No replacement for Freddie

Goonanana · Post by **Goonanana** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:44 pm

Wenger - I might not replace Ljungberg! - from Arsenal.com

ArsÃ¨ne Wenger may not buy a replacement for Freddie Ljungberg.

Even before the Swedish midfielder left this week, the Arsenal manager had suggested his squad was relatively small. However the departure of one of his most experienced players does not automatically mean heâ€™ll go into the transfer market again.

After the defeat at Salzburg on Wednesday night, Wenger was asked whether heâ€™d buy in the wake of Ljungbergâ€™s switch to West Ham.

â€œWell not necessarily no,â€

gunners-need-steel · Post by **gunners-need-steel** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:23 pm

for all we know, there might be frantic and hushed negotiations going on right now ... until 12-midnight on the day this transfer season ends, I remain hopefull that one or two signings will be made.

Even in the comment you quoted 'its too early to say' is very non-commital ... we have to live in hope ...

WalcottSignedMyShirt · Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:28 pm

Based on what his quote he is trying to buy a player, he does not want to say yes the squad is too small and then fail to land a new player, as that will be bad for confidence.

I am now 90% sure he has plans to add to the squad.

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?this ... +Ljungberg

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:04 am

I think he will, and knowing Arsene we won't even hear about it until Arsenal.com breaks the story.

Oh he's a tricksy one he is, yes precious, he is....Gollum!Gollum!

Hagbard 23 · Post by **Hagbard 23** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:54 am

I think we can all agree that we need a new winger, but has everybody forgotten about young THEO.
Surely this coming season will be his time to show the world what he's got to offer ?

I know he's apparently being 'Groomed', but for fcuks sake how long is this going to go on for ?
He'll be 25 before he gets a regular game at the Grove at this rate.
OK maybe I exaggerate a bit, but I'm sure you get my drift.

Surely you gain experience by actually playing regular games at top level don't you ?

As for replacing Fred with a top class experienced winger, who is available ?
I can't think of anyone , except maybe SWP , and I'm not totally convinced about him either.

I'm worried that this coming season, all we're gonna hear is 'The new signings will take time to settle in'
or the old chestnut,
'We're in a period of Transition'.

I truly hope I'm wrong, but this season could be a nightmare.

All_Arsenal_1886 · Post by **All_Arsenal_1886** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:26 am

Hagbard 23 wrote:I think we can all agree that we need a new winger, but has everybody forgotten about young THEO.

No i haven't and i hope he has a great season and proves Arsene right to buy him i think Young Theo could get 10+ goals this season even from right wing

Goonanana · Post by **Goonanana** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:37 am

LOL love the Gollum line, not good that started laughing in the middle of the office thoguh!

I definately haven't forgotten Theo but he was there last season whilst Freddie was there also, one very winger (who really is a striker) no matter how good or how much potential isn't enough!

As far as I can see potential wingers are

Theo - Really a Striker
RVP - Really a striker
Eboue - Really a clown
Rosicky - Really more central in style
Hleb - Really more central in style
Traore - more of an attacking full back
Dudu - Really a striker
Diaby - Definately a central midfielder

Any other even half feasable options for a wide player in the squad???

Where is the new Freddie, Bobby, Overmars??

The Ronaldo (little bit sick there), the Robben, the SWP, the Giggs (a little bit sick again) Premiership winning teams recently have all had scary wingers

donaldo · Post by **donaldo** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:58 am

On the matter of playing Theo i think Arsene has to take a gamble and play him from the start this season. I think he went backwards last season when Arsene was bringing him on with just 15mins to go. Arsene needs to do what Fergie did with Ronaldo at 18,pick him and keep picking him even if he has a few bad games.What we dont want is him warming the bench when that headless chicken Helb is on the pitch.I believe Theo could turn out like Ronaldo but Arsene must give him his chance next season

TheOne2Smooth · Post by **TheOne2Smooth** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:11 am

hmmm Theo on the wing has worked before and no doubt it will work again! But you look out our recent Championship winning squads, We always seem to do better with 2 out and out wide men!
in 89 we had Marwood and Merson 91 Merson and Limpar 98 Overmars and Parlour (I know he more effective in centre but he did play on the wing alot more) and then 2002 and 2004 Freddie and Pires ( possibly the combination of wingers we have ever had play together)

SO can Hleb and Rosicky deliever on the wings? well this season we will see? because when you think about it Henry used to hog the wing causing our wingers to have to cut inside! this season no Henry so our wingers will get more time and space on the wing?

thegrovegooner · Post by **thegrovegooner** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:13 pm

TheOne2Smooth wrote: because when you think about it Henry used to hog the wing causing our wingers to have to cut inside! this season no Henry so our wingers will get more time and space on the wing?

thats a good point that i haven't heard before. hopefully you are right.

i also think wenger likes to get his width from the full backs motoring forward (hence why eboue still gets games.). and clichy has said today that he aims to improve on that area.

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:19 pm

Eboue - Really a clown

Hahahahahahahaha

stats · Post by **stats** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:30 pm

We have until the 1st of September to buy players so who knows what might happen then