Hello everyone and greetings of the hustle and bustle of this transfer window.
Of particular interest here is the recent Arsenal interest in Chelsea's electric right winger– Noni Madueke. Infact full agreements have been made with the player, plus the player is eager for the move to happen. Ofcourse Arsenal has made enquiries on the player from Chelsea and are now set to lodge a formal bid for the player.
This however doesn't go down well with a lot of the Arsenal fan fold – their argument is that it will stall the development of a certain Ethan Nwaneri. Ethan Nwaneri was installed as the deputy to Saka last season. It should be recalled that Ethan's natural position is the number 10 role, he was only asked to improvise and play on the right wing last season. This he did admirably well, with his direct play, dribbling skills and goals. Infact in the Champions league match versus PSV ,Nwaneri became the 3rd youngest player to score a knockout stage goal being 17yrs,348days.
Here lies the foundation for the a lot of fans frowning at Arsenal’s interest in Noni, especially with Arsenal’s interest in the brilliant Crystal Palace's midfield gem– Eberechi Eze. They say signing Noni is inimical to Ethan's growth, when there's a strong tendency that Eze will be signed as well. So they prefer an Eze signing to Noni's.
MY THOUGHTS
For me, a Noni signing isn't more dangerous to Nwaneri than an Eze signing.
I have heard an Arsenal fan tell a story of like Skelly, like Ethan. Meaning just like Skelly is being prepped to play fully in the midfield in about 2 or 3yrs time, so also is Ethan– that Ethan is only playing wide temporarily.
Well I do not buy that story. Ethan did not flourish in that wide role consistently last season, especially when compared to the beauty( infact the genius) of Skely's developement at Inverted right-back(IRB). His confidence took a hit when his game time was reduced by the coach, with the return to fitness of Saka and he wasn't as good as he was when Saka was out injured.
So I think, it is only normal Arsenal wants Nwaneri to play his natural position in midfield sooner rather than later. In which case, Noni coming would be beautiful! O yes beautiful.
What will really endanger Nwaneri as The Athletic have said, and I agree, is signing both Eze and Noni.
Mow I have since seen Arsenal’s interst in signing Rodrygo. Infact I read via Fabrizio Romano that the Eze deal has been kept waiting by Arsenal because their priority is Rodrygo. You buy Rodrygo and Noni, Nwaneri is safe. So I wonder what the fans are complaining about.
GO FOR BROKE
However, it is true that to win titles, you must shed tears, you must sacrifice. A dear player(s) must go.
It was painful that Pep drove out Ronaldinho and Deco from Barca. Enrique took the tough decision of chasing out Kolo Muani and Asensio from PSG(these are even players Enrique bought himself!).
Where am I going?
I don't mind Eze, Rodrygo and Noni coming in and obviously we bid bye-bye to Nwaneri and Martinelli. Nwaneri especially, then I included Martinelli because of balancing the books.
I come in peace.