Arsenal 2016-17: Get Ready For A Xhak-attack

sachmoney

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I'm excited to start the new Arsenal thread, like I should have been allotted the ability to last year. I mean, I start the thread two years in a row and Arsenal win the FA Cup in both years. Some schlub completely ignores board rules and fucks everything up. Arsenal blows its best chance in years to win the title, and ends up with no trophies despite a miraculous second place finish.

We won't harp on that.

***

Arsene Wenger has already brought in an important piece. Granit Xhaka has been signed and announced uncharacteristically early. If you had polled Arsenal fans going into last season what Arsenal needed most, a Xhaka type player would have been a unanimous choice along with a striker. Arsenal still need that striker and a central defender, given the age of Koscielny and Mertesacker and the inconsistent performances of Gabriel. There is plenty of time to make those moves.

Regardless, Arsenal are well positioned for a strong performance this year. City look like they're going to need a full make over. Chelsea have their set of issues. United are promising potential, but not delivering results. It seems implausible that the whole of Leicester City's title winning side stays put. Quite frankly, it's hard seeing this upcoming season being less up for grabs than the last season.

Arsenal may, in fact, be the best club positioned to grab the title this year. Obviously, there needs to be more additions made, but the basis for a challenge is there. You have the best creator of chances in the league, Özil. You have an excellent wing striker in Sanchez. You have a good defensive base and goal keeper. It's that extra bit that is missing and that is what needs to be added.

Whether Arsene is allowed to deliver those missing pieces is one of the big questions of the offseason. If he can, is there any reason that Arsenal can't win the title? Or shouldn't?

I don't think so. Expect big things this year.
 

ifmanis5

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The Leicester City story was a once in a lifetime event. Not even mad about that. The Cup performances were more of a concern but the club's outlook is good. Losing Rosicky, Arteta and likely a few more of the old timers will actually be a good thing. Lead us to a League Cup, Money.
 

Luis Taint

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Arsenal did surprisingly well against good teams. It's the ties/loses against dogshit teams that pisses me off to no end. Few things of concern to me, going into next season:

1. Can they please just break the bank on a world class striker? I know it's not in Arsene's call entirely, but please get someone. That said, I don't mind Giroud, as much as he irritates others.

2. I know this probably isn't anyone's number two concern, but can we please put BFG out to pasture. I don't even know where he rates as a defender, but to me he is slow and gangly.

3. I've had my fill of Theo Walcott and increasingly Jack Wilshire, and wouldn't mind if they were shown the door.

4. I would like to see the youth get played more, even if that means out on loan. I like Callum Chambers a lot, but he is still raw and needs to play regularly.

5. Im really happy that Ozil and Alexis aren't asking for transfers(so far).

6. It looks like Ox is already out the door, and Ricardo Rodriguez is on his way in. So at least Arsenal recognize that there is a problem and they seem to be proactive this transfer window.

My silly season Tranfer Window pickup's: Zlatan and Ross Barkley. I know, I know, but they would be so much fun at Arsenal. They also fill needs.
 

sachmoney

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Some responses:
  1. No clue who the striker that Arsenal eventually gets, but it sounds like there are three targets. Not sure who those three targets are exactly, but this is a rumor from multiple sources so it seems to have a little more weight than your run of the mill rag tag.
  2. Lots of defensive rumors too. Can't imagine Arsene isn't looking with both Koscielny and Mertesacker on the wrong side of 30.
  3. If West Ham comes with a solid offer for Theo, I pull the trigger instantly. I would sell Wilshere too, but I don't see Arsenal selling him.
  4. Would not be surprised if Chambers goes on loan.
  5. Be strong enough to sit through Ozil and Alexis transfer rumors. Also, Bellerin to Barca rumors. Be strong.
  6. I don't think Ricardo Rodriguez is an Ox replacement, since he's a left back. That might be more about Gibbs. Monreal has clearly laid claim to the starting spot but Arsenal need someone to continue to push him. Gibbs clearly isn't that guy.
 

mikeford

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A journo for the Guardian has reported that Arsenal have triggered Jamie Vardy's release clause at 20m pounds.

I... don't buy this
 

The Gray Eagle

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Why not? This summer, strikers who can score 25 or so goals in the Premier League will be going for at least 2.5 times what Vardy's release clause is. The money looks exactly like a Wenger move. So does the out of-the-blue, unexpected news.

Link.
 

mikeford

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So this sort've looks like its actually going to happen? Reputable sources like the BBC have confirmed the release clause bit, Claudio Renieri told an Italian paper its all true and less reputable sources like the Mail and Express have gone so far as to say personal terms have been agreed to and a medical is scheduled
 

teddykgb

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Yeah it seems too strange. He's been phenomenal playing on the counter on long balls pinged into space. There's probably no team in the league less likely to play that way than Arsenal. You could convince me that a 4-3-3 forward line that includes Vardy and Alexis playing that way would be dynamic and incredible on the counter but is Arsene really going to change it that much?
 

soxfan121

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Wouldn't buying Vardy enable Arsenal to move another homegrown player, like a Walcott or a Wilshere, and stay compliant with the UCL roster rules?
 

mikeford

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I like Vardy quite a bit, I'm just not sure if he fits in with Arsenal.
While Arsenal does LOVE to play possession football and do nothing but pass around the edge of the 18 yard box a lot, they do also have the capability to spring a fast counter with Ozil and Sanchez so he's not as a fish out of a water as it initially seems but against bottom tier teams, I feel like he will struggle a lot to find space and break down defenses in ways he never had to do with LCFC.
 

shaggydog2000

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Yeah it seems too strange. He's been phenomenal playing on the counter on long balls pinged into space. There's probably no team in the league less likely to play that way than Arsenal. You could convince me that a 4-3-3 forward line that includes Vardy and Alexis playing that way would be dynamic and incredible on the counter but is Arsene really going to change it that much?
He's undersized to be a Giroud style center forward, he's a racist, and kind of goonish, but he's got speed to burn and can finish. I think he'll find himself somewhere in the lineup to play. He's a better option than Ox, Theo, and Campbell on the wings.
 

coremiller

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He's undersized to be a Giroud style center forward, he's a racist, and kind of goonish, but he's got speed to burn and can finish. I think he'll find himself somewhere in the lineup to play. He's a better option than Ox, Theo, and Campbell on the wings.
He could also be very useful against top teams in Europe where Arsenal can't dominate possession like they can in the league. His pace can deter teams from playing extremely high defensive lines.
 

lars10

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While Arsenal does LOVE to play possession football and do nothing but pass around the edge of the 18 yard box a lot, they do also have the capability to spring a fast counter with Ozil and Sanchez so he's not as a fish out of a water as it initially seems but against bottom tier teams, I feel like he will struggle a lot to find space and break down defenses in ways he never had to do with LCFC.
Ozil and Sanchez gave through balls all year (as you said).. But they were to Giroud who isn't fast or Theo who can't finish. I think Vardy is perfect for them in a way.. A player who loves making runs behind the D, or back shoulder at the top of the box and finishes regularly even with very few chances. Imagine that 1/2 field pass Ozil made but instead to Vardy. I think it could work.. But I wonder how much of this year was luck and how much was Mahrez... I'd love to think he'll be as good or better with Ozil's passes, but I'm not sure.
 

mikeford

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Yeah I'm not sure if its going to work but its a worthwhile gamble. I think the final fee is settling at like 22m pounds, wages rumoured 100-120k a week. Its not chump change but if he flops totally you can still likely sell him to another Europa-tier English club and recoup SOME of the transfer fee.
 

mikeford

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And honestly, the racism angle is why I'm most surprised Arsene would do this. And I don't really believe Gazidis or anyone on the board has the power or ability or what have you to overrule Arsene on a transfer and say "too bad we're getting this guy anyway, like it or lump it", so I'm fully believing it's Wenger's decision.

Arsenal, under Wenger, have tried to pride itself on having a very diverse fanbase and shunning some of the more neanderthal aspects of football culture. This totally flies in the face of that.
 

teddykgb

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At that cost it's a no brainier for Arsenal, of course. It's just a weird fit style wise and may be not the actual best move for the player. He looks a shell of himself playing for England because they don't play that Leicester style
 

sachmoney

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Wouldn't buying Vardy enable Arsenal to move another homegrown player, like a Walcott or a Wilshere, and stay compliant with the UCL roster rules?
This is the big, overlooked point on Vardy. You can move some of the dead weight as a result. There have been rumors of Walcott to West Ham. Ox has also been involved in some rumors. The home grown quota would have made it more difficult. You're also adding a pretty good player as a result of this move.
 

bosox4283

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My question may be dumb: why does Vardy want to move to Arsenal? Is it for the wages? To play for a bigger club? To prove to himself he can play on a bigger club? The chance to live in London?
 

sachmoney

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Pretty good column on the Vardy situation (my favorite paragraph):
Culturally it would be an unusual signing for Arsenal. The few British players Wenger has signed have tended to be polite young men, respectful and respectable. Nobody has ever thought to sing “Theo Walcott’s having a party, bring your vodka and your charlie”.
It's a serious piece and actually worth a read, even though I posted this humorous bit.
 
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Arsenal, under Wenger, have tried to pride itself on having a very diverse fanbase and shunning some of the more neanderthal aspects of football culture. This totally flies in the face of that.
Does it really, though? The guy has one incident where he drunkenly calls a man "Jap" in a casino, and yet the entire nation of Thailand still worships him. Not a positive, obviously, and inexcusable, but I have a hard time taking that and calling him the English John Rocker. His unreserved apology seemed sincere. I think it's more likely that he's a crank with a chip on his shoulder, no different than many other top strikers I could name, but is not far from the median white PL player in terms of likelihood of inciting an ugly incident on the pitch. I see a pretty big distinction between Vardy and people like John Terry, to say nothing of routine incidents in Serie A.

It would certainly be a tragedy for Leicester to make history and then have the team disassembled in front of their eyes before they have a chance to try their mettle in the UCL. But this is the Arsenal thread, and I think it would be a great move from their perspective, especially if it heralds a change in Wenger's tactics.
 

sachmoney

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I don't necessarily end my pursuit of Vardy. I continue to go after other targets in the meantime. If you get someone else and Vardy decides he wants to come after the Euro, I'd still take him. Mostly because it allows you the flexibility of selling Walcott, Ox, and/or Gibbs.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I'm not too fussed either way with Vardy. If we can get him for a relatively cheap fee on affordable wages, that's a great way to add a different dimension to our attack. I think the possession v. counter-attacking football issue is overplayed - he would be a useful addition to the squad not just because the threat on the counter but also because he has great movement and can finish, basically the player that Wenger hoped Walcott would become. But he is also 29 and doesn't have the technical ability to be truly world class, so if he stays at Leicester, no big deal.

The (realistic) player to which we are currently linked that most interests me is Mkhitaryan. He doesn't solve the striker issue but he was absolutely dominant last year under Tuchel and I think he would mesh very well with our style. An attacking midfield trio of Sanchez-Ozil-Mkhitaryan would be deadly. This would also be a clear sign that we would be selling at least one of Ox and Walcott.
 

soxfan121

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I don't necessarily end my pursuit of Vardy. I continue to go after other targets in the meantime. If you get someone else and Vardy decides he wants to come after the Euro, I'd still take him. Mostly because it allows you the flexibility of selling Walcott, Ox, and/or Gibbs.
Isn't Gibbs "homegrown-at the club" and therefore in a slightly different bucket (for UCL roster purposes) than Walcott or Chamberlain (who are just homegrown-in nation)?
 

sachmoney

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Isn't Gibbs "homegrown-at the club" and therefore in a slightly different bucket (for UCL roster purposes) than Walcott or Chamberlain (who are just homegrown-in nation)?
I think so:
• UEFA defines locally-trained or 'homegrown' players as those who, regardless of their nationality, have been trained by their club or by another club in the same national association for at least three years between the age of 15 and 21. Up to half of the locally-trained players must be from the club itself, with the others being either from the club itself or from other clubs in the same association.
Gibbs came over from the defunct Wimbledon academy at age 15, so yeah, I believe he would be. So many nuanced rules...
 

The Gray Eagle

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No Vardy.

It's not official or anything, but for Wenger to be talking candidly like that, it really seems like it's not going to happen. No idea who Wenger will go for next.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Xhaka has been one of the best players in the Euros so far. Judging players from small samples in tournaments is generally pretty foolish. But so far so good. He bossed the match against France - always showing for the ball, instructing everybody where to go, always very comfortable in possession, and very willing to get stuck in and push people around a bit as well. One knock on him was that he was slow but I don't really see that. He might not be the guy you want in a 50 yard sprint but his positioning has been pretty good and he is quick to the ball in short spaces.
 

sachmoney

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No Vardy.

It's not official or anything, but for Wenger to be talking candidly like that, it really seems like it's not going to happen. No idea who Wenger will go for next.
Yeah, I take the "looking at/searching for" alternatives from other sources as encouraging. However, until Arsenal makes the move, I'm worried we're going to get stuck with just Giroud. It's clear Arsenal needs other options. Lots of names have been thrown out, but none of them seem realistic. At the same time, I remember how outlandish it seemed that Arsenal was getting Mesut Özil.
Xhaka has been one of the best players in the Euros so far. Judging players from small samples in tournaments is generally pretty foolish. But so far so good. He bossed the match against France - always showing for the ball, instructing everybody where to go, always very comfortable in possession, and very willing to get stuck in and push people around a bit as well. One knock on him was that he was slow but I don't really see that. He might not be the guy you want in a 50 yard sprint but his positioning has been pretty good and he is quick to the ball in short spaces.
I love what I've seen from Xhaka too. I agree with everything you've said. He has had a ridiculous amount of touches this tournament and his passing has been excellent. I think that he will combine well with Özil, Sanchez, and whoever else is on the pitch. He gets fullbacks involved really well. He has had some terrific passes leading Lichtsteiner switching the ball. One of the things that I've noticed during this tournament is that a lot of the teams have been passing to here players are instead of where they need to go. I think that Xhaka can play balls where they need to go and I look forward to him combining with Bellerin.

The thing about last night is that he was essentially going toe to toe with Pogba. Pogba looked very determined to score early on, but as the game went on, he kind of disappeared. I wouldn't say Xhaka won the battle by any means, but I did feel like he did okay neutralizing him. He wasn't shading, but he definitely had his tiffs with Pogba when Pogba was doing Pogba things.
 

sachmoney

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Vardy is staying with Leicester. Not exactly surprising at this point, but the rejection part is not something that I want associated with the club, even though it does happen now and again. I loved the boldness of the move (much like the failed Suarez approach) and I thought that Vardy would have done alright at Arsenal. He would have brought something different from Giroud, but it would have been hard to replicate his success at Leicester. Arsenal are capable of the counter, but generally like to boss games. Plus, he's a homegrown player, which would have been a good add, especially given early rumors of potential departures.

Now, it's back up to Wenger to deliver a striker. I'm pretty sure this is number one on every Arsenal fan's wishlist, and probably Mesut Ozil's too. There are other positions that could use help. A winger could be useful. Another defender would add much needed depth. Wenger says only three signings. With Xhaka in and a striker the top priority, what's your other position to target? Also, what players that are "available" would you make exception to the position? For me, a player like Kante, who is an absolute work horse, would be an amazing luxury to add. I don't know how realistic he would be to get when I expect PSG to open their check book for him.
 

hube

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I don't see Wenger paying double for a player he missed out on a few years back and adding Giroud to the cost. It'd still leave us short a striker, even though Higuain would be an improvement.

I've already braced myself for the "internal solutions"/"no one available" press conferences.
 

JimBoSox9

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Mahrez talk is heating up for realsies this morning. Arseblog article (http://arseblog.com/2016/07/rob-holding-signs-club-manager-change-message-transfers/) about officially signing Holding from Bolton has some interesting comments on the club's transfers messaging, to support the notion this isn't a pile of bunk. Every report does seem to lead back to this Eurosport France piece (http://www.eurosport.fr/football/premier-league/2016-2017/mercato-riyad-mahrez-a-choisi-arsenal-et-ca-ne-devrait-plus-tarder_sto5695718/story.shtml) as the single ground zero, though.
 

The Gray Eagle

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Mahrez listed in the starting lineup for Leicester's friendly today against Celtic. Hard to believe he would be playing at all in a friendly if anything was agreed to or was even close.

Ah well, it was a lovely dream for a couple hours there.
 

JimBoSox9

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I'm not an expert tactically, so can someone explain to me how Mahrez would fit at Arsenal?
He plays on the right of Ozil, with Alexis on the left and Giroud (probably definitely, if we signed Mahrez) up top. It basically pushes all of Wilshire, Ramsey, and Iwobi into a either backup role or competing with Cazorla/Elneny for the 8.

Is it the perfect tactical fit for their needs? No, probably not, in an ideal world you're using that money to get a world-class striker and rolling with Ramsey/Iwobi on the right, which is perfectly cromulent, But the thinking is that Alexis-Ozil-Mahrez can be fluid and dynamic enough that it works well around Giroud's hold-up play up top.
 
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The Gray Eagle

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Mertesacker with a knee injury, could be out up to 5 months.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/532734/Arsenal-Per-Mertesacker-five-months-reports-rumours-gossip

They already needed a center back in his mid-20's who can step in right away and be good enough to start even before this, but they still won't get one.
At least one of 20-year-old Rob Holding or 21-year-old Calum Chambers will probably be starting for the first few games of the season, until Koscielny is ready. Gabriel stinks and is not traveling on the California preseason trip because of illness, but he will probably be the other guy in the paring.

Gabriel will likely be starting for months, so he'd better be much better than he was last season.

What could possibly go wrong?
 

Vinho Tinto

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Lyon rejects 35 million for Lacazette, because it's Arsenal and nothing can be easy.
To be clear, that's 35 EUR. If you bid 34 GBP the neogotiation will be easy because you'll hit the release clause. He's signed until 2019 and the player isn't revolting against the club. No reason for Lyon to accept less for a productive forward.