Arsenal and Spurs squad assessment

Again, no crazy intro, just getting right into it.

Spurs

GK

Lloris

Gollini (loanee)

LB CB RB

Reguilon Romero Doherty

Sessegnon Dier Emerson

Davies Sanchez

Tanganga

Rodon

DM CM AM

Skipp Hojbjerg Lo Celso (loan)

Winks Bentancur Devine (U23)

Sarr (loan) Ndombele (loan)

LW CF RW

Son Kane Kulusevski

Bergwijn Scarlett (U23) Lucas

Bryan Gil (loan)

Even with the players loaned out, there aren't any contract issues. I guess Levy learned from the past when the old core aged and left for little to nothing. The squad is light, even with the guys potentially coming back. I realize Conte plays with a back 3/5, but if they get at least Europa League football the lack of depth (and quality in some spots) will be glaring. I didn't list young players like Devine, Scarlett, and White because Conte is known for not trusting young players.

I've gone through Arsenal since writing that first part, and here's what I'll say about Spurs. Up front it's no contest with Kane and Son, who are now supported by Kulusevski. Of course, there's nothing close to a deputy for Kane, so if he's out for any time the team's screwed. What I'd do to address that and frankly the lack of creativity in the squad is introduce at least one interesting CM, probably two, and find another player who does some of what Kane does up front. One of those could be from the academy (Devine and or White). I think Gil will end up going; I don't see him as a wing back in this system and he's better on the left. Probably back to Spain. Atleti could use him, or Betis/La Real. No idea what to expect from Sarr, given where he's at (Metz in Ligue 1) and the fact that he's never played for Spurs.

There are also positions of need, which I've addressed before. Namely LCB in the back 3, given the limitations of Davies and the fact that he's the only left footer there. Also an RWB as Emerson seems like a money laundering deal to help Barcelona, and Doherty needs to be upgraded on. You could technically use Son (and Scarlett) as a striker if need be and bring back Gil to fight for the LW spot with Bergwijn. That would save money. Not inspiring in the slightest though. They also need a goalkeeper to eventually replace Lloris.

First XI example:

Lloris; Gvardiol Dier Romero; Sessegnon Hojbjerg Skipp Maehle; Son Kane Kulusevski

Backup XI example:

Meslier; Davies Sanchez Rodon; Reguilon Bentancur Sarr Doherty; Bergwijn Scarlett Lucas

Arsenal

GK

Ramsdale

Leno

Turner (incoming)

LB CB RB

Tierney White Tomiyasu

Tavares Gabriel Cedric

Saliba (loan) Bellerin (loan)

Holding

Mavropanos (loan)

DM CM AM

Partey Xhaka Odegaard

Elneny* Lokonga Smith-Rowe

Torreira (loan)

LW CF RW

Martinelli Lacazette* Saka

Nketiah* Pepe

Having done Spurs first, I see Arsenal as more settled in terms of an XI but worse off squad wise. I don't like that Arteta has gotten rid of so many players, even if it's just a loan. The contract situation is also worse in that both strikers are gone this summer and a number of fringe guys expire in 2023. I didn't even list some of those, but it's Leno, Nelson, Maitland-Niles, Bellerin, Torreira, Mavropanos. If they weren't trusted this season, why would they extend or even be in the squad next season? The back of the team is actually fine, though you'd probably want a better attacking right back than Bellerin or Cedric to balance the defensive nature of Tomiyasu. Saliba comes back, assuming he's trusted to actually play a game for Arsenal, and that's like a new signing. One midfielder is needed, seeing as Elneny expires and Torreira is likely staying at Fiorentina. Striker is pressing, and they could probably use a right footed winger. If Pepe leaves, a left footed winger would be useful as well. So all that said, the current state of Arsenal is good, but next year will need to be properly prepared for. That means getting at least one striker, probably two, and filling out the squad.

First XI example:

Ramsdale; Tierney White Saliba Tomiyasu; Tielemans Partey; ESR Odegaard Saka; Calvert-Lewin

Backup XI example:

Turner; Tavares Gabriel Holding Mavropanos; Xhaka Tavares; Martinelli Patino Pepe; Balogun

As it stands, the final Champions League spot will (almost certainly) come down to these two, and Arsenal are in the driver's seat. If that's how it goes, Conte could walk, as that's what he does. Or he could stay and deal with the Europa League, knowing both the history of Spurs and how difficult that competition can be. I suppose you can't count Man Utd out yet, given they play Arsenal heads up and are only one point behind Spurs. They all have pretty poor goal differentials, which emphasizes the gap between all three of those and Chelsea, who are a level below the top two.

Point is, both of these clubs need Champions League football and to continue to improve their squads. Conte is a better short term option, but Arteta and Arsenal are in a better position long term. That's mainly due to Arsenal having a young core and a coach who looks to control the game WITH the ball, as opposed to without it.