Remember when Kieran Tierney was tipped to be a future Arsenal captain? Brave and adventurous, solid in the tackle, the one positive during a spell when we struggled for identity?
And then Mikel Arteta swooped on his old club and brought in Alex Zinchenko. Along with Gabriel Jesus, it signalled a change of playing style – but most of all, an upgrade on what we already had. Yes, Tierney was having a torrid time with injuries (who’d have guessed when he paraded himself in a match on the coldest of nights in the flimsiest of shirt?!), but the new signing indicated the playing style was changing. And lo, all of a sudden, the whole team was attacking with intent and looking like a real, consistent threat again.
Now, a few years further on, we have Riccado Calafiori, the first choice on the left. Another upgrade. Or Jurien Timber, when he’s not needed on the right or in the middle. Again, injuries have played a part in Zinchenko’s journey to the subs bench, but it seems that the boss was always looking for an upgrade.
Upgraded, too, the goalkeepers, leading to David Raya (despite so many misgivings!), future defensive kingpins, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Nuno Tavares, along with midfield hopefuls signed a while ago, Sambi Lockonga, to Jorginho and Thomas Partey, and now to Declan Rice and Mikel Merino. It was always described as a journey and it certainly has been. And the way William Saliba was managed on loan before arriving here as one of the best central defenders we’ve seen, shows how the journey, the planning and upgrading is working.
But standing imperious above the upgrades have been more than a handful of players. Bukayo Saka might easily have been usurped by Pepe or Fabio Viera, but we know who won that battle! Martin Ødergaard has just gone from strength to strength, and there’s never been any sign that he would need to be upgraded – although the shortage of understudies may well impact on us come the end of the season.
But perhaps the best example of someone resisting the upgrade is Saliba’s partner and leading scorer, Gabriel. When we had Takehero Tomiyasu ready to play in the centre, Jakub Kiwior and then Timber it seemed Big Gabby’s time was up. Left out of the starting line-ups, moves abroad were the talk of the tabloids. Now look at him. Was it fortune (or other players’ misfortune with injuries) or sheer determination and ability? Doesn’t matter. He’s going to be an icon and a legend!
But as the transfer window nears, who’s next for an upgrade. Your guess…..
Richard Smith
December 6 2024