That is what Raul Sanllehi and Sven Mislintat have to be this summer.
First they need to continue the clear out. Per Mertesacker is retiring, but Calum Chambers and Rob Holding (possibly loan?) have to go. There is also a case for selling Sead Kolasinac if there is interest.
Mohamed Elneny is another, hopefully he can perform in the World Cup and attract bids. A case can be made for Granit Xhaka being sold as well, although I would be inclined to keep him for the "bedding in" period new signings will need.
A defensive overhaul may save Danny Welbeck for another season, although I would happily see him leave.
Petr Cech is another who may have another season.
There are also contract situations with Wilshere and Ramsey.
So, the long shopping list Raul and Sven have to compile will be:
3 CBs.
2 CMs (at least)
LB
RB competition / cover
A wide attacker.
Potentially a 'keeper.
A big task!
Seen a few young CBs linked (Issa Diop from Toulouse, Abdou Diallo of Mainz among them) - while Jonny Evans will no doubt be back in focus, with a £3m price tag if WBA go down. Chris Smalling is another PL experienced player we have been linked with.
Timo Horn is another player we have reported interest in, and like Evans could be cheap if his club gets relegated - which looks very likely.
With the new sponsorship deals coming in, we have room to increase our wage bill.
It is a massive task, and one which Mr Wenger will have to be convinced on. But if we get it right then we could have the squad for the new manager come the 2019/20 season.
Miracle workers?
posted on 23/2/18
Honestly I'd rather keep Elneny than Xhaka if it had to be one of them. Despite his performances, don't you think that Xhaka could command a bigger fee based on reputation (pre-Arsenal for the most part)? And I'd say the Egyptian has been better for us, certainly this season.
I mean in an ideal world we have 2 far better options in there, but realistically we probably can't completely wipe the slate clean.
posted on 23/2/18
Anyone to potentially come through and fill any of these squad places from our academy?
Is Bielik good enough to step up when he's fit again? Should Nelson be given more games, I'm surprised we haven't seen more of him as he looks a decent talent and has mostly played at right wing back.
posted on 23/2/18
The reason I chose Elneny is that I think Xhaka can improve with the right man beside him, whereas we have seen Elneny at his best. If we can perform miracles in the summer then neither should be starting bar the Europa and cup games so it really is a bit of a toss up.
posted on 23/2/18
comment by The Candlestick Maker (U8959)
posted 2 minutes ago
Anyone to potentially come through and fill any of these squad places from our academy?
Is Bielik good enough to step up when he's fit again? Should Nelson be given more games, I'm surprised we haven't seen more of him as he looks a decent talent and has mostly played at right wing back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mavropanos could potentially replace Chambers or Holding as the youngster "with potential" at the back.
You would hope Willock, Nelson, Da Silva and Nketiah continue getting closer, but it will likely be another season of Europa games for them. Don't think any have really made a strong case this season.
posted on 23/2/18
It will make no difference who we buy if wenger is still in charge fact!
posted on 23/2/18
There is also a case for selling Sead Kolasinac if there is interest.
This would be a brain fart.
posted on 23/2/18
One of Xhaka and Elneny has to stay - preferably Xhaka. Both are mediocre, but Xhaka simply offers more aggression (wins a lot more duels, tackles and interceptions) and is more productive upfront. Elneny seems like some Cushitic marathoner impersonating a footballer. Cazorla's career is over; Wilshere is still looking to see how much he can extort from the club in wages, and with Ramsey, we look set to enter another phase of looking to sway a player entering the last year of his contract. Getting a top CM playmaker is looking just as important as a CM powerhouse.
It's amazing that despite the administrative stability and having the "benefit" of one manager for over 2 decades, we find ourselves in such turmoil.
posted on 23/2/18
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
Elneny seems like some Cushitic marathoner impersonating a footballer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well he does walk like an Egyptian!
posted on 23/2/18
For me Xhaka is the biggest weak link in the whole team. He’s been here for two seasons now so it’s hard to argue he’s still acclimatising to the league. Defensively poor, rash, slow, constant lapses in concentration, unable to track runners. I fail to see what he offers the team. He was apparently signed with leadership qualities in mind. He’s a massive liability in the DM position and not sure he offers enough to play him further forwards either. The balance of the team is all wrong when he plays DM for me. If he plays it has to be alongside a proper defensive midfielder. Though not great either I’d rather have ElNeny in that position.