After the conquering the four tournaments that we disputed last season, I was more than confortable to declare that we would retain the Premier League title. But I decided to declare that I would challenge the title, as I will prioritize the Champions League this season. But still work hard to retain the title. Man City is the favourite for conquering the EPL, followed by Man Utd and then we appear in third place.
Season Objectives:
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Champions League Title
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Retain Premier League Trophy
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FA Cup and Carling Cup will be played by reserve and young players.
Kits made for this coming season!
After the season ended, I had Sergio Busquets, Andre Ayew, Theo Walcott, Marek Hamsik, Robin van Persie and Wojciech Szczesny declaring that they wanted a new challenge and that they had conquered all they could aim at Arsenal. I managed to convince all but Hamsik and Szczesny to remain in London. The good in their moves was the amount of cash that flowed in. Real Madrid and Barcelona paid respectively for Midfielder and Keeper, £35M and £22.5M. Though Ranocchia was on my plans, I had to accept Real Madrid’s insistence in signing him. Their first bid came in the £18M, then on the £25M, when they arrived with the £30M, I could not refuse it, but the Italian defender could! For my happiness, Ranocchia accepted my £25k wage rise to stay in London for another three seasons!
Initially I would have John Ruddy assume the number one shirt, but then found out Marc-André ter Stegen’s contract was not renewed, and the German keeper accepted my offer. This will keep Ruddy another season as a backup keeper. Hamsik’s role in the club was as a captain and one of the most important players in my strategy. He will not be easy to substitute. But young Serbian Ivan Petkovic has monster attributes at the age of 22. He has served his country at senior level 11 times and scoring once. The player who might get Hamsik’s spot at first instance is Andrea Bertolacci, a 25 year old solid midfielder, who can tackle, create players, is quick and deadly off the ball. A good player that came in free from Roma.
Cesc Fabregas is back after a return to Spanish football. Now 29 years old, more experienced, Cesc will have to work hard to earn his spot back with the Gunners. Another motive for Fabregas to work hard, is the arrival of Sergio Canales, from Real Madrid under the Bosman Ruling. The 25 year old playmaker will be used in a possible formation with an attacking trequartista. Thinking English, I decided to sign young Ross Barkley, who has good attributes, and promises to be a good player. He has already defended the English Team but still has a lot to learn. Peter Phillips role at the club will be to serve on the left flank as a versatile player like Coentrão and Robinson. I will use a lot of the fullbacks like I did last season, and intensive rotation will happen.
Something big that I tend to do is promote a lot of player movement on loan. This season’s loans where quite profitable! My young future stars are showing great signs of talent, and it is clearly visible as clubs now want to pay some good amount for loan deals. Most of these deals where with agreed clauses, but I believe that I can offer new contract for these players by the end of their loan deals and retain them in the squad. I will pay special attention to Becerra’s, Dier’s, Schwertz’s and Helgeland’s growth.
I close this post at the end of July. So there is still chances transfers. But so far this is what I have done so far.
Objectives
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2 year plan for 2018 World Cup
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Rebuild the National Pool
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Focus on players around 25-28 years old
Possible stars:
Sebastien Corchia, Mamadou Sakho, Yann M’Vila, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane, Yaya Sanogo
Nik (9)
