FM18: Arsenal - Victoria Concordia Crescit

[yey]

just wondering who do you guys buy to replace petr cech? do you start with him or immediately sell him in the first season?

[Sean3h]

26 minutes ago, yey said:

just wondering who do you guys buy to replace petr cech? do you start with him or immediately sell him in the first season?

I'm starting to think about that now. Stoke and Everton both got relegated in my game, so I'm trying to decide whether to bring in Butland or Pickford - I can get them both for a similar amount and on similar wages.

[toby14]

13 hours ago, yey said:

just wondering who do you guys buy to replace petr cech? do you start with him or immediately sell him in the first season?

I Sold Cech to PSG for £25m and signed Donnaruma for £38m. 

[Yoeri]

I prefer to sign Donnarumma but maybe an English goalkeeper would be nicer. Butland or Pickford indeed.  

Otherwise Predrag Rajkovic is a great prospect. 

[gholliday87]

1 hour ago, Yoeri said:

Predrag Rajkovic is a great prospect. 

Think this is who I got to replace Cech in the long run.

[yey]

18 hours ago, Sean3h said:

I'm starting to think about that now. Stoke and Everton both got relegated in my game, so I'm trying to decide whether to bring in Butland or Pickford - I can get them both for a similar amount and on similar wages.

both look good in my save but i dont think they will sell them to me. both everton and stoke are not doing very well at the moment though. let see what happens at the end of the first season. if i were to go for either one of them, i'd prefer pickford

[yey]

5 hours ago, toby14 said:

I Sold Cech to PSG for £25m and signed Donnaruma for £38m. 

how do you manage to het Donnaruma for only that 38m? is it because of his release clause?in my save, his release clause is 67m pound. do you think they'll settle for anything less?

[yey]

1 hour ago, gholliday87 said:

Think this is who I got to replace Cech in the long run.

never heard of him. will have a look.cheers

[toby14]

Just now, yey said:

how do you manage to het Donnaruma for only that 38m? is it because of his release clause?in my save, his release clause is 67m pound. do you think they'll settle for anything less?

Was right at the end of the window, i offered £38m and 50% sell on fee, a great clause that knocks down prices for players you know you'll never sell. 

[yey]

55 minutes ago, toby14 said:

Was right at the end of the window, i offered £38m and 50% sell on fee, a great clause that knocks down prices for players you know you'll never sell. 

ah, never thought of using sell on fee to knock down the price. good tips 

[Yoeri]

Still top of the league. Now we have to do our jobs. Get that title.

[Woho]

Just sold Lacazette after 194 games, 185 goals and 45 assists across all comps. What a player he has been for me over the last seasons! 

[Yoeri]

4 minutes ago, Woho said:

Just sold Lacazette after 194 games, 185 goals and 45 assists across all comps. What a player he has been for me over the last seasons! 

Amazing stats.  Who's the new 1# striker?

[Woho]

The regens are about to take over, with this guy leading the line: 

Of real players I have Moise Kean, Vinicius Junior and Malcom playing out wide in a 4-3-3.

[Yoeri]

7 minutes ago, Woho said:

The regens are about to take over, with this guy leading the line: 

Of real players I have Moise Kean, Vinicius Junior and Malcom playing out wide in a 4-3-3.

Damn. What a beauty!  All of the three real player you have left are in my shortlist. Which one do you like the most?

I just signed Donnarumma.  

[Woho]

Its hard to pick one of Junior and and Kean. They have been absolutely amazing both of them. I add screenshots of them if you consider to buy any of them: 

If I have to pick one, I have to say Kean. Scoring for fun now, but I play him as an IF on the left and Junior as a winger on the right is its kind of understandable that his tally is better. Both of them are extremely good, so if you can pick any of them up I would say its a no-brainer. They teared the league apart last season, with just one annoying loss against Leicester: 

[Giraffin]

4 minutes ago, Woho said:

Its hard to pick one of Junior and and Kean. They have been absolutely amazing both of them. I add screenshots of them if you consider to buy any of them: 

If I have to pick one, I have to say Kean. Scoring for fun now, but I play him as an IF on the left and Junior as a winger on the right is its kind of understandable that his tally is better. Both of them are extremely good, so if you can pick any of them up I would say its a no-brainer. They teared the league apart last season, with just one annoying loss against Leicester: 

Insane results! Do you mind showing us your tactic? and also how you've progressed in pl over the years ? cheers

[Yoeri]

@Woho **** mate. That is a difficuly decision. Both look great. 

How much did you paid for Vinicius Jr? I saw you bought Kean for 20 million pounds. Thats a bargain. 

Thanks for the screenshots.  

[Woho]

Here are the league tables:

 

.. And then the last season that went very well. I also won EL first season, 4 CLs with one runner-up where I lost the final to Barca. The tactics have of course varied a bit over the seasons, but I've mainly played a wide 4-3-3, but now I got two amazing regen wingers that made me develop a 4-4-2 with regular wingers as well. Now I rotating between the two:

 

[Giraffin]

4 minutes ago, Woho said:

Here are the league tables:

 

.. And then the last season that went very well. I also won EL first season, 4 CLs with one runner-up where I lost the final to Barca. The tactics have of course varied a bit over the seasons, but I've mainly played a wide 4-3-3, but now I got two amazing regen wingers that made me develop a 4-4-2 with regular wingers as well. Now I rotating between the two:

 

Interesting, im more of a 4231 guy myself. I have recently played with the thought of using a 442. Also loving that you snatched Alli from the Sp*rs

[Woho]

1 minute ago, Giraffin said:

Also loving that you snatched Alli from the Sp*rs

Hehe, I just had to! I also picked up Alderweireld a few seasons ago, but I sold after last season as he turned 34. Bought Alli at deadline day last summer and Sp*rs just escaped relegation as they didnt have the time to find a replacement. 

[yey]

just submitted offer for Moise Kean for 7.5mill pound upfront + 7.5mill pound over 12 months (3 installments) and 35% of profit from next sale in Jan 2018. Want him to come at the end of Serie A season. And Juventus accepted my offer. just waiting to negotiate the contract now

 

EDIT : I got my man! Offered him 45k per week with for three years. Hope he turns out to be good.

[Yoeri]

We become the Champions of 2017/2018!  

Some screens of the impact of my team are here:

          

[john1]

Well done on your season @Yoeri  I have also started with Arsenal, currently in November, sitting top by 3 points

[Yoeri]

1 hour ago, john1 said:

Well done on your season @Yoeri  I have also started with Arsenal, currently in November, sitting top by 3 points

Thanks John. Great work. How do you play?  Did you do any incoming or outcoming transfers? 

Elneny is a beast. Currently worth €61 million. Walcott crashed the opponents with his assists (24). 

I sold Sanchez and had to get an replacement. But Walcott, Welbeck, Nelson and Iwobi are doing great. Unfortunately Welbeck his injuries are coming back several times. You can't build on this injuries. 

Walcott: 16 goals 24 assists

Welbeck: 12 goals 8 assists

Iwobi: 10 goals - 4 assists

Nelson: 8 goals - 9 assists

[craiigman]

On 07/12/2017 at 19:53, Woho said:

Here are the league tables:

 

.. And then the last season that went very well. I also won EL first season, 4 CLs with one runner-up where I lost the final to Barca. The tactics have of course varied a bit over the seasons, but I've mainly played a wide 4-3-3, but now I got two amazing regen wingers that made me develop a 4-4-2 with regular wingers as well. Now I rotating between the two:

 

That’s a lot of TI’s, clearly working, but do you know why? Lol any PI’s?

[Yoeri]

Real Madrid is looking for a replacement for Zidane. My name is in the rumours. 

But way too early. I wanna destroy Real in the CL.

 

[Woho]

On 12.12.2017 at 18:25, craiigman said:

That’s a lot of TI’s, clearly working, but do you know why? Lol any PI’s?

I feel like the computer "learns how you play" if you play too similar all the time. The main reason was to make it different from the 4-4-2 where I dont have many instructions. I wanted one quick, attacking tactic and one more patient, possession based tactic, but I change them up from time to time just to get some variation.

[Yoeri]

How's life as a Arsenal manager going for you right now? @Woho

Off-topic: Did you enjoy Wilshere yesterday?  

[coylemac]

Hey Guys,

I thought I would put my 2 cents in to try and give people an idea of what I did as Arsenal when starting a save.

Its tempting to shift all the players you don't want and replace them, but remember squad balance and loads of new signings affects you quite considerably at the start.

I am currently in February in my current season, playing 4-4-2 which is the first time I have ever strayed away from the standard 4231 in about 4-5 years. I am top of the league with P27, W20, D5, L2 and 65pts. Man United in 2nd have 57.

Sold:

First Window

Alexis Sanchez - (Offered him for 80, negotiated the 45 million offers up) 60 Million -> Manchester City

Mathieu Debuchy - (Offered for 7 million, negotiated the 4 million offers up) 6.75 Million -> Monaco

January Window

Theo Walcott (Offered for 20, non negotiable offer came in accepted as wages are crazy) 15 Million -> Newcastle

Mohamed Elneny (Wanted to keep him at least until year 2, Jan as offers good cover but moaned about playing time) 25 Million (10k per week to Leicester)

 

Purchased:

First Window

Nabil Fekir - 30 Million

January Window

Arthur - 20 Million (End of Season Transfer)

Milinkovic Savic - 40 Million (End of Season Transfer)

 

GK Replacement Scouts

Predrag Rajkovic

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Will Mannion

 

DC Replacement Scouts

Issa Diop

Daniele Rugani

Jose Gimenez

Jonathan Tah

Wallace

 

Planning to Shift -> Ramsey, Lucas, Welbeck, Joel Campbell, Jenkinson, Ospina - At somepoint during year 2.

 

[Yoeri]

Nice mate. For me Ramsey, Welbeck and Elneny are incredible amazing. 

How does your 4-4-2 looks like?   @coylemac

[john1]

Some matches took me a surprise! Disappointed with Newcastle loss as Ozil and Welbeck mistakes led to both goals. Watford game was meh, came back twice until Troy Deeney (who got hat trick) scored the winner in injury times  

Currently 1st by 2 points as we heading toward end of December 2017, Finished top of my Europa League group, now got drawn against AC Milan, in last 16, first leg away  Been playing couple youngsters in Europa League. Now Mustafi wants to leave the club as there interest from Bayern Munich, I am happy to let him go as Holdings and Chambers been playing well in his absence. Few days later, Kolašinac, informed me he wants to leave the club for PSG  I am currently looking at couple left back to replace him.

I am impressed with Coyle's progress, decided to give him few games in Europa League, and have been impressive from AMR.

Have to be impressed with this guy, currently keeping Giroud, out of the team  

Transfers

Delighted to get stupid money from Man City for Sanchez   I was reluctant to let Kos go  But money was too good to turn down for 31 years old

IN

Nissen - was recommend by my scout, as i felt we are short on cover for Bellrin, currently gone back on loan.

Thill - was found by Steve Walsh our DOF, very promising player.

Smalling - As Kos left, I decided to sign Smalling as he's a decent player and  done well since joining us  

Caleta-Car - Was also recommend by my scout, I got high hopes for this guy, currently keeping Per out of the team.

Xadas -  Was also signed by Steve Walsh   According to Bould, got similar potential to Ozil.

 

Incoming transfer

Timo Horn - 15.5M - joining us in January and I see him as long term number 1 keeper. To compete with Cech for starting spot.

Hidde Jurjus -  1.4M - will join us in the summer as he's on loan to Roda JC, felt we are lacking decent covers for Cech.

Moise Kean -  12.25M - Join us in the summer, ratec highly by my scout, so I swooped in to sign him for long term.

 

OUT
Monreal - will be joining PSG for 19.25M in January  - Bizarrely PSG wanted him and offered him under 20M, I gladly accepted it as he wasn't getting enough games under me.

[john1]

Have to say I am really enjoying Arsenal save, which I didn't enjoy on any previous versions. I have also managed to tie down Ozil to new contract  

Trae Coyle progress

September

December

Got to admit, I didn't expect him to develop quickly  He's currently being tutored by Danny Welbeck  

[TheBigBoss]

Any youngster made the full breakthrough into the first team ? I’m 3 seasons in and the closest is Nelson hasn’t developed as much as I want but he’s fallen victim to my 3-4-2-1 formation 

[Yoeri]

Thats why i never play without real wingers. 4-1-2-3 is great for Nelson, Iwobi and Coyle  

[TheBigBoss]

Iwobi this season more than most (2019/20) seems to be flourishing more than most, Chambers has benefitted loads from it essentially saved his career, Ben Sheaf looks interesting 

[Yoeri]

Ben Sheaf, Bielik, Smith-Rowe, Maitland-Niles, Balogun and Trae Coyle are some prospects I like to have. 

Season 2: the Champions League draw: Real Madrid (beat them 0-1 away in pre-season), Dinamo Kiev (beat them last year in EL 7-4) and Europa League runner up RBL (beat them 2-3 in final EL). 

 

[Matt1981]

Send youth on loan or try and play a few games?  What’s best way to improve them ?

 

im on about the usual arsenal 4/5 good young players 

[Yoeri]

50 minutes ago, Matt1981 said:

Send youth on loan or try and play a few games?  What’s best way to improve them ?

 

im on about the usual arsenal 4/5 good young players 

I did it last version (FM17) with every player in a decent defining role.

Now I use my best talents in under 23 team so I have a closer look on the development. 

[Manxie_Ash]

 

This may be the most frustrated I've ever been at a game of Football Manager...

[Yoeri]

1 hour ago, Manxie_Ash said:

 

This may be the most frustrated I've ever been at a game of Football Manager...

Wow. That number of shots is a lot in my opinion. How do you play? 4-2-3-1?

I hate Welbeck at the moment. 

[Manxie_Ash]

19 minutes ago, Yoeri said:

Wow. That number of shots is a lot in my opinion. How do you play? 4-2-3-1?

I hate Welbeck at the moment. 

Yeahh, I play a 4-2-31 but it's not working all that well at the moment. With Ozil being long term injured I'm probably going to switch to a 4-1-4-1.

I'm trying to retrain Welbeck to be an AMC, and he made 105 passes in that game which was his first. Lacazette has been shockingly bad for me so far, I can't seem to get him right

[Yoeri]

5 minutes ago, Manxie_Ash said:

Yeahh, I play a 4-2-31 but it's not working all that well at the moment. With Ozil being long term injured I'm probably going to switch to a 4-1-4-1.

I'm trying to retrain Welbeck to be an AMC, and he made 105 passes in that game which was his first. Lacazette has been shockingly bad for me so far, I can't seem to get him right

How come? Lacazette was on fire for me previous season. 53 goals in one season.  

I play Welbeck on the wing or as a central striker, but he is so many times injured. Hate that. 4-1-4-1 is great with a running midfielder.

[TheBigBoss]

WE DONE IT AGAIN !!! Twice in 3 seasons this one felt a bit more sweeter as we snatched the title back off Mourinho and we broke the record points tally in the process, next season I really want to crack the CL I was unlucky this season that I faced Madrid in the quarters but next season I'm going all out for the CL

[Yoeri]

56 minutes ago, TheBigBoss said:

WE DONE IT AGAIN !!! Twice in 3 seasons this one felt a bit more sweeter as we snatched the title back off Mourinho and we broke the record points tally in the process, next season I really want to crack the CL I was unlucky this season that I faced Madrid in the quarters but next season I'm going all out for the CL

Nice job @TheBigBoss How do you play and who are your best players?  

[TheBigBoss]

22 minutes ago, Yoeri said:

Nice job @TheBigBoss How do you play and who are your best players?  

Went with this approach from the off best players are probably Ozil and Pulisic they're normally the two behind the striker 

[TheBigBoss]

Sorry for the screenshot with no players lol most aren't back from pre season 

[Ragingsheep]

Is it possible to sell Sanchez to PSG at the start of the game? So far, I can only attract interest from English sides. 

 

Edit: Ok so it turns out that you can get Sanchez to sign a new contract as per this reddit post. I just got Sanchez to renew until 2021 on a £185k pw, with a £10m bonus. All I did was sign Savic for £33m and I did still keep Wenger on as DoF. 

[Yoeri]

Based on real life it's more realistisch to let him go in my opinion. Shows a lack of teamspirit. 

[feche]

I love this guy.