A huge examination into what Arsenal need — with detailed reports on Šeško, Gyökeres, and dozens of other targets based on fit, movement, physicality, projected usage, and yes, goal potential
I've been eagerly awaiting this one for a while and it absolutely did not disappoint. Sesko's numbers this year had me second guessing whether he was the right option and this changed my mind. You need to be careful writing these though, one article gets into the wrong person's hands and you're head of scouting at Brentford
This was great. Except that I was previously able to keep myself emotionally detached from outcome on this striker hunt. I allowed myself a mild preference for Sesko. Now... now I have strong emotional attachment. So thanks a lot for that. But really... this was great!
Superb as always. Each article just leaves me feeling like I can start a scouting agency.
When I read through the parameters of the ideal striker, my mind immediately went to Jesus, even before I got to the actual list and found my 2 favorites ie Sesko and Ekitike.
If there is one player I'm begging the football gods to grant a season devoid of any kind of injury, it's Gabriel Jesus. I don't think people fully appreciate just how much he has in his 'arsenal'. He is my definition of the ultimate low-block kryptonite. An agent of chaos forged by Zus himself. I pray the football gods grant me this single prayer. That then opens us up to a world of scary possibilities upfront, but not for us. We already got a glimpse of what he can do alongside Kai...Just imagine him and Sesko....Pinnock would be running for the hills... A guy can dream
Fuck yeah, Billy! The Zubi deal feels like a clear bet on MØ if he's allowed to float higher, and getting a more creative option at LW + potentially more creative MØ makes the recipe feel right for an athletic, channel-running box demon.
Wonderful as always, Billy. Clearly so much work went into this. This put me firmly into team Sesko. I’m not convinced Gyokeres would be an improvement on Havertz, particularly for the kinds of games we need him. And Havertz is very good! Can easily see him scoring 20 if we get an elite LW and Saka stays healthy. So why not prioritize someone who can take over for him in a few years as he slows down? Especially when that someone has a sky-high ceiling and is a true unicorn?
Firstly, thank you. This is an immense amount of work that is extremely detailed and thorough. I liked how you balanced pure, hard data with just watching a player and assessing them. In one of your other posts, you said some players just play football good and stats sometimes do not back that up.
I watched Gyökeres as well...and I loved how he really does seem to attack each game. But I worry about temperament and whether he is going to sail too close to the wind and is just more red cards on Arsenal's copybook.
You like Šeško, I like Šeško, Arteta likes Šeško and I think Arsenal like Šeško. The problem is is that this is common knowledge and his price is going to go up, up, up. He is one of those players that creates chaos with his athleticism and his aerial presence and we need a bit of that. Both Raya and Ødegaard like to play an early ball and he is built for that. He's like Nunes with finishing ability.
Rodgers is also a bit of a indefinable chaos merchant who will break the lines and create space with pure talent and strength. I like him a lot.
If we were to buy Šeško and Zubi and / or Rodgers-like player I would consider that to be pretty good business.
Billy, what can I say that has not already been eruditely articulated you and your followers? Nothing. I am always (always) better informed from having read and digested your dissertations. That’s not to say I always agree with absolutely everything…, but that’s how it should be. Football is an art form, not a science. (My only criticism is quoting from East of Eden. I really couldn’t get along with this and I did try; I genuinely found it easier reading Ulysses!)
Awesome (as in: thorough, original, and lays its own tracks) analyses. And yes, you do spoil us. Outside the improbables: I'm very excited about the possibility of Sesko. And very intrigued by Ekitike as a second option, interesting how closely his profile resembles that of Isak. Some intriguing other options in here to ponder also. Just a very good read. Thank you.
I don’t know what to say, except you’re an absolute legend for *waves hands all around* this article. It took me three days (lol, not really of course, but it was thorough) to read it all, because my work sadly doesn’t involve reading soccer missives, but it was well worth the time invested. Thanks for the incredible effort you put into this report. Chapeau! 👏
You really spoil us. Thank you very much!
I've been eagerly awaiting this one for a while and it absolutely did not disappoint. Sesko's numbers this year had me second guessing whether he was the right option and this changed my mind. You need to be careful writing these though, one article gets into the wrong person's hands and you're head of scouting at Brentford
Michael Mann and John Steinbeck back to back HE CANNOT BE STOPPED
This was great. Except that I was previously able to keep myself emotionally detached from outcome on this striker hunt. I allowed myself a mild preference for Sesko. Now... now I have strong emotional attachment. So thanks a lot for that. But really... this was great!
Superb as always. Each article just leaves me feeling like I can start a scouting agency.
When I read through the parameters of the ideal striker, my mind immediately went to Jesus, even before I got to the actual list and found my 2 favorites ie Sesko and Ekitike.
If there is one player I'm begging the football gods to grant a season devoid of any kind of injury, it's Gabriel Jesus. I don't think people fully appreciate just how much he has in his 'arsenal'. He is my definition of the ultimate low-block kryptonite. An agent of chaos forged by Zus himself. I pray the football gods grant me this single prayer. That then opens us up to a world of scary possibilities upfront, but not for us. We already got a glimpse of what he can do alongside Kai...Just imagine him and Sesko....Pinnock would be running for the hills... A guy can dream
See you later kids - new Edu’s BBQ just dropped
Fuck yeah, Billy! The Zubi deal feels like a clear bet on MØ if he's allowed to float higher, and getting a more creative option at LW + potentially more creative MØ makes the recipe feel right for an athletic, channel-running box demon.
Let's Sesgo, baby! (that's awful I'm sorry)
My takeaway from this (other than we should be gunning for Sesko over most): I miss Alexis Sanchez?!
Wonderful as always, Billy. Clearly so much work went into this. This put me firmly into team Sesko. I’m not convinced Gyokeres would be an improvement on Havertz, particularly for the kinds of games we need him. And Havertz is very good! Can easily see him scoring 20 if we get an elite LW and Saka stays healthy. So why not prioritize someone who can take over for him in a few years as he slows down? Especially when that someone has a sky-high ceiling and is a true unicorn?
I wonder if Edu's BBQ needs to become Berta's BBQ? Also, this was an epic read and genuinely helpful!
Okay, wow.
Firstly, thank you. This is an immense amount of work that is extremely detailed and thorough. I liked how you balanced pure, hard data with just watching a player and assessing them. In one of your other posts, you said some players just play football good and stats sometimes do not back that up.
I watched Gyökeres as well...and I loved how he really does seem to attack each game. But I worry about temperament and whether he is going to sail too close to the wind and is just more red cards on Arsenal's copybook.
You like Šeško, I like Šeško, Arteta likes Šeško and I think Arsenal like Šeško. The problem is is that this is common knowledge and his price is going to go up, up, up. He is one of those players that creates chaos with his athleticism and his aerial presence and we need a bit of that. Both Raya and Ødegaard like to play an early ball and he is built for that. He's like Nunes with finishing ability.
Rodgers is also a bit of a indefinable chaos merchant who will break the lines and create space with pure talent and strength. I like him a lot.
If we were to buy Šeško and Zubi and / or Rodgers-like player I would consider that to be pretty good business.
Billy, what can I say that has not already been eruditely articulated you and your followers? Nothing. I am always (always) better informed from having read and digested your dissertations. That’s not to say I always agree with absolutely everything…, but that’s how it should be. Football is an art form, not a science. (My only criticism is quoting from East of Eden. I really couldn’t get along with this and I did try; I genuinely found it easier reading Ulysses!)
congrats on another excellent piece Billy!
Awesome (as in: thorough, original, and lays its own tracks) analyses. And yes, you do spoil us. Outside the improbables: I'm very excited about the possibility of Sesko. And very intrigued by Ekitike as a second option, interesting how closely his profile resembles that of Isak. Some intriguing other options in here to ponder also. Just a very good read. Thank you.
I don’t know what to say, except you’re an absolute legend for *waves hands all around* this article. It took me three days (lol, not really of course, but it was thorough) to read it all, because my work sadly doesn’t involve reading soccer missives, but it was well worth the time invested. Thanks for the incredible effort you put into this report. Chapeau! 👏
This is incredibly brilliant, Billy. Well done!