Great work Billy, thank you. I’m left wondering about the Big Gaby rotation with Calafiori. With Ricky there, you could see our build up structure changing significantly- him roaming into midfield, Hincapie slotting in behind - this then gives the advanced midfielders chance to find space for central progression and box crashing - and lets one or more wingers to stay wide. Agree about a two footed forward with magic in his boots. Might be Eze
Great work as always, Billy! Really enjoyed sitting down for an offseason Arsenal long form read before an Arsenal v. Arsenal World Cup face off 🇪🇸🇧🇪
Now that Bruno seems very likely to happen, I'd love to hear more about what you think should be done with the fullback position going forward- both in terms of recruitment and in terms of managing the physical and mental demands of this position in the Arteta system over the course of an extremely long season.
Thanks as always for putting so much work in for the benefit of the Arsenal community!
Gyokeres is nowhere near the required standard, the worst centre forward in the PL.
Technically he’s nowhere near it, and he’s billed as a big powerful centre forward
But the reality is he’s incredibly powder puff.
Also think if we buy Guimaraes, and Rice goes back to No6, then we’ll sell Calafiori who’s far too injury prone
And will no longer be needed to move into the inside left position, we can get attacking width from our left back, and get our left forward off the touchline.
A bit like we did with Tierney + Smith Rowe in the 2nd half of 2020/21 and first half of 2021/22.
Great analysis as always, Billy. Comparing your "shopping list" with the players reliably linked to Arsenal, I believe the club is also looking at the same possible improvements. Examples:
#1 - Bruno G, Alex Scott, Bouaddi
#2 - Barcola, Rogers
#3 - Tzolis
We are yet to be reliably linked to any fullbacks or GKs (other than Meslier), but I am sure as the market accelerates post-world cup, more and more news on the transfer front will appear.
By the way, my pipe dream for #4 of your list is a cheeky loan bid for Trent, maybe the arrival of Dumfries could severely impact his game time in Madrid... who knows?
The most important thing to remember though is this: the squad, as is, was good enough for the Premier League title and 2 cup finals; obviously, we cannot stand still, but we don't need a complete revolution either.
Regardless of how the season goes, I will look forward to one more year of reading your pieces!
🐐
I really think so many of Arsenal’s problems will be fixed by having Havertz + Odegaard playing together again (please please please)
Great work Billy, thank you. I’m left wondering about the Big Gaby rotation with Calafiori. With Ricky there, you could see our build up structure changing significantly- him roaming into midfield, Hincapie slotting in behind - this then gives the advanced midfielders chance to find space for central progression and box crashing - and lets one or more wingers to stay wide. Agree about a two footed forward with magic in his boots. Might be Eze
Yea yea yea but whatt about Yann Gboho?
Great work as always, Billy! Really enjoyed sitting down for an offseason Arsenal long form read before an Arsenal v. Arsenal World Cup face off 🇪🇸🇧🇪
Now that Bruno seems very likely to happen, I'd love to hear more about what you think should be done with the fullback position going forward- both in terms of recruitment and in terms of managing the physical and mental demands of this position in the Arteta system over the course of an extremely long season.
Thanks as always for putting so much work in for the benefit of the Arsenal community!
On the right back front, how do you like Sporting's Fresneda? And do you think the Zubi at rb experiment could/will be repeated more concertedly?
A refreshing brisk and incisive look at the season here Billy, thanks as ever. Happily resubscribing.
Seeing your breakdown on long balls makes a lot of sense and helped articulate what I was seeing. Excellent read!
We need to strengthen our attack from open play was abysmal. We need a LW either Rogers or Barcola should be an upgrade.
For the full back role, I’d want Calafiori CB and Cambiasso FB..
What are your thoughts on how Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman can impact the squad next season?
Huge amount of talent there but easily and often overlooked
Gyokeres is nowhere near the required standard, the worst centre forward in the PL.
Technically he’s nowhere near it, and he’s billed as a big powerful centre forward
But the reality is he’s incredibly powder puff.
Also think if we buy Guimaraes, and Rice goes back to No6, then we’ll sell Calafiori who’s far too injury prone
And will no longer be needed to move into the inside left position, we can get attacking width from our left back, and get our left forward off the touchline.
A bit like we did with Tierney + Smith Rowe in the 2nd half of 2020/21 and first half of 2021/22.
Outstanding work, thanks Billy! I don't know who we'll end up with, but it feels like a great chance to retain the title for the first time ever.
Great analysis as always, Billy. Comparing your "shopping list" with the players reliably linked to Arsenal, I believe the club is also looking at the same possible improvements. Examples:
#1 - Bruno G, Alex Scott, Bouaddi
#2 - Barcola, Rogers
#3 - Tzolis
We are yet to be reliably linked to any fullbacks or GKs (other than Meslier), but I am sure as the market accelerates post-world cup, more and more news on the transfer front will appear.
By the way, my pipe dream for #4 of your list is a cheeky loan bid for Trent, maybe the arrival of Dumfries could severely impact his game time in Madrid... who knows?
The most important thing to remember though is this: the squad, as is, was good enough for the Premier League title and 2 cup finals; obviously, we cannot stand still, but we don't need a complete revolution either.
Regardless of how the season goes, I will look forward to one more year of reading your pieces!