From Martin:
Hi Myles
It’s over! ?
By luck and maybe some new found pragmatism and planning Arsenal have ended up in a far better place player-wise.
Sanchez, a world class player who did not want to be here and that showed in performance.
To swap for Mkhitaryan for a player in last 6 months with hugely diminishing value was lucky, He adds creativity that, aside from Wilshere, and with Cazorla out, we desperately needed.
Either way you spin it, there is no recovery of any transfer fees for 29-year-olds, so if Sanchez stayed you paid him a fortune with no future transfer fee.
Aubameyang is a proven striker at peak of his talents and brings more mobility and box presence and can play with Lacazette – you cannot but like the move.
Giroud leaving, and I get the noise as to : Why? But he is a top 2nd striker for any club wishing to truly challenge, if realistic and to point its proven, he will not be a striker to get the goals that wins titles as the main man . It’s a little cruel as he good guy, very good player, but it’s pragmatic view that club seem to share that you need to aim elite and Aubameyang has the scoring pedigree you look for.
Pragmatism? Ox, Walcott and Coquelin gone too, all not good enough due to huge inconsistencies in week -in/ week-out performances.
Signing of Ozil is a good deal, if you want to win anything you build a team around him and hopefully we are seeing start of that. Personally love Ozil. Build a team around him that lets him play his best football and he has simply not had that.
Looking at monies, Arsenal have not spent too much in reality : Walcott, Ox and Coquelin buys you an Aubameyang, I’ll take that every day.
Not going to discuss defence, as it’s a shambles but hopefully we seeing green shoots of a plan now and more pragmatism will follow in that area – but does take time and will take a good offseason to sort that also.
But I’m happy transfer nonsense is over, the big players are signed and on long-term contracts, and hopefully we can just talk about the football now.
Myles says:
Long time since I heard you so upbeat, Martin.
If you’re right, Arsenal will become exciting again.
And maybe more consistent.