Good morning Gooners! Mikel Arteta informed the world recently that Granit Xhaka would be staying at Arsenal next season. He also remains a key player in the starting 11. Other deadwood in Kolasinac, Bellerin, and Elneny are all looking likely to play a part next season too. So who are Arsenal selling if not the deadwood?
It’s just unacceptable.
How can we bridge the gap to the other top sides when the three worst performers are still in the team? What is this club even trying to do?
I get it. We can’t sell players without buyers. It’s also impractical to overhaul an entire squad at once. We don’t have the money, our squad’s huge, and Arsenal aren’t signing 5+ first-teamers in a single window.
However, we desperately need a new right-back and two starting midfielders. It’s not even funny. How can we start another season with Xhaka and Elneny in midfield? How can we have a gaping hole at right-back yet again and challenge for top 4?
Arsenal haven't sold anyone
Last month I wrote an article about the 17 players with uncertain futures at the club. At least 7 are deadwood, yet the only senior departures are David Luiz (contract expiry), Guendouzi, Saliba, and Mavropanos (all loans). The window shuts in 3 weeks. For the sake of the club, we need to refresh the team.
Xhaka’s a good squad member, but he’s an accident waiting to happen. Fans are frustrated, and the player clearly wants to leave too. He’s had abuse online, a serious falling out with fans, and spent the entire summer flirting with the idea of joining Roma. Explain to me how a player that far checked out can sign a new 4-year deal (with a pay rise) and be crucial to the team?
The only thing I can think is this is PR speak, and we’ll look to replace Xhaka next season. Yet, with the continent reeling financially from Covid19, I can’t see the wisdom behind offering Xhaka improved terms. If we can’t sell next summer, he could feasibly be here until he hangs up his boots!
Similarly, Bellerin’s had long enough to improve upon his defensive faults at Arsenal. The player wants to leave, and a lot of fans want him gone too. It’s a shame how his career has turned out, but there’s no chance in hell we can progress with Hecky Becky at right-back next season.
Spongebob Squarehead (Kolasinac) is possibly the worst signing of the emirates era considering his wages. His shocker against Spurs still irritates me, and even against Chelsea in pre-season, he was getting torn to shreds. He can never play a competitive game for Arsenal ever again.
El-Sideways is El-Sideways. I like him, but he’s El-sideways. Nothing more needs to be said.
Why are we holding these players hostage when it’s in everyone’s best interest that they move on? Equally, why not give Willock a chance in the team and play Maitland Niles at RB? He’s under contract and can do a good job. So play him. If not, we should have sold him last year. I don’t understand the decisions this club is making.
It comes back to kroenke - No Excuses!
It’s time for Kroenke to take some responsibility for the mistakes that have happened under his nose. At the very least, players like Kolasinac need to leave. Come to a mutual agreement and take the hit. Sell Xhaka for £12m if you have to, and put another £8m into the club to cover the loss. That’s what an owner is supposed to do.
It’s in Kroenke’s best interest as an investor to increase the performance of his asset anyway! Why not take a short-term loss, and invest in your asset now to increase its value tomorrow?
We can’t keep focusing on individual players and blaming them for our situation. We know they’re not up to par. Arteta picks the team, the Kroenke’s underfund the club, and the board does nothing.
With good oversight from people with a sporting background, we’d have a consistent vision to follow. We’d also have people dedicated to Arsenal’s needs, not looking after Kroenke’s investment aims.
But bringing it back to this season, realistically speaking, I don’t understand what the CLUB is aiming for this year. We were only 6 points off the top 4 last season. With margins so tight, the fabulous four players we’re keeping can be the difference in our league finish for all the wrong reasons.
I hope I’m wrong, but regardless of who else we sign this summer, I feel like the club is starting a 100m final in a vat of treacle.
A rather concerned Peace out, and thanks for reading.