g88ner wrote: ↑Wed Aug 31, 2022 11:13 am
Retro Gunner wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 5:36 pm
g88ner wrote: ↑Mon Aug 29, 2022 4:12 pm
Nope,
all still here and seem to be enjoying themselves
I’d be delighted if we can tie Saliba down to a new contract sharpish though. He’s clearly a real star but his contract situation leaves me a little uneasy… don’t want his head being turned at the World Cup!
Really?? How much do you imagine that ESR is enjoying getting splinters in his arse, while watching Xhaka lumber around in an attacking centre mid position?? I rate ESR very highly indeed, but for some odd reason, it's looking as though he doesn't have a future at the club. If I was his agent, I'd be telling him to get the fuck out asap, while he still has a sound reputation and before Arteta ruins his career.
Yeah, I get your point mate but honestly I think it’s a bit OTT to suggest Arteta is ruining ESRs career.
People on here have previously accused Arteta of trying to force ESR, Saka, Martinelli and Saliba out of the club so, with 3 of those players now regulars, I guess it’s little surprise focus has come back round to ESR
The lad played plenty when fit and has suffered too many niggling injuries and barely had a pre-season, so it’s little surprise he’s not playing much. In fact, we’d be fucked if we didn’t have solid options other than ESR
Also, I think theres healthy competition for places so if Martinelli and Odegaard are keeping him out then so be it. He’ll get his chance soon enough.
Btw, Xhaka can be blamed for many things but not sure keeping ESR out of the team is one of them really. Vieira, rather than Xhaka, should concern ESR far more tbh
It seems clear, if only to me, that Arteta has never really fancied ESR. No matter how well he was playing (and at times it's been very well and seen him lauded not just by Gooners, but by pundits on TV etc), he still never seemed certain to retain his place.
As for "forcing out" ESR, Saka, Martinelli and Saliba, I don't recall anyone putting it that way, with the possible exception of Saliba, who absolutely didn't seem to be in Arteta's plans, but we'll never know. What I for one said about the other 3, was that we won't have them all in 2 years' time. I have said that ESR and Martinelli woud leave due to insufficient game time and that Saka would be poached away if we continue to miss out on CL. I'm hoping I'm wrong about all 3 and Martinelli is playing at last, but in Arteta's quest for more wingers, when other areas are woefully inadequate, it makes you wonder.
ESR should certainly be worried about the acquisition of Vieira (more evidence that Arteta doesn't fancy him?) and Odegaard is occupying the number 10 position, but I've never blamed Xhaka for keeping ESR out of the team, just as I've never blamed Xhaka for getting picked to play. All the blame for those decisions goes to Arteta, the man who picks the team. Exactly how Arteta thinks that Xhaka is a better proposition as a forward central midfielder (or any sort of central midfielder) than ESR would be, absolutely beats me and most others on here. Do you think Xhaka is better in that position than ESR would be?? I think we should be told g88ner.