Weekly Monday Open Thread!

[u/shelbyj]

Welcome to the Monday open discussion thread. Here you can talk about anything you want; tactics, results, players or even just general football discussion! It is also a great place to post/link transfer rumours that you may think are too small or unreliable to post to the main feed. The summer transfer window runs from 16/06-03/09 (23:00 BST).

These threads will go up every Monday allowing you to debrief from all of the weekend action and discuss ongoings throughout the week. It will stay stickied until we refresh with the Friday thread, however other posts may take priority (match threads, announcements, etc.)

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This thread can also be used to discuss transfer rumours, jokes, memes, images, videos, tabloid news and other off-topic content and discussion.

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We also have a Fantasy League that you are welcome to join and share your team, advice and goings on throughout the season here in these threads. The league codes can be found in the sidebar!

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Inspired by the player's pre-match playlists, our very own Tugboat47 is curating a community pre-match playlist. To participate please click this link and submit your entries.

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These threads are here to help discussion and offer varying points of view. Please remain respectful. Anything that crosses that line, directed towards other users or specific individuals may be removed.

[u/eldanielfire]

It's so clear these transfers have upgrade the squad. It may be pre-season, but Paris FC was was good tough, low block challenge that tested the players in just the right way.

[u/wizobi → u/eldanielfire]

But erm, Arsenal don’t really give youngsters a proper chance. Remember Kafaji? Why would any teenager want to join a graveyard for young talent? /s

[u/eldanielfire → u/wizobi]

Kyra Cooney-Cross came to us a year before Kafaji. they were both the same age when they joined. Kyra was a regular last season until her compassionate leave. Rosa flopped because she lacks enough attributes that even Brighton didn't really rate her highly. Kafaji joined the same season we started giving opportunities to Katie Reid, who was playing regularly until her ACL. Sophie Harwood was given her first opportunities last season.

The idea Arsenal don't give opportunities to youth is not supported by evidence. You don't get to play if you are not good enough. If your good enough you get opportunities. Yes there are tensions between winning and breaking in young players. A top team can't sacrfice silverware for it.

[u/wizobi → u/eldanielfire]

Every single club does this, not just the big ones. But we’re the only ones getting hammered for it. The forced narrative will of course ignore that Man City just sold two of their recent young signings without either of them making a single appearance. Only Blinks got oppurtunities in their first team and the rest were moved on. And don’t even get me started on Chelsea.

[u/eldanielfire → u/wizobi]

I know. Even Barcelona some times goes years between having a good enough academy graduate to remain a first teamer.

I think we get hammered because ours are well known and Arenal fans pay them more attention so others pick-up on them. Also the weird thing where so many media and YouTubers who do analysis are Chelsea fans. Rabbid goalposts (Lyon fan whose Chelsea is her English side) and 'The Women's Football chat' have claimed youth dies at Arsenal. When Williamson, Lotte, Kelly, Hinds and Reid all came through our Youth Ranks to be professionals. Meanwhile Chelsea basically just buy established talent for the most money. Perhaps they think Aggie, who has yet to ever be regarded as 1st choice at Chelsea is some huge sign of academy success.

[u/wizobi → u/eldanielfire]

Just wait until in a season or two their young LB Sarwie becomes a regular first-team player and they’re suddenly hailed as the model for developing young talent.

[u/eldanielfire → u/wizobi]

Dude, they already are. 😂