SUMMER TRANSFERS - Your thoughts on who did and did not sign

[spendsum4uckingmoney]

Let's talk potential lineups:

-------------------------Szczesny/J.Cesar---------------------------
Sagna-----------Mertesacker---------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
--------------------Arteta--------------Wilshere---------------------
------------------------------Cazorla----------------------------------
Walcott----------------------------------------------------Podolski
------------------------------Higuain---------------------------------


Good enough to challenge for the title or not?

I don't think there is enough balance in midfield and not enough depth. UTD had the likes of Kagawa, Hernandez, Nani and sometimes even Rooney on the bench.

[DB10GOONER]

Let's talk potential lineups:

-------------------------Szczesny/J.Cesar---------------------------
Sagna-----------Mertesacker---------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
--------------------Arteta--------------Wilshere---------------------
------------------------------Cazorla----------------------------------
Walcott----------------------------------------------------Podolski
------------------------------Higuain---------------------------------


Good enough to challenge for the title or not?

Sadly, not.

I know it's a metaphysical exercise but I would say neither Walcott or Podolski offer enough out wide - both (to differing degrees) are better through the centre.

Sagna was appalling last year, one of our worst players, and yes, before anyone gets their knickers in a twist, he is a class player, but last season he was a liability for whatever reason. Gibbs is not a top class LB. Sorry, he just isn’t. He’s good on his day but he is also injury prone and along with Sagna the worst crosser of a ball at the club. A good player that can be very good but not top class. Higuain is an unknown for me – will he settle quickly? Will he be up to the physical side and the pace of the PL?

Cazorla is quality but he also drifts out of games for 10 and 20 minute spells. Arteta has done great work as a DM but it’s a bit of a waste of a talented player with good passing ability. Wilshere has it all to prove. A few nice cameos last season and he undoubtedly has talent and skill and footballing intelligence but injuries have limited his contribution down to next to nothing in real terms.

For me, there are too many weak areas in that team, too many unknowns. And all that without even considering our manager's total lack of a PLan B, total lack of any tactical ability and a penchant for playing players out of position to accomodate his proven failure of a "system".

It is what it is – a team capable of finishing 4th or 5th but not properly managed, not good enough, not deep enough squad-wise and not consistent enough to win the PL.

[Bradywasking]

Let's talk potential lineups:

-------------------------Szczesny/J.Cesar---------------------------
Sagna-----------Mertesacker---------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
--------------------Arteta--------------Wilshere---------------------
------------------------------Cazorla----------------------------------
Walcott----------------------------------------------------Podolski
------------------------------Higuain---------------------------------


Good enough to challenge for the title or not?

Decent team but who drops out when Diaby reaches full fitness next March..i suppose we could rotate for Diaby's two games..

[begeegs]

Let's talk potential lineups:

-------------------------Szczesny/J.Cesar---------------------------
Sagna-----------Mertesacker---------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
--------------------Arteta--------------Wilshere---------------------
------------------------------Cazorla----------------------------------
Walcott----------------------------------------------------Podolski
------------------------------Higuain---------------------------------


Good enough to challenge for the title or not?

I have to largely agree with the others. We don't have enough depth in the midfield and I want to see another winger in. I think that if we bought a solid DM and quick, direct attacker (if rumours about Nani were correct, I'd take him), then I would be more optimistic. I also don't really get the fascination with Ashley Williams, especially if he is going to be 4th choice. I can only see Williams coming in if someone goes. Also remember that we still have Djourou on the books as 4th choice which to me is acceptable for a 4th choice centreback.

[Top Londoner]

Let's talk potential lineups:

-------------------------Szczesny/J.Cesar---------------------------
Sagna-----------Mertesacker---------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
--------------------Arteta--------------Wilshere---------------------
------------------------------Cazorla----------------------------------
Walcott----------------------------------------------------Podolski
------------------------------Higuain---------------------------------


Good enough to challenge for the title or not?

Decent team but who drops out when Diaby reaches full fitness next March..i suppose we could rotate for Diaby's two games..

This, made me laugh. For the wrong reasons.
---------------------

btw, a message for 1989.
You can now officially erupt with orgasmic hip thrusts into your family sized kleenex.
The signing of 'Higgy' has been announced here in Oz. You won't get to hear about it for about 7 hours or so mate.

[Supagoon]

I agree with some comments, higgy alone isnt enough to make this team threaten for a trophy. We need to upgrade on podolski and arteta. Our options on the bench are poor. This has been our problem for so many years, razor thin squads, a few injuries and its a struggle.

[Blood_Gooner]

Let's talk potential lineups:

-------------------------Szczesny/J.Cesar---------------------------
Sagna-----------Mertesacker---------Koscielny-----------Gibbs
--------------------Arteta--------------Wilshere---------------------
------------------------------Cazorla----------------------------------
Walcott----------------------------------------------------Podolski
------------------------------Higuain---------------------------------


Good enough to challenge for the title or not?

No!

That's still a squad comprising of little bit too many average fucks, and will need further strengthening if we're really harbouring thoughts of mounting a serious title challenge next season.

In bit of details, Sir Ches is woeful and time now for his cocky arse to be called out for what he really is. Cesar is a good punt and would be a massive inprovement on the looneys we have parading as our custodians.

Merts is good, but he still causes me to panic with his lack of pace and his inability to jump despite being a giant. Caused a few scares in the last game against the Barcodes, as he was easily rounded by their pub team attacker. Need at least one other quality CB to rotate starts with him and Kos at the back. A must keep.

Kos has shown he's quality (our best CB, tbh) and him maintaining a high level of confidence will be crucial to our defensive stats next season. Had an amazing run over the last 10 games last season, but let's not forget the calamity he was in the early days of said season, scoring own goals, giving away penalties and all. Still a big must keep, though.

Sagna has given years of stellar service and was once the best rfb in the league. Has become quite shite now and unfortunately, I can't see him making significant strides back over to the + side of the graph, as age simply isn't on his side. Must be suitably replaced.

Gibbs is decent and just needs to avoid injury. Seems to read the game well and provides his fair share of offensive threat. Plus we have decent enough back up in Monreal. Must keep.

Arteta is a lightweight and an utterly pointless player. Never has there ever been one player that sums up the word average as much as he does, imho. I honestly don't know where this myth came from that he's been doing a fabulous job for us, but it needs to be dispelled here and now. Besides, he's a mong that gives away silly freekicks in dangerous areas - some of which have resulted in goals being conceded - as he can't properly defend/tackle. If we're serious about challenging for top honours next season, surely this feckless, never been good enough for a top team, player is a MUST GET RID!

Wilshere still remains a bright prospect, but needs to regain form and improve on certain aspects of his game. He needs to start banging in a few goals, and also needs to start finding those incisive through balls to our striker(s). Hangs onto the ball for way too long, though I get it that he fancies being a direct player. Get those little issues sorted out and avoid injury, and we have super duper quality on our hands here. Must keep.

Cazorla needs to up it in games against big oppositions. Tends to go missing on such nights. A player of his calibre should be donning more games, thereby having a bigger, more positive impact on the outcome of big games. Our record against top teams is shambolic and thus, we'll need him, along with rest of squad, to get the fuck out their timid shells and take the game to them. Must keep.

Podolski was bit of a hit and miss, and sadly it seems he's more of the latter. Can see why bayern discarded him. Just not productive enough. For us, we need better on that crucial left wing (not his fault he's been played out of position really, but that's where the manager sees fit to play him, so....). Imperative that we get a player with a bit of pace and skill going down that left flank who's able to lose his marker, and will also offer some semblance of defensive support to our lfb when we're being attacked. Sadly - as I do bit rate him - another must be replaced.

Wally was our top scorer last season, suffice it to say a lot of plus 1s. Honestly, I was really hoping Wenger would have sold him back in January when he held the Club ransom for higher wages, but I've softened my stance a bit on him and is willing to give him one last season to properly develop into a tormentor of defences across the Prem. He has all the attributes to be a top winger, and needs now only to properly co-ordinate his brain with his feet. Bit of a must keep.

Higgy is a MUST GET. Probably our biggest must get since DB10. Would massively improve our attack. I'd be devastated if he's not wearing our shirt come August. There could be absolutely no reprieve for Wenger after that, and all proper Gooners would have to call him out for the saboteur he is.

[Chippy]

Forgive me for being cynical but until he is on pravda.com in a red and white shirt I will not believe it.

[defleppardisking]

Forgive me for being cynical but until he is on pravda.com in a red and white shirt I will not believe it.

Same here. Wenger and his gang have talked shite so many times over the years plus it's hard to believe someone like wenger will spend more than £20 million on a player

[Supagoon]

I agree with some comments, higgy alone isnt enough to make this team threaten for a trophy. We need to upgrade on podolski and arteta. Our options on the bench are poor. This has been our problem for so many years, razor thin squads, a few injuries and its a struggle.

[flash gunner]

Juve now in for Higuain.

[Arsenal Till I Die]

Juve now in for Higuain.

Not really.

Not made a official bid, just their general director speaking out -

Juve will not be giving up without a fight, though, and general director Giuseppe Marotta believes there could be a late twist in a long-running saga.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "Higuain? I do not want to say anything because there is still so much time left for things to happen."

With a striker considered to be Juve's top priority this summer, they have also been linked with moves for Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez.

Marotta is, however, keeping his transfer cards close to his chest.

He added: "There is no hurry. They are both great players but they are also with great clubs, so it would not be right to discuss them.

"I do not want to create an illusion that things are already in motion."

Source - http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... lo-Higuain

[rigsby]

They always have been Flash, but tbh the comments from their president look a bit desperate and he names about 3 other players.

We have to remember this was Podolski's first season in english football btw, some of the criticism is harsh for a guy who has done pretty well.

[p206ab]

I don't know if I should believe the story that cause of delaying Higuain signature is because Real does not have a manager or is it because Wenger is still trying to make a bargain?
If first, then Jose you thank you for making that mess. If second, well I will have more to say when Juve steps in and take it from our hands..

[piresistible]

Listen matey, it's not only the daily fail reporting it. The two biggest Madrid papers (AS and Marca) are running with it too.

Put aside all this needless cynicism. It's going to happen. Get excited.
I'm 100% sure it will happen and if it doesn't I promise never to post on here again.

Better hope it does otherwise not only would Higuain not come, but I won't be seen on here again and that surely is a far bigger disaster.

It's not needless cynicism, it's just pointing out that there does appear to be a tornado effect going on in the media, with articles being picked up, churned and swirled around and then spat out in a slightly different configuration than they started, even though there's no tangible signs of any actual progress.

Not saying it won't happen at some point, but I'm not convinced many (if any!) of these articles have any hard evidence to go on before adding bells and whistles to increase traffic to their websites.

Anyway, I hope you're right - I'd love Higuain to sign, and of course it would be disaster if we lost your contributions to the forum as well - that double whammy would be hard to take

PS. Point taken.

GET HIM NOW