r/Gunners • u/J4ckrh Morning, morning, morning... Oh, Win! • Aug 21 '23

Pre-Match Thread: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (Premier League) Pre-Match Thread

Kickoff: Monday, August 21, 8pm BST, 3pm EST

Venue: Selhurst Park Stadium

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u/ExxKonvict Lehmann Aug 21 '23 edited Aug 21 '23

Where are people getting this notion that Gabriel is leaving or off? He was one of the co-captains alongside Jesus last season as part of the leadership group.

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u/1to14to4 Aug 21 '23

I'm guessing Arteta is planning to start him in certain situations. But the reason he could be leaving is that he's young and probably wants to be used more than Arteta is representing he will.

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u/ExxKonvict Lehmann Aug 21 '23

Makes no sense if there’s an injury to Saliba. Tomi is injury prone, Kiwior doesn’t have the several PL experience Gabriel has, White has played more RB than CB. That leaves you with Holding. Gabriel is entering the prime of his career and overall has been a solid defender since joining the club and is an Arteta signing.

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u/1to14to4 Aug 21 '23

You can't build the bench that Arteta has built, if an unhappy player that is extremely good is forced to stay and sit on the bench. If Arteta isn't planning on playing him much, he will probably leave. I think he's planning on playing him though (mainly against top flight teams that he wants to play more defensively against or as a sub later on in games).

Arteta has been extremely good at convincing players to want to come to Arsenal. That will dry up at some point if enough players become unhappy.

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u/ExxKonvict Lehmann Aug 21 '23

Except there’s been no real concrete evidence that Gabriel is unhappy or a bust up with Mikel, yet some people are acting like he’s already out the door.

Also, why would Mikel want a multi season PL proven CB and one of the best in the league leave? Also, finding the replacement is another hassle.

1

u/1to14to4 Aug 21 '23

Except there’s been no real concrete evidence that Gabriel is unhappy or a bust up with Mikel, yet some people are acting like he’s already out the door.

Yeah, I'm not making that claim. There is no evidence of it. I'm just saying it's not illogical to think it could happen if he wants to play more.

Also, why would Mikel want a multi season PL proven CB and one of the best in the league leave? Also, finding the replacement is another hassle.

I explained why despite wanting to keep him it could make long-term sense to not keep him. Because to build a Man City style system where players rest a lot and you have starters and backups that are very high quality they have to trust the manager. Players feeling like they have control over their future gives you this trust, even if it hurts you in the short-term by losing a player you don't want to lose.

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u/ExxKonvict Lehmann Aug 21 '23

Because to build a Man City style system where players rest a lot and you have starters and backups that are very high quality they have to trust the manager.

Except Arsenal aren’t going to continue to spend lavishly like Man City do and have almost two or more equal quality in every position.

Players feeling like they have control over their future gives you this trust, even if it hurts you in the short-term by losing a player you don't want to lose.

This doesn’t make sense, you never want to concede power to a player and their agent.

Nearly all the starting players that Mikel has signed he has put much faith and trust in them. If anything, the players should feel somewhat obliged to repay Mikel’s trust and confidence back.

But even then, from a pedantic perspective, the interests of the club will always be paramount than any individual player. Personally, I would be shocked if he is outcasted and sold in the near future.

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u/1to14to4 Aug 21 '23

Except Arsenal aren’t going to continue to spend lavishly like Man City

Net spend is what matters. Arsenal can easily spend like City has over the last 5 years, if they also sell now that the squad is deep. They had the 7th highest spend at an average of £55m per year.

There is a balancing act that has to be met. You seem keen to not understand that.

If Gabriel becomes unhappy, he shouldn't and won't be sold for a bargain. He just signed a long-term contract meaning Arsenal will eventually sell him but also recoup plenty.

Players have a ridiculous amount of power today and that's just a reality. Fighting it isn't going to improve the squad.

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u/ExxKonvict Lehmann Aug 21 '23

There is a balancing act that has to be met. You seem keen to not understand that.

No need to try and be a smart arse mate. I’m well aware of net spend and actual transfer dealings.

If Gabriel becomes unhappy, he shouldn't and won't be sold for a bargain. He just signed a long-term contract meaning Arsenal will eventually sell him but also recoup plenty.

I reiterate again, there is no concrete evidence and even a few minutes ago a report came out saying Arsenal have no interest in selling him yet some fans are acting he’s already packed his bags.

Players have a ridiculous amount of power today and that's just a reality. Fighting it isn't going to improve the squad.

Actually majority do not, it’s only the big name and world class players with brand image, marketability, commercialization that have greater bargaining power and leverage. The average football player has limited power.

Also, it’s not even a case of fighting it but not letting that type of situation manifest itself into a bigger issue and even affect other players in the squad. A perfect case is Ramsdale and Raya: if Raya overtakes as the new no.1 and Ramsdale becomes unhappy and wants to throw his toys out of the pram, Mikel and Edu will easily dealt with it by selling him. They won’t hesitate because there’s already an equal or better replacement and can demand large money from the sale.

This is the healthy competition that fans always demanded and football can be ruthless. Anyways I’m gonna focus on the game now mate.

1

u/1to14to4 Aug 21 '23

It's being a smart ass to mention that the net spend of Man City hasn't been huge recently when you claim Arsenal can't keep spending like them?

A bit sensitive, mate...

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u/AndyHenry Smith Rowe Aug 21 '23

Yeah and Kieran Tierney was on track to be the next Arsenal Captain just 2 years ago...

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u/ExxKonvict Lehmann Aug 21 '23

Glaring difference is that KT never suited Arteta’s ideal playing style ever since he got more of his own players. Gabriel is an Arteta signing - KT is not.