solution on the left (and Sancho whom I think we'd struggle to sell at this point) hopefully mean we can buy just one CF in the summer leaving ourselves with two high quality options in the middle and left of attack (and right if Amad is ready).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Any ideas on who we can get up front on a free?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It pains me to disappoint you Diafol, it really does; but my Achilles still really isn’t up to it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Anthony! It's nearly May. You don't need those gloves!

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour, 50 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 25 minutes ago

Agreed. Rashford should be our second option up front.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just want to put it out there, in the light of our agreement on this issue, that I have never voted for a Conservative party candidate in national, local or European elections.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 3 hours, 14 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 25 minutes ago

Agreed. Rashford should be our second option up front.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just want to put it out there, in the light of our agreement on this issue, that I have never voted for a Conservative party candidate in national, local or European elections.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Perfect notacuntery