Arsene Wenger has gone and Unai Emery is his replacement, but what if you took control of Arsenal instead?
Football FanCast have run the rule over the Emirates outfit on FIFA 19, looking at what you should expect if you were the Gunners’ next manager.
The board’s expectations
After being out of contention for the Premier League title in recent years, Arsenal’s board place domestic success as a high priority for your first season in charge. This does not mean you have to go out and win the league in your first season, but they demand you at least finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League and reach the FA Cup Final.
Beyond domestic success, you are also expected to win the Europa League and bring a European trophy back to the Emirates Stadium, while exposing the brand to the world via your progression in each cup – easily done should you win the Europa League.
The transfer kitty
The board are open to handing you a sizeable budget to play with at first, but go for the big name signing straight away and it will blow the wage limit out the window.
A slight re-jig to a more level playing field is possible and will allow you to strengthen across the team, rather than adding just one more marquee addition.
Three players to buy
Ousmane Dembele
Despite Arsenal strengthening their squad over the past year, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bernd Leno and Lucas Torreira, the club still need a strong right-winger to balance out the side.
In the board’s expectations, they also give you a short-term target of making £132million through shirt sales within the first season, meaning at least one marquee addition is needed.
Luckily, Barcelona winger and youth sensation Ousmane Dembele holds a £78.7million release clause, meaning even if the Spanish side does not wish to sell the French ace you can still force a transfer.
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Cengiz Under
A cheaper alternative to Dembele is AS Roma’s Cengiz Under. The 20-year-old Turkish international can go on to become one of the highest rated right-wingers in FIFA 19, despite starting with a rating of just 77.
The left-footed wide man kicks the game off with a burst of pace, great dribbling stats and a deadly long shot that only gets better with time.
Milan Skriniar
As often is the case with Arsenal, there’s more than one area that can be strengthened in the transfer market, and once the right side has been attended to, your focus should be on the centre-backs.
One option is Inter Milan’s 23-year-old Milan Skriniar, who starts as an 85 but has the potential to be a 92 rated centre-back. The Italian outfit are also open to a move at £64.9million, but a bit of negotiating can get that figure down to a number in the high 50’s.
Three players to sell
Mohamed Elneny
With the signings of Torreira and teenage wonder Matteo Guendouzi in the summer, the defensive midfielder slot at Arsenal has become extremely congested.
Mohamed Elneny is, therefore, the best option to recoup some money and free up part of the wage bill, as the Egyptian will generate interest and earns £67,000 a week.
Petr Cech
Like the defensive midfield slot, a new goalkeeper pushed the old guard out in the summer, and Petr Cech must be transfer listed immediately. The former Czech Republic stopper will go down as a Premier League legend, but at 36, Career Mode is not the place to be sentimental.
Danny Welbeck
With a year left on his contract, 27-year-old Danny Welbeck will not harbour an excessive transfer fee, but he won’t be the first choice striker – Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both perform better than the Englishman.
There’s no harm in keeping him in the squad as he is happy with a rotation role, but for his wage, there are better back-ups on the market or even in the youth ranks.
Three for the future
Reiss Nelson
You won’t be able to call on Reiss Nelson for the first season of your career, unless you recall the winger from his loan at Hoffenheim, but despite a starting rating of just 65, the 18-year-old can develop to an 85 rated winger.
His high-medium work rate and blistering pace makes him perfect for the wide positions, but will need time to develop his shooting, passing and physical stats.
Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe can be called Mr. Utility in Career Mode. The 17-year-old flies out of the blocks with great agility, solid vision and a decent eye for goal.
He, too, can progress to an 85 rating, but can bring his 4-star skills to the left and right wings as well as playing in the attacking midfield slot.
Edward Nketiah
When Aubameyang and Lacazette are forced to hang up their boots,Eddie Nketiah is a player you should have waiting in the wings and ready to replace them, so you should look to develop him early in order for him be ready when you need him.
The 19-year-old is rapid with 87 acceleration and 82 sprint speed, but will need game time to reach his full potential.
