Arsenal - Contracted Players Only

[rey_qur]

Firstly, please check out my first Arsenal Save (here)

As that was a "fun" save where I purchased players such as Salah, Bellingham & Rice. In all honesty, it not in the realms of possibility that Arsenal would purchase these players.

Thus, as I do in each FM save, I will start a second Arsenal save, but only use players that are employed by Arsenal IRL.

Meaning, no signings that are NOT currently with the club. Below are the RULES;

1. Only players employed under Arsenal
2. Can match the transfers from real life (If Arsenal buy 'x' IRL, then I can match this in my save'
3. I can use loaned players once they return such as Guendouzi, Saliba, Nelson, etc.
4. I can re-sign players that are still employed by Arsenal

e.g. of Rule #4: Should I sell Bakayo Saka, I am able to re-sign him in my save - as long as he is still contracted to Arsenal in reality.

 

[rey_qur]

 

[rey_qur]

A really solid start to the season as we go the opening months unbeaten.

With a focus on using the Hale-End boys in the wide positions, I certainly feel we are good enough to challenge for the top 4.

 

[rey_qur]

Really starting to cook on gas now, and such a spread of the goals. Very disappointing to get beaten in the Carabao, however a really excellent position to be in at this point of the season.

 

[rey_qur]

Gary Neville catches up with manager Rey Quraishi:

Rey, we're a third into the PL season, what is your assessment so far?

Very happy how we have settled into the system and also the transitions both on and off the ball. I feel the squad has "bought in" to the philosophy and I cannot complain with where we are at this moment.


Start of the season, you did not really set a specific target, has that changed now?

I certainly feel that with the start to the season, we can certainly sustain our good form and push to finish in the UCL places.


Your report on your new signings so far?

Ramsdale - Brilliant distribution and really in great form to concede in only half of the games
White - 3 goals already this season which is a huge bonus, dribbles into advanced areas wonderfully
Tomiyasu - 4 assist already and so solid defensively
Tavares - 2 assists and already been called into the team with Tierney's niggles
Lokonga - Pretty established in the team, verycomfortable on the ball
Odegaard - 10 returns in 14 games and the chief protagonist in everything creative


Thanks Rey and good luck!

 

[rey_qur]

We certainly are a threat in the league, but very angry about the FA Cup elimination. Joint top with Liverpool and the performances have been a little less expansive, and more of a grind.

 

[rey_qur]

Completely outclassed by MCI, but went back on a run of high scoring games.

Below are the tactics I have used for years;

• High possession
• Creation from isolated areas
• Set-piece routines
• Keep defensive structured

​

CURRENT TACTICS: 4-3-3 DM wide Tiki-Taka

 

[rey_qur]

UCL qualification assured, but its a straight shootout with LIV for the league.

With us just 3 points ahead going into the biggest game of the season...

THE TITLE DECIDER

With 3 games to play, and leading LIV by 3 points, we need to avoid defeat to be in a position to win the league.

HUGE RESULT!!!!!!!!

Imminent title win surely....

 

[rey_qur]

WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start of the season, I aimed for UCL qualification... But to win the league with these players is incredible!

 

[rey_qur]

SEASON REVIEW

 

[rey_qur]

Start of the season, there was a predictable apprehension about the appointment of Rey Quraishi.

As a highly regarded mental performance coach, it was an astounding appointment to replace Arteta.

However, with an understanding of tactical strategy and communication, there was never a doubt in his ideas, but more around his experience of handling pressure under the lights.

But the coaching structure has been very smart, Steve Round handles the media and Rey handles the team.

With Round leaving and being replaced by Thierry Henry as Assistant Manager, we expect that dynamic to continue.

To the actual season, what Arsenal have done this season is nigh on miraculous. With an expected finish of sixth, Rey led the team to their first title in almost 20 years.

The back to back wins vs LIV & MCI made us start to really think that the gunners could win the title. That coupled with the gorgeous football Rey has introduced.

With the UCL back on the schedule, I feel the gunners will need to strengthen to compete on multiple fronts.

But under Rey, I feel this could be the start of a real revolution of sustained success.

Congratulations to Arsenal!

 

[rey_qur]

NOT ONE SIGNING

 

[rey_qur]

Players of the season

 

[rey_qur]

Season 2022/23 Prep...

A lot of squad trimming done in preparation for the second season.

With the return of many players loaned out last season, I have decided to keep in the squad;

Having an apt cover for Odegaard in the AP position is a concern, Patino is an exciting prospect, but still only 18. Will train AMN as an AP to hopefully perform when he is inevitably required to play.

I have a few really talented young players that will get some minutes during the busy schedule;

Of course, to supplement the influx of players, here are some notable sales;

Super excited for the start of the season, let's see what we can do with the UCL back on our schedule...

 

[rey_qur]

July/ August

Electrifying start to the season as we end the month with a 100% record. The team are already improving from last season and have added to the unbeaten sequence from last season.

With the key focus being on ball retention and possession, we strangle the life out of the opponents and are clinical in front of goal.

Aubameyang has started the season brilliantly after stripping him of the captaincy - an action that seems to have released the shackles of team responsibility, now he can focus on being the deadly marksman that is required to compete on multiple fronts this season.

Fully fit squad and excited to play in the UCL again...

 

[rey_qur]

Pre Qatar World Cup Review

A mixed 3 months but a good run of wins before the 6 week break during WC22.

A huge "smash and grab" victory over MUN gives us a 3 point lead at the top of the table.

Aubameyang has really impressed with some vital goals...

Into the Last 16 of the UCL but as runners-up, thus likely a tougher draw.

Just the 7 players selected for the World Cup, but with the way the squad are developing, I am sure this will significantly grow in 4 years

 

[rey_qur]

Happy belated New Year guys...

I know it has been a while, as I have been moving house and also had a lot of work to do, could not update my manager story.

However, I have completed a few seasons and will give quick reviews of each..

 

[rey_qur]

Season 2022/23

After a fantastic title win, this is the summary of the 2nd season...

Keeping to the "save rule" of only using contracted Arsenal players IRL, we sold quite a bit of squad fodder and focused on the current players and some future prospects.

Quite a brilliant PL campaign as we cruised to retaining the title with 3 games to spare.

Contributions across the board. We did not go far in the other competitions, but getting a great balance of experience and youth.

 

[rey_qur]

Season 2023/24

Third season and would like a run at the other competitions but the focus is always the league as I want domestic dominance as the priority.

I would have liked to keep Guendouzi, however he is just as challenging like real life, thus it was best to sell as he was affecting squad harmony.

FA Cup victory - a trophy that is synonymous with my youth, I never had doubts we would win as our squad is in such a good place at the moment.

A HAT-TRICK OF TITLES

This really did go down to the last day and a clutch victory against the Villans sealed the title.

-------------------------------

More apps for Patino and Biereth as our once youth candidates are becoming central figures in the squad.

Also, Martinelli is legitimately a superstar

 

[rey_qur]

Season 2024/25

After the "3-peat" and the FA Cup, really going into the fourth season wanting a run at the UCL.

With previously quite average campaigns, wanted to put some real priority on the trophy.

More fodder sold as we have gone 4 seasons and not a signing.

FOUR-MIDABLE!!!!

Okie, this is sill now

We are just clutch in the key moments and go on fantastic winning streaks which blew the opposition away.

B2B FA Cups means a double-double of domestic titles to cups.

Very happy with the squad and performances.

TREBLE!!!!
Backs to the wall job as we adopted a low block and countered to full affect. Absolutely delighted as the team have achieved immortality.

Just a super squad now with youth talent across the board. With more prospects coming through the ranks, I am really excited to how far we can go.