Squad Audit: Who should Arsenal sell this summer?
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The Athletic FC Podcast Network. The only way to score is, of course, to play with a handbrake off. Hello, I'm Ian Stone. This is Handbrake Off, the Arsenal podcast brought to you by The Athletic. There is no Arsenal this weekend. It's an international break.

Four team members of the men's first team off representing their countries. So on today's show, we thought it'd be fun to do a squad audit ahead of the summer transfer window and we'll answer some of your questions you've been bombarding us with. And you have. And we're not moaning. We're genuinely not moaning. Thank you. We really appreciate it. Adrian...

And James put the call out. Well, Adrian and Art De Rocha are on the show. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Yeah, I should do the intros first. Adrian and James put the call out. James had another gig, so he had to run. So Art very, very kindly stepped in. I'm assuming you guys saw the video of Miles Lewis Skelly and Dan Byrne from Newcastle taking a picture whilst on England duty? Yeah.

I didn't, but you can paint the picture if you like. Well, it's a little fella and a massive fella is basically how it was. I mean, I say little. Miles is 5'10". Dan Byrne is 8'3", I believe. And I have to say, by the way, I did enjoy Dan Byrne's heading on Sunday. There was something elemental, something visceral there.

You can imagine cavemen doing that sort of stuff years ago if they had a ball. But anyway, have you ever lied about your height? There was a huge height difference and we were wondering if you'd lied about your height. Art, how tall are you, Art? I think I'm five, nine and a half. You think? Yeah. The last time I was measured was about

seven, eight years ago. So I don't know if I've grown since then. You might have done. You might have had a couple of years growing left in you seven or eight years ago. Possibly. Five, nine and a half. But have you ever lied about it? Well, like sometimes I'll just round it up to 10 because like, like if you're actually putting it on things, you can't put

a half really so dating apps stuff like that nah nah nah I was like I don't need that bro I'll just go with 510 and yeah I don't know but you're not really going to tell the difference I don't think so there's no use for me lying about my height no I mean like I say I'm not saying it was a dating app but if somebody turned up

And they looked at you and went, hang on a minute. You're not five foot ten. Yeah. And then got a tape measure out. You'd think she's a weird person. I've seen TikToks of people doing that. Like they'll say, oh, how tall are you? And the person will be like, oh yeah, I'm like six foot. And then they'll just whack out a tape measure. Tape measure them there on the spot. Yeah.

And some of them end up being 5'9", or something like that, which is quite funny. Yeah, I mean, I don't think I've ever had a tape measure measure someone's height. We did once have a Christmas party, the Arsenal boys, we used to go to the games together, still go to the games together, and we used to do secret centres.

All sorts of stuff. To be honest, quite a lot of them were sex toys in the end. It was very funny. But the other thing, somebody got a tape measure and we measured our heads just to see who had the biggest head. A mate of mine had just a massive head. I mean, we knew he had a massive head, but there it was in black and white. Adrian, you ever lied about your height? I mean...

I've got a massive mouth. I know that. Yeah, I don't know about the size of the head. Big mouth. I suppose you have got... Yeah. I've got a big mouth. Yeah, definitely. No, I'm the same kind of height. I was 5'9 and 3 quarters. I think I've probably shrunk a little bit over the years.

but I've always said I'm 5'10". So I've probably permanently lied. I may never have hit 5'10", but I'll always just round it up. I was a regular on the dating apps back in the day when I was a single man around, I don't know, 29, 30, 31, 32, around that time. Yeah. Prolific data. I don't know.

I don't know how to take that, but okay. Oh, no, you should take it badly because, yeah, I don't know. It was just whatever. It was just a little bit. It was a fun thing to do. You didn't meet your missus on the dating apps? I did meet my now wife on the dating app. You did? There you go. I didn't lie. It was my single friend, which was quite a nice one. It was where your friends had to write your write-up for you. It was a little bit different. And, yeah, I met a lot of really nice people, I've got to say, including my wife. But...

if we're going to talk about lighting i don't know i'm going to share this this is a bit a bit of a disgrace i did lie and made a big lie on there because when i first went on my friends said you're not getting the reaction you should be getting i said what i don't know they didn't understand it and they said i know what it is children won

because I had a son from a previous relationship. They said, knock it off. Knock off the kids and put children none. And you're going to open up a whole new world. And that's what I did. And it did. So every first day I went on, I had to explain that actually...

Oh, really? Yeah. Oh, my God. False pretenses, Mrs. Clark, if you're listening. Did that happen with her as well? She's still fuming about it to this day. Can't even look at him or her. Don't have that thing in the house. I never knew that existed. I've never lied about my height, I will say. I've never particularly, but me and my missus have an ongoing conversation. If someone...

is taller than they look, would they be deceptively small or deceptively tall? I've had this with football players. Yes. Because I think they're always deceptively tall or taller than you expect. Like Smith Rowe. Yeah. He's six foot. He's not. He is. He is. My missus would say that's deceptively small.

But you would say that's deceptively tall. But then also that comes from watching him play football and the way he plays football. Because he's a bit like hunched, you know, kind of. No, no, no, no. Listen, I absolutely fair enough. However, you got to your conclusion. I just want to want you to settle an argument. It's been going on for 30 years between me and my missus. I'm saying deceptively tall. Yeah. I think deceptively tall because you you think that he's not tall.

So that's where the deception lies. I'll let her know. All right, I'll let her know the results. The panel have spoken. Although they're both liars, to be honest with you. But anyway, let's have a little squad audit. We're going to give a player market a 10, keep or sell, a sort of football version of shag, marry, avoid, or whatever you call it. LAUGHTER

You can get in touch on the socials or handbrake at theathletic.com with your thoughts on the subject. We have three goalkeepers. One of them is out on loan and the other one is alone. Really, we've got one goalkeeper. We've got one goalkeeper, David Reier. How do we feel? We need a backup goalkeeper, don't we? Are we giving him a number, by the way, David Reier? I'd say maybe a 9.75. Yeah.

Yeah, he's been great, hasn't he, David? If that goal goes in against Chelsea, that is down though, isn't it? That's a 9.5, I guess. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's just deafened at nine-ish. He is, isn't he? I've got to go along with that as well. I mean, his distribution, I find it a little unsettling when I look back at the goal and I go, where is he? Oh, he's over there on the left wing or somewhere.

But he's been excellent and he's everything we hoped he would be and actually didn't expect that he would be, to be honest, in a lot of cases. He needs a sub-goalie. Yeah, he needs a sub-goalie. He needs a sub-goalie. And we are looking, apparently, Espanyol's own... Joan? It can't be Joan.

Juan, I'm not sure, J-O-A-N, how do you pronounce that in Spanish? I actually don't know. Joanne, Jo, Joanne. Joanne, yeah, possibly, García. I'm going to do the th as well, right, just to try and claw back some cultural sensitivity points. Joanne, García, what do you, I mean, I don't know if he's any good. I'd be surprised at anyone who really wants to come because they ain't getting in the first team, but they'll be League Cup games, Adrian, right? Yeah.

Yeah, we need one. I think we sort of did waste a loan really on a sub goalie this year that could have been maybe used to bring in a striker when we really, really needed them. So I wouldn't use it on a goalie. We just didn't have time, did we? I guess that's the issue in the summer. So no, we need a decent one because you just never know.

but it's got to be someone that's of good character, someone that's willing to be sort of a team player and accept the fact that they won't play, won't play very often. I genuinely think as well with some of the other keepers that we've got, because we've got a lot, probably let a few of those go as well because if, you know,

If they're not ready to be sub-goalie now, they're maybe not going to be. So it could be a time for someone young to come into that third spot. We signed them anyway, didn't we, last year? Setford and whatnot. So that's not an issue. All right, let's talk about the defenders then. We're going to do this, let's say, alternate. William Saliba, what are we saying?

We're keeping him. Yeah, obviously. Obviously keeping him. Rating, I'd say maybe an eight. Really? Not quite as much? I think by his own admission, he felt he did better last season. And I think I'd agree with that. I think there's been more instances this year when you've kind of seen his nerves. So that's kind of my reasoning for that. Obviously,

I think Arsenal's still the best defensive team in the league. I think they've conceded less goals than anyone in the Premier League. That is a lot to do with him, isn't it? I mean, a lot. So, fair play. And if he shuts out Kylian Mbappe over two legs, that rating will go up. Gabriel Magalhães.

Adrian, I mean there is talk about Saudi Arabia and this is the second time it's happened and I did read Arseblog yesterday and he was talking about the fact that maybe he was one of the first guys to sign on in this project and he maybe is on a slightly lower contract than some of the others.

he deserves a big old bump, doesn't he? Because of how good he is. I'm giving him a nine and a half, by the way. I think he's been outstanding. Yeah, I'm going to give him an eight and a half. I think he's been brilliant. He's been better than Saliba. His value at corners is immense as well, of course. I love players with personality and he plays with personality big time. And we just don't want that partnership to break up. No, we've got to weigh him in. It's as simple as that. We've got to weigh him in. We've got to give him what we give Saliba. Because for me,

They're equals. They're equals, yeah. And you wouldn't have always said that. Ben White, injury hits season. There is no way I want him going anywhere. I absolutely love Ben White and I want him to stay. I don't even want to really give him a mark, to be honest with you, because he's just been, you know, it's been slightly unfortunate. But when he's at his best, he's so integral to the team. Let's talk art then. Urien Timber, he's had a tremendous season, hasn't he? I'd go with an eight.

eight and a half as well the only thing that's kind of maybe a room for improvement is maybe he's just slightly different style wise to Ben White so you don't see him in the attacking third in I guess similar positions doing similar things that you've become accustomed to but yeah

even with that he's been amazing defensively I think so it'll be really interesting for the Real Madrid games how Arteta decides to use his right backs I think maybe it might make a bit more sense to use Timber

in the away leg and White in the home leg if he's fit and ready enough for that but yeah Timber amazing season especially considering the injury that he came back from last year showed us what we were missing and I still believe that we win the title last year with Yuri and Timber in the team Adrian Ricciardo Calafiori

It's difficult to know what to make of him. I mean, he's had a few injuries. He's scored some outstanding goals. Really an excellent threat, but he's been caught out a few times in defence. What's your view? Yeah, my view is it's probably a seven to seven and a half out of ten. He's a better character than I thought. A better, more buccaneering, adventurous fullback than I thought. But maybe not as good a defender, actually.

as I imagined. I also thought he'd probably be a bigger threat at set pieces than we've seen. You know, in the Euros, it felt like he was a massive threat there. So I actually think there's a lot more to come from him because he's so young. I think there is a good defender in there. I think he's just more of a centre-back.

Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, in terms of the set pieces, it's possible that he's not the guy they're aiming for and he's sort of making one of the dummy runs. And in terms of the defending, yeah, he can learn. I mean, listen, with our team, he might end up playing centre forward. I mean, who knows? All right, Miles Lewis Skelly. Yeah.

What are you giving him? I think a nine. You're not going to give him a 10? I thought about it. Because he's been sent off. Yeah, not once. And he should have been sent off twice. Yeah. That's literally the only reason. Yeah. So maybe we can bump it up to a 9.5. But I mean, Adrian talks about personality and he plays with it so much. Yes. I think we need to also consider

remember that he's doing this all out of position. When you see what he's doing at left back, it just looks so natural most of the time. And I think what's really impressive is the stuff he was doing that made him stand out in youth football.

is still making him stand out in men's senior football yeah and he doesn't look too coached um which is a compliment in my eyes so yeah good good season hopefully does well with england this week as well and i don't know hopefully the future is more in midfield where he actually grew up he probably saved us about 100 million quid to be honest with you so let's not discount that um

I'd be open to a sale, if I'm being completely honest.

I think there is a bit of a drop off there. And we do have Calafuri, who's your left-sided centre-back cover now, isn't he? So we've often seen him cover on the right side.

I would prefer to have a right-footed cover for William Saliba. So, yeah, if he's not happy and he wants to go, then we've got a good price. And, yeah, I think we could facilitate that as long as he was replaced. Yeah, he hasn't really played enough games to give him a mark out of 10. But, you know, I've enjoyed him when he's been on the pitch in the main. What about Oleksandr Sinchenko?

I mean he's a bit maddening isn't he and we know as a defender again he hasn't played a huge amount of games so I don't particularly want to give him a mark out of 10 but it does feel like his Arsenal time is coming to an end but we shouldn't really forget what he's done for us yeah really transformative when he first came in and to be fair I think this season probably could have been used a little bit more yes I remember I

I guess in the winter months, there were times where I think when Arsenal were playing that 4-4-2 and the football was just getting really stale, that felt like a moment where he could come in and maybe, yeah, his progression of the ball could have helped Arsenal a bit. And then recently, obviously, he's been playing a bit more midfield. But I think now it's just, I guess, a natural thing

I guess part of the ways of it leads to that in the summer. And I know there's a few questions that we'll get onto later on. I think he's probably one that you look at as a good fundraiser, really. Yeah, quite. And we do need to raise funds. Adrian Chiarantini. I'm sad about Chiarantini. It just didn't work out. I generally thought it might be a future Arsenal captain at some point. The injuries killed him, really. I can see why they haven't offered him a new contract, but there's a couple of moments in every game he's come on

where he gets the ball and he plays one of those crosses just in behind on the edge of the box and someone running on. We've got no one else who really plays that pass. No, no, but he's probably too good to be third or fourth choice, isn't he, at left-back? That's the thing. The bottom line, yeah. Yeah, I think...

he knows he's got Celtic that really, really want him. You know, that's his club really. He's from obviously Scottish, you know, going home will be appealing. So look, yeah, it is what it is. I feel for him as well. I was delighted when he signed, but injuries have definitely ruined it. It doesn't mean he's not a good player because he is, but I think we're well stocked now for left-backs.

I think we are. I think we are. I found one under the bed the other day. Attack hero Tommy Asu. We wish him the best, right? He is the right-sided cover for centre-back and full-back, but he's out for a long time. But hopefully this will fix those persistent knee injuries. And Nuno Tavares is currently out on loan, so we won't talk about him. So... Pardon?

Pod? Cell. Cell, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, except to say that. You can't say Oslo! You can't say Oslo! You can't say Oslo!

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Let's look at the midfield then. Adrian, we'll start with you. Thomas Partey. I mean, he's actually been good this season in the main. There's a couple of times when he gets lost, but I love how he receives the ball in dangerous situations and he turns defence into attack very, very quickly. I mean, we can talk about him. What do you think of his season in terms of a number? Seven? Yeah. Yeah, look, he's a fantastic player. And when he's on it...

The thing is with Thomas Partey, he fluctuates for me between a nine and a five. What I'd actually like more of is more sevens. Because when he's on it, he's majestic. But then when he's just not quite as sharp as he can be mentally or physically, then he looks sluggish. He looks like a little bit of a, you know, not a liability, but he looks like he's going to make a loose pass and we're going to get caught easily.

Look, I just think with this contract coming to an end, you know, big contract as well, you know, we would be earning good money, I'd imagine, at 31, you know, coming up to 32. It might be the time where we sort of part ways and we look to bring in someone younger, you know, to do it. It happens to us all. So, yeah, it doesn't surprise me. There's no movement there. Again, it's not because he's not a very good player because he is.

But his age is against him. It is. And he seems maybe an old 31 as well, perhaps. I mean, there is talk about Martin Zubermendi coming in. David Ornstein reported, I believe, or mentioned that he might be coming. There's a lot of talk about it, Art. I mean, is he a natural replacement for Thomas? In some ways, I think more on the ball. So looking at someone who can really, I guess, progress the play and, as Adrian said, turn the

defense into attack quite quickly but then I guess what you're looking for is someone who can do the more defensive work in terms of shielding that back four and I guess that might have to be Declan Rice and it'll be interesting to see I guess the shape of that midfield once the summer revamp kind of happens I think which I'm sure we'll talk more about in a little bit

We will. Jorginho, he's out of contract. We think he'll go. Again, good person to have about, but you can't have too many of them, can you? You sort of allowed, I think we should call them El Nenis. Yeah, I think he's going to, yeah, I think he's got his eye on, I don't know, might be just moved to South America or something. I don't know. But look, he's been great for us. Great pick up.

Yeah, great character. Yeah, and still has value on the pitch. But again, good money that could be distributed maybe elsewhere. So, you know, I think you've just got... That's the way you have to look at it. You have to be a bit cold when players get to that point in their careers and think, should I invest this in someone younger? Particularly if those youngsters will earn less money, which is normally the case. Yeah, those feelings don't go away, do they? They just grow when you look at someone and go...

I'm not sure. Yeah, one has to be a bit ruthless here. Let's talk about Detlef Rice. Certainly not the season that he had last year. What do you think? I think he's actually coming back to his best now, but what number would you give him for the season? Yeah, I'm flittering between an 8 and an 8.5. Really? Yeah.

That's higher than I would have gone by the way. Really? Yes, I was disappointed with Declan for the first three months. Yeah. Really? I think this calendar year, he's probably been Arsenal's best player. We're doing calendar years now. No, no, no, but I'm just saying like, I guess, okay, second half of the season if you want to put it that way. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I think he's been consistent from January onwards and he's really set the tone in a lot of games.

So yeah, I didn't want to kind of go with all the recency bias of his goal at United and obviously his performance there. But I do genuinely think he's been probably Arsenal's outstanding player in 2025 so far. And there is a bit of a season to go and he could really do something special for us. Let's not upset him. Let's not upset him with my seven and a half or whatever I was going to say. Adrian Martin-Ordegaard.

It's a six. It's a six, yes. And he would say that as well, I think. I think so, yeah. He's been perfectly fine. He's still a very good player for us. But he hasn't hit the heights that he's capable of. No. Injuries definitely hurt him, obviously. As has Saka's absence. Because they can... You know, Saka and White, the two... And White. The two he's so in sync with have barely played. So, yeah, it's been hard for him. But...

you know, Zini showed the way, didn't he, in that Champions League game by whipping a left footer into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. The value of having goals in that position. So, Martin, I think he's got to get back to shooting more and put some oomph behind it. And once he does that, which he can and will, then we'll love him again, you know. So, yeah, look, I'm still a big fan, but it hasn't been a great campaign for him. No, I would say so. Mikel Mourinho. Ha, ha, ha.

Well, this is just a strange one, isn't it, Art, really? Because up to Kai Havert's injury, he wasn't really playing that much. He was stepping in and we were thinking, yeah, 41 million or whatever we paid for him. Is he really worth it? But you know what? He's done great. He chugged away against Chelsea at the weekend and he's been doing that and he's got some vital goals for us. I wouldn't necessarily put a number on him, but...

I love his attitude, don't you? Yeah, I was thinking maybe the goals, if I was to put a number on it, would maybe take him up to a seven. Yeah. But I think going forward, what I would like to see a bit more is just him being more imposing when he's playing, say, in midfield when...

a striker comes back. I think he can be, yeah, in the first half of the season, he could ghost a little bit in those games and you only ever saw him when it was a set piece. I think I'd like to see him have a bit more presence and really, yeah,

take control of a game whether that's being an aerial presence like Kai Havertz can be or whether it's in duels like Declan Rice I think he can still offer more and hopefully this kind of last few weeks give him

gives him the confidence to do that. Yeah, and of the midfielders, Adrian, Ethan Wan-Aire, I mean, the truth is he could turn out to play almost anywhere, really. What do you think of his season? I mean, it's been in the main stellar, hasn't it? Oh yeah, phenomenal, yeah. Nine and a half, nine and three quarters, I don't know. I mean, he couldn't have done any better, could he? He scored some brilliant goals.

played in different positions as well. Also, up the tempo and got the team going and the crowd going when he came on as well. No fear, very confident on the ball. The biggest compliment I can pay is that he looks, you know, he's the best Saka backup, isn't he? I think when Mikel talks about, you know, he's changed their mind on recruitment, I think that's what he means. He's now thinking, we don't need a right winger. I got one there. But the thing is, and this is what Martin Erdegaard needs to sort of,

you know, be aware of is that Ethan really is Martin's understudy. And, you know, if he's got more of a goal threat than Martin and he's creating just as many chances, how long will it be before he's really pushing for his spot? Yeah, because Martin is less adaptable, isn't he, really? You can't imagine Martin playing out wide, really. Martin could do what Bruno Fernandes is doing at Manchester United and playing as a two, you know, alongside Rice, for example. I could see a time when that happens.

because he's so good off the ball as well. But yeah, we might be a way off that. I'm not sure. All right. There's lots of questions about the midfielders. And by the way, Fabio Vieira and Albert Laconga are out on loan at the moment. And Vieira's been doing okay, actually, at Porto. We'll talk about some of the questions in a moment. Let's talk about the forwards. We haven't got any, have we? We haven't got any. This won't take long. We haven't got any. This won't take long. Gabriel Martinelli, our...

There are persistent questions about Gabriel Martinelli. Not quite producing, certainly not the form he had a couple of seasons ago. I find him a little frustrating, but he loves the Arsenal, he loves that team and he works so hard. And every time I have certain doubts...

He'll come on and he'll run about and he'll tackle back and he injects such energy into the team. I don't know what to think about him. What do you reckon? Yeah, he's not one that I would be looking to sell. Some people are though. Yeah, I know, I know. Because we get good money for him as well. Yeah, still only 23 and that's probably a big reason for that. But yeah, I just feel that the football is the main thing.

that should help him so when there's space to run into that's when he's looking at his best when he's instinctive and I think you get that I guess when when Saka's playing when you have everyone there and it's all flowing and it's

just not flowed at all at any point in this season no so yeah he's one that i'd keep because yeah i still think he's a really good asset on the pitch wow what number you're giving him i'm giving him a six six yeah six yeah uh leo trossard adrian are we selling him um

I mean, he's been really good as backup. He's actually been good when he's on the pitch sometimes. He's a player that blows hot and cold, but there's very few players that don't blow hot and cold, to be fair. You know, we get Bukayo Saka and he's just outstanding every week, but there's not that many of those, are there? You know, our captain, Martin Erdegaard, has blown very hot and cold this year, and yet people seem to talk about Leo in that way a little bit more, and I like him, and I think he's an excellent finisher, but

What do you think? I still think he's one of our best finishers. Obviously, the goal count has been a bit disappointing this season. Yeah, it depends, doesn't it? If one of the crown jewels is sold, and I think Martinelli maybe is the most likely crown jewel to be sold, along with Gabriel, I suppose, because of the rumours, then you'd have to keep him. But yeah, I think because of the age difference, because he's had that downturn this season, and if we need to get some money back on wages...

then maybe Leo could be the one that makes way. Because we'd have to offer him a pretty big contract. It's his last big contract, isn't it? I wouldn't be offering a new contract. That's where I'm at with it. I'd be prepared to go into the last year, and that's fine, to get another year out of him. Because I think he's a fantastic impact player, someone that can come up with moments. And he could get us 15 goals next season. Yeah, he could. But he's only got, what is it, four in the Prem this season. So...

Yeah, four goals, five assists in the Premier League. You know, he's had nearly 2,000 minutes.

Yeah, you're probably looking for a little bit more than that to give him a new contract, aren't you? But he's definitely still got his, you know, a place. But it depends on finances, really. Quite. And the alternative, by the way, we got him and we could have had Mikhailo Mudrik. So I think we should all say a silent prayer for that one. But yeah, Mikhailo Saka. Well, I mean, obviously everyone wants to keep him. They're starting contract talks now. He's got two and a bit years left.

mean special talent 10 before the injury I would say I mean there's very very little more he could do right yeah I'm not sure I'd put a number on it just because of the injury I'd say it's really unfortunate timing because it seemed like he was going to have a record-breaking year in a lot of aspects his assists I think were I think he was one off his

best tally in the Premier League by December which is just ridiculous hopefully when he's back he can hit the ground running I know that's a big hope but yeah great great player of course great player great player and we love him and you missed out the word soon Kai Havertz similar thing applies here Adrian right I mean we've grown to love him he

Obviously, we know how good he is now. There might still be doubts and there might still be moments when he goes through barren patches. Every forward does. But what he brings to the team, he's so integral and we've seen how integral he is when he's not there. Yeah, he's almost a one in two guy as well, you know, in terms of the goals. So, no, I'm a big fan. I really like him as a footballer. I think he is a striker.

it's just who else are we going to bring in to compete with him next season he can definitely play in that early guard role as well if we needed him to he can be a support striker he could be you know if we ever went to a front two he would be a very very good member big man little man type combination he doesn't even have to be a little man it's just because he's got great movement and I think if you've got a front two movement is what it's all about and he would

take defenders with him to free up space for Alexander Isak or Benjamin Sesko or whoever we end up signing probably it might not be either of those but let's see when I say little man I mean 5 foot 10 on wall I'm not having 5 foot 9 on 3 corner not for one second

Okay, well, Gabriel Jesus, long-term injury at the moment, and it's sad he was just coming back to his best. I think the club would have been looking to sell him in the summer, but they're probably not going to be able to. This could impact us,

next season a little bit. But on the other hand, if a fit and firing Gabriel Jesus comes back looking good, looking like he was for those few games, Palace and what have you, when he was scoring goals for fun, we've still got a player there. He's still only, what, 28? 27, yeah. 27. Yeah, but I think...

It's probably harder for attacking players to come back from those ACL injuries because especially a player like Jesus, the twisting and turning he does, that's like his game. That's what makes him so entertaining to watch. It makes him so hard to defend as well. So yeah, I don't know how much hope I'm putting into his knees right now. But as we all saw against Crystal Palace, I think, yeah, obviously a massive talent.

And Raheem Sterling, Adrian, I mean, you know, see you at the end of the season, right? Yeah, it just hasn't worked. Yeah, I'm not going to give him a grade. No, no, no. But no, it's been a disappointing... Terrible, Adrian, terrible. Your words, not mine, but yeah, it's fine. They are my words and I'm prepared to stand by them. I mean, I could have horrible as well. I can have pointless. There's a number of words I could use.

I mean, you know what? I get the sort of pastoral care he's been giving to Ethan Waneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly, but it's not enough. It's absolutely not enough. And he's not an old guy. And I don't know quite what's happened to him. So anyway, that's that done. What we'll do, we've got a few questions on Blue Sky from you guys. We'll get to them after the break. We're not going to do one for the manager, are we, by the way? Because he's not going anywhere. Ian Stone, Adrian Clarke and Art de Rocher on Hand Break Off.

We'll be right back.

They get a hand rig off and you can see that they are more free to play.

This is the Athletics Arsenal podcast and break off. You sent your questions to James, who sadly couldn't be here. Obviously, beautiful, beautiful to step in. Thank you. And Adrian as well. All right, here we go. Steve Hills, at Merce10.bsky.social. Steve Hills. If a Saudi bid of 100 million came in for Gabriel, do we sell? Art is shaking his head vigorously. Adrian? I mean, 100 million is quite a lot.

um

I say no because I just don't want him to go. So, yeah, I'd rather swerve it. I mean, it was interesting what Steve said. Would it be like the Liverpool sale of Coutinho when they got so much money for him and they bought Van Dijk and Alisson and they obviously transformed that club? Let's assume we get that sort of money. Get those sort of players, really. Transformative players. I think breaking up, you know, arguably the best centre of defensive partnership in the country is just not a great idea. Yeah. There are follow-up questions. Khalil...

I asked about, should we play Calafiori at left centre-back if Gabriel goes? Let's not countenance that, all right? Matthew Miller. Arteta said the development of Waneri and MLS has changed the club's summer plans.

How so? He says, well, they don't have to spend money. I mean, we've got full backs anyway. And also, by the way, Miles Lewis-Skelly can play in midfield because that's his natural position. But we've saved money, haven't we? That's basically what's happened. Yeah. I think when you look at that revamp of that midfield, there's two players there who can slot into a few different areas of it. I know when Mikel Arteta has spoken about Lewis-Skelly, he's big.

been quite keen to highlight most of his development was as a six before an eight so I guess holding midfield would be something that would be more natural to Myles and I think that's probably where this season has been quite beneficial to him to learn the defensive side of that game a bit more Is it worth spending 50 odd million on Zubimendi and

when you've got Myles Lewis-Skelly in the building. That's kind of the quandary here, because we've tracked him for a while, but, you know, Superman, I like him. I wasn't impressed with him against Manchester United. I think that could be the change that he's referencing, maybe, as well as a right-wing backup, but with Waneeri, I think Lewis-Skelly...

will be part of the midfield group for a lot of next season. Okay, but if Jorginho and Partey both go and Lewis Skelly would basically flip between the midfield and left-back, we're assuming Rhys, by the way, has asked the question. Kiviel, Zinchenko and Tierney look set to go and we can assume that Tommy is out for quite a lot of the season.

we're suddenly quite light at left back. We've only got, we've only got, I mean, it's mad to say it, but we've got Lewis Skelly and we've got Calafiori. And if Lewis Skelly is also flipping between midfield, that's a lot of load for him. I still think we need a centre midfielder, if not two. No. Yeah. I'm just saying the Zubimendi type of midfielder,

Can we pass on that? Because we've got Lewis Skelly. I don't know. What do you think, Art? Do you know where I'm coming from? Yeah, yeah, definitely. Because I guess when you look at where you want the midfield to go, I guess you'd want someone who isn't just sitting there, but can actually move with the ball as well, which obviously Lewis Skelly can. And then if you're looking at that six, then you can probably play Rice there as well. And then I guess,

You're talking about, okay, what type of midfielder do you go for? Maybe someone who's a bit more, I guess,

able to move in those attacking areas. So... It's why we've been linked with Bruno Grimmarais, isn't it? Because he can do it all. He can tackle, he can create. He's got a great engine. He's got a bit of spite about him. I think he'd be a good addition. And then also in those left-back areas, he's got timber as well. I think that's probably people forget. That's true. He can cover. We've had a few questions about outgoings. Queen Guna.

Friend of ours. If you had to sell four players who you deem surplus to requirements with raised cash to buy a striker, who would they be and why? I mean, I'm not sure we can do that, can we really? We don't have that big a squad anyway.

I don't want to sell four players. I mean, I don't. Can't we just find the extra cash somewhere is, I suppose, my question. Give him a loan, Tony. You've just been on a UK tour, for goodness sake. Just give Arsenal a few quid, will you? There's so much money here at the moment. It is ridiculous. I keep finding more piles of cash.

So I'm all right, but I don't know what the FFP rules are for comedy tours to pay for players. I don't think we... We're not getting Isak, are we? I mean, I think it's unlikely, isn't it, Adrian? I mean, and if we do, Kai Havertz then is what? Second choice? How does this work? I think you could... I'd like us to shoot for the stars and try because hand on heart, I think if you asked Isak if he'd want to come, I think he'd come.

you know so I'd like to test the resolve he's you know he's made history now for Newcastle his place is in that club's folklore and they've won a trophy he's been a big part of it you know it could be the time for the next phase of his career it's just the cost isn't it and yeah you'd have to pay top top dollar for him 150 million quid he'd been my number one choice without a shadow yeah yeah that finish killed me on Sunday in the cup final obviously you just went oh yeah that

He's made for Arsenal. He's made for Arteta's style of play. He'd score between 30 and 50 goals in all comps for us.

He would. He would. We've got one question here from Steve Denny. Heading into the summer, we're both up for a new contract. Who is more indispensable, Saka or Saliba? I'm not... That's another question we're not getting into. All right. Thanks for the question, Steve. We really appreciate it. No, I think it's easy. I think it's easy. I think Saliba is more... Is more indispensable. No, no, no. Saka's more indispensable. I'm indispensable. Yeah, I would say Saliba because...

I do think if we're going to lose one player to Real Madrid, it's most likely to be him. And we just got to make sure we're ready for it when that moment comes. Hopefully it won't come. But yeah, he's brilliant.

He ain't Saka. He's not Saka, no. No, Saka is... It's also because Saka being a, you know, hailing, been at the club since he was eight, he's as much a fan as we are, really. There's a couple of questions. Commander Call, Danny Russell, basically about when Saka comes back, where does Ethan play? I mean, personally, I would like to see Detlin Rice do the sort of, whatever you call the McAlealy, and have...

when airing next to Erdogan, but that might be a bit adventurous for our manager. Um,

What do you think? He did it in pre-season. So when Fabio Vieira was still at the club, he got shunted out to the right wing and Ethan was playing left eight and he got an assist against Manchester United for Gabriel Jesus. So he's done it before. I'd really like to see it, I think, because it would make things a lot more creative, a lot more exciting. So I'm with you guys. And also just on the positions thing with Vaniere, I

as he said earlier Ian he can play anywhere so I'm not really worried when just nice to have him in the team yeah I'm not worried when Saka comes back if you have an axis you think you think of our current axis you have a deep one and two box to boxes so you've got Rice at the base and you've got you know it could be either side but but Shuma Udagal stays right and

One area goes into the left. During the course of a game, Odegaard, as I said, doing that Bruno Fernandes deeper role, he can absolutely come in and be a two with Rice. And then you've got one area is the more advanced, the one that's in and around the edge of the box to maybe get the shots off. So, you know, that's the way it could work. It all depends on whether Mikel thinks Odegaard can do better.

a central midfielder's job rather than a number 10's job. If he thinks he can, that's maybe where his future...

lies in this team because of one area um lumenberg's hair dye said should ksc invest in another european club to offer us a multi-club proposition that might help keep the likes of heaven and cheeto at the emirates listen if they're up for it i'm up for it all right that's it really i hope that they do that whatever it takes to get us to the next level um

Yeah.

you know what Sabine I stopped moaning about not being able to eat it's a football game rumours of a stadium upgrade but hard to see how they can do it that is true listen thanks for your question but seriously have a pee obviously if you've got a Tuesday in a pee and a drink and snack have a pee what do you want 200 million spent on you know refit or the team

No, that's kind of where I'm at. But I'm lucky because I get to go in the press lounge. So don't matter to me. That's true. I'll tell you what though, if we had 200 million pound concourses, they would be nice concourses. But you know what I mean, 100 million, 50 million, I thought that. Yeah, yeah, no, no, you're absolutely right. There is another question, Silver Arrows. Do you think it's worthwhile for the stadium expansion to happen?

Yes, I would say so, especially because of the rules on profit and sustainability. You have to do it from the money that comes into the stadium. But again, as Sabino said, it's hard to see where it happens, Art, but they've obviously got some plans. Yeah, I think the timing's probably right as well when you look at how just the interest has grown in terms of match-going fans as well in the last couple of years. But you have to get the timing right.

I guess if you're looking at the stadium, maybe in the upper tiers, you could do something. But again, it's quite hard to predict how they'd do it. On Sabino's point, I was going to say, just go Tesco before the game. Go Tesco before the game. Other outlets are available. There are a number of different supermarkets. I don't know how I said that because when we used to do BBC stuff,

You'd have to say that. You'd go Tesco. Obviously there's Sainsbury's and there's the other ones as well. But anyway, one more then. I'm just looking. Oh, here we are. Ash Richards. And we'll do some more of these next week or the week after. We're not ignoring you. Ash Richards said, talk about being unlucky. I'd already pre-booked a trip to Thailand with my wife April the 6th to the 17th.

I am away for both Madrid legs. Do I get up at 3am and watch both games? Advice from the pod if you've been in this situation before. And then he says, the holiday isn't a bad thing, by the way. I would also add, wife isn't into football at all, so I'm not sure she would be happy with me sneaking out to watch it in a bar.

Well, Ash, in terms of marital stuff, I can only say that, you know what? She's going to have to learn to be happy. It's the Champions League quarterfinal. All right. Mrs. Richards, if you're listening. I mean, come on. I've got an idea. You've got an idea? Well, I've done this. When I went to the Maldives, I was obviously cut adrift on a desert island. But your phone still works. And so does, you know, the radio or the club app.

of which I might be commentating on. So yeah, go on the club, go on the Arsenal app, right? And then set your alarm and then wake yourself up and listen to it. Listen.

Listen to it. You don't have to see it. You don't have to make the effort to get dressed and go into town and all that rubbish because it'll all be dead, won't it? Just listen to it. And it's often more exciting listening than... Listening. Oh, it gives you a heart attack. Every time they're within about 100 yards of the goal, it's like the crowd are like, oh my God, it feels like it's a goal on clearance. So yeah, the wife still gets a good night's sleep. I think it's a win-win.

Yeah, well, I mean, I'm only asking this also because I will be in Australia for both these games. So I'll be watching them. I'll be pumped at seven o'clock in the morning. Absolutely leathered, won't you, Stoney? Oh yeah, I'm staying up all night. I'll be ready for this one.

Anyway, so I share your pain, Ash. But you know what? Of course you've got to go. Of course you've got to watch the game. Let's have a song before we go. To be honest, I've been running about getting ready. I'm going away on Sunday. So I've forgotten. Yeah, thank you. I know you're so pleased. I can see how happy you are. Sorry, it's just completely went out of my head.

Oh, what have you got? What have you got? Are you going to come up with another artist that I should know? Yeah, yeah. Schoolboy Q. I've been listening to a bit of Schoolboy Q. Have you? It's a bit heavy for me, I'll be honest with you. Okay, fair enough, yeah. It's a little bit like, blimey, Mr. Q. Just chill out a bit. It's understandable. I wasn't living on those streets, so I don't know. So what have you got? It's not quite the same, eventually. What have you got? A guy called Binky today.

You making these up? No, no, no. Binky. Binky sounds like he lives in a country club just outside Boston, Massachusetts. Song's called Landline. It was on FIFA a couple of years ago. Was it? Yeah. And it's just quite a nice, nice song for the weather as well, since it's getting into spring. So yeah.

Yeah, OK. Pinky, Landline. What have you got, Adrian? Changes. Changes are afoot, aren't they, this summer? So, look, take your pick. You can go Taylor Swift. She had a song called Change. You can go for Bowie. Changes. I know which one you'd choose, mate. Oh, the perennial discussion about whether it's Taylor Swift or David Bowie. Yeah, well, let's... Yeah, let Robbie decide.

Robbie, I'm telling you now, if you choose Taylor Swift, I'm resigning. Just to let you know, it has to be Bowie. Because these things will change. Feel it now.

That's it for this edition. Thanks for your questions. We'll get to more of them. We will. We know the ones we've done. It's a great one I'm just looking at now. We'll do it another time. Yeah, thanks to Art. Thanks to Adrian. Thanks to Robbie, our producer. And we'll see you next week.