Work and patience.
They changed a lot though.
And football changes in cycles.
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It helps that they have been stable. They’ve had Arteta at the helm for a while so that gives the whole club a point of reference. I think their DoF has changed during Arteta’s tenure but he’s had a hand in shaping their transfer picks so their squad building has been patient and coherent. And they’re reaping the rewards.
They have been stable, except for the guy who buys and sells and players, and for the removal of their version of Mike Gordon in favour of one of the Kroenke kids coming in and having more direct control.
The main factor is they saw a window of opportunity and spend heavily over the last 4 years and consistently.
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It did look like they were going nowhere for long periods of his tenure.
Things change they’ve evidently got a set up that works now as we had under Klopp
It’s the best balanced squad in the league again, possibly a little bit more than last season having trimmed the number down for a few.
Okay, a spare defender makes it 9 with Lewis-Skelly still in the building, but that’s again the best quality and depth in the league and wider possibly. Their defenders are all valued between €30m and €100m, €56.6m on average. Very impressive.
Midfield looks very competent, experienced and with clarity and variety in styles. Zubimendi, Rice, Guimaraes, Merino, Odegaard and Eze.
The only area where they might lack a bit of quality and depth is at LW, but different players can do a job there apart from Tzolis, like Madueke and Eze.
Plus, Saka, Merino and Havertz have proved that they can also play different positions.
They are relative favourites to win it again, perhaps not big ones, but it’s nothing new to say that they have the best stability and have a solid chance to do it again.
Let’s see what’s their game is also like and what layers they can add.
I actually don’t think they’re the best balanced. They have 9 CB’s and 6 DM’s that they just plug the back half with. And their forward line the less said the better.
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I read they were already entertaining offers for Zubimendi…!!
Back to the George Graham 1 nil to the Arsenal times.
It´s a solid squad isn´t it. Lacks that top quality cutting edge attacking edge but it´s very organised and solid, which probably is enough at the moment while the competition is not at its best
They certainty aren’t a balance squad - but they are well equipped to play Arteta ball - which is how they won their PL title last year and made the CL final.
Because of that, they are (in my mind) favourites this season, when considering all the other teams, who have new managers, major issues, or both.
I don’t like the brand of football and the slowing of the game that Arteta employs, but it works.
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They sold Martinelli and loaned out Nwaneri but haven’t replaced them. Tzolis is a straight replacement for Trossard but it’s going to take a few games to prove that he is a proper replacement. Their first match Coventry practically handed them the win. And even a completely reconstructed Villa gave them a hard time in that 0-1 win.
They are defensively solid but their best defender is currently injured. It looks like all the Setpiece FC criticism stung a bit as they have been trying to score more from open play. I still think they’re the favourites but not by as much as the media seem to think.
Fuck this guy so much. It’s absurd the shit he gets away on both ends.
https://x.com/Londonblue_2/status/2097234404401684978?s=20
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He also has a very slappable face. Coincidence? I think not!
I really can’t stand that guy. Him and that stupid set piece coach.
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He is such a ducking tool
https://x.com/samjdean/status/2098339275250991257?s=61&t=VxX1vHU3NOwwNhlbyICG-g
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he makes Rodgers look like a ‘salt of the earth’ kinda guy
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Spanish inquisition in 2026.
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https://x.com/DustinDietz18/status/2098860620892315719
What is he up to?
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So that is John Brooks and Elliott Bell being removed from any future games in the Premier League. How dare they tell Arteta that he must follow the same rules as other managers.
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His petulant interview after the game about the penalty given agains them - they genuinely seem to have forgotten the rules with how they’ve been referred for the past 2 years.
But that technical area stuff is a wild one. He’s been doing that since day 1, even coming into contact with players because of it.
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I just read the ESPN VAR review who some how is supporting arteta, despite the piece using an image showing exactly the ref is reported to have said he saw - Konsa with both arms wrapped around Ballard and looking the wrong way, both things that were stated as parts of defending that had gone too far and would be cracked down upon
Absolutely bizarre interpretation
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