English Week: turbulent performances from Arsenal and Newcastle, we’re waiting for a big transfer

A demanding match schedule, which includes the FA Cup, big and difficult behind-the-scenes battles in the transfer market, when it is almost impossible to strengthen the team with a world-class player. Newcastle in particular know this. We will discuss all this and much more in our English Week section.

The magical and cruel FA Cup

The New Year brings a packed match schedule to English stadiums that “separates the wheat from the chaff”. The demanding fixture calendar, which regularly sees an English week, will show which teams have a quality enough squad to cope on multiple fronts.

The magic (and cruelty) of the FA Cup has been experienced first-hand by Newcastle and Arsenal footballers. Both Premier League sides lost 0-1, the Magpies were knocked out by third-tier Cambridge and the Gunners by second-tier Notthingham. The northerners couldn’t shoot through the visitors’ goalkeeper with the A-team, with whom they will fight to stay in the top flight.

Arsenal, on the other hand, didn’t get any scoring chances at all, the worst performance in months completely degraded the game they showed against Manchester City (1::2) – heaven and bagpipes. The oldest league competition set a mirror for both teams – the harsh reality of the current squad.

Only four players in the starting line-up started for Arsenal and the drop in quality was drastic. Lokonga and Patin created a huge hole between defence and attack, therefore stoppers and flankers were getting the high line when playing the ball and it was almost impossible to set up a promising attack through Saku, Odegaard and Martinelli. No need to talk about Nketiah’s zero contribution.

Arteta’s list of reinforcements must have landed at least four new signings. A ready-made central midfielder, a right back, a stopper and a top striker. Howe certainly has an even wider list. The Newcastle coach can make his first tick in the form of Kieran Trippier. But will it be enough?

Newcastle must dominate the transfer market – if they want to hold on

Absolutely not, the Magpies need to strengthen at full strength. But that’s almost impossible in January – if you need to bring in quality and not quantity. Arab petrodollars won’t help either. Clubs will not want to get rid of key players in the winter transfer window and jeopardise their season.

Examples are Sven Botman (Lille) and Diego Carlos (Sevilla). Here, only a fat transfer fee would soften the parent clubs. It will be easier for players who are not thriving with their current sponsor – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Ross Barkley or Aaron Ramsey.

Here, however, the decision is whether the players want to go digging for salvation, while it is certain that the footballing quality of the rest of the potential teammates does not exactly abound. Newcastle have completed the first of four transfer weeks and the signing of right-back Trippier is very much out of the question.

Every game and potential point earner can decide being or not being in the best league in the world. Just like every game can decide the title. And that’s what happened at the Emirates Stadium.

The title goes to Manchester

Arsenal produced their best performance in months against Pep Guardiola’s squad. Staying three points in London, no one would be surprised. Only, the Gunners deprived themselves of deserved points through their own mistakes.

Manchester City (given Chelsea’s draw with Liverpool) have a ten-point lead at the top of the table that is almost unattainable. With the quality of the Citizens, the title will go 90% back to the Etihad Stadium. The eyes of the fans will be on the battle for Champions League tickets.

Will we see a big transfer in the future?

Premier League clubs are silent on the transfer front. The biggest transfer could be the aforementioned Trippier. Is there a ticking bomb that someone in the top six will detonate in the coming weeks?

We don’t see transfers in excess of £50 million that often in January. Only van Dijk, Aubameyang and Fernandes have moved for huge sums in the last five years. In the middle of the season, clubs are increasingly turning to the option of a loan move with a (mandatory) option.

A lot of activity can be expected from teams at the bottom of the table. Clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa or Everton can also spend tens of millions of pounds for a single transfer. Will a giant transfer come to fruition at these clubs?

Source: Transfermarkt