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Build Your Arsenal 2020/21 Squad: 9 in, 9 out, £30M budget (plus sales)

• Positive Needs & Hopes
March 29, 2020 23

Arsenal-squad-2021-1

Build your Arsenal 20/21 squad!

What if you were the decision maker this summer?

  • Sell Bellerin or trust him to find his game?
  • Patience with Guendouzi or cash in to find a different profile?
  • Lacazette was player of the year 18/19. Sell one year later?
  • Spend most of your money on Jadon Sancho or find supreme value in the gems in the Championship who (due to current times) may have to sell cheaply?
  • Look at the free market and grab Cavani?

@mike_mmcdonald and Gunners Town give you the opportunity to build Arsenal 20/21!

The Goal

  • To ensure the team has a blend of experience and youth.
  • To balance the team, adding modern day athletes and speed to both defence and midfield.
  • Players playing in areas of strength and not hiding weaknesses of others.
  • Adding greater chance of clean sheets.
  • More creativity and goals in the side.
  • Find 1 (not 5 🤣) player who will captain the side. Has to be a player that would get respect from the others and after years of giving the captaincy to players who wanted to leave or players that didn’t play much, it’s time to pick the right man!

Rules

    1. Budget is 30M plus sales. You don’t have to spend all your budget. 
    2. Sell/loan maximum of 9 of current squad.
    3. Purchase/loan maximum of 9 players.
    4. There are 10 players to buy in each category. 

Note: You don’t have to buy a RB just because you sold one. Do what you think makes sense.

Find the assigned value of current Arsenal players here.

Find a list of transfer targets and their values (and some scouting videos) here.

After selection, post your…

a) 20/21 sales and buys 

b) New First 11 Lineup (try ‘Lineup11’ app) 

c) With 7 subs 

d) Balance Remaining

e) Explanation of how you met ‘The Goal’ (see above)

f) 20/21 Captain

… in the comments 👍🏻

Here’s mine:

Mike MacDonald’s 2020/21 Arsenal Squad

Sold:

Laca 40M, Xhaka 35M, Guendouzi 50M, ElNeny 15M, Mkhi 20M, Sokratis 10M, Kolasinac 20M, Bellerin 30M, Ozil loan

+£30M budget

Total        £250M

gun 1363688920 cazorla celebration

Meet your new Captain!

Buys: 

Hakimi 40M, Buendia 25M, N’didi 70M, Mari 5M, Cazorla free, Ceballos 30M, Gueye 10M, Cavani free, Partey 50M

Total          £230M

Balance remaining:  + £20M

Explanation: 

I focused this window on strengthening and modernizing our midfield. 

Added power, speed, pace and impressive defensive strength to the midfield, whilst managing to keep press resistant, high technical qualities in Cazorla and Ceballos as rotational options. Papa Gueye would slowly build his way into the team in rotation with Partey and N’didi.

Buendia and Pepe would rotate and be given freedom to find the pockets, leaving Hakimi the right flank.

buendia

Buendia: Freedom to roam

The purchase of Cavani was tactical as he has proven unable to stay fit a whole season and due to this and his age, this would allow Auba, Nketiah and Martinelli chances at CF and not hinder their progress like a purchase of a 20 something would. A guarantee of 15+ goals every season from Cavani. Lacazette offers no guarantee.

I purchased Mari as my only CB choice for two reasons. Left money for midfield and Saliba will need experience alongside him rather than the very bold move of two youngsters (Upamecano and Saliba) at CB. Also, Arteta has greatly improved our current CB options. 

Santi would captain the team and probably play less than Ceballos and possibly even Gueye, therefore not hindering their progress. He’d become Asst Coach in 2-3 years.

Was very hard to sell Bellerin and Guendouzi but did it to balance the team with modern profiles. 

The base of Partey and N’didi would add more assists and goals as much like Vieira and Petit, the others found attacking freedom as they trusted those behind them.

 

Arsenal-LineUp-2021

Subs: Martinez, Luiz, Tierney, Gueye, Ceballos, Martinelli , Buendia Captain: Cazorla

 

BUILD YOUR OWN

Rules:

  1. Budget is 30M plus sales. You don’t have to spend all your budget. 
  2. Sell/loan maximum of 9 of current squad.
  3. Purchase/loan maximum of 9 players.

 

Arsenal Squad Individual Values

GOALKEEPERS:

Leno £60M, Martinez 15M

DEFENCE:

AMN £25M, Bellerin £30M, Osei-Tutu £10M, Tierney £35M, Saka £40M, Kolasinac £20M, Holding £20M, Luiz £10M, Sokratis £10M, Mustafi £15M, Mavropanos £10M, Chambers £25M, Saliba £50M

MIDFIELD:

Torreira £40M, Xhaka £35M, Guendouzi £50M, Willock £25M, Elneny £15M, Mkhitaryan £20M, Ozil loan (no value), ESR £40M, 

ATTACK:

Nelson £30M, Pepe £70M, Martinelli £70M, Aubameyang £60M, Lacazette £40M, Nketiah £30M

 

 

Purchase options

This list contains players that Arsenal have been linked with, top young talents, free signings, loans and some that I feel Arsenal should consider.

The prices are based on current value rather than the potential cheaper prices that a footballing recession may bring.

GOALKEEPERS:

  • Yann Sommer 31 Moenchengladbach £15M
  • Tom Heaton 33 Villa £15M
  • Alban Lafont 21 Nantes £25M
  • Freddie Woodman 23 (Newcastle on loan at Swansea) £10M  https://youtu.be/fUVDFyUSD6o
  • Claudio Bravo 36 City free
  • Andre Onana 23 Ajax £45M
  • Nick Pope 27 Burnley £35M
  • Alphonso Areola 27 Real Madrid £25M
  • Thomas Strakosha 25 Lazio £25M  https://youtu.be/5v8KAXhJ7wc
  • Lukas Hradecky 30 Leverkusen £25M

RIGHT BACKS:

  • Max Aarons 20 Norwich £25M
  • Achraf Hakimi 21 Real Madrid (on loan at Dortmund £40M
  • Sergino Dest Ajax 19 £25M https://youtu.be/S_821xdB22Q
  • Thomas Meunier 28 PSG Free
  • Nelson Semedo 26 Barcelona £35M
  • Cedric Soares Southampton 28 free
  • Denzel Dumfries 23 PSV £35M https://youtu.be/2gIxg3l1SZg
  • Noussair Mazraoui 22 Ajax £25M
  • Lukas Klostermann 23 Leipzig £35M
  • Matt Doherty 28 Wolves £30M*

LEFT BACKS:

  • Layvin Kurzawa 27 PSG free
  • Ferland Mendy 24 Real Madrid loan 
  • Malang Sarr 21 Nice £25M
  • Rayan Ait Nouri 18 Angers £25M https://youtu.be/xusk8K-sQII 
  • Jonas Hector 29 Cologne £15M
  • Nicolas Tagliafico 27 Ajax £30M
  • Konstantinos Tsimikas 23 Olympiakos £20M https://youtu.be/sO5F5Ii38gk
  • David Alaba 27 Bayern £70M
  • Alex Grimaldo 24 Benfica  £35M
  • Jamal Lewis 22 Norwich £15M

CENTRE BACKS:

  • Evan N’dicka 20 E. Frankfurt £25M https://youtu.be/Vk3anLvNt5E
  • Dayot Upamecano 21 Leipzig £50M
  • Bruno Fuchs 20 Internacional £15M https://youtu.be/vNtsFBiRbzg
  • Tyrone Mings 27 Villa £30M
  • Merih Demiral 22 Juventus £35M
  • Ethan Ampadu 19 Chelsea (on loan at Leipzig) £20M
  • Pablo Mari 26 on loan at Arsenal 5M
  • Nathan Ake 25 Bournemouth £40M
  • Kalidou Koulibaly 28 Napoli £90M
  • Ben Godfrey 22 Norwich £25M

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS:

  • Wilf N’didi 23 Leicester £70M
  • Thomas Partey 26 Athletico Madrid £50M
  • Kalvin Phillips 24 Leeds £30M https://youtu.be/_BPbuII-xQ0 
  • Boubakary Soumare 21 Lille £40M
  • Papa Gueye 21 LeHavre £10M
  • Marvelous Nkamba 26 Villa £20M
  • Eduardo Camivinga 17 Rennes £45M https://youtu.be/QUWsMb9gTO4 
  • Erick Pulgar 26 Fiorentina £20M
  • Denis Zakaria 23 Moenchengladbach £40M
  • Glen Kamara 24 Rangers £10M

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS:

  • Dani Ceballos 23 on loan at Arsenal £30M
  • Arthur 23 Barcelona £65M
  • Santi Cazorla 35 Villarreal free
  • Rodrigo Bentancur 22 Juventus £35M https://youtu.be/pqrGlq9Wn0Q
  • Abdoulaye Doucoure 27 Watford £40M
  • Dominik Szoboszlai 19 Salzburg £25M https://youtu.be/BjKvn1taSi0
  • Emiliano Buendia 23 Norwich £25M
  • Housem Aouar 21 Lyon £60M
  • Thiago Alcantara 28 Bayern £60M
  • Geoffrey Kongdogbia 27 Valencia £35M

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:

LEFT WINGS:

  • Leroy Sane 24 City £85M
  • Miguel Almiron 26 Newcastle £35M
  • Phillipe Coutinho 27 Barcelona (on loan at Bayern) Loan
  • Alexis 31 Man Utd (on loan at Inter) Loan
  • Rafael Leao 20 AC Milan £35M https://youtu.be/oi7bjgj_eEc
  • Marcus Thuram 22 Moenchengladbach £30M https://youtu.be/FYR2IYzZ1NY
  • Marc Cucurella 21 Barcelona (on loan at Getafe) £35M
  • Isco Real Madrid £60M
  • Diogo Jota 23 Wolves £55M
  • Leon Bailey 22 Leverkusen £45M

RIGHT WINGS:

  • Marcel Sabitzer 26 Leipzig £40M
  • Willian 31 Chelsea Free
  • Jaden Sancho 20 Dortmund £130M
  • Adama Traore 24 Wolves £75M
  • Ismailia Sarr 22 Watford £35M
  • Allan Saint Maximin 23 Newcastle £40M
  • Ousmanne Dembele 22 Barcelona on loan
  • Pedro 32 Chelsea Free
  • Mohamed Ihattaren 18 PSV £25M https://youtu.be/FhXhgq4qZqw
  • Jonathan Ikone 21 Lille £40M https://youtu.be/KBSfpqNAXNQ

CENTRE FORWARDS:

Don’t forget to post in the comments or respond to us on Twitter @gunnerstown 👍🏻

@mike_mmcdonald 

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23 Responses to Build Your Arsenal 2020/21 Squad: 9 in, 9 out, £30M budget (plus sales)

  1. Lukasz March 29, 2020 at 3:30 pm #

    Out:
    Mustafi (weak decision-making, weak mentally, especially in big games)
    Kolasinac (too many injuries)
    Holding (too many injuries)
    Chambers (too many injuries)
    Xhaka (possibly the best on training ground but weak mentally on a matchday)
    Mkhitaryan (weak mentally, wants to stay at Roma)
    Lacazette (would like to play European football next year)
    Aubameyang (would like to play European football, last contract of his career)
    Ozil (weak mentally – in big games consistently non-existent)
    15+20+20+25+35+20+40+60=235

    In:
    Demiral ( quick, athletic, clean tackler, good decision-maker)
    Saint Maximin (dynamite, strong, quick, eats opponents alive, gets team and crown going)
    Almiron (determination, speed, can take couple of opponents on, free kicks)
    Ovie Ejaria (reminds me of Busquets)
    Ceballos (he is class, his tackling, movement, positioning and passing got better under Arteta, he will have 20 assists next season)
    Kalvin Phillips (clean tackler, confident, determined, strong mentally)
    Mari (Arteta’s choice)
    Cedric (Arteta’s choice)
    Camavinga (next Patrick Vieira)
    35+40+35+20+30+30+5+45=240

    £25M remaining

    Starting lineup:
    GK Leno
    RB AMN / CB Luiz CB Mari / LB Saka
    AMC Pepe DM Phillips / CM Ceballos
    RW Saint Maximin CF Martinelli LW Almiron

    Bench: Bellerin, Tierney, Saliba, Torreira, Camavinga, Demiral, Nketiah Captain: Phillips

    Explanation: I go for the worst scenario – no European football in 2020/2021 so Arsenal goes on the market to buy players who can “afford” one season without playing in Europe.

    I think that would be a massive opportunity for Arsenal-grown players to step up and prove if they are able to play consistantly at a level that would secure European football in season 2021/2022. This is a massive chance for AMN, Willock, ESR, Nelson, Nketiah. It would also be a fantastic opportunity to shine for players who want to make their mark in England: Bellerin, Tierney, Saka, Saliba, Torreira, Pepe.

    My predictions:

    I expect Saka, Ceballos, Pepe and Martinelli to shine.
    we will be disappointed in Bellerin (poor decision-making, weak mentally) and Nketiah (lacks determination)
    Torreira might want to hand in transfer request sooner than later.
    we will be surprised by the quality of Cedric, Saliba, Ejaria, Camavinga, ESR and Willock

    If there was a way to get rid of additional players, I would let Mavropanos, Guendouzi and Elneny go on loans.

    Oh how I wish Arsenal could “do a Leicester”…

    Reply
    • invinciblog March 29, 2020 at 7:16 pm #

      Hi Lukasz – that’s a great response, really enjoyed your thinking. If you aren’t already blogging and wanted to do a piece on transfers, or write on a topic of your choice for Gunners Town, it would be great to have you onboard.

      Thanks for your response.

      Reply
      • Lukasz March 30, 2020 at 12:11 pm #

        I’d like that, how can I get started?

        Reply
    • Amit Shetye March 30, 2020 at 8:39 pm #

      I would not sell Auba and Laca to start off, the kind of chemistry they share is almost Title Winning like the best we have had since Henry and Bergkamp. Add to that Pepe will not be pleased to see part of his Love triangle disappear. Also, I doubt there is a need to overhaul the team completely so we can sell certain players but not overhaul the squad.

      Ozil has reinvented himself under Arteta so we might be able to get a year or 2 out of him before selling him. There is a certain maturity that we can use for the squad. Same for Mustafi we can use him for another 3-4 seasons.

      Out of the big players I would surely aim to sell Papa,Xhaka,AMN,

      Sold:
      Osei-Tutu £10M
      Sokratis £10M
      Mavropanos £10M
      Elneny £15M,
      Mkhitaryan £20M
      Xhaka £35M
      AMN £25M

      Total: £125M+£30M

      Buy:
      Max Aarons 20 Norwich £25M/Thomas Meunier 28 PSG Free
      Boubakary Soumare 21 Lille £40M (High Interception, Passing % in Europe,Play as a backup and evolve with Torreira)
      Pablo Mari 26 on loan at Arsenal 5M
      Nabil Fekir 26 Real Betis £40M

      Spent: £110M

      £45M Profit give a better contract to Saka.

      It all depends on how the current season ends. If Arsenal does not qualify for the UCL, some players would want to leave. Potentially Auba, Laca or both if that happens we should consider signing Dries Mertens/Edison Cavani it would be a good player for Nketiah to grow off.

      Reply
      • Mike McDonald March 31, 2020 at 5:59 pm #

        Amit… Your inclusion of Fekir may well come true! An exciting player! You are right that Cavani and Mertens may come into play. I’d go for Cavani regardless

        Reply
      • Lukasz March 31, 2020 at 7:44 pm #

        My approach was based on assumption of no European league football next season – this means:
        a) Laca and Auba would ask to leave (they are mercenaries mercenaries)
        b) we would not attract players who are already playing in Champions Leage year in year out
        c) we would not be able to sustain Champions League salaries – Ozil, Mustafi

        I don’t believe in chemistry between Auba and Laca because we do not play a system that supports their partnership.

        I don’t believe in Ozil reinventing himself – he slows our game down and does not pass forward when there is a chance to break on a counter (this drives me insane),he plays HIS game for HIS benefit, and he REFUSES to shoot on goal when there is a chance to do so. He could play a deep lying playmaker role as Pirlo did, but we would need to build protection around him. The problems are: a) this is not English football – Puel tried passing game at Leicester and failed miserably, b) Ozil is weaker than Pirlo c) Ozil is less agile than Pirlo d) we do not have two strong and technical central midfielders to cover for Ozil lack of compatibility to English football e) in big games with big pressure he is consistently non-existant, he hides on the pitch, he does not lift the team by his performance
        As much as I applaud Arteta’s ability to hide players’ weaknesesses, let us not forget what sort of player Mustafi is – his decision making in big games has given our opponents many goals in the last years and we have lost many times because of him.
        Xhaka is similar – he is not able to handle pressure. He hides on the pitch, always choosing the safest option. His only weapon is a strong simple shot from 30 yeards out. He is not a holding midfielder we need. We gives away penalties. He makes stupid decisions and only sometimes gets lucky by not getting red card.
        Mertens and Edison have max 2 years left in professional football at highest level – what is the point on signing them if they would need at least 6-9 months to get used to Premier League football?
        I think the only way we could contend to wiining Premier League and attract Champions League footballers is through Leicester approach – soak pressure and counter attack. To do that you need:
        a) wingers who could score you 20 goals
        b) a striker who could score you another 20 goals in the season
        c) hard working midfield with someone like Kante (Torreira could do it, but need protection as he is not as agile as Kante)
        d) determined, hard working, with great team work and focus and ability to handle pressure defense
        e) keeper who can save 4-5 penalties a season – Leno is your man

        We lack hard working, strong willed, determined, athletic and confident with the ball players. We lack proper wingers (except Saka) – Pepe is NOT a winger. Pepe should be playing Ramsey’s role. He needs coaching that Arteta could provide. Once he adapts – there is no stopping him.

        Reply
        • Mike McDonald March 31, 2020 at 9:21 pm #

          Lukasz… I totally agree with you on Ozil and Xhaka. Not what we need especially as we have to hide their weaknesses with the help of others. Not worth it unless their product is elite.
          I have a feeling that Cavani would hit the ground running and I’d buy him so not to hinder the youngsters for the long term.
          Your idea to play like Leicester certainly suits our players but would fans accept it?

          Reply
          • Lukasz April 1, 2020 at 12:30 pm #

            Let me answer you in this way: If I’d ask Claude from AFTV if he would rather win the league Ranieri style or watch our team playing late-Wenger-style and pray for other teams to slip up so we can maybe by a total fluke reach 4th place guaranteeing UCL football – what do you think he would choose? Other Premier League teams do not show any fear or respect playing against Arsenal – West Ham at home in March latest example. On the other hand I have seen glimpses of pure poetry and class under Arteta with the squad we currently have – we need reinforcements so we can play that style all night long, game in game out. So the question is – can we bring in the players that Arteta needs knowing Kronke will not spend any money out of his own pocket? After all, there are many ways you can win a title – you can do it Mourinho way, you can do it Ranieri way, you can do it Pep’s way, you can do it Wenger’s way. The key condition is: you need quality on the pitch and on the bench and at the moment I only see 3 top quality Arsenal players (Auba, Leno, Torreira) and 3 unpolished diamonds (Saka, Martinelli, Pepe). I did not mention Ceballos because he is not ours yet.

  2. Mike McDonald March 29, 2020 at 6:42 pm #

    Lukasz… I love your team! Especially love Phillips, Ejaria and Almiron!
    There are so many good choices and I’m especially surprised at how we, if we wanted to, could upgrade and completely modernize Arsenal for very little money!

    Reply
  3. Me March 30, 2020 at 6:12 am #

    OUT:
    Kolasinak
    Holding
    Mustafi
    Chambers
    Xhaka
    Mkhitaryan
    Lacazette
    Torreira
    Nelson
    20+20+15+25+35+20+40+40+30 = 245

    IN:
    Mari
    Upamecano
    Partey
    Gueye
    Ceballos
    Coutinho
    Camivinga
    Kokcu
    Aouar
    5+50+50+10+30+45+25+60 = 275

    Start:
    RB Bellerin/ CB Upamecano CB Mari/ LB Saka
    AM Aouar/ DM Partey/ CM Ceballos
    RW Pepe/ LW Coutinho
    CF Aubameyang

    Bench: Martinelle, Willock, Nketiah, Camivinga, Gueye, AMN, Saliba, Tierney, Martinez

    Spending all the money!
    Also banking on best case scenario where the season doesn’t count and Arsenal’s 5th place 2019 finish get them the open UCL spot due to MC ban

    Reply
    • Mike McDonald March 31, 2020 at 10:43 am #

      Your team is a big upgrade! I love how you have a blend of steel and silk in midfield combined with athleticism

      Reply
    • me April 2, 2020 at 2:26 pm #

      just noticed my type-o on the bench…..Martinelle on the bench, not Maratinez. (Love that kid…he’s the future!)

      Reply
      • Aditya Gujarathi April 9, 2020 at 12:43 pm #

        Out
        AMN
        Kolasinac
        Sokratis
        Mustafi
        Mavroponas
        Xhaka
        Guendozi
        Elneny
        Mkhitaryan
        Sale amount:- £25M+£20M+£10M+£15M+£10M+£35M+£50M+£15M+£20M=£200M
        Total amount:- £200M+£30M = £230M
        In
        Max Aaron’s
        Pablo Mari loan move permanent £5M
        Nathan Aké
        Parety
        Cazorla (C)
        Jack Grealish
        Coutinho on loan
        Cavani
        Mertens
        Total spent :- £25M+ £5M + £40M +£50M+ £70M= £190M
        Net amount/ Balance left:- £40M

        Starting XI
        GK:- Leno
        RB:- Max Aarons
        CB:- Saliba
        CB:- Nathan Aké
        LB:- Saka
        CM:- Santi Cazorla (C)
        CM:- Parety
        AM :- Jack Grealish
        Lw :- Coutinho
        CF:- Aubameyang
        Rw:- Pepe

        Subs :- Martinez, Bellerin, Luiz, Mari, Holding , Tierney, Torriea, Willock , ESR ,Özil,Nelson,Cavani ,Martinelli, Lacazette, Nikiteah, Dries Mertens .

        My approach regarding this team was based on building up a strong team capable of challenging for the title plus it was about building up the future along with the trust worthy and already established Legends and greats like Cazorla ,Özil, Cavani ,Auba ,Laca ,Mertens ,Luiz,etc. Arsenal needed a massive defensive and midfield overhaul hence i sold most of the defence and Midfield. 1)Now over the years Arsenal managment has done one thing wrong I.e. instead of going for already established Premier League players they’ve gone for other leagues players which has not helped that much as players take a lot of time to adapt and this is the exact reason why I have gone with Max Aarons and Nathan Aké instead going for Hakimi and Upmaceno.
        2)Now as one of our own legend Santi Cazorla was available for free and plus he was willing to come back I signed him and made him the club captain as under is able guidance and leadership players like Willock ,ESR and even Torriea for that matter would learn and improve a lot.
        3) We all know Özil is aging and he’ll make play at his best for 1 or 2 years so we definitely need his long term replacement which is Jack Grealish.
        4)Mertens,Coutinho and Cavani would be great additions to the team.

        Reply
  4. BNS April 2, 2020 at 2:40 am #

    OUT: £205M + £30M budget
    Xhaka £35M
    Willock £25M
    Elneny £15M
    Mkhitaryan £20M
    Lacazette £40M
    Sokratis £10M
    Mustafi £15M
    Mavropanos £10M
    Osei-Tutu £10M
    AMN £25M

    Most outs I think are players who just wouldn’t get playing time or players who are out of favor. Xhaka is doing ok now but Partey is a straight upgrade who wanted to come to Arsenal. As long as he doesn’t sign a contract with a new release clause, Arsenal should try to get him. Lacazette I don’t think is worth his cost for what he contributes. Doesn’t score enough and is not good at hold up play. Willock isn’t worth keeping because Guendouzi and ESR should take his playing time in midfield as they are better. AMN is the one sale I actually feel bad about. If he applied himself he actually could’ve taken the opportunity of Bellerin recovering from injury to supplant him and be our starting RB. He had all the physical attributes and skills. He just didn’t have the right mentality.

    IN: £130M
    Pablo Mari £5M
    Evan N’dicka £25M
    Cedric Soares £0M
    Dominik Szoboszlai £25M
    Orkan Kokcu £25M
    Thomas Partey £50M

    I don’t think Arsenal will get Upamecano because Real Madrid and Bayern will probably go for him, and Arsenal can probably afford one big signing so I went with Partey. Luiz and Mari should be good enough till Saliba and N’dicka are ready. And we know that Arteta likes the balance of left footed CBs so N’dicka seems like a good choice. Soares replaces AMN. Szoboszlai and Kokcu are the up and coming 8/10’s arsenal have lacked all season and will allow Ozil to be phased out in his last year.

    Among other thoughts I don’t think Arsenal should cash in on Aubameyang regardless of whether he signs a contract and Arsenal make CL. I think his value to the squad is huge and his mentality means he will perform even in his last year. I don’t think Arsenal could find a suitable replacement in terms of the number of goals he can put up. My squad building also proposed a wholesale reshuffle of the midfield and changing the main goal threat as well would be too much change.

    LENO

    BELLERIN – LUIZ – MARI – TIERNEY

    PARTEY

    KOKCU – SZOBOSZLAI

    PEPE – AUBAMEYANG(C) – SAKA

    LENO

    BELLERIN – LUIZ – MARI – TIERNEY

    NELSON – PARTEY – KOKCU – SAKA

    PEPE – AUBAMEYANG(C)

    BENCH:
    MARTINEZ
    SALIBA
    CEDRIC
    TORREIRA
    ESR
    NELSON (SZOBOSZLAI)
    MARTINELLI

    My two possible lineups. One more possession based, the second is more balanced on the wings and counter attacking. Saliba will be phased in for Luiz as the season goes on

    Reply
    • BNS April 2, 2020 at 3:46 am #

      I just realized I sold 10 players. Whoops. Keep Willock one more season.

      Reply
  5. Emmanuel April 19, 2020 at 2:20 pm #

    Out:
    Sokratis ( surplus to requirements )
    Mustafi ( surplus to requirements)
    Kolasinac ( not needed with tierney and saka)
    Mavropanos (Loan)
    Osei-tutu ( cash in )
    Xhaka ( might be a role model but not good enough )
    Torreira ( cash in can be replaced
    Elney ( no purpose in squad surplus to requirements)
    Mhiki ( surplus to requirements not worth wages rather give youngster the mins )
    Ozil ( not worth the wages)
    Laca ( one st has to go rather lose auba on a free or try to convince to one year extension)

    = 10+15+20+10+35+40+15+20+40 = 205

    Ins

    Priority 1 is cms

    Phillips and Buendia as starters need a pure dm who’s confident in the ball and a cm that can do a bit of everything like Buendia who I prefer over ceballos but both are acceptable
    Also need goals from midfield
    Papa gueye as a back up as depth is needed

    Alternatives
    Partey
    Ceballos
    Roca
    Ibrahima sangara

    Priority 2 is cbs
    Malang Sarr should be a priority’s his contract expires in summer can play both lb n cb
    Upamecano statement signing should sure up our defence significantly can’t trust saliba to be starting from day 1

    Alternatives
    Ake
    Mari
    Trust saliba as a starter

    Priority 3 Is lw ( depending on if 2 or more out of laca, ozil and auba are sold )
    Jota is the standout candidate can help with ball progression, creative , chip in with goals and comfortable on the ball

    Alternatives
    Szoboszlai ( also ideal but think he will hinder ESR progress but too similar )
    Dwight McNeil

    Priority 4 is rb

    Any one of max aarons, sergi dest or Noussair Mazraoui
    All good technical rbs young enough to compete with Bellerín
    My preference is dest he’s youngest and best on the ball also think he has highest ceiling

    40+25+10+25*+50+55+25=230
    Still under budget but Malang Starr would technically be free and could sell mavropanos

    Best formation for arsenal is defo 3 at the back we have all the tools
    So 343:
    GK: Leno ( Martinez )
    RCB Upamencano (Saliba)
    CB Luiz (chambers)
    LCB Teirney / Sarr ( holding)
    RWB Bellerin (dest / AMN)
    LCM Phillips ( gueye )
    RCM Buendia ( guendouzi / willock )
    LWB Saka ( teirney / AMN)
    RW Pepe ( nelson )
    ST Auba ( nketiah / Martinelli)
    LW Jota ( ESR )

    This team should be competing for top 4 and europa Leauge easily with the depth also very tactically versatile can play 433 with Phillips at base and guedouzi/willock/ESR instead of LCB or 4231 Phillips guendouzi cms jota / ESR at 10 then saka/ Martinelli/ nelson / Auba at lw possible are endless and inevitable injuries shouldn’t be a problem chambers already out for most of the season

    Might start blogging soon really enjoyed this

    Reply
    • Gunners Town April 20, 2020 at 8:12 am #

      If you want to start blogging (again) as part of the Gunners Town crew – give us a shout. Always looking for passionate new writers.

      Reply
  6. Emmanuel April 20, 2020 at 12:29 am #

    Out:
    Sokratis ( surplus to requirements )
    Mustafi ( surplus to requirements)
    Kolasinac ( not needed with tierney and saka)
    Mavropanos (Loan)
    Osei-tutu ( cash in )
    Xhaka ( might be a role model but not good enough )
    Torreira ( cash in can be replaced
    Elney ( no purpose in squad surplus to requirements)
    Mhiki ( surplus to requirements not worth wages rather give youngster the mins )
    Ozil ( not worth the wages)
    Laca ( one st has to go rather lose auba on a free or try to convince to one year extension)

    = 10+15+20+10+35+40+15+20+40 = 205

    Ins

    Priority 1 is cms

    Phillips and Buendia as starters need a pure dm who’s confident in the ball and a cm that can do a bit of everything like Buendia who I prefer over ceballos but both are acceptable
    Also need goals from midfield
    Papa gueye as a back up as depth is needed

    Alternatives
    Partey
    Ceballos
    Roca
    Ibrahima sangara

    Priority 2 is cbs
    Malang Sarr should be a priority’s his contract expires in summer can play both lb n cb
    Upamecano statement signing should sure up our defence significantly can’t trust saliba to be starting from day 1

    Alternatives
    Ake
    Mari
    Trust saliba as a starter

    Priority 3 Is lw ( depending on if 2 or more out of laca, ozil and auba are sold )
    Jota is the standout candidate can help with ball progression, creative , chip in with goals and comfortable on the ball

    Alternatives
    Szoboszlai ( also ideal but think he will hinder ESR progress but too similar )
    Dwight McNeil

    Priority 4 is rb

    Any one of max aarons, sergi dest or Noussair Mazraoui
    All good technical rbs young enough to compete with Bellerín
    My preference is dest he’s youngest and best on the ball also think he has highest ceiling

    40+25+10+25*+50+55+25=230
    Still under budget but Malang Starr would technically be free and could sell mavropanos

    Best formation for arsenal is defo 3 at the back we have all the tools
    So 343:
    GK: Leno ( Martinez )
    RCB Upamencano (Saliba)
    CB Luiz (chambers)
    LCB Teirney / Sarr ( holding)
    RWB Bellerin (dest / AMN)
    LCM Phillips ( gueye )
    RCM Buendia ( guendouzi / willock )
    LWB Saka ( teirney / AMN)
    RW Pepe ( nelson )
    ST Auba ( nketiah / Martinelli)
    LW Jota ( ESR )

    This team should be competing for top 4 and europa Leauge easily with the depth also very tactically versatile can play 433 with Phillips at base and guedouzi/willock/ESR instead of LCB or 4231 Phillips guendouzi cms jota / ESR at 10 then saka/ Martinelli/ nelson / Auba at lw possible are endless and inevitable injuries shouldn’t be a problem chambers already out for most of the season

    Reply
  7. David June 13, 2020 at 9:39 pm #

    Sell: Kolasinac £20M, Luiz £10M, Sokratis £10M, Mustafi £15M, Mkhitaryan £20M, Ozil loan Xhaka £35M, Aubameyang £60M, Lacazette £40M.
    The Following Players above are old and we can’t get or use them for more than 2yrs

    Worth(+budget) 240M

    Buy: Dayot Upamecano 21 Leipzig £50M, Thomas Partey 26 Athletico Madrid £50M, Orkan Kokcu 19 Feyenoord £25M Johnathan David 20 Gent £25M,

    The following are young and versatile. They have serious potential and are made for the future

    Savings: 90m

    Finally My Team is:

    Leno
    Tierney Upamenceno Saliba Bellerin

    Partey Toirera

    Saka Koncu Pepe

    Martinelli

    My Captain would be Bellerin. He is a fan-favourite and is loved by THE ARSENAL players and staff. He is a player that has been at Arsenal longer than our Manager when he was a player. It is an easy choice.

    Bench: Nelson, J David, Martinez, WIllock, Nketiah, AMN, Chambers, Guendouzi

    Like and Comment!!!

    Thanks

    Reply
  8. Joshua June 13, 2020 at 10:05 pm #

    GK: Leno, Lafont
    DEF: Holding, Upamencano, Saliba, Bellerin,Jamaal Lewis , Tierney
    MID Guendouzi, Torriera, Ceballos, Bentancur,Korcku,David
    Wingers: Pepe, Leao ,Nelson, Saka
    ST: Martinelli, Jovic

    Out:Mustafi-15
    Kolasinac -20
    Chambers-20
    Xhaka -25
    Mkhitaryan-20
    Lacazette-35
    Aubameyang-60
    Ozil-40
    Total-235

    Reply
  9. Rich July 3, 2020 at 10:20 pm #

    An updated view on this, based on recent happenings, and a more conservative approach to transfers.

    Sell:
    DEF – Sokratis (10M), Mavropanos (10M), Mustafi (15M)
    MID – Elneny (15M), Mykhi (10M), Guendouzi (50M), Ozil (0M)
    ATT – Lacazette (40M)
    TOTAL – 150M (+30M Transfer Budget) = 180M

    Buy:
    DEF – Cedric (0M), Mari (5M), Upamecano (50M)
    MID – Ceballos (30M), Partey (50M), Cazorla (0M)
    TOTAL – 135M

    Bit of logic behind this, Cedric & Mari have already signed contracts with Arsenal for next season. Luiz has also signed a contract, although I would have sold him had he not. Positive noise coming from Aubamayang so I will assume we can tie him up with a new contract.

    Squad:
    GK – Leno, Martinez
    LB – Tierney, Kolasinac
    CB – Upamecano, Mari, Saliba, Holding, Chambers
    RB – Bellerin, Cedric

    CM – Ceballos, Partey, Torreira, Xhaka, Luiz (playing as defensive midfielder)
    AM – Smith-Rowe, Willock

    LF – Martinelli, Saka
    CF – Aubamayang, Nketiah
    RF – Pepe, Nelson

    Keepers are solid, Leno comfortable as #1, Martinez has shown he is a solid #2 in recent weeks so no changes needed here.
    At left back, Tierney starting to show what he can do, looks very promising and can play as part of a four, or five man back line. Kolasinac is a decent backup to Tierney, can also play as a four or five, and can line up on the left side CB as part of a five. Given both have some injury concerns, we also have Saka who can slot in there, if needed, but of course I have him further forward as his primary position.
    At right back, giving Bellerin the benefit of the doubt that he can play his way back into form, plus Bellerin appears to be a leader in the dressing room and we desperately need that. Cedric is now back and had a dream debut against Norwich, not sure we can expect that every game but also giving him the benefit of the doubt.
    At centre back, Luiz has signed a year extension but not sure I would trust him; excellent passing range etc but seems to lack concentration and perfectly capable of losing us a game or two. Luiz would be pushed into a defensive midfielder role where he can still use his passing range and, hopefully, his errors will be slightly further up the field so someone else can clean up after him. All of that said, Luiz would be down the pecking order anyway.
    I would bring in Upamecano, good size and plays at a good level already, plus he is young so can grow into the role. From what I have seen, Upamecano shows good positional awareness and, with his size, should help when we are defending set pieces. With his young age, hopefully he will develop a long term partnership with Saliba.
    I would pair Upamecano with Mari to begin with, Saliba will need to adjust and develop. With Mari a left footer and Upamecano a right footer, it should give us a bit of balance. Clearly, this partnership would need to develop and i am sure we won’t be seeing Adams and Bould success immediately but, given time, we should see some improvement on today. Saliba looks really talented and is getting some game time now so I expect him to be pushing Mari for a starting place by the end of next season. Holding & Chambers available for rotation and cup games, although I would expect one of both to want to move on for first team football if they can’t get their chance next season so 2022 we would need to plan to bring another CB in. With this group, we can easily switch to a back five if needed.
    In midfield I would start Ceballos and Partey as the base of a three in midfield. Ceballos has been improving recently and is showing he is happy to get the ball back. Partey is even hungrier to win the ball and also shows a patience to sit in and protect when needed. If these two can develop an understanding where they provide cover for the defense, and an deeper ball playing base for the forwards, hopefully this could prove to be a big upgrade on todays midfield.Partey also has decent size so another bigger body to help out with set pieces. So long as the two of them can work on complimenting each other, and not both surging forward at the same time, I like this base.
    If a little more pure defensive midfielder mentality is needed, Torreira and Xhaka will both be waiting in the wings to provide good depth. Torreira has shown glimpses of his potential, he is still fairly young so we should see him improve, if he is happy. Xhaka is slowly playing his way back into favour, Arteta seems to know what to do with him so another solid piece. As mentioned, the Luiz experiment could be saved for cup games and who knows how that will turn out.
    Moving a little further forward, I am taking a big gamble by naming Smith-Rowe and Willock as the two advanced midfielders. Ozil just doesn’t have the right attitude for the team, despite still showing majestic ability, when he feels like it, plus his wages are prohibitive for a Europa team (I hope we will still be one by next season). Smith-Rowe is showing great potential at Huddersfield but still has a way to go but needs playing time to develop. Willock is a little more accomplished and does show his value. Would start with Willock and try to work on his consistency but if he can show a hunger to drop back when needed, and burst forward as he has shown he can, I think he can do a job. I think we would ideally bring in a more establish player for this position but budgets are tight, especially the wage budget and 2021 won’t be the year to challenge, but to show good progress so I take a little gamble that this can work, along with potentially some of the forwards doing a job in this position.
    Up top, Martinelli or Saka on the left. Take your pick, one already showing his eye for goal, the other proving to be a play maker. Both need time and experience but got to show them some trust and let them have the opportunity to shine, Again, this is a bit of a risk with such little experience but they also show no fear so far.
    In the middle, Auba seems to be open to resigning so lets sign him up for three years, and let him score! He can drift around and switch with the other two up top but I like him being the man. Nketiah is showing a really good attitude and has scored a few now so lets keep the faith. I like Lacazette but he is a confidence player and he doesn’t have much at the moment. Cash in on him, so long as Auba doesn’t object, and move forward.
    On the right, Pepe is daring us to believe! Can he be the guy we hope he can? Showing positive signs and, so long as he keeps this attitude going, whereby he tracks back as needed, we may have ourselves a game-changer on the right! I want to give Nelson more chances to show what he can do, give him a good amount of playing time and see if he can take that next step.

    All in all, this will be a season to show good progress, develop some of the younger players, get the wage situation a little more in order, and continue building. Auba’s timeline should support a real push in 2022 so 2021 can be about the above, plus really solidifying Arteta’s vision. Couple of risky areas, RB, AM, LF but I think the solid midfield, and hopefully the CB’s, should allow us to give Bellerin, Willock/Smith-Rowe and Martinelli/Saka the leeway they need.
    I would expect a fight for the top four, but perhaps fifth would be an acceptable finish, so long as the required development and progress is shown. Attitude still seems to be a bit of an issue so getting rid of Ozil and a couple others should hopefully bring together a better attitude and core. I should mention Guendouzi, as he seems to be high potential. If he can sort his attitude out, I could keep him on and maybe ship Xhaka out, but his recent issues, or at least perceived issues with Arteta are worrying. If he truly is causing Arteta issues, get him out and take the money; if that has all been overblown and he shows the right attitude, keep him, sell Xhaka and still within budget.

    Starting line-up would be:
    Leno
    Bellerin-Upamecano-Mari-Tierney
    Ceballos-Partey
    Willock
    Pepe-Aubamayang-Martinelli

    On the bench:
    Martinez
    Saliba
    Cedric
    Torreira
    Saka
    Nelson
    Nketiah

    Fifth place finish, but closing the gap again on the top four. 2022 bring in improvements, if needed, at some of the questionable positions and get back to top four and champs league football.

    Reply
    • warrior110 July 4, 2020 at 8:49 pm #

      Rich ur team is good but can I suggest something(This is also David)
      Formation: 3-4-3

      Upamencano-Saliba-Kolasinac(Mari might play in cup)
      Saka-Partey-Ceballos-Tierney(Yea Luiz,Toirerra and Xhaka can play in the cup)
      Pepe-AUBA-Martinelli(Time to cash in on laca, Nketiah would be on the Bench)

      Bench: Martinez- Mari; David Luiz(For Now; I would have preferred to cash in on him),;Toirrera; Xhaka; Jonathan David(Eventual successor to Aubameyang) Nelson; Nketiah

      Reply
      • Rich July 6, 2020 at 3:11 pm #

        I like it! Limited sample size but I think I would roll the dice on Mari, over Kola; I might be falsely optimistic on Mari but he has the look of a self-assured player who will be solid, time will tell.
        Too soon to get optimistic about Partey becoming a reality????

        Reply

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