It looks like Edu and Arteta have woke up finally and bringing the two players we have been hearing about from ages. Transfers for Ødegaand and Ramsdale is on the verge of completion which brings us a back up keeper – competition to Leno, and an attacking midfielder.
Ode was with us for 6 months on loan last season and was part of our good run in second half of last season. He is 23 year old, is captain of Norway and despite not really making to the Real Madrid’s first team, has good potential. I hold nothing against the player but unless he starts scoring some goals, we would still be having a difficult time to make it to top 4.
Ramsdale deal is a confusing one. On one hand, he was part of two teams which got relegated but then both of the teams were not great defensively either. He has been brilliant in saving close range shots and with Leno hinting a change last year, we needed someone who could equally be good if plays as main goal keeper. On top of that, he is just 23 year old and GK usually become better over time.
I hope these two teansfers solves two of our biggest worries. We were an injury away to putting a 19 year old between nets, and our football in final third is worse than ever. Both of them are young guns, and can only improve from here.
Once Thomas Partey is back, we would have a functional mid field with either Lokonga or Xhaka partnering him. Lokonga has looked good and I would personally prefer him over Xhaka but don’t see that happening. Xhaka has been pivotal to Arteta’s system and his contract has been extended lately after the Roma’s bid collapsed.
We are left with two first team positions to fill. Bellerin would probably leave before window closes and we need an upgrade on him. We have seen Chambers playing as RB but we need someone of KT’s caliber on the right. Another important addition would be a goal scorer. Auba has been poor for a complete season now, Laca in his last year of contract and we have seen against Brentford that Balogun is not ready yet. Eddie would have been better but he is injured and Martinelli needs a lot of games and confidence to develop in to a CF.
One major concern is – we have not been able to move our deadwood. We still have Willian and Kolasinac, Bellerin wants out, Laca & Eddie are in their last year of contracts and Nelson, AMN won’t make it to playing XI under Mikel. We either need to encash on these players or send them out on loans to gain playing experience. It’s not happened yet. I sincerely hope Edu and Arteta equally concentrates on trimming down the squad.
We would see how it all goes. Are these two signings exciting enough for you? Have they got potential to improve us to be in the mix of Champions League football? Let us know in the comments!
