I actually don’t think I’ve reported a single transfer rumor this month? I didn’t even feel like it. I’m the bear who partied in the summer and now I can go into hibernation for a month, when we’re normally so starved that we see players like Mathys Tel asking if that kind of stuff is okay to eat.
Let’s move on to drugs… where are all the transfer tweakers from last year?
‘Please sir, give us a taste of Marmoush, that’s what champions do. Don’t have one, how about some Kolo Muani? Come on maaaaann, you need some Ollie for £60 million!’
What bothers you now? All that drama? All that sheer desperation for anything? How would that have turned out, you sick transfer freaks?
As I said last summer, just wait five months and then make a terrible mistake while you still have more time left.
One player who may feel like he made a mistake is Ethan Nwaneri. The 18-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term deal, expecting his career to progress, but unfortunately that is not the case. He was moved from the right to cover Martin Ødegaard and again, when the Norwegian got a hit, Ethan was not played. 515 minutes is pretty good by the standards of most teenagers at elite clubs, but this is a guy who probably considered himself a member of his generation… and he’s left out and doesn’t even make the regular roster.
David Ornstein says he has been offered to De Zerbi in Marseille. The Italian coach is extremely demanding, a bit crazy, and he has done a good job rehabilitating Mason Greenwood, who was rightly banned from Manchester United.
Ligue 1 has a very specific identity and place in the food chain of European football. It’s a farm for super young talent to get minutes and move on to bigger and better things. There is only one dominant super club there, and they also play a lot of young players. But the overall flavor of the competition is youthful. The football is a bit slower, the physicality of the players isn’t at Premier League level, and the lower intensity is actually perfect for giving teenagers the platform to learn the game, hone their craft and move up a few levels by doing football in a live amphitheater.
Loans are not for losers; we have to remember that. It is a tool that clubs have used very well in the past to shape their best players. Ødegaard made many loans before being sent to Arsenal, where he also went on loan. Willy Saliba is the most famous of our loan players, making three stints before his knee slides into our first team. What’s unclear with Ethan is whether he’s being fattened up for the summer sales or whether he’s being groomed to return for a blowout next season.
One question I would ask Arteta if we were tinkering together in the transfer room… I look at the strikers, Mikel looks at the full-backs… is this… who is our cover for the creative role if we suffer two injuries like we have now at left back?
We have been continuously linked with the signing of Arda Güler, a creative player who has been in and out of the Madrid team. He has all the tools that Mesut Ozil has, a pure creator, the type of name that doesn’t really thrive in the Premier League these days. Ten assists and three goals in a team that hasn’t exactly flourished this season is decent, but I’m not sure I’d pick up a lightweight playing in a team that has beaten a manager because they don’t like details or off-the-ball moves.
But back to Ethan, if I were to advise him… take the step, get the minutes, show the Premier League what you stand for. I’d probably see if Myles wanted to come too. Being benched by a right-back is not a good look and if we’re honest… that decision is a good one.
Okay, tonight at Inter Milan. Arteta has absolutely no danger in this game. We currently have three points more than anyone else in the Champions League and our next game is against Kairat. I don’t want to be disrespectful to them, but they are bottom of the league with 1 point and a -11 goal difference.
Inter Milan is a free hit in a fight that doesn’t matter. The whole point of winning your first six games is so you can rotate heavily for the seventh game and take advantage of the fact that you’re really damn good in Europe.
Man United weren’t just good against City, they were exceptional. What did they have in common with Vorst? A week to prepare, rest, get up to speed and dominate. They’re going to play like old-fashioned United against us, it could be devastating, or it could be terrible… we have to prepare for them as best we can.
Some mandates… No Gyokeres. I want to see Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz for 55 minutes. Martin Ødegaard must stay at home and Eze must be given minutes.
Can I change my mind? If Kai can’t start, give me that combination of Mikel Merino and Eze. Let’s connect chemical players together and stop worrying about who we spent what on.
In midfield I have no idea who we will be playing with, but a move from Nørgaard would not be insulting to me, even if that hasn’t really happened this season. This would be a good game to get Ethan minutes, but that seems unlikely. Perhaps the need to rest Zubi and Declan will see Merino drop into midfield?
Defensively, get Myles on that field. Tell Mosquera to put on his boots. We do NOT want to see Ben White on the grass anymore, he needs a recharge.
Then I’m happy to see Kepa in goal.
The aim of this game is to put in a good performance, expand the fringe players and escape without injuries so that the home team is all set for a monster match this weekend.
Nothing else matters. Group stage matches don’t affect morale if you’re the best team in Europe. This ugly start 11 is a reward for greatness. We will avoid the qualifying game anyway.
How much of this will Arteta pay attention to? Who knows. But it’s clear that the two teams that played emotional cup games during the week had poor performances against teams that had time to prepare… so hopefully he understands that and doesn’t get caught up in records or the grandeur of playing a big team in a sexy league.
Okay, that’s all I have for you today. Buy a Dugout Special below and let’s go! I just opened it up for everyone to see. X
#ARTETA #INTER #RESTING #PLAYERS