By Tony Attwood
Here’s the list as it seems to stand at the moment, of players over 21 years of age who could be qualifying for the 25.
Goal (4)
- Martinez
- Szczesny
- Cech
- Ospina
Defence including wing backs (10)
- The Ox
- Gibbs
- Bellerin
- Holding
- Koscielny
- Gabriel
- Monreal
- Mertesacker
- Mustafi
- Kolasinac
Midfield defence (4)
- Coquelin
- Xhaka
- Elneny
- Santi Cazorla
Midfield attack (3)
- Ramsey
- Wilshere
- Özil
Wide Attack (3)
- Walcott
- Alexis
- Campbell
Centre forward (4)
- Welbeck
- Giroud
- Pérez
- Lacazette
Obviously quite a few players can play multiple positions but I have just listed them once to avoid confusion.
The total I think gives us 28 players, so we will have to lose three of them.
And to make things complete here’s the list of our youth under 21s for this coming season who are likely to join in with the first team, but are, I think, not counted as yet in the list of 25 players (although being under 21 has to do with the age in January, I think, not the actual age when the season starts).
- Alex Iwobi
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles
- Jeff Reine Adelaide
- Reiss Nelson
So back to the players we will have to lose before we even bring in anyone else. And I have already removed players who don’t seem to have a future with the club such as Jenkinson.
Goal: one of the four has to go.
Defence: Gibbs looks the most vulnerable. But it is here that we have the other players not even listed above – Debuchy, Jenkinson, and Chambers. I have already assumed they will either leave the club permanently or at least on loan.
Midfield defence: If Santi Cazorla really is out until Christmas there is no point in including him in the 25. The list is resubmitted after the January transfer window.
Midfield attack: I have heard nothing about Jack Wilshere – I wonder if he is going to stay.
Wide attack: Joel Campbell looks like an outsider now
Central attack: Pérez seems to be everyone’s favourite to leave.
That gives us six departures in addition to the ones who are obviously available in that they have not played for the club of late. If all six were to go we could add three more incoming.
Getting rid of players is a lot easier than buying them, not least because if all else fails the players can go out on loan, and at least satisfy themselves by playing football and enhancing their profile for the next job.
So what does this do overall…
Goal (3)
- Martinez
- Szczesny
- Cech
Defence including wing backs (9)
- The Ox
- Bellerin
- Holding
- Koscielny
- Gabriel
- Monreal
- Mertesacker
- Mustafi
- Kolasinac
Midfield defence (3)
- Coquelin
- Xhaka
- Elneny
Midfield attack (2)
- Ramsey
- Özil
Wide Attack (2)
- Walcott
- Alexis
Centre forward (3)
- Welbeck
- Giroud
- Lacazette
Of course, once again, many players can play in several positions, but for simplicity I have confined each player to one position in this exercise.
That takes us right down to 22, leaving space for three more. That could be a transfer or two, the return of Santi Cazorla, or maybe one of the players I have cut, not leaving – Calum Chambers or Jack Wilshere perhaps.
But however we play it, that number is only three, and has to accommodate transfers in and any of those three above being in the squad. There really isn’t much space.
Of course Arsenal does not have to worry about the “home grown” element – we always meet that criteria and that is where many other clubs slip up. It’s just the 25 we have to watch.
- The tax law that football clubs must follow has been tightened: expect legal actions shortly
- Total Arsenal shambles as all 3 backup keepers are sold, leaving club desperate to sign replacements.
- Before we start warming up for the warm ups there is a total absolute cock up
It’s official on Arsenal.com! Welcome to Arsenal Alexandre Lacazette.
Another Alex to the Gunners…Ox, Sanchez, Iwobi & now Lacazette.
COYG!
Welcome Alexandre Lacazette! Hope he plays the best football of his career for us.
On the side, we need to give these Alex-es ‘dynasty numbers’ 😉 . Tony please check the archives … who is Alex the First 😉 ? And Lacazette is Alex XVI ?????.
And the Lucases too.
Even the ladies are at it. From Arsenal.com:
“We are delighted to announce that Arsenal Ladies captain Alex Scott has signed a new contract.”
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/alex-scott-signs-new-contract#o49xzqr5uGdFdhHk.99
Thank God! Arsenal have concluded the signing of Lacazette to the Gunners finally this summer. Our hopes are, let his signing lead to Arsenal winning more titles next season.
Now, haven put the success of signing Lacazette behind us, it’s time we move on to other Arsenal issues like the envisaged next season’s 25 man Arsenal squad that this article posting that is threading is trying perm. And the unavoidable signing this summer of a top quality mid fielder.
I agree with this article posting opinion that opined that one of Jenkinson and Debuchy will be shipped out for sales and for a loan out deal this summer with Debuchy likely to be the one to be loaned out while Jenko will could sold.
I think a 3rd and last signing by Arsenal this summer should be a top quality mid fielder imho. For, as the numbers have revealed in this article, only 3 specialist mid fielders of Coquelin, Elneny & Xhaka could be available for action next season if all goes well with them during the Arsenal summer friendlies
Truly, the perennial chronic injury sidelineners of Wilshere and Cazorla should not be listed in the Arsenal 25 man squad for next season’s campaign. For, doing so by Le Prof will amount to waste of squad space which ought to be utilised to accommodate productive Gunners. I Agee, it is likely Ospina and Perez will be sold this summer to recoup some cash used in buying Lacazette and the yet to be bought top quality mid fielder. Thomas Lemar? Too costly? Okay, Mahrez? Well, Le Prof knoweth.
Who will
Thank God! Arsenal have concluded the signing of Lacazette for the Gunners finally this summer. Our hopes are, let his signing lead to Arsenal winning more titles next season.
Now, haven put the success of signing Lacazette behind us, it’s time we move on to other Arsenal issues like the envisaged next season’s 25 man Arsenal squad that this article posting that is threading is trying to perm. And the unavoidable signing this summer of a top quality mid fielder.
I agree with this article posting opinion that opined that one of Jenkinson and Debuchy should be shipped out for sales and for a loan out deal this summer with Debuchy likely to be the one to be loaned out while Jenko could sold.
I think a 3rd and last signing by Arsenal this summer should be a top quality mid fielder imho. For, as the numbers have revealed in this article, only 3 specialist mid fielders of Coquelin, the lackluster Elneny & Xhaka could be available for action next season if all goes well with them during the Arsenal summer friendlies.
Truly, the perennial chronic injury sidelineners of Wilshere and Cazorla should not be listed in the Arsenal 25 man squad for next season’s campaign. For, doing so by Le Prof will amount to waste of squad space which ought to be utilised to accommodate productive Gunners. I Agee, it is likely Ospina and Perez will be sold this summer to recoup some cash used in buying Lacazette and the yet to be bought top quality mid fielder. Thomas Lemar? Too costly? Okay, Mahrez? Well, Le Prof knoweth.
Sorry for my reposting. I had to after seen some mistakes in my first posting.
That’s not bad is it! Only July 5th and two top signings already. So who’s the next one (or two)?
The best 25 currently at the club, imo
Cech, szczesney ospina
Mustafi Mertesacker Koscielny chambers holding gabriel
Bellerin Chamberlain Kolasinac Monreal
Xhaka ramsey coquelin elneny
Ozil alexis wilshire walcott
Lacazette Welbeck giroud perez
Cazorla – would be in it, but seems like he is finished???
Welcome to Lacazette, you sound like the real thing, just what Arsenal needs, someone who loves Arsenal and who is a great player.
Can’t help but feel a) article written by someone with a massive lack of ambition and b) have left a lot left out of the discussion here.
1. Possible sale of Giroud.
2. Possible sale of Walcott
3. Probable sale of Sanchez.
4. Ox contract situation.
5. You at least mention Gibbs, Wilshire, Chambers and god how is debuxhy still on the books
So how about we need to clear some of that out and even if we get Sanchez to stay we need Lemar and/ or Mahrez, we need a holding midfielder (carvalho?) and personally I think ship chezz and Kaplan out and get a proper successor to cech. Then one more powerful skilful box to box midfielder and stop pretending Ramsey is the answer to every question.
Maybe I am being unfair but listing those 23-25 and talking about one more signing makes it sound you are happy with that squad and think it can challenge. Which is SO far from the truth !??
Welcome to Arsenal Lacazette, took awhile but finally you’re here. Next good news will be Alexis and Ozil renewing their contracts with Arsenal.
And those ‘experts’ say Arsenal won’t be able to sign top talents with AW in charge.
I don’t think there will be anymore signings, unless Lemar agree to join. I think Gibbs will stay as an emergency player in the EPL and starter for Cup tournaments.
Some interesting Lacazette quotes from ESPN:
“[I like] Arsenal’s past — I like clubs with a history. Also the fact that the manager has been here for a while shows it is a stable club, which I like.
“In addition, there are quite a few French players here, which makes it easier to settle in.
“In my opinion, Arsenal is also the club that plays the best football in England so I really wanted to play here.”
I think he’s going to settle in just fine here!
I feel AFC will need Chambers this season at some point.
If we can get a return on Jack and Joel– take it.
I’d like Perez to stay and get extensive FA/Europa minutes.
If we do sign Lemar or Mahrez (both?!)– and can cash in on Theo– maybe now is the time.
Right now?
I’ll call the team– ‘solid’.
If all-of-the-above occurs– ‘very good-to-scary good’.
jw1
Marky, always difficult when you are not in control of your feelings.
Arsenal do find it harder to get rid of a player than buying one i think.
Santi is supposed to be injured and out for at least half the season? Yet there is no comment from Arsenal?
I feel the “injuries” of Arsenal will be many this season. As soon as we have players that can make a difference they become targets for the other teams to “injure”.
Sometimes i wonder why all these rules? Let the football teams play who they want. Simple.