Any word on Kiwior?

Not hearing any efforts to leave right now. All indications are that he is staying. My guess is they have promised more playing time, either Gabi out for a bit longer or more rotation to keep everyone happy. I would be very surprised if both he & Gabi are still on the team next (26/27) season. Either he shows himself good enough to start and we cash out on Gabi or he's begging for playing time again and is moved.

chjoak said:

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Not hearing any efforts to leave right now. All indications are that he is staying. My guess is they have promised more playing time, either Gabi out for a bit longer or more rotation to keep everyone happy. I would be very surprised if both he & Gabi are still on the team next (26/27) season. Either he shows himself good enough to start and we cash out on Gabi or he's begging for playing time again and is moved.

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That's sort of what I thought but I appreciate it.

Thanks for always coming on here and sharing credible information.

I don't think you want to risk selling Kiwior this season. Mosquera can play both sides, buy Ricky C. is risky as your only other option on the left with his injury record.

I think next summer will be interesting. We really don't need much of anything but I could envision another 3-4 incomings primarily based on others leaving due to injury issues and/or lack of playing time....

GK - Likely don't see anymore activity for the next couple of seasons. Think we give Kepa enough games to keep him happy and keep Raya healthy. Need to loan out a couple of the young guys to get them playing time.
LB - 2 huge question marks here..... Can Cala stay healthy? Is MLS's future at LB or MF
LCB - I think one of Kiwior or Gabi goes while the other is the starter. The departed player is replaced by an academy player or u21
RCB - No need for changes
RB - No need for changes
DM - No need for changes. Chance MLS starts getting minutes to replace Norgaard
LCM - No need for changes. Chance MLS starts getting minutes to replace Merino (little longer term)
RCM - No need for changes
LW - Possibly no need for changes pending unless Trossard stays this summer
RW - No need for changes
ST - I could see Havertz leaving if Gyokeres replaces him as starter. In that event I would go for a u23 understudy.

chjoak said:

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I think next summer will be interesting. We really don't need much of anything but I could envision another 3-4 incomings primarily based on others leaving due to injury issues and/or lack of playing time....

GK - Likely don't see anymore activity for the next couple of seasons. Think we give Kepa enough games to keep him happy and keep Raya healthy. Need to loan out a couple of the young guys to get them playing time.
LB - 2 huge question marks here..... Can Cala stay healthy? Is MLS's future at LB or MF
LCB - I think one of Kiwior or Gabi goes while the other is the starter. The departed player is replaced by an academy player or u21
RCB - No need for changes
RB - No need for changes
DM - No need for changes. Chance MLS starts getting minutes to replace Norgaard
LCM - No need for changes. Chance MLS starts getting minutes to replace Merino (little longer term)
RCM - No need for changes
LW - Possibly no need for changes pending unless Trossard stays this summer
RW - No need for changes
ST - I could see Havertz leaving if Gyokeres replaces him as starter. In that event I would go for a u23 understudy.

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I sure hope that isn't the case, we can't score enough goals as it is...we need strikers that can actually score in the worst way

Havertz had a couple bad years at Chelsea but outside of that he has consistently scored 0.4-0.43 non-PK goals/90. Gyokeres was scoring at the same clip at Coventry but has bumped up to 0.74 & 0.87 in the last 2 seasons. And to me, Gyokeres's style is easier to gameplan around and fits better into our current squad (Havertz occupies MO's space ALOT). If Gyokeres can put up 0.5 per90 or better, Havertz will not get a ton of playing time at ST. I could envision him rotating some with MO and occasionally playing a 4-4-2 with Havertz as a SS but if Havertz is still on the squad in 2 yrs either Gyokeres has flopped or MO is gone (injury or scheme change).

Our issues scoring is a) lack of tempo (has gone down each year Arteta has been in charge) and b) lack of consistent finishing. Gyokeres has the potential to help with both.

If Havertz wants to be the #1 striker somewhere, that's what Havertz wants to do and you have to sell him if that's not going to be here.

But otherwise, I think we have to keep Havertz happy enough that he wants to stay here. And not for the sake of keeping Havertz. Rather, it will probably be good for the club if we're rotating enough, changing formations enough, changing gameplans enough, avoiding the like-for-like trap, etc. that Havertz and Gyokeres can co-exist here.

I think co-existence is possible but I question if it will work/last. Based on Arteta's history, I'm not sure we will rotate enough to make it work. And honestly I think the best chance of getting Havertz playing time while improving our scoring would be playing him at SS (rotating with MO's spot) but that could also stunt Nwaneri and/or lead to MO being unhappy. This season will be telling. Supposedly Bayern, Leverkusen & Dortmund are already keeping an eye on him as an option for next summer.

Rumor that Fulham want Zinchenko and Nelson doing the rounds now

Welp that was a pretty terrible performance from us in terms of attack. The entire starting group of Havertz, Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli looked really poor. Nelson came on and looked like our best LW option

Add in getting kicked all match and Saka and Trossard going down. Trossard got subbed off 15 minutes after coming on.

Can't really say anything about VG because he's only had 2 sessions. We still are crossing and praying with a horseshoe of death.

They need to stop scheduling PL teams for preseason. The physical demand is too risky when ramping things up.

I didn't watch this entire game but did watch the prior 2. In general these Asian refs have been terrible. Let far too much hacking go with no call. Porro should have had a yellow for taking down Nelson after getting beat.

Scary thought, but VG was on for 15 minutes and I'm not sure he actually touched the ball. Its not gonna work if we can't get him the ball.

🚨 Arsenal have told suitors, including Al Nassr, that Gabriel Martinelli is NOT for sale. [@JacobsBen] pic.twitter.com/bQgzo5gHmm

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 1, 2025

Partey to Villarreal?

Bracing for a Kiwior exit....

🚨🔴⚪️ Understand Arsenal have made initial contact to show interest in French 19 year old centre back Jérémy Jacquet.

Arsenal like Jacquet who recently signed new deal at Rennes until June 2029.

He’s on the list as option in case of exits this month… or eventually for 2026. pic.twitter.com/zaJHaxJdsR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2025

Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Partey to Villarreal?

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Supposedly already passed medical. No way they are paying him what he was rumored to be chasing. Also interesting that he is going back to Spain where some of his crimes supposedly occurred.

🚨 EXCL: Stuttgart pursuing deal to sign Fabio Vieira from Arsenal. 25yo attacking midfielder spent last season on loan at Porto but #VfB approach relates to permanent move. No agreement but talks with #AFC ongoing for Portugal international @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/J64lepjw6G

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 4, 2025

That would be a good destination for Vieria. Good club, good city, and will get Europa League games this season.

Might just be laying some groundwork if Kiwior were to exit in the winter or next summer

🚨🔴⚪️ Understand Arsenal already made an approach for Jérémy Jacquet as new defender in case of exit for Zinchenko or Kiwior.

Rennes consider the defender NOT for sale this summer, after extending his contract in May.#AFC remain keen on Jacquet, also eventually for 2026. 👀 pic.twitter.com/7ojOUMoqP4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2025

Supposedly turned down a loan + obligation offer from Porto for Kiwior and rumored other clubs interested. We may keep him this season but I see know way he is on the roster next season unless he is the starter (Gabi sold).

If they like this guy from Rennes and we feel like Kiwior will stay maybe they should offer an immediate loan back?

I don't believe that we would buy a new right-footed CB if OZ leaves. If you feel a need to replace OZ it should be with another left-footed FB. Unless someone leaves we would still have Kiwior & Cala as LCB cover.

He only played the back half of last season in Ligue 1, was on loan the first half of the year in Ligue 2. So, Rennes might just be trying to get his price up with another year. Impossible to know, but yeah, I think a buy with immediate loan back would be worth a shot.

As for Zinchenko, I can't really imagine his presence is playing any role with any decisions. He'll either be sold, released, or he's just going to be left off the active roster for the EPL and Champions League.

Don't think we need to leave OZ off the active roster if he isn't sold. If we find no taker i think Arteta keeps him around and plays atleast in cups & garbage time. Only release him if he requests.