Injury concerns and why Arsenal need to cut ties
Arsenal had a solid season last season and again came very close to lifting the Premier League title, coming up against a Manchester City and Liverpool side who meant business. That has consolidated us as one of the teams to beat in both the league and Europe. Mikel Arteta and the recruitment team will be working hard behind the scenes to strengthen and bolster our squad, while also figuring out who we should and shouldn’t be selling this summer transfer window.
While there are a few names being thrown around who we as a club might be willing to sell, the players I truly think need to go this season, aren’t being talked about much and I personally think it’s vital we sell the players who haven’t been consistent and have had continuous injury problems. Although these types of players aren’t always easy to sell, we need to be doing everything we can you offload at least 3 of our first team squad who have rarely been available for selection due to consistent niggling injuries. Here’s the three players I think must be sold this summer.
First off, Thomas Partey. Although Partey is a solid midfielder and when he isn’t injured, he has been called world class and brings something different to our midfield, he just hasn’t be consistent enough for us. He’s an aggressive and strong player and at times has been the backbone of our midfield, but he’s far too injury prone. We could also be able to get decent price for him. Arsenal paid £45 Million for Partey from Atletico Madrid and of course we won’t get anywhere near that back, but we could make a decent £20-25M and it would be the perfect time to cash in while we can.
The second player I think we should be selling is Oleksandr Zinchenko. Zinchenko is another player who seems to always be injured and with the like of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and even Jurrien Timber, being available for the same position, he for me, is the weaker of the lot. Also, with Arsenal targeting Italian defender Calafiori, one defender is going to have to go and it’s a no brainer for me. Zinchenko brings something different to our defence, but he just isn’t the same player he used to be and if it was up to me, I’d be listening to offers for the left back.
And lastly, Gabriel Jesus. Jesus is a player I won’t be angry if we keep, but I do think it’s time to sell him. Like the others, he’s injury prone, he seems to miss more games than he is available and when he is missing it seems to bring the squad down. This of course is because he became so vital to our attacking system and when he’s on form, he’s incredible, but I think we are at a point where we should be investing in up-and-coming strikers and start to build a team for the next 5 years and letting go of the players that are likely to be filling up the treatment room.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
The questions that come to my mind is that if all three players have obvious injury problems (the reason for their prospective sale according to the article) who will want to buy them, and for what kind of fees?
If there are takers, then logically Arsenal should not expect to receive too much for any of them. After all, any buying club couldn’t be sure of getting that many performances out of them judging by their past injury records so they’re hardly a great investment, are they.
Zinc, ‘yes’, injuries but also defensively suspect (that’s his job) and the whole inverted LB has been rumbled
Partey, ‘yes’, injuries but also advancing years (happens to all of us) and patchy performances, many won’t want hear it but know it that against Everton and Man U particularly Partey was ordinary at best, losing control of midfield that could cost us on another day
Jesus, ‘yes, but not this window’, we must remember Arsenal paid £45m for Jesus as our first choice #9 just 2 seasons ago, the first season Jesus was outstanding, last year good in CL but less so in PL, may be he can regain fitness and then form, but until an established replacement in place Jesus needs to stay
while some fans see Jesus only as Saka back-up, Arteta/Edu still see him at CF albeit behind Havertz now
I’ve also noticed Partey has lost some of his physicality as you’ve pointed out. His ability to pass between the lines and skillfully evade markers remain top notch though. Both him and Jorginho need someone more physical(Rice) to play alongside. Hopefully we can get someone in that midfield with good physical attributes and good passing as well.
Partey has 1 year left in his contract, and does not make sense to sell if we do not get a 30m-30m offer. He himself would probably like to stay and go as free agent somewhere else.
Zinchenko can be let go if we get Calafiori.
Jesus will stay, even as backup to ST and Saka he is very good, just manage his minutes.
But these are not priority, they do get minutes as starter or backup. Ramsdale, Nketiah, Nelson and ESR should be first to go – not trusted by Arteta and diminishing valuation each year because of lack of minutes.
here’s why Partey makes sense selling this window;
1) 1 year left as you say, so not selling means Arsenal get £zero
2) injury record means too unreliable to make plan around
3) injury record means too much risk to not bring in someone as cover, Jorginho not enough
4) inconsistency in performance, excellent vs Spurs, terrible against Man U
5) unamortised book value c.£9m (£45m over 5 year contract, 1 year left), so sell for say £20m is £11m book profit, rolled over to a 5 year contract of a new player is £55m to spend
6) high wages off the books give Arsenal even more buying power
so from a financial point of view a no brainer to sell this window rather than get £zero, when will have to be replaced anyway!
from a team perspective we have the financial firepower to bring in a younger, fitter, long term replacement now rather than risk two old boys Partey and Jorginho holding the fort
Arteta/Edu would have seen the Everton and Man U performances and know they are not sustainable for the few games Partey actually plays to end up with £zero afterwards
I would keep Jesus. He has had injury problems but also he has just had a proper break, give him the chance to show he can recover
Agree. If he’s finally fully recovered both physically and mentally, he has way too much quality not to give him the opportunity to return to the player we all saw before the World Cup devastating injury.
First off,I wouldn’t mind moving Zinchenko and Partey on if suitable offers for the duo arrived, because we are not as dependent on them as we used to, in addition to the injury concerns. Ideally,they can be replaced by new recruits.
I completely disagree on Jesus. With the uncertainties surrounding Nelson and Nketiah,the Brazilian remains the only Arsenal forward who didn’t participate in the summer tournament exertions.
Some of our forwards like Saka might not even be up to speed by the time the league starts. And new signings may take time adapt. We simply need Jesus for atleast the first five matches- he can cover Martinelli,Havertz and Saka.Who knows,a fit and well rested Jesus could regain his pre-2022 world Cup form.
Surely, it is essential to consider who will replace them before deciding they are surplus to requirements. Partey, despite his injuries and form was an important part of the team during last season’s run in. We would really need to bring in a high calibre replacement if he is to be transferred.
Zinchenko is generally underrated by fans especially certain individuals on sites such as this. Zinchenko may have some weaknesses but these are often overblown. He also has a skill set that is difficult to replicate for a team like Arsenal.
As for GJ, I think t depends on whether it is possible to get him back up to full fitness. There are not many top level strikers who guarantee goals. At the moment I would agree that we should be looking to keep him.
You forgot ESR…Just sayin
Also Vieira andTommi.
Agreed, because an injury-prone player will only waste our player quota
I guess that’s why Arsenal are signing Calafiori
Yes on Partey mostly because of his age and contract status. Whatever his value is currently it is highly doubtful that it will increase and highly probable that it will significantly decrease. Interesting that he was not injury prone before coming to The Arsenal.
Yes on Zinny as I do not see a position for which he can bring enough quality/use to the side.
No on Jesus for many reasons.
I don’t think it is prudent to pretend Kiwior is Arsenal quality. He has been exposed at several crucial moments and I hope we do not make the mistake of giving him important changes ever again.