Edmond Tapsoba

[dashsnow17]

One thing is for sure, if we want to go up a level next season we need a better RCB. Holding's lack of ability and composure on the ball is another reason for that U shape in our ball progression that people have been pointing out.

It'd be great if Saliba is that, but I'm not so convinced that a 20 year old that looked so raw for the U23 team last autumn is it as others. The fact that people seem so convinced that he is and that there won't be serious growing pains there, because, well, Fofana (completely ignoring the fact of much different systems, and the fact less is asked of Fofana in terms of decision making in Rodgers' typically counter-attacking style with Leicester), smells a bit of agenda-tied thinking.

Gabriel himself is very raw in terms of decision making, you're talking about a massive risk thinking that we can go into next season with Gabriel and Saliba as our CB pair, in a position where experience is much more important than others, and where players typically develop at a slower pace.

So yeah, I'd like to see a RCB signed. This guy's profile seems quite interesting, that graphic posted above and the description of his passing is certainly quite appealing. If our scouting department deems that he, at 2 years older than Saliba, is much more mature and ready, well, they better get it right, but yeah, RCB is certainly an area of improvement.

But why point to his games in the U23s, and not his games for Nice where he played consistently very well? I agree on the Fofana point though, he's been fantastic but he's playing in a back 3 a lot of the time, and he has made some rash mistakes.

On Tapsoba, like yeah he looks great and his stats are great, but I just can't fully trust the Bundesliga tbh. Upamecano has been balling in that league for ages and he's still not broken into the French squad. I just wonder if the tactics in the Bundesliga are more open and allow players to look good.

If Saliba wasn't an Arsenal player and he played in the Bundesliga for 2 seasons I guarantee all the twitter accounts would be drooling over his stats and we'd be saying he's an elite young CB.

If we wanna sign an experienced CB, 30+, i'm slightly more ok with that, cos i get the logic, but I do not get the logic of links to Tapsoba, Andersen, Tosin etc when we already have two of the best young defensive prospects in Europe on our books.

 

[MikelHadADream]

No Europe next season means we can afford to have a much smaller squad. Saliba/Holding/Gabriel/Mari with Chambers also providing cover there is more than enough.

We had the third best defence last season, and barely broke the top 10 for goals. That tells us where the vast majority of the budget should be spent...

 

[dashsnow17]

 

[Sebastes]

So we have something they want to buy and we want to sell (by the looks if things).
They have something they want to keep and that we want to buy (desperately if we're going by Ornstein's comments that RCB is one of the main priorities).

We're getting taken to the cleaners on this one, aren't we?

 

[dashsnow17]

So we have something they want to buy and we want to sell (by the looks if things).
They have something they want to keep and that we want to buy (desperately if we're going by Ornstein's comments that RCB is one of the main priorities).

We're getting taken to the cleaners on this one, aren't we?

My thoughts on this are clear, I want to see Saliba in an Arsenal shirt next season, but if I take that hat off for a second, if the club are insistent they want a new RCB to replace Luiz and if the relationship between Saliba and the club has broken down (wouldn't surprise me tbh), then you really couldn't wish for a better makeweight in a deal than Saliba. Plenty of clubs around Europe would be ecstatic to have him.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Going to be long summer regarding Saliba and rumors we at least should give him chance

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

I mean Tapsoba is more talented than Saliba alot of pundits saying he is going to be such great cb in future. but would still make no sense we'll replace very talented cb to another talented cb. Well our club is wierd so i won't rule that out

 

[SingmeasongSong]

My thoughts on this are clear, I want to see Saliba in an Arsenal shirt next season, but if I take that hat off for a second, if the club are insistent they want a new RCB to replace Luiz and if the relationship between Saliba and the club has broken down (wouldn't surprise me tbh), then you really couldn't wish for a better makeweight in a deal than Saliba. Plenty of clubs around Europe would be ecstatic to have him.

Totally agree, yet absolutely livid with the way Saliba has been handled - was my obsession of that window to get such a perfect CB signing and now I'm never seeing him in our shirt in a serious game.

Mental.

 

[Bloodbather]

If Saliba is already written off, then I'd rather he be utilized in an exchange for Tapsoba. My preference is for Saliba to be given an opportunity, obviously.

 

[Red London]

I’m instantly Arteta Out to a toxic level if we try to sell Saliba without giving him a chance.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

All Arsenal media reporters saying Arteta going to use him in pre-season before deciding his future. This thing should wait now we got lot of things to do

 

[APierre]

 

[HairSprayGooners]

I would take the swap. Tapsoba is ready made, way more experience despite still being quite young.

African excellence at the Emirates tears in my eyes. Its pretty clear we are going after these guys with Partey and Auba here. Much easier to convince when you have world class African players already.

 

[El Duderino]

Just play the highly rated centerback you've signed 2 seasons ago, ffs.

 

[UpTheGunnerz]

If Saliba leaves here without having played 1 minute of ball i am done. I know i troll a lot but i am done if we sell him this summer

 

[TromsoGooner]

Remind me @yousif_arsenal , Kicker worth listening to?

 

[Iceman10]

I’m instantly Arteta Out to a toxic level if we try to sell Saliba without giving him a chance.

I'd be angrier if Arteta kept Saliba and only had him as bit part understudy to Holding next season, esp. if all important results remain poor.

 

[Red London]

I'd be angrier if Arteta kept Saliba and only had him as bit part understudy to Holding next season, esp. if all important results remain poor.

I see it as a 66% chance of the two things we mentioned happening unfortunately. His wording on the situation was quite worrying recently. I'm hoping for that 33% (we actually give Saliba a good chance).

 

[field442]

I would take the swap. Tapsoba is ready made, way more experience despite still being quite young.

African excellence at the Emirates tears in my eyes. Its pretty clear we are going after these guys with Partey and Auba here. Much easier to convince when you have world class African players already.

Way more experience? He’s made about 20 appearances more than Saliba, so just over half a seasons worth of extra experience. You crack me up

 

[Red London]

I would take the swap. Tapsoba is ready made, way more experience despite still being quite young.

African excellence at the Emirates tears in my eyes. Its pretty clear we are going after these guys with Partey and Auba here. Much easier to convince when you have world class African players already.

African excellence will **** us every 2 years. Imo we shouldn't have more than 2-3. Would rather take European-African talent unfortunately. Saliba is that....