Arteta and Edu Transfer Targets: Summer 2020

[samshere]

I don't quite understand though, why are we getting linked & said to be keen on signing so many of these players when our board has come out & said not to expect big signings or no signings apart from free agents this window? Tolisso is linked now, I've also read we are keen on getting Koulibaly from Napoli now aswell. I highly doubt we'll even get Partey now thats not to say I don't want him, I'd love it if we got him.

Yeah, it feels as if Kroenke has sold us to the Saudis without letting anyone know.

 

[Dutch D]

Tolisso and Partey would be quite the midfield pairing.

Who would provide the creativity in that midfield. Would rather pair Partey with a Sabitzer type player. Perhaps as an alternative to Partey he would be interesting.

 

[Keplaz]

Good Scandinavian name that. Dates back to the Vikings I’m sure.

His family is originally from Rwanda apparently.

 

[Rex Stone]

His family is originally from Rwanda apparently.

Oh fair, I was picturing some cockney teenager going back five generations to claim Norwegian nationality.

 

[L3T5 PL4Y]

He had an ACL tear the season before but other than that, I don't think he does.

That said, if I had to choose between him and Partey, I'd pick Partey all the way. Tolisso is a player that I like but he'd be much more useful if we already had a good, rounded midfield. He's a good complement but he wouldn't move the needle for us - rather, he'd fit in a little too much. Partey on the other hand gives us more power, athleticism and forward thrust, plus we gain another effective duel winner.

Now if we were bringing in BOTH of them, I'd be a very happy man - but not only is it not likely, but I think if we repurpose Joe Willock back to a deep CM position, we won't really need to do that.

I think the best solution would be if we do get Partey is to get Aranguiz on a free. A midfield of starter options of Aranguiz-Torreira-Partey-Xhaka would be a really balanced trio while Willock, ESR and Douzi push for a starting place.

 

[OnlyOne]

I think the best solution would be if we do get Partey is to get Aranguiz on a free. A midfield of starter options of Aranguiz-Torreira-Partey-Xhaka would be a really balanced trio while Willock, ESR and Douzi push for a starting place.

Aranguiz just signed a new contract.

 

[Rex Stone]

I think a midfield of Torreira-Thomas-Guendouzi would be a genuine problem.

He’s had a very up and down year but Guendouzi has shown some real good stretches early in the season and feel he could go improve even more by next season.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

I think a midfield of Torreira-Thomas-Guendouzi would be a genuine problem.

He’s had a very up and down year but Guendouzi has shown some real good stretches early in the season and feel he could go improve even more by next season.

That looks a bit like ordering the most expensive steak and eating it only with ketchup and glass of water. Yuck...

I get it we probably only have room to sign one midfielder this summer but hopefully long term we are looking to get rid of Torreira and Douzi ASAP and get some real ballers to play with Thomas!

 

[Shalmaneser V]

I think a midfield of Torreira-Thomas-Guendouzi would be a genuine problem.

He’s had a very up and down year but Guendouzi has shown some real good stretches early in the season and feel he could go improve even more by next season.

I’d be worried about a lack of creativity with that trio.

Partey and Torreira are most effective at breaking up play. Guendouzi’s passes go mostly sideways. At least Xhaka can play a penetrative pass once in a while.

None are really any good at shooting or carrying the ball and driving into the opposition penalty area either.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

I think a midfield of Torreira-Thomas-Guendouzi would be a genuine problem.

He’s had a very up and down year but Guendouzi has shown some real good stretches early in the season and feel he could go improve even more by next season.

There's literally no creativity in that midfield, like how's Torreira still starting? Signing Partey surely means the end for Torreira as a starter, he's been dropped in favour of a Ceballos-Xhaka partnership in any case which should surely tell you what Arteta thinks of him. He should be no more than a squad player. We're also hoping for a major transformation in terms of Guendouzi becoming a real force in the middle of the park and in the midfield you propose he'd have to be the guy breaking the lines, creating chances, dictating play, playing incisive passes, making combinations and I just don't see him doing all that effectively enough.

I can't see Arteta dropping all three of Xhaka, Ceballos and Özil in favour of that midfield when two of them are widely out of favour already, Guendouzi still has potential but he's a long way off.

 

[TromsoGooner]

I’d be worried about a lack of creativity with that trio.

Partey and Torreira are most effective at breaking up play. Guendouzi’s passes go mostly sideways. Rarely ever penetrative.

None are really any good at shooting or carrying the ball and driving into the opposition penalty area either.

Partey`s game is much more than just breaking up play. He is very good going forward and has 10 goals in 27 games for Ghana where he is given more lisence to go forward.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

Also depends if we're going 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. If we're going 4-3-3 we need specific profiles as the interior midfielders. Torreira isn't the right profile at all. Partey isn't either. Again with Guendouzi at this stage he isn't the player to play that role effectively. If we're 4-2-3-1 when Partey needs to be partnered with a ball playing midfielder.

 

[Shalmaneser V]

Partey`s game is much more than just breaking up play. He is very good going forward and has 10 goals in 27 games for Ghana where he is given more lisence to go forward.

I’m aware of that. But he is ultimately a defensive midfielder. If we’re going to bring him in I would like us to play him to his strengths. I do not need my defensive midfielder bombing forward unless it is absolutely necessary. That’s not his job, leave that **** to the attacking players. One of the reasons we’ve fallen away in recent times is due a lack balance, defensive structure and discipline.

All the successful sides have had a specialist in that role.

Barca - Busquets
Madrid - Casemiro
Liverpool - Fabinho
Chelsea - Matic
City- Fernandinho
Bayern - Martinez

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Barca - Busquets
Madrid - Casemiro
Liverpool - Fabinho
Chelsea - Matic
City- Fernandinho
Bayern - Martinez

I think Arteta sees Xhaka as the best personnel for the same role as these players tbh. Xhaka is a disgrace but if anyone can salvage his career its Arteta.

Also, I think Arsenal fans are bit spoilt after having Özil and Fabregas here in the last 15 years. I don't think creativity is an essential part of the big club's midfield anymore. Liverpool midfield is, for example, a real workhorse midfield. With their midfielders complementing the creativity of Mane and Firmino. It will be interesting to see if Arteta still opt to go with Özil or if he tries to make a midfield of Partey, Xhaka and player like Willock or Emile Smith-Rowe.

 

[Rex Stone]

There's literally no creativity in that midfield, like how's Torreira still starting? Signing Partey surely means the end for Torreira as a starter, he's been dropped in favour of a Ceballos-Xhaka partnership in any case which should surely tell you what Arteta thinks of him. He should be no more than a squad player. We're also hoping for a major transformation in terms of Guendouzi becoming a real force in the middle of the park and in the midfield you propose he'd have to be the guy breaking the lines, creating chances, dictating play, playing incisive passes, making combinations and I just don't see him doing all that effectively enough.

I can't see Arteta dropping all three of Xhaka, Ceballos and Özil in favour of that midfield when two of them are widely out of favour already, Guendouzi still has potential but he's a long way off.

You don’t need a creative player in that midfield like an Özil or a Fabregas. They’re three players whose games fit well.

Could play Torreira at the base as the most defensive and Guendouzi as a deep playmaker who’s not relied on to carry the ball forwards.

Partey would then be free to carry the ball, break lines and get into the box late. If you bought someone like Grealish or even a Buendia for the left wing that could provide any extra creativity you’d need.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

You don’t need a creative player in that midfield like an Özil or a Fabregas. They’re three players whose games fit well.

Could play Torreira at the base as the most defensive and Guendouzi as a deep playmaker who’s not relied on to carry the ball forwards.

Partey would then be free to carry the ball, break lines and get into the box late. If you bought someone like Grealish or even a Buendia for the left wing that could provide any extra creativity you’d need.

But we need extremely technical players to play the football Arteta wants us to play, I don't see that midfield having the range of passing or the ability to play high tempo quick incisive passing football to the level Arteta would want. Also none of them are particularly good at find those spaces in between the lines you see the two Silva's or De Bruyne pick up for City. Who does that in our midfield? Baring in mind Arteta has a similar philosophy to Guardiola, we'll need at least one creative player in there. I honestly can't see Arteta ever playing that midfield, maybe 2 out of the 3 but certainly not all 3, it resembles an Emery midfield more than anything. It seems designed for a specific approach which goes against Arteta's principles.

Like even if you wanted Torreira at the base, Partey carrying the ball/breaking the lines in my opinion you'd need a far better interior on the other wise than Guendouzi, especially with the way he is now. Ceballos if he can get better in his decision making is probably a good bet, maybe ESR if he can develop further. Willock is a left field idea too. I think they've got far better profiles than Guendouzi currently and just would offer a lot more of what Arteta would want. Also FWIW I think Xhaka would be favoured ahead of Torreira as a 6 in any case.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

I think Arteta sees Xhaka as the best personnel for the same role as these players tbh. Xhaka is a disgrace but if anyone can salvage his career its Arteta.

Also, I think Arsenal fans are bit spoilt after having Özil and Fabregas here in the last 15 years. I don't think creativity is an essential part of the big club's midfield anymore. Liverpool midfield is, for example, a real workhorse midfield. With their midfielders complementing the creativity of Mane and Firmino. It will be interesting to see if Arteta still opt to go with Özil or if he tries to make a midfield of Partey, Xhaka and player like Willock or Emile Smith-Rowe.

Yeah the last part is my idea also. It'll probably be Xhaka, Partey and one other. If we were to sign a Grealish/Buendia type imo Arteta would play them in a 3 man midfield. He likes his wide players to keep the width and provide a serious goal threat hence why he's opting for Auba and Pepe at this stage and a number 9 who drops deep so the two wide players can get into the space behind.

 

[Shalmaneser V]

I think Arteta sees Xhaka as the best personnel for the same role as these players tbh. Xhaka is a disgrace but if anyone can salvage his career its Arteta.

Also, I think Arsenal fans are bit spoilt after having Özil and Fabregas here in the last 15 years. I don't think creativity is an essential part of the big club's midfield anymore. Liverpool midfield is, for example, a real workhorse midfield. With their midfielders complementing the creativity of Mane and Firmino. It will be interesting to see if Arteta still opt to go with Özil or if he tries to make a midfield of Partey, Xhaka and player like Willock or Emile Smith-Rowe.

LIverpool are a bit of a one off though. In the likes of Henderson, Wijnaldum, the Ox and Naby Neita they have a collection of dynamic, high energy and selfless midfielders. They play at high speed with immense intensity and press like demons for 90 minutes. They’re fully on board with Klopp’s methods and he knows exactly how to get the best out of them.

Can you see the likes of Xkaka, Torreira and Guendouzi giving Arteta the same level of productivity and dedication?

 

[Rex Stone]

But we need extremely technical players to play the football Arteta wants us to play, I don't see that midfield having the range of passing or the ability to play high tempo quick incisive passing football to the level Arteta would want. Also none of them are particularly good at find those spaces in between the lines you see the two Silva's or De Bruyne pick up for City. Who does that in our midfield? Baring in mind Arteta has a similar philosophy to Guardiola, we'll need at least one creative player in there. I honestly can't see Arteta ever playing that midfield, maybe 2 out of the 3 but certainly not all 3, it resembles an Emery midfield more than anything. It seems designed for a specific approach which goes against Arteta's principles.

Like even if you wanted Torreira at the base, Partey carrying the ball/breaking the lines in my opinion you'd need a far better interior on the other wise than Guendouzi, especially with the way he is now. Ceballos if he can get better in his decision making is probably a good bet, maybe ESR if he can develop further. Willock is a left field idea too. I think they've got far better profiles than Guendouzi currently and just would offer a lot more of what Arteta would want. Also FWIW I think Xhaka would be favoured ahead of Torreira as a 6 in any case.

I mean Partey does it regularly for Atletico? I think people see him as more of the same when he’s much more comfortable as an 8 than a 6.

Emery’s problem for me was that if you play five at the back and two strikers, there’s a huge burden on the midfield to get up and create but aside from Ramsey none of them were comfortable out of deep positions.

Arteta has shown that he likes to have width high up the pitch, along with a midfielder be it Xhaka or Guendouzi to sit deep dictating play with two midfielders who are more energetic and can help with the first line of the press if need be.

That’s exactly what Torreira and Thomas can do, one of the best things about Thomas is that he’s really smart in pressing agressively, knows when to trap on the sideline and doesn’t give teams easy balls out when he does go.

Couple that with really good on the ball skills in advanced areas and he’d be wasted as a 6 imo.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

LIverpool are a bit of a one off though. In the likes of Henderson, Wijnaldum, the Ox and Naby Neita they have a collection of dynamic, high energy and selfless midfielders. They play at high speed with immense intensity and press like demons for 90 minutes. They’re fully on board with Klopp’s methods and he knows exactly how to get the best out of them.

Can you see the likes of Xkaka, Torreira and Guendouzi giving Arteta the same level of productivity and dedication?

Well Liverpool might be one-off but it wouldn't surprise me that teams try to start copying them now. This is a winning formula at the moment, current meta like computer players would say so maybe some coaches will be tempted to try it.

And no, I don't rate Xhaka, Torreira and Guendouzi at all. Wouldn't be surprised if Arteta tries to move Torreira and Guendouzi on ASAP. But Xhaka no matter what he does, even its murder, the managers always seem to like him so I honestly think we are signing Partey to play with him.

My expected midfield for next season under Arteta is Xhaka and Partey which is if Arteta manages to get Xhaka going and play solid is a good midfield partnership. The third midfielder will be interesting and tell us what kind of midfield Arteta wants because there he can add some power and graft like Tolisso(if we could afford him), Willock could also play such role if he keeps developing nicely. Or if he goes for more creativity and stick with Özil which IMO would be a mistake.

But in the end I know Emile Smith-Rowe will get chance in that midfield and I hope he impress. He has the abilities you like in modern attacking midfielder!