Mikel Arteta’s quest to strengthen Arsenal’s defence could see us make a January bid for RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, according to the Mirror.
We were first linked with the France under-21 international in May but the Bundesliga outfit, who signed the player from sister side RB Salzburg in 2017, refused to budge on their €60 million asking price.
Instead, we turned our attention to the signing of St Etienne’s William Saliba, who was immediately returned on loan, and followed that up with a deadline day deal for David Luiz.
Unsurprisingly, the Brazilian wasn’t the answer to our Koscielny-sized problem. Having conceded 30 goals in 20 games this season, our defence is currently trending towards its worst-ever Premier League showing.
We’re a bit of shambles at the back. Rob Holding is still working his way back from his ACL surgery, Calum Chambers is potentially facing a spell on the sidelines, Sokratis has been tragic and comedic in equal measure, Shkodran Mustafi as much use as a chocolate teapot, and Dinos Mavropanos trusted with fewer minutes in defence than 18-year-old winger Saka.
It’s little wonder that our new head coach is keen to shore things up at the back. Whether that results in a move for Upamecano remains to be seen. For one, the Germans will have to lower their expectations on the price front. Could we potentially redirect cash generated from the sale of Granit Xhaka? That’s plausible. However, we can’t shake the feeling that this is one of those oven-ready rumours that was too hard to resist recycling.
There has also been speculation that we could recall Saliba in January. That also seems pretty unlikely given he’s been injured for large spells of this season. He’s currently working his way back from a metatarsal problem.
The transfer window opens in 12 hours time, so we’ll see what happens. For now, it’s a seven on the poo-ometer.
The Offspring Upamecano
Didn’t we sign Luiz because it fitted in with our budget and what we could spend last summer?
Upamencano sounds a great idea, but €60m, could we even spend it if we had it (FFP)..?
Loan deals probably fit our financial model I’m afraid…
The penalty for violating FFP is expulsion from the champions league, soooo no worries there I suppose.
We should break FFP like the others (certain now with the mess we’re in). Look at Chelsea. Their transfer ban was for one window after constant violation. City have been taking the piss for years.
Even if you are in the CL, it’s worth having a great squad (assets) just to potentially miss one CL or a single window transfer ban.
I don’t accept FFP as an excuse for the Kroenke’s not buying players. UEFA don’t really give a toss.
‘certainly now’ FFS
Dont know about him but anyone who would mark the start of a much needed long term rebuild would be a good sign
If the reports were to be believed, we were very close to signing him. Not sure how to react about this rumour. Looking at our defence injuries, I would take Gabriel Paulista back as well. YouTube suggests he is on the verge of being “World Class”.
Lol, YouTube suggests that Upacemano is almost world class. Just clarifying the obvious ?
Lego at the head and now Meccano in the defence – I think we need more steel and Duracells to avoid Mickey Mouse competitions in future. Get rid of the Playdoh characters.
COYG!
I wasn’t expecting anything from this story, but this was top class. Thank you for making me smile.
My pleasure. Mind you that pleasure now tempered by the news about Chambo.
We desperately need somebody to become the anchor of our defense, and can’t really wait for Saliba as our problems are requiring an urgent solution.
Especially now that Chambers is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the year, we only have Mustafi, Luiz and Mavropanos available.
It’s pretty sad that Holding has such an injury struck season, I thought he could’ve been a real boost for us in terms of providing some much needed defensive stability and leadership at the back.
I seriously hope Chambers is only out for the rest of the year, and is fully fighting fit in 2020 (tomorrow).
I actually don’t think this is completely unbelievable. RB have identified a replacement in a young defender at PSG (sorry, can’t remember his name), they put a high price on Upa at the end of the summer as they didn’t have time to acquire a replacement, but now they seem willing to do a deal abroad (rather than strengthen a domestic rival). We took a last minute risk after missing out on him in the summer, and largely it hasn’t worked out for us, so hopefully Arteta has pressed the board to show backing in getting some top quality defenders/midfielders.… Read more »
Offer xhaka as a makeweight? I know these deals are rare but fuck it he wants out anyway
Upamencano and Saliba as our CB pairing?
Oh God make it happen!!!
We can’t sell Xhaka and then replace him with a central defender. Xhaka is flawed, but he’s still our best and most experienced option in the middle of the park, and by some distance. The Kroenke’s need to pump £200 million of liquid into the club, they’ve made an estimated £800million on their overall investment into the club, time to put money back in. The further we fall back, the longer the way back. Chambers injury is a nightmare, he isn’t my cup of tea, he’s too slow on the back foot, but he’s definitely someone we could have sold… Read more »
Be excited.
Where does that £800million figure come from? Not saying I don’t believe you I’m actually just curious. That’s mental if true.
Luiz looked decent in the last few games. Possibly his best performance in the last one. But we may never know how long will that last. If we have to pay for Saliba for a player whom we loaned out that will be ridiculous, but shows how inept the board still is. Where was your plan B, a club of our size should always be on their toes. Just like Emery this board and FEC looks reactive than being pro active.
Agree, but would also add that plan A, moving for Pepe now instead of a first rate CB was really a mistake. Papa was brought in to cover for Kos because of his Achilles, and Luiz came in to replace Kos because Kos said fuck off. Two replacement defenders, and with Chambers coming back from loan where he played DM all year, and Holding coming back off a severe knee injury. (not to mention the injury prone Mavropanos, and shipping Nacho out at his request) Happy that Chambers started to shine, but after the defense record of last year did… Read more »
Can’t help thinking that the news that Chambers
has had his ACL go twang should reduce the poo count.
Think the best solution is to get Tobido on loan from
Barca for 6 months AND try for Mings.
Up-amencano’s arrival would certainly make things look Up.
I can’t see that much money being dished out, even if we sell Xhaka. Maybe (Dear God I hope not) if Auba is sold.
Jim White – Barry White- Bag of Shite- poo-ometer
“Sokratis has been tragic and comedic in equal measure.”
He makes mistakes, as everybody. But he is our best defender.
Saliba potentially plays his last meaningful cup game on 9th January vs PSG in the Coupe de Ligue. And his team sit 14th in the table of 20 teams, on 25 points, eight clear of the 16th placed team who are on 18points.
I think it is possible we will be tempted to go for Saliba as the FEC and Kroenkes have shown they are unwilling to splash cash readily.
Although we splashed cash last transfer window we didn’t spend that much net after transfers out. And we seem to enjoy restructuring deals akin to 5years with 8% interest. And overpaying a little.
Expect a 2.5m fee to be offered (10%) for early release. Yes that precise a figure, because accountants run our club.
And he’d be coming to a team that sits 12th in a table of 20 teams, on 24 points, 6 points clear of 18th placed team (relegation) who are on 18 points. Hard luck for the lad I’d say.
Defense not so hot, but please never forget that the midfield plays a HUGE role in defensive stability. Seems everybody writing an Arsenal column forgets that.
Crazy as this sounds – if we sell Xhaka, I think we need a holding mid more desperately than a CB. With Saliba coming in the summer, maybe we can loan someone at CB in the meantime. We all scoffed at rumors of Jonny Evans or Gary Cahill in the past, but right now they look like wonderful options for us.
FM legend. Sing him up!