The Squad

aussiegoon · Post by **aussiegoon** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:58 am

The Squad:

Goalkeepers â€“ happy enough with what we have. Szesesny has been excellent so far and will only continue to get better.

1. WJ13 (starter)
2. LF21
3. VM24
4. MA1

Central Defenders â€“ With the addition of Mertesacker, satisfied with what we have as backup.

1. TV5 (starter)
2. PM4 (starter)
3. LK6
4. JD20
5. IM49
6. SS18

Left back â€“ Canâ€™t say I know much about Santos, but he appears to definitely be an improvement on Traore.

1. AS11 (starter)
2. KG28

Right back â€“ Despite experiencing a baptism of fire last weekend, Iâ€™ve been reasonably happy with what Jenkinson has had to offer so far. Sagna is excellent.

1. BS3 (starter)
2. CJ25

Midfield 3: With the addition of Arteta and Benayoun, our midfield has some depth and our starting 3 is strong with very able replacements on the bench. Only question mark is still over Song, however, Iâ€™ve been impressed with Frimpong so far.

Diaby and Rosicky are going to struggle to get a run, which some might say is a good thing.

1. AS17 (starter)
2. JW19 (starter)
3. MA8 (starter)
4. AR16
5. EF26
6. YB?
7. AD2
8. TR7

Forward 3: For me, this is still the biggest question mark over our squad. Young is untried, Chamakh is junk, Theo is inconsistent, Andre is lazy and Ryo and Ox are both inexperienced at this level. The squad could certainly been improved with a more formidable and experienced striker.

1. RVP10 (starter)
2. G22 (starter)
3. TW14 (starter)
4. YP9
5. RM31
6. AA23
7. AOC15
8. MC29

Starting 11 does not look too bad, but itâ€™s not a league/CL winning squad. The â€œsuper qualityâ€

digger · Post by **digger** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:26 am

In all fairness, the second 11 you've listed is probably stronger than the first 11 we fielded against Man U on Sunday.

1989 · Post by **1989** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:29 am

Our squad looks very good to be honest.

The biggest issue for me is GK. If Shezza's out we're fucked. Wenger really should've brought in at least 1 experienced keeper this summer.

aussiegoon · Post by **aussiegoon** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:34 am

digger wrote:In all fairness, the second 11 you've listed is probably stronger than the first 11 we fielded against Man U on Sunday.

I agree. We have better quality depth as a result of the changes.

Captain Fabregas · Post by **Captain Fabregas** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:05 am

how about C3PO?

aussiegoon · Post by **aussiegoon** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:16 am

Captain Fabregas wrote:how about C3PO?

He's too similar to Arshavin.

psychoangus · Post by **psychoangus** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:33 am

Easily good enough to win a cup or two, in my opinion much better than last year's squad, potentially.

Would've liked to have seen an established name up front to push RVP for competition but hey ho.

Pleased with Mertesacker, was asking for him since Toure left.

All in all, looking forward to Shrewsbury. The league's screwed, of course.

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:06 am

aussiegoon wrote:
Captain Fabregas wrote:how about C3PO?
He's too similar to Arshavin.

Although a lot more energetic!!

Goonanana · Post by **Goonanana** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:22 am

Good post.

I actually think that starting 11 is pretty strong. I'm still concerned with our second 11 centre back pairing and would very much like to see terms agreed with Cahill in January to take him on a free next summer.

I think Gervinho, Arteta and Ryo are 3 very good additions (albeit it we already had Ryo). You'd like to think Chamberlein is pretty high quality given the amount spent on him and his age.

Theo has looked better this season and I think as long as he stays injury free he'll get 15 goals this season and I think TR7 is looking much more like his old self this season.

As for the Carling cup, a midfield of Ramsey, Rosicky and Frimpong should destroy all minnows we play and will be able to hold their own against any prem midfield. Trouble with the Carling cup this year will be the two Manchester teams their second strings have quality throughout and will be very hard to beat.

Totally agree the central strikers position needs more competition. I would have much preferred Nic B to Chamack but I suppose the lad needs first team football and he'd always be second fiddle to RvP.

Here's hoping now he's stopped fasting Chamack can grab a brace against Shrewsbury and boost his confidence again.

Come on you gunners!

p.s. I seem to remember a post some tiem ago where someone said they heard Wenger must make Â£20mill each transfer window to meet loan payments for a few years which interestingly he has done again this year - anyone remebmer that and got the link?

jamjc64 · Post by **jamjc64** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:34 am

Captain Fabregas wrote:how about C3PO?

Poor mans R2D2 im affraid

goonersid · Post by **goonersid** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:45 am

We now have a squad capable of challenging for a top 4 spot, but nothing more. I still think it will be very difficult and giving the likes of l'pool a head start won't make it any easier.
We are still only an injury or 2 away from being fucked again in defence, with Jenkinson simply not good enough and second choice lb Gibbs constantly injured.
Still look a little short in midfield, particularly as I think we are going to be missing JW for a lot longer than the club are currently predicting, and with Ramsey failing to impress.
As for up front when and not if RVP gets injured we will be in the shit. We had better hope the Korean isn't a commercial signing. We may even end up wishing Bendtner hadn't gone, as I think he has more to offer than Chamakh.
So all in all anywhere between 4th and 7th is realistic.