man, still tough thinking on that game. I understand the gooners are ahead of schedule and that we should be pleased with the continual progress, but it just felt like that TAMU/UGA game a few years back where TAMU dominated and UGA barely squeaked out the win (with some help from the refs) and the narrative came out that UGA destroyed us...similar to that Clemson game too.

I don't think the roster is going to change much off season, but I hope saka and martinelli can take a step forward, especially saka. I think Martinelli is who he is and can be hero on occasion, but saka has the skillset to be elite and just doesn't have the killer instinct (or something). A level up on the wings would really help out and a true striker would be amazing, but probably not happening.

zgolfz85 said:

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Had to travel today so just got a chance to watch. What an abomination of a game. Gunners should've had it. Martinelli overthinking chances in and around the box was frustrating af to watch. Feels like they could've had an easy goal or 2 before the beauty from kimmich. Damn that sucks to be out of the tourney

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We also could've lost by 3 or 4. Easily.

Should we add Arsenal to the relegation thread on the board?

We aren't quite there yet but we are close. From a starter perspective, we badly need a MF (6/8) that can push Havertz into a more forward (CF or AM/SS) role and a ST (could be younger guy) with the potential/ability to score 20+. After that we need quality depth in certain areas (W, LB, CB) so we can rotate and prevent the April burnout. If we can get the MF & ST this summer, I think we can manage with the remaining players on our roster.....

ST - Havertz, New Guy, Jesus
LW - Marti, Jesus, Trossard
RW - Saka, Jesus, Trossard
AM - MO, Havertz, Vieira
CM - Rice, ESR, OZ
DM - New Guy, Rice, Jorge/OZ
LB - Timber,Tomi, Kiwior, OZ
LCB - Gabi, Kiwior, Tomi
RCB - Saliba, Kiwior, Tomi
RB - White, Timber, Tomi
GK - Raya, New Guy

Sell - Partey, Eddie, Rams, loanies
Sell if the money is right - ESR, Nelson, Vieira

chjoak said:

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We aren't quite there yet but we are close. From a starter perspective, we badly need a MF (6/8) that can push Havertz into a more forward (CF or AM/SS) role and a ST (could be younger guy) with the potential/ability to score 20+. After that we need quality depth in certain areas (W, LB, CB) so we can rotate and prevent the April burnout. If we can get the MF & ST this summer, I think we can manage with the remaining players on our roster.....

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I agree with that. We have been building depth but it's taken longer than we want it to. Add in what appears to be more pressure to follow Financial Fair Play rules and things take longer.

Before we got a strong front office and Arteta, I think we were headed into a situation similar to Chelsea or maybe even Everton. The club had no direction and was a traveshemockery. Now, not so much.

Maybe all of the FA. Its looking like all the English teams may get knocked out of Europe this week

Apparently this guy is the Ornstein of Turkish football and we are looking at Ferdi Kadolu as a FB. Honestly have no idea who he is, but from what I'm reading, he's a Zinchenko replacement. FB with a lot of attacking upside.

🔎 Arsenal - Ferdi Kadıoğlu

🎙️ @yagosabuncuoglu #işbirliği | @BurgerKingTR pic.twitter.com/kDYhIP7JwK

— Sports Digitale (@SportsDigitale) April 18, 2024

Honestly FB is not really my biggest concern. You have White, Tomi, Timber, Zinchenko and Kiwior all in those positions who are capable. We need to really focus on the 8. We need another creator besides Odegaard.

Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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agdoc2001 said:

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Any of those games look particularly close to you?

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We're talking about two games. Why not the last three or four or five? It might be the start of us crumbling but give it time before overreacting.

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You might be right, but after April/May last season, I can't help but feel a bit of deja vu. We may not be actively crumbling, but the cracks are everywhere.

agdoc2001 said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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agdoc2001 said:

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Any of those games look particularly close to you?

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We're talking about two games. Why not the last three or four or five? It might be the start of us crumbling but give it time before overreacting.

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You might be right, but after April/May last season, I can't help but feel a bit of deja vu. We may not be actively crumbling, but the cracks are everywhere.

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I personally think the injury situation at the end of last year was our biggest issue. Saliba is such an integral part of the way we play offensively and defensively.

🚨 Arsenal are targeting a striker AND winger in the summer to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad. KSE, the club’s owners, recognise that Arteta’s squad needs significant strengthening to help them take the next step. [@ed_aarons, Guardian] #afc https://t.co/aWe4w0z5rZ

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 18, 2024

I personally want Isak, but I don't think it'll happen.

Think Olise would be a phenomenal RW option with the added bonus that he could backup MO as well. Then you use Jesus & Trossard as competition/rotation for Marti and all of a sudden the W is looking really strong. Added bonus that Olise is HG.

Other W I really like (barring a Rodrygo type purchase) is Nico Williams from Bilboa. He's young, fast, good on the dribble and can play both wings effectively.

For ST, I am torn. Like Isak but he hasnt shown a ton in the EPL and has been hurt. Given Havertz form at ST (compared to CM/AM) id be nore inclined to go for a younger and cheaper option like Zirkzee or Sesko. Wouldn't be opposed to Ferguson if we could pry him away from Brighton for a decent fee.

I think Arteta is making a valid point here. Also not thinking it has to be 35 goals, but we get the point.

Quote:

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Mikel Arteta has conceded that Arsenal don't have a striker who's good enough to score 'at least 35 goals a season'. The Gunners have been heavily linked with numerous big names for a while now as Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah continue to disappoint.
The trio have only scored 18 goals between them in the Premier League this season, with Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard shouldering much of the responsibility in the final third. While Arsenal have still managed to mount a title bid, the north Londoners struggled to impress in the Champions League without a talisman.


In fact, an Arsenal striker failed to score in each of the Gunners' knockout ties. Speaking to CBS Sports after a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening, Arteta admitted that he doensn't have a free-scoring frontman.
When asked about a lack of returns from strikers in front of goal, the Spaniard replied: "We have ben the team that has scored more goals in the Premier League.

From everywhere, because of the reality is we don't have a striker that is going to score 35 or 40 goals. So we have to live with that, we have many other qualities. Today is a day to stick behind the players, because they have given us so much and have taken us on this journey."

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Ollie Watkins would be my preferred transfer into Arsenal if we stay in the Premier League.

🆕 Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in Benjamin Sesko ahead of the summer. The 20-year-old striker has a €50m (£42.7m) release clause. Story with @sr_collings: https://t.co/cD5IejYRyy

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 18, 2024

He & Zirkzee would be our "cheap" options if we opt to go with an understudy for Havertz or spend too big on DM/CM.

Orny linking him to Arsenal.....

Arsenal and other clubs really like Bruno Guimarães, he can play in the 8 and the 6 positions. Newcastle will hope to keep hold off him, there is a release clause though. [@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticFC]

— Z (@ZRAFC) April 19, 2024

He's an absolute ***** but would definitely make our MF better.

jessexy said:

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Ollie Watkins would be my preferred transfer into Arsenal if we stay in the Premier League.

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Watkins is intriguing due to his mobility & production but he is 28 already, signed through 2028 and Villa is likely gonna want 75-80m for him. If he was a FA or atleast an expiring contract I would have a significantly different opinion.

You'd also need to drop a boatload of cash to get him off us. I think it's unlikely he or Isak moves this summer.

I've seen both linked to yall though.

KCup17 said:

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You'd also need to drop a boatload of cash to get him off us. I think it's unlikely he or Isak moves this summer.

I've seen both linked to yall though.

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We specialize in boatloads of cash.

Playing somewhat uninspired so far considering the stakes. Team running on fumes?

Goal!!!! Trossard! Well done!! 1 nil!

Scrappy goal! Good fight by GJesus, cheeky strike by Trossard.

G. Jesus falling down being his most creative offensive play in this recent run seems appropriate

Odegaard! Nice team goal! 2 nil!

3 huge points! Clean sheet! Top of the table! Keep wiinning and let's see what happens.

Excellent bounce back. There are still a few twists and turns left in the season. Let's just hope they fall our way.

David Raya is just the second goalkeeper in Premier League history to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive away Premier League appearances after Edwin van der Sar for Manchester United between November 2008 – February 2009 (a run of 7).

— Harvey Downes (@HarveyDownes92) April 20, 2024

Partey looked better today. If only he hadn't missed the entire season

Raya had a beautiful save today.

And Odegaard scored from what I thought was an impossible angle. Great away win at a tough place to get 3 points. I love that we have a chance to go up 4 points before MC plays.

Timber is playing for the U21s on Monday

wangus12 said:

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Just keep the pressure on and hope for a slip up. Only takes a draw for us to be back in first

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City still have 4 away matches left, with both Brighton and Spurs at least a potential for dropped points

Can't imagine they lose a home game or away to Forest or Fulham so I think it really just boils down to those 2 games

Arsenal made contact with multiple targets/ their clubs in the last week or so to see if a deal is possible.

Bruno G is on that list.

No idea about the agreement/clause stuff https://t.co/QrMSC2KFMa

— Team news and ticks (@Teamnewsandtix) April 22, 2024

Well, if we sign him, I hope Bruno G realizes he can't get away with going arm to the face on opponents while wearing an Arsenal jersey