As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
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.
To save me from typing a lengthy answer I'll just say I pretty much agree with DB10. If managed properly the squad is good enough to finish in a comfortable 4th and maybe to put up a faux title challenge for a few months.
There aren't many areas that don't need improving to some extent but before we even think about a title challenge we need better options out wide, for a start.
Last edited by northbank123 on Fri Jun 21, 2013 2:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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.
Just curious as to why it would be announced - as opposed to rumoured - in Australia first rather than England?
Top Londoner wrote:
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.
So now only about 90 minutes until the signing of Higuin is officially announced.
No press conference scheduled for the Emirates yet, but the club must have it all under control... trust Ivan.
BBC Sport's David Ornstein: "There is plenty of transfer speculation surrounding Arsenal at the moment and, whether or not any or some of the rumours materialise, it is set to be a busy summer at Emirates Stadium.
"The Gunners have around £70m to spend and their primary target is Real Madrid and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain. It is understood the 25-year-old is keen to join Arsene Wenger's side after four-and-a-half years at the Bernabeu.
"While reports suggest personal terms have been agreed on a four-year contract, no deal has been reached between the clubs as yet. Real need to fill their vacant manager's position before final decisions are made on comings and goings."
More from BBC Sport's David Ornstein on the transfer situation at Arsenal: "They have also been linked to Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and, although a bid for the England international is not thought to be likely, the idea has been backed by the club's second-largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov, who says: 'he is a great player and [joining Arsenal] would be great for Rooney, and Arsenal too.'
"The other area Arsenal are focusing on is midfield, with an attacking and a defensive player sought. The desire for an attacking midfielder stems from injury problems for Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby, while Mikel Arteta was Arsenal's main defensive midfielder last season despite rarely having adopted the role in previous years. Everton's Marouane Fellaini, a reported target, has a release clause of around £23m."
BBC Sport's David Ornstein clarifies the transfer rumours at Arsenal for you. "Arsenal will not look to sign a defender unless one of their current options leaves. Right-back Bacary Sagna is out of contract in the summer of 2014, but is in talks to extend his stay.
"Suggestions that the Gunners are looking to bring in QPR and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar are wide of the mark. While not ruling out the arrival of a world-class keeper, Wenger is said to be happy with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski."
