I love Arsene Wenger but in his days he played the youth all the time and what ended up happening is that they got their chance and some of them took it and made a name for themselves then left in their prime to other teams because we couldn’t compete Those departures hurt a lot more than someone like Obi Chido leaving lol
Hi Charles, I don't think our first signing being left-footed versatile CB is by chance at all. Arteta is moving towards playing x4 ball-playing CBs like City. This leaves us with a core of 6 interchangeable defenders White, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori & Tomiyasu. Not even taking Tierney, Kiwior and Zinchenko into account... how is that for defensive depth. Defensive solidity allows us to stick with Partey/Jorginho as a ball progressing six. Rice sticks at left 8 to force high turnovers and form a double pivot to close out matches. Deep down, I really hope we still get a chance to see Zinchenko in midfield this season. I think keeping him around as a 7th defender makes a lot of sense.
Normally people complain about Arsenal's lack of ability to close a deal, but in this instance, the sell on clause was out of their hands. It was really down to 3rd parties rather than what we was offering. Fair play by Edu to bring this one home.
Agree completely with the majority of viewers re Chido. This Arsenal team is hitting heights we haven’t seen in 20 years - we don’t have time to pander to a kid whose head has clearly been turned elsewhere. I doubt we would’ve seen any real backlash if Arsenal had made some signings beforehand because that’s usually how Arsenal Twitter work, but I’m sure that’ll come.
But does he have the physicality to be dominant in midfield? Midfield is not just about good ball passing or controlling skills. It involves a lot of tackles, ball interception, ball shielding, and pressing. One of the problems we used to have under Wenger after Viera and Gilberto Silva is that our midfield had a lot of good ball players and passers but lacked the required physicality. That's why we always tended to get bullied in many games.
Hi Charles, Calafiori is a top signing. Lewis Skelly, Nwaneri,Jesus and Timber are like new signings. If we win the bidding war for Nico Williams other than sales and understudy players to keep the boots clean and learn from the top pros, we are there. I would keep hold of ESR. He is such a talent, he could easily take Trossard's shirt next season if he stayed. It all depends if he is satisfied with a moderate number of mins or not. I fancy Havertz and Jesus as 9, Williams and Martinelli as left wingers. Saka and Martinelli right wingers. Miffield left 8, Rice and Havertz and Nwaneri Right 8 Odegard and Esr, Six Jorgi, Rice, Lewis Skelly and maybe Partey, CB Gabbi, Saliba Calafiori White, Rightback White, Rosiak, Tomiasu, Timber. Leftback Calafiori, Timber, Tomiasu, Lewis Skelly... and of course Havertz. With Trossard as a super sub utility superstar and 3 keepers we have a squad of 24. I would pick these as my squad. Who would you and Mr Benge pick?
Hi Charles, great show as always. If we don’t sign a midfielder, what are your thoughts with Zinchenko playing left 8? Also what would be your ideal (realistic) transfer window look like? Thanks
After Calafiori our next priority should be midfield. If we get a top player that person walks into the starting lineup, a top forward is likely to only be a rotation option
Hi Charles! Non-Arsenal related but have you seen the news of Moussa Diaby leaving Aston Villa for Al Ittihad? Can’t help but feel like that’s such a surprising move considering he only joined last year, and also how young he is! Definitely feels like that may weaken them as well, so I’m not sure how to rate Villa’s business over this summer overall.
A few points: Looking at the squad going to the U.S. How do young players like Norton-Cuff and Monlouis feel to have been left out now behind Ayden Haven and Nichols. How does Patino feel being left behind behind Gower. Is this a clear sign that Patino and Cuffy are no longer wanted at Arsenal now? Also with Quesada not going do you think Haven or Skelly will get a chance at left back?
It will be interesting this pre season, the transfer market looks dead in the waters across Europe, could this be the time Youth Players getting chances will be forced on Artata?
Hi Charles, Why does it seems that so many deals are/are attempted to be loans with obligations to buy? Is it not only to push the cash problem until next year? Thanks, Niels
Great video as always - what do you think will be the goalkeeper situation come the end of the transfer window? Do we think Ramsdale will stay as the number 2? Or will be sold and replaced?
I agrée that Califiori plugs the only weakness we have on defense. Interested in what you think happens with dealing Zinchenko and/or Kiwior if this transfer happens? I agree Timber presents a potential decision but I think he stays in the mix for 2024/5
@@BernardSamson-hf6fc If you don't like Arteta just say that. We're in a window of competing for a Premier League title, we need to take advantage of that. Worrying about youth getting chances is secondary right now, man.
Hey Charles We‘ve seen a lot of youngster being announced for the tour. But no BNC and Patino - both likely to leave on a permanent. What fee would you think is realistic?
My main concern, in the starting team, was the LB. Everywhere else we were solid. Kiwior/Tomi did very well in that position, but one could sense that it's not their natural position. With Calafiori, our starting line-up is extremely solid (with a fit Partey). Now for backup. Arsenal is in a very good position, don't need to be desperate in the transfer window...squad looks good.
Isn't left back where Timber is supposed to be playing ? And frequently Zinchenko (though I do wonder why) ? With Calafiori we've got more good quality players who can play that position than we know what to do with. Especially considering White (touch wood) is rarely injured and doesn't often need a back up. I suspect Calafiori will either replace Gabriel who will leave for the pot of gold, or will play half the time at left centre back to ease the pressure on him.
I think his an absolute baller and as you said hopefully will fix up the left hand side most of all Martinelli but am starting to wonder what will happen with Zinny , Tomi , Timber etc…… Been dying to see Timber and I’m a big fan of Tomi just don’t know where they all fit in , your thoughts Charles ? Could one of the fore mentioned players be moved to midfield maybe?
Hi Charles, know it’s a long shot, but could esr prove his value and secure the left 8 role over preseason? With his unique technical abilities and eye for goal, give him a bit of strength and he’d fit like xhaka did. He’ll probably get sold to fulham but i hope his Arsenal story isn’t over. Cheers, Noah
Hi Charles Would love to hear what you think our first 11 is and the backups are in each position (including players we are close to getting and linked to, with also who you think we should get) Also do you think with Calafiori and Timber doing Jorginho and Party role, could Rice be the 4/6? And lastly I think Zinchenko is the only player in the team that could replace Ødegaard apart from work rate but passing and vision he has that. What do you think?
Hi Charles, with so many youth players going on the US trip, how do you think arsenal will lineup against Bournemouth. Do you think he'll play the best possible lineup in the first half and replace them all at half time or potentially have a mixture of youth and first team players in both halves (which I think may make more sense)
Hi Charles, any chance you know what's happening with Brooke Norton-Cuffy? He didn't feature in any of the academy games, or the Leyton Orient game. Is he close to another loan move or a permanent move? Or is he just injured? He's a good talent, reminds me of Kadioglu. Thanks for the content. (I am an Arsenal fan despite the name)
Charles: all this talk about a left back, what is up with Jurien Timber? Are there fitness doubts, or match fitness questions due to his injury? I would have thought his return late last season would have reassured him of starting there this season. Roy
Waiting for the Carlifiori. Then we can set our sites on Nico Williams. What do you think of Nico wouldn’t he be such a great add since we are looking for players with an X factor
It would have been a big risk to keep chido. Unfortunately to keep him would of been a big gamble for a young lad. He was only with us for 2 years. Who knows , he may have been a Manchester fan before the move. There are far better teams he could have gone to for education. No real loss in my book.🎉 there's your flowers bye bye
Hi Charles, some thoughts about Merino following your convos this wk with TNAT. I don’t think of Merino as ceiling raiser/floor raiser but squad planning. He can give us the level we need at 6 or 8. He’s available for an affordable fee and his wages in Sociedad are in the £50k per wk ballpark. Sign him on a 4yr deal and you’ve got a good value 4th midfielder who is unlikely to be worse than a very handy member of the squad starting 10-15 games a season and coming off the bench. It's always nice to sign a star. And with Partey and Jorginho in place a Merino style signing could wait a season. But this is a squad profile we need, and if the superstar signing isn’t on this summer this could be a good move. Then next year you go big for a third starting midfielder, if the player who ticks all the boxes was only available then. Put another way, how much better do you think someone like Bruno G (only 18 months younger than Merino) would be for roughly 4x the transfer fee and 3x the wages?
Meanwhile pushing out a younger and much better player - Emile Smith Rowe! Shows that Arteta is an issue, and Edu cannot get decent fee's for excellent players - see Leno for £3m to Fulham!
@@BernardSamson-hf6fc I kinda agree on wasting ESR, but he doesn't play the same position/role in the squad as Merino. If Arteta and Edu are problems overall they're problems I want more and more of.
whats the situation of Omar Rekik ? , his name came out with the squad travelling to the USA , will we be using him next season or will he go on loan again ?
Hey charles, love from Malaysia. Your thoughts on Arsenal no 2 keeper if Ramsdale leaves. If Bentley joins, he clearly our 3rd choice GK. I thought we signed Setford as our No 2, but it was announced via Arsenal Academy twitter account, not Arsenal. He must be our U21 GK then. Any plan for our 2nd choice GK?
Hi Charles. Do you think that Arteta bought Califiori because he saw how Timber has been playing for the past 3 months and he realized that he wouldn't fix the issue we have at left back. Thanks Alan.
Charles, in your experience, is waiting two weeks for Calafiori to sign anything unusual in historical terms? Is it possible that it is the daily podcasts and 24/7 news-cycle that makes us supporters so anxious?
Calafiori is more of a Gabriel replacement than Timber, imho. Another alternative option he gives Arteta is the ability to use 3 CBs and Timber and White play as Wingbacks. The options are endless with that signing. Grateful he chose Arsenal as well.
So, when Charles say we weren't competing for the title under Wenger (for many years) why were so many people in the media saying that he shouldn't be replaced ? Endlessly journalists were saying that fans were being disloyal because they wanted a team that could compete for titles and trophies.
My preference is to give Lewis-Skelly a chance in the #6 position. We also need to identify some outstanding under 20 strikers and wingers across Europe and South America for the future.
@CharlesWattsAFCnews what is your take and perhaps the consensus amongst your Arsenal media friends as to where Calafiore will fit in? Timber surely wouldn't be too happy after he signed a year ago and didn't get a chance due to his injury. I can only guess Zinchenko could be sold due to the number of players we have at LB/LWB. It does seem that we now have 7 very good defenders rather than having 2 guys for each individual position?
When the ‘best defender in the league’ is over injury away from a hole in the backline, then it is just the ‘best defensive stats in the league’. With calafiori and timber, we should be to claim both of these superlatives. Manoj (thrilled in the high altitudes of Macchu Picchu)
Tomi is injured again 😢. Soo unlucky he is and I think we should keep Kiwior now atleast till January so tomi can fix his knee injury . Hopefully not serious
So basically this summer we have signed 2 goalkeepers eith another one incoming. A defender: Calafiori..which we needed. We are now being linked with Gurki in asap for Eddie....not Eze Wjat exactly is gling woth recruitment Arsenal. We need a striker, RW , LCM and AM as well. Why is attack never prioritized at Arsenal.under Arteta??
Didn't Bologna read the contract of the 50% sell-on clause? Shouldn't Bologna have negotiated it down when they signed him? I don't understand how these executives think.
Good afternoon, Charles. I've been asking for weeks if you think Arsenal could land Ivan Toney? I was reading yesterday that Brentford has dropped the price 50m? If that's true, we should go all in for him! And send Nketia the other way whist we're at it?? Thank you. Mark
I've watched a couple of Chido Obi Martins goals and performances, and I honestly have my reservations about how far he can go. He scores goals, no doubt, but he is a bit sluggish and frail in his style that I worry if he can succeed in a physically demanding league like the premier league. I hope I'm wrong about him.
Raphael Meade springs to mind, when he came through youth team, he was much bigger than all other players, scored goals. Then others grew and Meade - cost us the 1988 League Cup Final.
Does anyone else get the feeling Arsenal and Edu are cooking deals behind the scene? Not too long ago there was talk of a mystery German player, which was actually ratified by TNAT. Something is coming, I’m sure of it!
Everybody keeps talking about Calafiori as a LB. But according to his Bologna manager, he’s too slow there, which is why he converted him to a CB, and that’s where he blossomed. If he was too slow at LB for Serie A, why is he going to be fast enough for the PL in that position….?
hi charles, with eddie potentially moving on to marseille this summer how would you reflect on eddies arsenal career since he made his breakthrough in the first team?
Edu and Arteta, correctly, have not only focused on physical ability and talent. They also care deeply about players having the right mind set and desire to be at Arsenal. Arsenal is currently a better club AND has a more clear path to first team football than Man U. There is no football logic to Obi Martin going to Man U. So it must be either based on unreasonable money expectations that Man U is so poorly run they're willing to provide or he's secretly Man U fan. Either way means he's not a player we want in our Arsenal family and we shouldn't regret not doing more to change his mind.
We mustn't be too hard on Chido. He is only 16 years old. I feel that the decision was taken for him...by adults who may not have his best interest at heart, but only see him as a cash machine. Hopefully, that isn't the case. I wish him well.
Hey Charles, thank you so much for keeping us informed. Do you think arsenal actually need a striker now that Jesus seems to be back in form? Wishing you a great day, Carlos
@@robinlove6981 Hey, if you read the question it I said “seems”.. I am just trying to understand if we really need another striker as I believe the ones available to us right now in the existing squad are capable of taking us far if they are all deemed fit.
Hey Charles, thanks for your tireless productivity. Have been watching since early pandemic and always appreciate your balanced perspective. Question for you and your guys James Benge/TNAT: how do you think Arsenal identify positions that need to be filled in the team/squad? I feel like it used to make sense to have a starter and a back up in each position, but given the new regime of signing positionally flexible players, it feels more accurate to think in terms of groups "7 flexible defenders; 4 versatile wingers, etc " I ask because I've been confused about the #6 discussion this summer (Zubimendi, Onana). At the beginning of last season we had Rice, Jorgi, Partey, Elneny, and Lakonga. Elneny was injured and Lakonga was loaned (and might be more of an 8), but 4 of those 5 guys will be gone within a season or two and Rice has been mentioned as a left 8. So it feels like a high priority position to restock, but with what level of player and how many?
re Obi-Martin leaving the Gunners. it is repored Arsenal have had to hold their ground on the youngster after his agents and family asked for more money than the contract that was offered.
Saka, ESR, Willock was all due to Unai/Ljungberg. I can’t think of a single youngster arteta has blooded. If Arteta doesn’t fix his clear distain for trusting youngsters then Arsenal will lose Max Downman who is quite frankly a super talent and many more. Wenger never had this issue, even when going for titles we the fans knew and was excited for 3rd round of the league cup because we would see the next current crop and on the final day of the season he would blend in the youngsters who were going to make it with senior players on match day
The whole rhetoric around Arteta not showing faith in young players is ridiculous! This Coach has delivered us our best years in over 2 decades! Year on year improvements in the league and yet some fans continue to complain. Quite frankly, I find it embarrassing. Fantastic news about Calafuori, hope it gets over the line and I’d love to see Neto or Nico Williams provide Arteta with great options whilst supporting for our incredible wingers. #HighWattage
Arteta has not brought one player through from youth team. He buys mediocre players, Vieira, Tavares, Lakonga, Cedric, Zinchenko. Yet we have players of their calibre at Arsenal, but lego head never rotates. When does he drop Saka? he has bad runs, but remains a permanent fixture. Raya makes mistakes keeps his place, Ramsdale probably as good, soon as he made mistake, he is out of team and given cold shoulder. ESR is being pushed out when he is probably better than Havertz, definitely better than Vieira. If we want small improvements - excuse for Ramsdale/Raya, then we should apply that to Arteta.
Any thoughts on our chances on getting Raphinia once Barca tie up Niko Far more likely than us getting Niko ourselves IMO and a good consolation prize?
I really hope this is the end of Nketiah at Arsenal. 25 years old not a kid anymore abysmal goal record in the league never been good enough but somehow lasted this long. Not bothered if it’s £20m just get some money in and move on. Academy favour has actually deluded many fans when in fact his no better than Bendtner and I would say his equal to Chamakh.
How did Eddie go from top under 21 scorer to this. Different at highest level but Leyton on a training pitch missing sitters isn't a good look. Sell Eddie before he misses more 😢
Timber is not a left back , califiori will b playing at lb just as Ben white is at rb , all I see people questioning Gabriel who was a beast last season , some of you fans don’t know nothing about football
Really don’t understand the hype about Chido Martin. Its man v boys for him currently. Look at his touch…technically he’s not an Arsenal type player. People are going on like he’s Anelka or Henry 😂 he’s average like really average
I think you are talking far too much about about this Obi Martin. He's a mostly unknown kid who clearly doesn't want to be here. It's not as if he's a first-teamer who wants to leave, so it's not that much of a loss - and 'potential' means nothing in the real world. Just talk about players who DO want to play for us.
Someone should go back on every topic of youth/hale end players leaving over the last 10yrs with some arsenal fans going berserk and clip them together, its always the same thing and same dramatic over reaction from the few.....years later, most of you dont even check on that player no more....we need to pour water on these fans who have a "fetish" over leaving youth players. Chidi could either be the forgetten what uf guy or he is going to be like Musila who foerver went to verious youth teams in England until he landed at Beryern.
Why do u keep pushing this narrative thats its only about money, how do you know what his priorities are ? What evidence is there in the last 4 years that there is a clear pathway for academy players?
@@thedoctor2085 True , but its irresponsible of a journalist to try and push a negative narrative because a player has decided to leave arsenal, unless he has 1st hand knowledge that the player rejected arsenal because the money wasnt enough. Know one has said what the Man U offer is, so how do we know if its significantly more
@@Ty01386 I think what you mean is it's irresponsible of a journalist to push a false narrative. I see nothing wrong with leaving for better pay. Most people would quit their jobs today if they were offered better pay elsewhere. I think the problem here is that people tend to be a bit hypocritical when it comes to things like this.
If he's decided to go to man utd, we r better off without him. Shows a lack of ambition and any interest in improving. Its all about the money. Adios amigo.
Thanks Charles. Guys let's try to balance the views and likes. We so far have 3.5k views but ONLY 309 likes
I feel that Bologna will want Tomi back as part of the deal. I don't trust any "knee" problem as officially announced.
I love Arsene Wenger but in his days he played the youth all the time and what ended up happening is that they got their chance and some of them took it and made a name for themselves then left in their prime to other teams because we couldn’t compete
Those departures hurt a lot more than someone like Obi Chido leaving lol
We also had no money.
Teta stupid he kill all academy player
Obi Chido is technically not on Arsenal level
He didn’t really play youth until we left Highbury and the money dried up … Ashley Cole the exception
Good to hear Gabby is fit let's hope he has a high goal scoring season. He deserves it 💪🏻💪🏻
More goals from our strikers and wide players this year please. I’m excited to see how timber is used I’m praying it’s along side rice.
If his song isn’t to the tune of ‘that’s Amore’ by dean Martin… what are we even doing? 😂
Hi Charles,
I don't think our first signing being left-footed versatile CB is by chance at all. Arteta is moving towards playing x4 ball-playing CBs like City.
This leaves us with a core of 6 interchangeable defenders White, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori & Tomiyasu. Not even taking Tierney, Kiwior and Zinchenko into account... how is that for defensive depth.
Defensive solidity allows us to stick with Partey/Jorginho as a ball progressing six. Rice sticks at left 8 to force high turnovers and form a double pivot to close out matches.
Deep down, I really hope we still get a chance to see Zinchenko in midfield this season. I think keeping him around as a 7th defender makes a lot of sense.
Charles you should remind us your followers to like your videos a lot of us are happy to support and forget to do so
Normally people complain about Arsenal's lack of ability to close a deal, but in this instance, the sell on clause was out of their hands. It was really down to 3rd parties rather than what we was offering. Fair play by Edu to bring this one home.
We can’t sell anyway 😂 they’ll be lucky to get a penny out of that clause
Very smart business
Let Obi Martin go he’s only one player you win some you lose some 👏
Good news on calafiori ❤
Agree completely with the majority of viewers re Chido. This Arsenal team is hitting heights we haven’t seen in 20 years - we don’t have time to pander to a kid whose head has clearly been turned elsewhere.
I doubt we would’ve seen any real backlash if Arsenal had made some signings beforehand because that’s usually how Arsenal Twitter work, but I’m sure that’ll come.
Still think zinny in midfield is a no brainer, works well in attack, comfortable with the ball, excellent passing skills
But does he have the physicality to be dominant in midfield? Midfield is not just about good ball passing or controlling skills. It involves a lot of tackles, ball interception, ball shielding, and pressing. One of the problems we used to have under Wenger after Viera and Gilberto Silva is that our midfield had a lot of good ball players and passers but lacked the required physicality. That's why we always tended to get bullied in many games.
@@iykeharrison9161💯💯 Well said. Zinchenko is now gonna be a rotational player. The guy is simply too weak and unathletic for both left back and CM.
@@iykeharrison9161Zinchenko is more physical than Jorginho
@@hegeliandianetik2009 That's completely false
@@hegeliandianetik2009is he fuck
Hi Charles,
Calafiori is a top signing. Lewis Skelly, Nwaneri,Jesus and Timber are like new signings. If we win the bidding war for Nico Williams other than sales and understudy players to keep the boots clean and learn from the top pros, we are there. I would keep hold of ESR. He is such a talent, he could easily take Trossard's shirt next season if he stayed. It all depends if he is satisfied with a moderate number of mins or not.
I fancy Havertz and Jesus as 9, Williams and Martinelli as left wingers. Saka and Martinelli right wingers. Miffield left 8, Rice and Havertz and Nwaneri Right 8 Odegard and Esr, Six Jorgi, Rice, Lewis Skelly and maybe Partey, CB Gabbi, Saliba Calafiori White, Rightback White, Rosiak, Tomiasu, Timber. Leftback Calafiori, Timber, Tomiasu, Lewis Skelly... and of course Havertz. With Trossard as a super sub utility superstar and 3 keepers we have a squad of 24. I would pick these as my squad. Who would you and Mr Benge pick?
Hi Charles, great show as always.
If we don’t sign a midfielder, what are your thoughts with Zinchenko playing left 8?
Also what would be your ideal (realistic) transfer window look like?
Thanks
After Calafiori our next priority should be midfield. If we get a top player that person walks into the starting lineup, a top forward is likely to only be a rotation option
Hi Charles!
Non-Arsenal related but have you seen the news of Moussa Diaby leaving Aston Villa for Al Ittihad? Can’t help but feel like that’s such a surprising move considering he only joined last year, and also how young he is! Definitely feels like that may weaken them as well, so I’m not sure how to rate Villa’s business over this summer overall.
A few points: Looking at the squad going to the U.S. How do young players like Norton-Cuff and Monlouis feel to have been left out now behind Ayden Haven and Nichols. How does Patino feel being left behind behind Gower. Is this a clear sign that Patino and Cuffy are no longer wanted at Arsenal now? Also with Quesada not going do you think Haven or Skelly will get a chance at left back?
It will be interesting this pre season, the transfer market looks dead in the waters across Europe, could this be the time Youth Players getting chances will be forced on Artata?
Hi Charles,
Why does it seems that so many deals are/are attempted to be loans with obligations to buy? Is it not only to push the cash problem until next year?
Thanks, Niels
Great video as always - what do you think will be the goalkeeper situation come the end of the transfer window? Do we think Ramsdale will stay as the number 2? Or will be sold and replaced?
Charles, why does arsenal keep taking the pre season tour to the USA? is there not enough appeal in Asia?
I agrée that Califiori plugs the only weakness we have on defense. Interested in what you think happens with dealing Zinchenko and/or Kiwior if this transfer happens? I agree Timber presents a potential decision but I think he stays in the mix for 2024/5
Think theres a player in Rosiak, he's always under the radar but there's something there. Interested to see his use on the tour.
He his deadly with his free kicks. Also can defend, shame as Arteta will never give him a chance.
@@BernardSamson-hf6fc If you don't like Arteta just say that. We're in a window of competing for a Premier League title, we need to take advantage of that. Worrying about youth getting chances is secondary right now, man.
Hey Charles
We‘ve seen a lot of youngster being announced for the tour. But no BNC and Patino - both likely to leave on a permanent. What fee would you think is realistic?
My main concern, in the starting team, was the LB. Everywhere else we were solid. Kiwior/Tomi did very well in that position, but one could sense that it's not their natural position. With Calafiori, our starting line-up is extremely solid (with a fit Partey). Now for backup. Arsenal is in a very good position, don't need to be desperate in the transfer window...squad looks good.
Isn't left back where Timber is supposed to be playing ? And frequently Zinchenko (though I do wonder why) ? With Calafiori we've got more good quality players who can play that position than we know what to do with. Especially considering White (touch wood) is rarely injured and doesn't often need a back up.
I suspect Calafiori will either replace Gabriel who will leave for the pot of gold, or will play half the time at left centre back to ease the pressure on him.
I think his an absolute baller and as you said hopefully will fix up the left hand side most of all Martinelli but am starting to wonder what will happen with Zinny , Tomi , Timber etc……
Been dying to see Timber and I’m a big fan of Tomi just don’t know where they all fit in , your thoughts Charles ? Could one of the fore mentioned players be moved to midfield maybe?
Hi Charles,
know it’s a long shot, but could esr prove his value and secure the left 8 role over preseason? With his unique technical abilities and eye for goal, give him a bit of strength and he’d fit like xhaka did. He’ll probably get sold to fulham but i hope his Arsenal story isn’t over.
Cheers, Noah
Hi Charles
Would love to hear what you think our first 11 is and the backups are in each position (including players we are close to getting and linked to, with also who you think we should get)
Also do you think with Calafiori and Timber doing Jorginho and Party role, could Rice be the 4/6?
And lastly I think Zinchenko is the only player in the team that could replace Ødegaard apart from work rate but passing and vision he has that. What do you think?
Hi Charles, with so many youth players going on the US trip, how do you think arsenal will lineup against Bournemouth. Do you think he'll play the best possible lineup in the first half and replace them all at half time or potentially have a mixture of youth and first team players in both halves (which I think may make more sense)
Hi Charles, any chance you know what's happening with Brooke Norton-Cuffy? He didn't feature in any of the academy games, or the Leyton Orient game. Is he close to another loan move or a permanent move? Or is he just injured? He's a good talent, reminds me of Kadioglu. Thanks for the content. (I am an Arsenal fan despite the name)
Charles: all this talk about a left back, what is up with Jurien Timber? Are there fitness doubts, or match fitness questions due to his injury? I would have thought his return late last season would have reassured him of starting there this season. Roy
Charles, Timber left side number 8 please mention it to our fans
Good
Waiting for the Carlifiori. Then we can set our sites on Nico Williams. What do you think of Nico wouldn’t he be such a great add since we are looking for players with an X factor
It would have been a big risk to keep chido. Unfortunately to keep him would of been a big gamble for a young lad. He was only with us for 2 years. Who knows , he may have been a Manchester fan before the move. There are far better teams he could have gone to for education. No real loss in my book.🎉 there's your flowers bye bye
I saw the friendly on RUclips
Hi Charles, some thoughts about Merino following your convos this wk with TNAT.
I don’t think of Merino as ceiling raiser/floor raiser but squad planning. He can give us the level we need at 6 or 8. He’s available for an affordable fee and his wages in Sociedad are in the £50k per wk ballpark. Sign him on a 4yr deal and you’ve got a good value 4th midfielder who is unlikely to be worse than a very handy member of the squad starting 10-15 games a season and coming off the bench.
It's always nice to sign a star. And with Partey and Jorginho in place a Merino style signing could wait a season. But this is a squad profile we need, and if the superstar signing isn’t on this summer this could be a good move. Then next year you go big for a third starting midfielder, if the player who ticks all the boxes was only available then.
Put another way, how much better do you think someone like Bruno G (only 18 months younger than Merino) would be for roughly 4x the transfer fee and 3x the wages?
Meanwhile pushing out a younger and much better player - Emile Smith Rowe! Shows that Arteta is an issue, and Edu cannot get decent fee's for excellent players - see Leno for £3m to Fulham!
@@BernardSamson-hf6fc I kinda agree on wasting ESR, but he doesn't play the same position/role in the squad as Merino. If Arteta and Edu are problems overall they're problems I want more and more of.
whats the situation of Omar Rekik ? , his name came out with the squad travelling to the USA , will we be using him next season or will he go on loan again ?
Hey charles, love from Malaysia. Your thoughts on Arsenal no 2 keeper if Ramsdale leaves. If Bentley joins, he clearly our 3rd choice GK. I thought we signed Setford as our No 2, but it was announced via Arsenal Academy twitter account, not Arsenal. He must be our U21 GK then. Any plan for our 2nd choice GK?
Let him go...We want players who have an heart for Arsenal.
Hi Charles. Do you think that Arteta bought Califiori because he saw how Timber has been playing for the past 3 months and he realized that he wouldn't fix the issue we have at left back. Thanks Alan.
Charles, in your experience, is waiting two weeks for Calafiori to sign anything unusual in historical terms? Is it possible that it is the daily podcasts and 24/7 news-cycle that makes us supporters so anxious?
Calafiori is more of a Gabriel replacement than Timber, imho. Another alternative option he gives Arteta is the ability to use 3 CBs and Timber and White play as Wingbacks. The options are endless with that signing. Grateful he chose Arsenal as well.
So, when Charles say we weren't competing for the title under Wenger (for many years) why were so many people in the media saying that he shouldn't be replaced ?
Endlessly journalists were saying that fans were being disloyal because they wanted a team that could compete for titles and trophies.
HIGH WATTAGE CALAFIORIIIIIII⚡⚡⚡
Cringe
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@@kunimitsune177⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
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My preference is to give Lewis-Skelly a chance in the #6 position. We also need to identify some outstanding under 20 strikers and wingers across Europe and South America for the future.
@CharlesWattsAFCnews what is your take and perhaps the consensus amongst your Arsenal media friends as to where Calafiore will fit in?
Timber surely wouldn't be too happy after he signed a year ago and didn't get a chance due to his injury. I can only guess Zinchenko could be sold due to the number of players we have at LB/LWB. It does seem that we now have 7 very good defenders rather than having 2 guys for each individual position?
When the ‘best defender in the league’ is over injury away from a hole in the backline, then it is just the ‘best defensive stats in the league’. With calafiori and timber, we should be to claim both of these superlatives.
Manoj (thrilled in the high altitudes of Macchu Picchu)
Many best defence, not defender :)
Tomi is injured again 😢. Soo unlucky he is and I think we should keep Kiwior now atleast till January so tomi can fix his knee injury . Hopefully not serious
No one has suggested Timber could be used as a 6 this season
So basically this summer we have signed 2 goalkeepers eith another one incoming.
A defender: Calafiori..which we needed.
We are now being linked with Gurki in asap for Eddie....not Eze
Wjat exactly is gling woth recruitment Arsenal.
We need a striker, RW , LCM and AM as well.
Why is attack never prioritized at Arsenal.under Arteta??
it12:48 - it's, Ok, Watts - you can call the kid Cheedie all you like. It's actually encouraged.
Didn't Bologna read the contract of the 50% sell-on clause? Shouldn't Bologna have negotiated it down when they signed him? I don't understand how these executives think.
Good afternoon, Charles. I've been asking for weeks if you think Arsenal could land Ivan Toney? I was reading yesterday that Brentford has dropped the price 50m? If that's true, we should go all in for him! And send Nketia the other way whist we're at it??
Thank you. Mark
@@Take_NotesSuperHooverweight why. Toney is 28 years old. Not good enough for arsenal
@@waynemarshall8836 he's more than good enough
Why didn’t Ethan play in the friendly?
I've watched a couple of Chido Obi Martins goals and performances, and I honestly have my reservations about how far he can go. He scores goals, no doubt, but he is a bit sluggish and frail in his style that I worry if he can succeed in a physically demanding league like the premier league. I hope I'm wrong about him.
Raphael Meade springs to mind, when he came through youth team, he was much bigger than all other players, scored goals. Then others grew and Meade - cost us the 1988 League Cup Final.
I have a sneaky feeling that Arteta might use Califiori as a defensive midfielder to replace Partey
We certainly have an incredibly flexible defensive squad - Timber could also play there as could White as a back-up to the back-up.
Does anyone else get the feeling Arsenal and Edu are cooking deals behind the scene?
Not too long ago there was talk of a mystery German player, which was actually ratified by TNAT. Something is coming, I’m sure of it!
Very very very very very very close !!! Right...
Come on Arsenal! Calafiori to London is great news!! ❤
Everybody keeps talking about Calafiori as a LB. But according to his Bologna manager, he’s too slow there, which is why he converted him to a CB, and that’s where he blossomed. If he was too slow at LB for Serie A, why is he going to be fast enough for the PL in that position….?
This guy reads the papers like I do 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
hi charles, with eddie potentially moving on to marseille this summer how would you reflect on eddies arsenal career since he made his breakthrough in the first team?
"Stuck in limbo" Charles😂
Stasis would be more applicable
Edu and Arteta, correctly, have not only focused on physical ability and talent. They also care deeply about players having the right mind set and desire to be at Arsenal.
Arsenal is currently a better club AND has a more clear path to first team football than Man U. There is no football logic to Obi Martin going to Man U. So it must be either based on unreasonable money expectations that Man U is so poorly run they're willing to provide or he's secretly Man U fan. Either way means he's not a player we want in our Arsenal family and we shouldn't regret not doing more to change his mind.
What do you think of Setford because he’s now our player.
Charles are just content creator or journalist i have not seen you breaking news
The word or term you were looking for was ‘limbo’.
Impasse, perhaps?
We mustn't be too hard on Chido. He is only 16 years old. I feel that the decision was taken for him...by adults who may not have his best interest at heart, but only see him as a cash machine. Hopefully, that isn't the case. I wish him well.
Tomiyasu must be unsellable. Get him well if possible and sell asap!
Hey Charles, thank you so much for keeping us informed. Do you think arsenal actually need a striker now that Jesus seems to be back in form?
Wishing you a great day, Carlos
How do you know he is back in form?
@@robinlove6981 Hey, if you read the question it I said “seems”.. I am just trying to understand if we really need another striker as I believe the ones available to us right now in the existing squad are capable of taking us far if they are all deemed fit.
Played well against Leyton in first pre season game is back in form 😢. Will his knee hold up a season is the question.
I think Calafiori is being brought in to replace Gabriel in the long term
Hey Charles, thanks for your tireless productivity. Have been watching since early pandemic and always appreciate your balanced perspective. Question for you and your guys James Benge/TNAT: how do you think Arsenal identify positions that need to be filled in the team/squad? I feel like it used to make sense to have a starter and a back up in each position, but given the new regime of signing positionally flexible players, it feels more accurate to think in terms of groups "7 flexible defenders; 4 versatile wingers, etc " I ask because I've been confused about the #6 discussion this summer (Zubimendi, Onana). At the beginning of last season we had Rice, Jorgi, Partey, Elneny, and Lakonga. Elneny was injured and Lakonga was loaned (and might be more of an 8), but 4 of those 5 guys will be gone within a season or two and Rice has been mentioned as a left 8. So it feels like a high priority position to restock, but with what level of player and how many?
re Obi-Martin leaving the Gunners.
it is repored Arsenal have had to hold their ground on the youngster after his agents and family asked for more money than the contract that was offered.
Did we really need a defender?
Calafiori is a good signing , but it’s not the signing that will get us over the line
We are preparing for both Prem league and champions League
Saka, ESR, Willock was all due to Unai/Ljungberg. I can’t think of a single youngster arteta has blooded. If Arteta doesn’t fix his clear distain for trusting youngsters then Arsenal will lose Max Downman who is quite frankly a super talent and many more. Wenger never had this issue, even when going for titles we the fans knew and was excited for 3rd round of the league cup because we would see the next current crop and on the final day of the season he would blend in the youngsters who were going to make it with senior players on match day
The whole rhetoric around Arteta not showing faith in young players is ridiculous! This Coach has delivered us our best years in over 2 decades! Year on year improvements in the league and yet some fans continue to complain. Quite frankly, I find it embarrassing.
Fantastic news about Calafuori, hope it gets over the line and I’d love to see Neto or Nico Williams provide Arteta with great options whilst supporting for our incredible wingers.
#HighWattage
Arteta has not brought one player through from youth team. He buys mediocre players, Vieira, Tavares, Lakonga, Cedric, Zinchenko. Yet we have players of their calibre at Arsenal, but lego head never rotates. When does he drop Saka? he has bad runs, but remains a permanent fixture. Raya makes mistakes keeps his place, Ramsdale probably as good, soon as he made mistake, he is out of team and given cold shoulder. ESR is being pushed out when he is probably better than Havertz, definitely better than Vieira. If we want small improvements - excuse for Ramsdale/Raya, then we should apply that to Arteta.
The phrase you're looking for is "stuck in a rut"!...Thanks for the update!
Any thoughts on our chances on getting Raphinia once Barca tie up Niko
Far more likely than us getting Niko ourselves IMO and a good consolation prize?
I really hope this is the end of Nketiah at Arsenal. 25 years old not a kid anymore abysmal goal record in the league never been good enough but somehow lasted this long. Not bothered if it’s £20m just get some money in and move on. Academy favour has actually deluded many fans when in fact his no better than Bendtner and I would say his equal to Chamakh.
How did Eddie go from top under 21 scorer to this. Different at highest level but Leyton on a training pitch missing sitters isn't a good look. Sell Eddie before he misses more 😢
Have a good one! From Sunny Sweden
Cauliflower Charles watts 😂😂
That kid is 16 years old and people blaming arteta for not uses him 😂
Timber is not a left back , califiori will b playing at lb just as Ben white is at rb , all I see people questioning Gabriel who was a beast last season , some of you fans don’t know nothing about football
So what gives wiv Timber???
Really don’t understand the hype about Chido Martin. Its man v boys for him currently. Look at his touch…technically he’s not an Arsenal type player. People are going on like he’s Anelka or Henry 😂 he’s average like really average
👍🏼
I think you are talking far too much about about this Obi Martin. He's a mostly unknown kid who clearly doesn't want to be here. It's not as if he's a first-teamer who wants to leave, so it's not that much of a loss - and 'potential' means nothing in the real world. Just talk about players who DO want to play for us.
Jesus is looking sharp
Chido's underwhelming performance at the European Under 17 championship is a clear indication that he's going to struggle at a higher level.
All ofba sudden hes a bad player 🤣 arsenal fans are so funny
Someone should go back on every topic of youth/hale end players leaving over the last 10yrs with some arsenal fans going berserk and clip them together, its always the same thing and same dramatic over reaction from the few.....years later, most of you dont even check on that player no more....we need to pour water on these fans who have a "fetish" over leaving youth players.
Chidi could either be the forgetten what uf guy or he is going to be like Musila who foerver went to verious youth teams in England until he landed at Beryern.
Why will chido leave for man u???I don't understand we are far better than man u...
Smj
Money
Why do u keep pushing this narrative thats its only about money, how do you know what his priorities are ? What evidence is there in the last 4 years that there is a clear pathway for academy players?
I think the real question should be what exactly is wrong with leaving for money?
@@thedoctor2085 True , but its irresponsible of a journalist to try and push a negative narrative because a player has decided to leave arsenal, unless he has 1st hand knowledge that the player rejected arsenal because the money wasnt enough. Know one has said what the Man U offer is, so how do we know if its significantly more
@@Ty01386 I think what you mean is it's irresponsible of a journalist to push a false narrative. I see nothing wrong with leaving for better pay. Most people would quit their jobs today if they were offered better pay elsewhere. I think the problem here is that people tend to be a bit hypocritical when it comes to things like this.
If he's decided to go to man utd, we r better off without him. Shows a lack of ambition and any interest in improving. Its all about the money. Adios amigo.
Artera useless why sell obi martin n buy new goal keeper u18 why not give play time to obi like xavi at batca n now lamer yamal top star only u16
Obi is dead to me. Move on.
Same old Eddie, missing a bagful of goals. Get rid. Well overdue