Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. Hope you are doing well and still clinching to your new years’ resolution(s). I’m as concerned as you about this transfer window, so here I’m with an article.
AFCON is starting and we are losing Partey, Elneny and Auba. We can live without Auba for sure, since we didn’t feel his absence in last few matches but losing out on Partey is a big blow for us. With Elneny also in the list, we are left with Xhaka, Lokonga and Maitland Niles. Here’s another shocker – AMN is being reported to move to Roma on a loan with no obligation to buy. It’s good considering he has hardly got any game time recently but we don’t have much options left, do we?
Midfield Problem!
I would have rather kept Maitland Miles and give him a run of games. He was player of the match the last time he started a game; unless, we are bringing someone in – who is not named Coutinho. If we are filling his and Partey’s absence with a new signing or loan, I can live with that.
Do you want to see Jack Wilshere given a contract? He did a video with PaddyPower stating, he is fit, ready, available for offers. Not Tottenham… Of course not, Jack. If you wanna have a laugh –
Jack Wilshere is looking for a new club, and our top marketing team is on the case…
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) January 4, 2022
(18+ Gambleaware) | @jackwilshere pic.twitter.com/B3wMgdnSIV
However, I don’t see it happening and it’s for the good. He has not played a competitive game from some time and football industry is not run on emotions.
I’ve no idea who we are getting in that midfield but I really hope we fix the problem for long term. If we are getting someone in, why not to invest properly who can take Xhaka’s place when Partey is back. Lokonga can be understudy along side Patino in coming seasons. What if there’s not enough options? A loan deal for 6 months to cover the AFCON should suffice. If AMN is leaving, there is no way we are not getting someone. Without Partey, that midfield looks skint.
What’s up upfront?
There are rumors that we have offered a cash + Torreira for Dusan Vlahovic. This looks a pretty decent signing if it goes through. I don’t see Auba coming back in the fold anytime soon and we really lack a CF. Plus he would get much needed 6 months for adapting to Premier League before Lacazette leaves.
Per Mertesacker has already hinted Balogun will go for a loan. Eddie is destined to move out and Laca’s contract is ending in next 6months. We need a guaranteed starter at CF with Balogun learning the trades from him next season. I would have also preferred Eddie to stay and fight for the place but he is looking to that fat contract he will get when he walks out as a Bosman. I won’t be surprised if Martinelli makes the CF his own but your top 4 chances can’t depend on it.
Who are we loaning / selling?
None till now, but there are interests for Eddie from Brighton. We might try to offload Auba on loan or might even sell him if we find a buyer. Laca will probably see out his contract so we have 6 months of him. Torreira will either be used in a deal or sold separately, only see it happening this window if Vlahovic is coming to Arsenal. Cedric and Mari needs to be sold frankly making space for Saliba when he returns from the loan. For the right back, we might need a back up to Tomi but it’s a not a priority since we have seen White playing that position when he was out. We also have Chambers who can play a Right Back.
What do you think of our midfield? Do you want to see Jack or want Patino to be promoted there? Let me know in the comments.
