Balogun just scored
Looking pretty good, too. Intelligent runs, good work rate. Basically, helping create opportunities for himself. The Canadian defense isn’t quite Newcastle shutting up shop, but still impressive considering he’s only had a couple of weeks to bed in.
Turner had a couple of good saves as well. Canada has dropped off a bit disappointingly.
Congrats to our lads on the USMNT!
But also, thanks to you all on the thread. It’s been fun and I really like the friendliness on here. We might be few in numbers right now but I appreciate you all!
@ironeaglebird if you like usmnt you like arsenal; balo, Turner, trusty, musah
@WorldcupCSR @ironeaglebird KSE should be making more of this, capitalising on their US Sportsball successes. Sell more kit in The US market, have more to spend on players
@ronsboy67 @WorldcupCSR @ironeaglebird I think this is what they are kinda doing with the US tours. Not as direct, but kinda the same idea.
This could seriously make Balogun a star in the US, but all the rumors lean towards us selling Balogun and Trusty.
@ironeaglebird @poorlydrawnarsenal hope this raises the transfer fee
@ironeaglebird yeah, if I had to guess if day Trusty is gone (at least on loan)
I’m personally not as sold on the Balogun rumors. With CL going on we will need three strikers and (if we get him) who knows where Kai Havertz would play.
I think the issue is that Balogun wants to start regularly. Arsenal don’t want to sell, but they might feel they have to to avoid having a disgruntled player in the locker room. (They might also not want to risk creating the perception that we’ll hold promising young players against their will. We’re finally back up as a very desirable destination.)
Balogun might simply not be willing to accept a role where he starts irregularly – even if promised some game time – or depends on Jesus getting hurt. (Eddie is also currently ahead of him, but I think that could change by training well.)
I think the best case scenario is that we sell below market value to a team willing to accept a buy-back clause. Even though his stock is high right now, the prices bandied around him don’t reflect what I think he’s worth. He’s still young but he does look the part. I don’t think the good season was a purple patch.
@gunnersaurus @ironeaglebird @WorldcupCSR @ronsboy67 mm yeah that’s true. I was thinking mainly from an Arsenal perspective and wasn’t thinking about it from Balogun’s wants. Good point!
I seriously think that Balogun has the x factor and that comes out as “I don’t want to sit on the bench”. It would really be up to Arteta and Edu to prove to him that they have a plan for him and he is going to be a part of winning trophies.
@gunnersaurus @ironeaglebird @ronsboy67 @poorlydrawnarsenal what if we could get €40m; would you take it?
@WorldcupCSR @gunnersaurus @ironeaglebird @poorlydrawnarsenal 40M with either a favourable buy back option or BIG bonus payments for major successes would be a win-win, I think
If Balogun is willing to battle for his place, I wouldn’t.
He’s got a lot of natural ability, a good feel for the game, and the right athleticism. He’ll be worth more if he’s given the chance to contribute. (This is a case where I’d much rather see him loaned out again if management doesn’t see him at least being able to work his way past Eddie.)
I say this as someone who was fine with us selling Willock, Iwobi, and the Ox. All talented players, but not ones I saw being able to carry us over the top.
If Balogun wants promises we can’t make, I’d say push for a lower fee but include that buy-back clause.
And, if we find ourselves in a scenario where a buy-back isn’t a possibility, then take the 40m. I still think that’s too low for him but we’re still at a phase in our team development arc where team cohesion is too important and fragile to not be affected by a disgruntled player. (Although maybe I’m just scarred from our not-so-distant experiences with that!)
I actually wonder if Balogun choosing to represent USMNT might change our plans for him. Jesus is clearly still ahead, but if he continues to progress, he’ll be a nailed on starter for the US (who are thin up top). I wonder if KSE will see that as too big an opportunity to not explore.
I don’t think they’d push Edu or Arteta to make Balogun a bigger part of the team – I sure as heck hope they continue to keep their distance on playing decisions – but they might be willing to get more creative to ensure Balo stays in the loop. Like poorly says, we’re clearly trying to grow the brand in the US, and he could certainly figure into those plans.
@gunnersaurus @ironeaglebird @ronsboy67 @poorlydrawnarsenal i do like the look of him over Eddie; looks stronger and more aggressive
@WorldcupCSR @gunnersaurus @ironeaglebird @poorlydrawnarsenal The trouble is that Arsenal’s biggest need is in the midfield, and with PIF owning Newcastle and at the same time backdoor bankrolling Chelsea, and Qatar about to own both Mancs , someone, or several someones, are going to have to go just to keep the financial imbalance from being irreparable
Very good point about midfield being our greatest need, and how funds need to be raised from somewhere to pay for that. Important not to lose sight of that!
@gunnersaurus @ironeaglebird @ronsboy67 @poorlydrawnarsenal and might just take someone with ‘gun’ in their name to get America to really care about football
I seriously wish Trusty would come off the bench he is possibly at the same level as Richards.
