Squad Analysis 2025/26

[Mudi]

Our final game showed us something.

We never replaced Partey properly. The reason why we were so smooth on 22/23 and 23/24 is because we could transition very quickly from defense to offense with Partey. One time pass (yes, he lost many times the ball, but he also founded the spare man higher on the pitch (Ode/Saka) and thus we were more dangerous). Rice is a great midfielder, world class but he does not release quickly the ball or does find the difficult pass. That's why we look so slow on the build up. Zubimendi should be that guy, replacing Jorginho/Partey but he failed miserable and Arteta started playing him as an 8 and Rice to 6. From that moment onward, we were very dire. Luckily MLS stepped in for the number 8 role and we were more direct and fluent.


We have 2 crucial positions to strengthen. One is DM, such that Rice can play the B2B role. Rice should play the Neves role, not Vitinha. He was excellent last year as an 8. My top pick is Wharton. Seems to be more technically then Rice and could be a Partey replacement.

Second is a left winger, but there is no decent LW. Yildiz does not want to leave Juventus. Diomande and Barcola seems to be another Gervinho. I would go for Kroupi on the left. Reminds me of Mbappe, Henry, ... I could see him playing on the left as a second striker where Havertz plays a more roaming position.

Raya
Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Cala
Wharton
Ode---Rice
Saka--Havertz--Kroupi

After those 2 players, think about depth. Replace Nørgaard, White, Jesus, Trossard and Martinelli with another RB, CF and LW.

 

[MutableEarth]

I don't see there being such a high turnover, and I don't think there should be - it'll definitely slow our momentum at this point. We should be looking to keep a lot of these guys but I do think there are some major pieces we should be willing to trade.

Ødegaard is probably the biggest player I'd be willing to let go. It's a tough one with this because, rather oxymoronically, I think one of the bigger issues with our overall squad makeup is that we aren't quite as technically brilliant as previous Arsenal teams. And Ødegaard, in spite of some sentiment towards him, remains one of our best technicians full stop. However, with his recent injuries as well as his seemingly diminishing ability to conduct a more potent Arsenal approach (although a lot of that also has to do with Arteta), often preferring to take a number of touches before doing things with the ball, I think the team is eventually going to evolve past the need for him and we'll have to replace him. Eze however isn't the answer there IMO. While he has moments of real quality in him, he's far too mercurial in his approach rather than being a more dominant force. Wouldn't get rid yet but keep an eye on his performance level. Dowman and Nwaneri are the obvious heirs but both players are very young. One of the things I would do that isn't in the consensus is that I would keep Nwaneri. I still think he has far more to offer and while it wouldn't be the first talent we lose, he is someone who will help keep the technical level high while actually being a potent player even when he's not at his best. Nevertheless, I do think another midfielder, perhaps someone who can blend some physical and technical aspects to their game, would be ideal. Thankfully, CM is a much more saturated market than LW is.

I would build the midfield around a Rice-MLS pivot. I've been saying it since he was an U16 but Lewis-Skelly is going to run our midfield someday and the fact that he's started a CL final for us at 19 years old - turning in one of the better performances for our team at that - has only strengthened my feeling on that. There have been players with more talent before and after him but he's the one that didn't need much convincing. I only needed to watch 1 match to see he was going to be the guy. It's why I was so appalled he had to play LB just to get into this team . Zubimendi is a worthy rotation piece IMO. Rested and at full pelt, he's very much serviceable so I would be reluctant to get rid unless we get a talent opportunity that will eventually usurp his spot.

I'm happy with either Rogers or Barcola for LW (or both tbh). It really depends on how we want the LW to play. I think Rogers would work quite well with Hincapie or Calafiori behind him, that makes him quite attractive in that sense, plus he can also play centrally if necessary. The bigger issue for me is that we still lack killers in the team. Alvarez for me is a very good player with a good strike but he just doesn't give me "killer" energy. Kroupi Jr on the other hand, he's a pure assassin IMO. I want to see more of him, maybe in an Arsenal shirt.