Doesn’t look good so far. Lots of work still to do in one month before first PL match so big chances we won’t be quite ready for the start at usual.
Ideally we would want to get rid of Ozil Mkhi and Mustafi they all have 2 years remaining, but looks like no one wants them and their salaries... So big question marks around them but we might have to keep one or 2 or all three reluctantly..
Transfer budget is undoubtedly not huge, but unclear how much we can spend really. Ornstein is good but he doesn’t seem as sharp as he used to be with Arsenal news, for example he was not the first to say we had a bid for Zaha. And now he’s not only focused on Arsenal but other PL clubs. Some on Arsenal twitter have guessed his source used to be Gazidis before. Not sure but could be true.
As for transfer activity. Saliba is 99% done. Will be loaned back one year to St Étienne. So most of the fee will be paid next year. Promising young center back. We are trying to get Tierney, could be our new first choice left back. Still in the market for a CB possibly to replace Mustafi. Central midfielder as well. And winger. First choice is Zaha but no way we pay what they want, except if Kroenke gives us more money (LOL). So we might try to give them one or 2 players in exchange as well. Palace wanted Chambers 2 years ago for example, worth a shot. If Zaha doesn’t work, Malcom seems doable.
A few young talented guys have been added to the first team, looking forward to watch them play. Nelson, Willock, Smith-Rowe, Nketiah, Saka, Bielik, John-Jules. Some will go on loan but a few will stay and hopefully be given a fair chance, can’t be worse than several underperforming overpaid guys!
