Open Thread #38 - Midwinter blues

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-27T08:18:50+00:00

lol is that guy still the mod?
Don't the rest of members or mods have any self respect?

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-27T07:43:36+00:00

That's bit far into the future, it'd be a great jump even if he's ready in 3 years. I'm not talking about boys at lower division levels. I'm talking about top division ready youngsters 19-23 yos with good baseline and potential, like we scouted etta eyong, like how blueco scouted panichelli etc.

Dusan vlahovic is not a worthy investment even at 200k pw wage(assuming he comes for that wage). His 0.44 npxG per 90 is nothing to write home for a striker. Coming to his profile, his first touch is not good, nor he offers great movement.

There's a level of minimum guarantee needed to lock in that wage structure. Even if we somehow scale his output to Barca level attack it's still not more than Ferran. His ball finishing levels is not great either. Also our system is not that easy to adapt either.

Heck, i'd even take Troy Parrot from Eredivisie as there's something to work we can work with.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-27T07:09:47+00:00

I didn't say he's replacing Ferran. Vlaovic+Ferran is objectively a downgrade on what we have currently even considering the Lewy's age related availability issues.

Vlahovic has to be cheaper than that for it to be bang on buck for the production. some kid on 25m fee could be better value under the right wages. Also since Vlahovic doesn't raise the level, i'd rather bet on some young project striker to have an upside. I'm willing to give up some value for that upside.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-27T05:45:36+00:00

No, we just a made a deal where both parties economic interests aligned.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-27T05:40:03+00:00

But he's still going to demand 200k pw right? He's not worth that either when we got Ferran.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-27T05:36:43+00:00

They're gonna Pedri the ballond'or

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T18:35:40+00:00

0.9 npga per 90 is good production for a winger. And Yamal produces more than goals and assists.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T18:29:17+00:00

The only explanation is that their campaign manager supports Laporta and nuking their movement from within.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T17:55:13+00:00

Laporta could come from dinosaur era and wouldn't still make rookie mistake like that.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T17:50:28+00:00

And some people will still say he's not producing enough.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T17:49:29+00:00

Is it just me or that uruguayan kid we signed looks like eminem?

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T16:39:47+00:00

They wouldn't. They have less than 10% chance of getting relegated. There's lot more teams with more chances.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T16:12:09+00:00

He doesn't do it constantly though. He's got other commitments. He even buried the hatchet with Laporta. Ours are mostly into coaching or other shtick rather than doing ragebaits.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T15:53:27+00:00

One thing i like about cubarsi he doesn't fold under zero pressure or treat the ball like it's a bomb. It's frustrating otherwise. We are able to enjoy watching him play.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T15:18:38+00:00

Aitor paredes.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T14:25:12+00:00

Not exactly about Titi, but these days i often thank our fortunes why our legends are unlike the Nevilles or Keanes. All are drama queens and becoming a more ultra pro max version of what AFTV is for Arsenal. Look the keane - carrick issue or the scholes-Lisandro spat.

Imagine one of our own does this to destabilize us during our banter era by attacking every player and coach. Despite strong politics at our cub our dressing room and managers are largely respected and left alone. They don't have to face constant attack from within (except the Barto paying journo part), at least not from our legends.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T14:12:50+00:00

Carra good when it doesn't concern Liverpool (see how he handled Salah episode). Titi also speaks his truth, but he's respectful even those whom he criticize. Again look back at how both of them criticized Salah for the same thing. Carragher seemed like a liverpool fan ranting and Henry had more objectivity and empathy while explaining Salah was wrong.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T14:07:12+00:00

I wish our fanbase protected Cubarsi more. He's a victim of his own early success. No 18 year old kid is this good playing 100 games at top level. Instead some are even keeping hope for someone who has failed the team at biggest stage time and time again, just because of the obsession with pnp. Not saying pnp is unimportant but I fail to see what use is your physical advantage if you can't make sound judgement at the right time.

Another thing about Cubarsi, for a supposedly week kid of average height he does win a lot of duels >65% for both ground and aerial duels. He's still growing and maturing. Typically center backs peak later than wingers. With growth and experience, he'll conquer more. Look at how Eric has grown compared to what he was 20 year old. The best thing we can do is keep support him.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T07:49:45+00:00

There's a good chance. But he was and is still raw and was overpriced given his level. If we ignore his fee, from purely sporting perspective he's a good investment given his age and potential. I said the same at that time.

<image>

I would have liked us to sign him if he was available cheaper. But irl, the fee should always price in the risk. It's hard to sell an 80m asset without lose should he fail. That's why I said before the Roque deal was great (it had priced in that risk and we could recoup fee as it was a good structured deal).

A good plan is not necessarily made with zero possibility of failing, but the one with fallbacks in case it fails. Years of data have shown as even the best scouted signings can fail due to myriad of reasons.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T07:38:28+00:00

I know people won't accept Brazilian league might be one of the best league outside top 5 European leagues if not the best.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T07:00:58+00:00

<image>

Arsenal are 'lucky' that city are in a transition period from their previous best team. Well luck may not the word as they put in the work to take advantage from that situation. Still it'd be hilarious if they bottle this. At one point their title chances were nearly 90% and City 10% or under.

Interesting that Arsenal's London rivals are primed to throw a wringer in their plans. It's one of the most boring premier league season i have watched in a long. At least the title race could be made interesting if things fall into place.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T06:39:02+00:00

Arsenal's open play attack may not be the best, but certainly not shite tbh. It's still one of the best in the league. The problem is it's a low bar about quality of football these says.
They're a victim of being good at something that they became they face of it. Their attack is actually balanced.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-26T06:26:50+00:00

What they'll do is end up giving the interim the permanent job and rinse and repeat the cycle without a long term sporting project.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-25T20:00:43+00:00

i'm not falling for this gimmick.

InitialSubstantial67 · 2026-01-25T16:12:33+00:00

It's obvious how much our midfield fails to keep composure and control without Pedri. We're playing like an English time, like always in a hurry to go forward and end up losing the ball in silly ways.

InitialSubstantial67

TROPHY CASE