Arteta’s Transfer Targets: Summer 2024

[KnoxvilleGooner]

Rashford would be the better fit. Don’t think we need a Mezzala like Musiala.

I think if you can get a talent like Musiala you probably just do it and figure out the rest later. But I do tend to agree with him not being a natural fit for our system. We lack a bit in build up play with Rice as the 6, and dropping in a left 8 that is more on-ball talent rather than someone who helps massively in build-up play could be a tough fit. Its tough because I love Rice as the 6 defensively, but becoming more on board with him being the 8, especially in the big games, as the future plan. It is a bit alarming how much more open we seem without him at the 6 though.

Who knows, having potentially Timber and White as the outside backs could really help Rice in build up next year if Arteta wants to keep him at the 6.

 

[lomekian]

I wonder what the latest is with Ruben Neves - whether he still wants away from the desert and whether Al-Hilal are still willing to part with him. Loan with an option?

 

[KnoxvilleGooner]

Kind of an interesting question to think about...

I think there are probably six signings we could really use (not counting backup GK). Assuming we probably only have the budget to sign four of them, which of the following two profiles would you opt to not address this summer?

1. Striker
2. Winger with a pacey profile
3. Attacking left 8
4. 6/8 hybrid kind of profile (or just a 6 if the plan is for Rice to be the 8 in the future) to partner with Rice in midfield
5. Left back (either a more attacking option or someone in that White/Timber mold, depending on Arteta's plans for the system)
6. CB (Not realistic to expect Saliba and Gabriel to start every game)


I think personally i'd opt to build the summer around a marquee midfield partner for Rice (and hopefully keep Partey to rotate with them when he is fit) and a quality speedy winger to provide competition of Martinelli/Trossard on the left and be able to spell Saka on the right. Players in the profile of Bruno G. and Nico Williams, to name examples we've been linked to. After that i'd be tempted to try and get a defender that is a bit more of a center back than a left back, but can still do the outside back role in a pinch (like a better version of Kiwior), as I don't love the idea of potentially having to play White or Timber at CB in a big game.

For the final signing, I'd love to get a quality striker, but think if you're going the developmental route there (Sesko, Zirkzee, etc) that the money would be better spent on an attacking 8 that can help in the games against the smaller teams. Couple things that could impact this: The fact that a big time striker signing would probably be difficult to pull off if we also make a marquee midfield signing, as well as what the summer plans are for Vieira and ESR. I think we can probably all agree we'd stand to benefit from a bump in quality over those two (as much as I hate to say it about ESR), but if you're having to leave a couple wanted roster spots unaddressed this summer due to budget I think there is a fine argument to make that you can leave the attacking 8 spot open and hope ESR and Vieira take a leap/provide you with enough to fill that role for another season.

 

[KnoxvilleGooner]

I wonder what the latest is with Ruben Neves - whether he still wants away from the desert and whether Al-Hilal are still willing to part with him. Loan with an option?

If you could get Neves on a loan with option to put the spend into the following year's budget I think it'd be a no brainer. Would provide a profile we really need and still save resources for other signings this summer. He'd be a great fit in that Xhaka role.

 

[Nunowoolmez]

What do you see rice as?

Goes well with curry

 

[lomekian]

If you could get Neves on a loan with option to put the spend into the following year's budget I think it'd be a no brainer. Would provide a profile we really need and still save resources for other signings this summer. He'd be a great fit in that Xhaka role.

More of a great fit in the Leverkusen Xhaka role. Could def see him as the Jorginho replacement if he leaves.

 

[Macho]

There's something genuinely offputting about a player who can't be bothered to put in a shift for his boyhood club.

What guarantees are there that he'd do otherwise for a different team?!!

He's only human and has been there (and trolled) for years. I actually think it's nuts people expect him to have the same enthusiasm after a decade. He definitely needs a move, not that it should be Arsenal.

That PSG one a few years back might have been ideal if he was flexible about playing upfront.

 

[Sapient Hawk]

He's only human and has been there (and trolled) for years. I actually think it's nuts people expect him to have the same enthusiasm after a decade. He definitely needs a move, not that it should be Arsenal.

That PSG one a few years back might have been ideal if he was flexible about playing upfront.

Agreed.

He needs to revitalise his career & it'd be best for all involved if he got a clean break from England as well.

 

[Trilly]

I’ve given Rashford (and @Trilly ) plenty of **** but at 35m you HAVE to buy him especially when you consider how we lack pace and individual threat in the squad and Rashford has both. You just have to hope he can fix up mentally a bit.

Also I’ve really enjoyed watching Chelsea fans cry into their breakfast over Havertz and the idea of United fans doing the same is

Are we linked to Rashford?

Would be a massive chance to prove this forum wrong as nobody would expect him to do well.

 

[samspade]

Are we linked to Rashford?

Would be a massive chance to prove this forum wrong as nobody would expect him to do well.

You think he’d do well? I get the interest in that type of threat from the left but I think he’s such a limited player tbh. I feel like there aren’t too many things he’s that great at. Isn’t there a better version of that somewhere? He’s also 26 now so I don’t know how much moulding can happen.

 

[Sebastes]

The cherry on the cake is Gutierrez. He’s the dream Arteta left back cooked up in a lab. A “Terzino sinistro” who can double as a “regista” in possession.

He’ll be the most important signing since Özil and will allow us to unlock Rashford and the Gallagher/Rabiot centrale.

Brownhill as a mediano could cover for Gutierrez when he’s in midfield.

At the same time he’s worse than Zinny defensively so not sure it is an Arteta player after all…

 

[Sebastes]

I wonder what the latest is with Ruben Neves - whether he still wants away from the desert and whether Al-Hilal are still willing to part with him. Loan with an option?

Latest is that unfortunately it didn’t work out and they will have to release him to leave. Newcastle standing ready with an offer as soon as thy’ve sold Bruno to us or City for 80m

 

[Rex Stone]

At the same time he’s worse than Zinny defensively so not sure it is an Arteta player after all…

Based on what mate?

He’s young but will improve. Zinchenko issue isn’t just he’s poor defensively as Arteta’s system encourages a left full back to play way out of position with a mediano covering.

He’s not good enough technically or creatively for what we lose with him if we’re being honest. Gutierrez will change that.

 

[Trilly]

are we actually linked to Rashford?

A motivated Rashford that buys in would be excellent here. We also wouldn’t buy him if motivation was a concern in the first place.

 

[Xln]

We need a goalkeeper. Top priority with a midfielder equally elite as Partey in form.

 

[CannonBals]

We need a goalkeeper. Top priority with a midfielder equally elite as Partey in form.

We have two pretty good ones. One mistake from Raya doesn't change that. He was also pretty good otherwise with collecting crosses. Even Allison makes mistakes.

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

We need a proper striker/CF this window, Osimhen, Gyokeres or Isak. Someone who can rotate with Saka, Ødegaard & worst comes to worst, with Martinelli, Trosaard on the left too. Nico Williams, Eze or Olise from CP would be ideal in that position. Olise/Eze can fill in for Rice, Ødegaard & Saka in any of those positions imo, more then capable aswell. Probably need a backup CB like Diamonde. Maybe a proper LB aswell so we can perhaps push Zinchenko up into CM permanently. Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Timber, White & perhaps a new LB can rotate in our FB positions then.

 

[Sanchez11]

I think he will buy Raahford and try an rescue him.

 

[Aussie_gunner123]

WH's Mohammed Kudus from WH could also be a decent CAM to get, Kudus, Olise, Eze & Williams could all fight it out for that CAM/winger rotation place.

 

[benjamin86]

WH's Mohammed Kudus from WH could also be a decent CAM to get, Kudus, Olise, Eze & Williams could all fight it out for that CAM/winger rotation place.

I really like Olise as a rotation option for Ode and Saka and you could probably also ask him to play left 8 with how hard he works defensively.