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Four into 10 won’t go: Buendia vs Auoar vs Ozil vs ESR shootout for the Arsenal playmaker position

Saka-Snow

The recent upturn in Arsenal’s results has given Mikel Arteta some tasty food for thought. The goals are flowing, and – coupled with sturdy defensive performances by our B-string Holding-Mari defensive axis – the Gunners have managed to string together some meaningful and convincing wins against tricky opposition.

Much of this success has been attributed to a renewed vigour and desire on the pitch, due in no small part to the inclusion of key youngsters in the opening line-up. Bukayo Saka, who has been nominated as the PFA’s 2020 Young Player of the Season, seems to have taken the responsibility for Arsenal’s attacking threat squarely on his young shoulders, and his impetus has been the catalyst for much of our recent success.

Much of his effectiveness is, however, down to the inclusion of another Hale End youngster – a player alongside whom Saka has risen through the Arsenal ranks: playmaker Emile Smith-Rowe. Having already made an impact together in Arsenal’s record-equalling Europa Group Stage campaign (winning all 6 games) – Arteta made the bold (but necessary) decision to give Arsenal’s talented duo a chance to do the same on the biggest stage of all: The English Premier League. And they didn’t disappoint.

The high-energy, seize-the-moment approach of the Saka-ESR pairing was matched pace-for-pace by the whizz-bang Brazilian, Martinelli, fresh from a long-term injury. His tireless pressing and lust for goals made the youngsters’ creative attacking threat that much more dangerous.

Laca-2

These three seemed to rejuvenate Alexandre Lacazette, who thrived in this new, up-tempo Arsenal line-up; he proved more than able to link-up in smart, effective one-two combos, and his hair-trigger goal-scoring abilities were awakened from their season-long slumber. Sidemen Tierney and Bellerin also succumbed to this infectious strain of can-do-itis – both delivering career-best performances; the young Scotsman in particular has been in sparkling form, and his drive, intensity and leadership have led to strong shouts for his right to don the Captain’s armband.

This boost to Arsenal’s table position couldn’t have come at a better time: flirting with relegation is not a position with which recent Arsenal is familiar – and calls for Arteta’s head on a stick would seriously have set the Gunners back in their quest for a post-Wengerian revival.

The timing was perfect from another perspective too, though: with serious financial constraints, finding a solution to Arsenal’s lack of creativity outside of London Colney in the January window, during a pandemic, was always going to prove a difficult task. Talk of signing target Emiliano Buendia from Championship side Norwich has all but fizzled out – ostensibly because of his steep £40m price tag. This may disappoint many Arsenal fans, hoping for a Premier League-ready solution in the casino lottery that is the January window, as the Argentinian is proven and fans continue to access sites here, which remains a popular choice for online entertainment, as more lockdowns have been enforced across the UK.

Lyon playmaker Houssem Auoar was the top saga of last summer’s transfer window – a deal as good as done was apparently scuppered by his agent brother’s greed. Plans to come back for him this January seem to have been placed on hold. A bullet dodged, perhaps, for Arsenal, since Auoar has publicly preferred destinations in Spain to London’s N5.

Ozil

Outcast Mesut Ozil is rumoured to be in advanced talks with an MLS franchise, and is also linked with a move to Fenerbahce. Whether he will do the right thing and leave during the January window, allowing Arsenal to see some return on the massive investment made in the maligned German remains to be seen.

Emile Smith-Rowe looks to have climbed to the top of the list of potential suitors for Arsenal’s hallowed No. 10 shirt, a shirt that will finally be vacated come May (or hopefully sooner).

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One Response to Four into 10 won’t go: Buendia vs Auoar vs Ozil vs ESR shootout for the Arsenal playmaker position

  1. jjgsol January 8, 2021 at 10:27 am #

    Why is it up to ozil to ‘do the right thing’ when it is clear that he has been wronged by the club who are paying through the nose for that privilege.

    He has a contract, you know, one of of those written documents, entered into freely by the club, which bind both parties and which the club wishes to renege from, for whatever reason.

    No, with respect, it is for the club to ‘do the right thing’ and honour the contract in full, which means to play him, especially as his absence has been so costly in wasted salary and the loss of his ability on the abilities of the team.

    The club’s conduct has been an embarrassment to all thinking fans and has made us a laughing stick in the wider world.

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