Today is all about patience. And that goes for the players, manager and fans.
In the defeat against Bournemouth everything was a little frantic. Players trying to get the ball forward too quick, Mikel Arteta bouncing up and down from the 1st minute, and plenty of grumbles and frustration from the fans at 0-0.
Hopefully everyone has learned from that. Especially the fans. We have such a huge part to play tonight.
If it is still 0-0 after 6 minutes we need to control ourselves. No shouting “get on with it”, no grumbles of discontent because a pass does sideways or backwards. We just need to be supportive.
In less than 40 hours we could be champions. But we only give ourselves that chance if we all promote positivity. If the fans, players and manager are frantic like hat Bournemouth game, we could derail ourselves.
So get to the ground early. Be in your best singing voice. And back the boys for 90 minutes.
The left wing has been a bit of a headache for Arsenal for some years.
Gabriel Martinelli is a top left winger. He is basically 2nd choice for Brazil behind only Vinicius Jr, and you will struggle to name a Premier League left winger who is levels ahead of him. But there has always been a feeling that he is not at the level we need, not at the level of a Bukayo Saka, and we can do better.
I do get the thinking, and Martinelli can often be so frustrating. As can Leandro Trossard. But my issue is when names are mentioned, they are often no better.
Take Anthony Gordon, for example. For me he is basically an English Martinelli. Someone who only excels when there is space in behind and who has a very similar output to Martinelli. The likes of Rafael Leao and Nico Williams are another pair who flatter to deceive and never really lived up to the hype. Bradley Barcola also falls into this category for me.
The only truly outstanding left wingers in world football right now are Vinicus Jr and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It is highly unlikely Vinicus Jr will leave Real Madrid this summer. And equally as unlikely that Kvaratskhelia will leave PSG.
Some fans have got it in their head that Kvaratskhelia is obtainable. This baffles me.
He is playing for the European champions, a team who have just made back to back finals, and is well on his way to being a cult hero. At PSG he will pick up trophies for fun and is earning in excess of £300k a week doing it.
We can not blow PSG out of the water in terms of money, and are unable to offer him the guaranteed success. And having only been in France for 18-months, it is probably too early to talk about “new challenge”.
After much head scratching, I have come the the belief that Arsenal will not be able to sign better than Martinelli this summer. That instead of trying to replace him for 2026/27, what we need to do is sign a youngster who might currently be playing below Martinelli’s level but could, in 12 months time, have developed into something better.
Add in Eberechi Eze and we should then be able to sell Trossard this summer, go with Martinelli plus a youngster and have Eze as the additional option.
So who do I like the look of?
Kenan Yıldız – The Juventus attacker is a technically gifted attacking midfielder who combines flair, intelligence, and composure in the final third.
Standing tall with strong close control, he excels at carrying the ball through tight spaces and creating chances between defensive lines. His dribbling is smooth and unpredictable, while his vision allows him to spot progressive passes early. Yıldız can operate as a winger, number ten, or second striker, offering tactical flexibility. He presses willingly and shows confidence in one-versus-one situations.
Yan Diomende – A dynamic winger with explosive acceleration, direct dribbling, and outstanding confidence in one-versus-one situations. Primarily operating from the left, the RB Leipzig winger attacks defenders aggressively and creates separation with sharp changes of pace and close control. His movement in transition is excellent, allowing him to exploit open spaces quickly.
Diomande shows composure in front of goal and can finish with either foot. Physically, he is lean but surprisingly resilient under pressure. His decision-making and defensive contribution still require refinement, yet his athleticism, creativity, and fearless attacking style suggest elite upside at the highest level of European football.
Mika Godts – An explosive wide attacker who thrives in isolation and transition moments. The Belgian winger possesses sharp acceleration, agile footwork, and the confidence to attack defenders repeatedly in one-versus-one situations.
Comfortable on either flank, he prefers cutting inside to combine or shoot, showing impressive balance and close control at speed. Godts is technically refined and creative, with quick decision-making in tight areas. His off-ball movement and pressing intensity continue to improve, making him valuable in high-tempo systems.
Said El Mala – A technically sharp attacking midfielder who combines creativity, mobility, and composure in advanced areas. He operates effectively between the lines, receiving under pressure and progressing play with intelligent passing and quick combinations.
El Mala shows impressive awareness in tight spaces and possesses smooth close control that allows him to evade challenges consistently. He is capable of carrying the ball forward or creating chances with subtle through balls and smart movement. While not physically dominant, he compensates with agility and football intelligence. Improving defensive intensity and end-product consistency will elevate his game further, but his technical quality and vision stand out clearly.
Assane Diao – A powerful and versatile forward, Diao combines athleticism with strong technical ability in attacking areas.
Comfortable playing as a winger or central attacker, he excels at driving into space and attacking defenders directly. Diao’s acceleration and physical strength make him difficult to contain in transition, while his intelligent movement allows him to find dangerous positions inside the box. He shows composure when finishing and has the confidence to take responsibility in decisive moments. Defensively, he contributes with energetic pressing and work rate.
Who would you like to see us sign in the summer? Let us know in the comments.
In his own words, Kylian Mbappe is 4th choice striker at Real Madrid.
Having been left out of the starting line-up for their 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, the Frenchman was whistled by his own fans as he came off the bench and entered the Bernabeu pitch in the 69th minute yesterday. A petition calling for ‘Mbappe Out’ has attracted tens of millions of signatures.
In an interview following the match, Mbappe said “I haven’t played because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo.”
There is an outside chance that Mbappe may look to leave the Spanish capital this summer, and that has got some Arsenal fans dreaming. But should we be targeting a man that we nearly signed close to a decade ago?
Argument for
There is no doubt that Kylian Mbappe truly unstoppable world-class superstar.
Having made enormous progress under Mikel Arteta, Mbappe would instantly elevate our starting XI and take us from scrappy contenders to genuine favourites. He would take us to that next level.
Mbappe is a once-in-a-generation talent capable of deciding matches on his own through pace, finishing, movement, and creativity. He would provide the sort of individual excellence that our front line lacks. Simply put, Mbappe guarantees goals at the highest level.
Tactically, Mbappe would fit perfectly into Arteta’s attacking system. His versatility allows him to play on the left wing, through the middle, or alongside another striker. Imagine defenders trying to contain a front line featuring Saka on one side and Mbappe on the other, with Victor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz in the middle. Opponents would not know which way the attack is coming from.
Another key factor is commercial impact. Arsenal are already one of the biggest clubs in world football, but signing Mbappé would elevate their global profile even further. Shirt sales, sponsorship deals, and international attention would increase dramatically. Young fans across the world idolise Mbappé because of his exciting playing style and superstar image. Bringing him to North London would strengthen Arsenal’s brand and make the club even more attractive to future elite players.
Perhaps most importantly, signing Mbappé would send a statement to the football world.
For years, Arsenal were criticised for lacking ambition in the transfer market compared to Europe’s financial giants. Acquiring a player of Mbappé’s stature would prove that Arsenal are no longer outsiders hoping to compete — they are a destination for the very best.
Kylian Mbappé is not just a superstar player; he is the kind of footballer who changes the history of clubs. Arsenal should do everything possible to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Argument against
Although signing Kylian Mbappe may sound like a dream move for Arsenal supporters, the reality is that it could create more problems than solutions for the club.
Arsenal have spent years carefully rebuilding under Mikel Arteta, focusing on team chemistry, tactical discipline, and long-term development. Bringing in a global superstar like Mbappé could disrupt the balance that has made Arsenal successful in recent seasons.
Arsenal’s current success comes from unity rather than individual stardom, and changing that formula could be risky. Arteta has built a side based on pressing, teamwork, tactical intelligence, and collective responsibility. Every player contributes defensively and works hard off the ball. Mbappe, despite his incredible talent, has often been criticised for limited defensive effort and for wanting a system built around him, and that creates another problem.
Many fans will see Mbappe as the solution to the clubs left wing problems. But Mbappe wants to be front a centre.
Before joining Real Madrid, Mbappe reportedly sought confirmation that he would be played as the teams main striker. It is unlikely his view has changed in that matter, and that he will be happy moving down a level to Arsenal, and being pushed out to the wings.
Anotherbig concern is financial.
Mbappe is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world, demanding enormous wages, bonuses, and image-rights agreements. Arsenal have worked hard to build a sustainable squad structure, rewarding players based on collective growth rather than superstar status. If Mbappe arrived on significantly higher wages than players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, or Declan Rice, it could create tension inside the dressing room. Football history shows that wage imbalance often damages squad harmony, even at elite clubs.
Considering these financial implications and that Mbappe would unlikely be happy on that left wing, istead of investing hundreds of millions into one superstar, Arsenal should strengthen multiple positions and improve overall squad depth. Spending massive resources on one player could weaken the club’s ability to strengthen elsewhere.
There is also immense pressure that comes with signing a player of Mbappe’s profile. Expectations would become unrealistic overnight. Fans and media would expect immediate Champions League trophies and Premier League titles. If results failed to match the hype, the atmosphere around the club could quickly become toxic. Arsenal’s current project has thrived partly because of patience and gradual improvement, not because of desperation for instant success.
Finally, Arsenal should remember that football is a team game. History proves that balanced squads often outperform teams built around one superstar. Clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool F.C. achieved sustained success through structure, chemistry, and depth rather than relying on a single global icon.
Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but not every great player is the right fit for every club. Arsenal’s future may be brighter if they continue trusting the collective vision that has already brought them back among Europe’s elite.
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 