Sideshow Luiz

Okay. The board have been slow all summer, and have still not patched the holes in the squad. However, some of the fees, both in and out have been excellent.

Anyone else think that Azpi could be Kante's partner in midfield against Spurs? Rudiger, Luiz, AC at the back. Dave and Kante in the middle.

These names get more uninspiring as the weeks go by: Sandro, Ox, Drinkwater, Soares. Tom Cleverly on deadline day?

Just keep fining him his week's wages. If he wants to get paid again, he can move to wherever we sell him. As I keep saying, if he wants to go back to Madrid so badly, he should drop his wage demands so that Atletico can increase his transfer fee (and match our valuation). No issues.

I've totally been in favour of this move, but, I can see where there's a hang up. He's apparently after 150K/week http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/15/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-wants-150000-a-week-to-stay-at-arsenal-amid-chelsea-transfer-links-6853944/ I'm not sure how much that affects the dynamics in the team when he would be making more than Willian, Kante, Luiz, etc. Basically, 3rd, after Hazard, Costa and Courtois http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/15/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-wants-150000-a-week-to-stay-at-arsenal-amid-chelsea-transfer-links-6853944/

Agreed. It's clear that he's not fussed to leave. He hasn't handed in a transfer request or made any noise whatsoever. Should have probably moved on a few weeks ago.

Agreed. Stones, Koulibaly and now Sandro, it's not that we didn't try. It's that we kept on going even when it was clear that it wasn't going to happen to the detriment of getting anyone else in. plan B for Stones was Djilobodji. Which is what happens when you beat your head against the wall for 2 months then focus somewhere else at the last minute.

Adding Ox and Roberto would be massive for us, I think. I believe that our "4th" midfielder will play a lot this season. Having another box to box mid will allow us to not have to play Bakayoko and Kante 3 times in a week (when CL rolls around).

Unless we started the medical 2 weeks ago, there's no way anyone is coming in to play vs. Tottenhahm

2-0 Chelsea. If we can find another midfielder.

OMG!!! This is ridiculous

We at least drew with Swansea at the start of 15/16, did we not?

FFS

It's for sure the stadium. Actually, I'm surprised that Conte is so publicly upset about the transfer activity. I would have thought that they would have told him about the reduced spending due to the stadium construction.

Don't forget the "Sandro money". Surely, any other LWB that we go for won't be as expensive. VVD + Sandro = 120ish M? Even in today's ridiculous market, that's a pretty good LWB + RWB + CM

Agreed. And, people have been making comparisons, saying that Costa > Morata (we'll see), Bakayoko is Matic's replacement, Chalobah is the one we are looking to replace now (true). No one can deny that Bakayoko + Sanches is a huge upgrade on Matic + Chalobah (and I'm a Nate backer). I think Sanches still has the ability to be a midfield beast, given the right platform.

Supposedly starting tomorrow. I thought this thread would be busier. First real test!

#susanalbumparty

It's how sports works, it's so odd. Why are the New York Yankees so popular, or the Dallas Cowboys, or the Brazilian national team, etc? Whenever Liverpool supporters (not from Liverpool) get shirty about "history", I just remind them that the only difference is that their fathers or grandfathers were "glory hunters" back in the 70s.

I'd still like this to happen.

He played in CM for Arsenal last season too. Was pretty useful in that position as well, IIRC.

I'd imagine that he'd just say that he doesn't want to leave and not sign a contract with us.

If Costa wants "Only Madrid" he should lower his wage demands so that the club can afford the transfer fee.

I also see people were complaining about his miss in the CS. Personally, I thought it was a very difficult chance. If that's disappointing, then what would happen if he did this: