Lukas Podolski

[jaybee]

Of course that has got nothing to do with having a thread bare squad has it Wenger? If we had a bigger squad we could of rotated and protected the 3 goal lead we had and not only that, if we had a bigger squad the loss of Podolski would not be such a big issue especially as we expect shed loads of injuries anyway.

How big should our squad be exactly?

We have Podolski, Cazorla, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Theo and Rosicky for the 3 attacking midfield positions. That's not bad, and many people this summer didn't think a winger was a priority, so I'm not sure using Podolski's injury to vent your anger at the squad size is all that valid.

If the injury was to a striker (we only have Giroud) or a CM (we're desperate for a midfielder or 2) or at centre back, then you may have a point, but until the unfortunate (and long term) injuries to Chamberlain and Podolski, wide midfield wasn't looking too bad.

I also don't think he could have protected Podolski either. Why would he? he's not played that many games anyway, so was hardly desperate for a rest. It's just bad luck.

are you wenger in disguise? Podolski is / was being played out of position IMO in midfield, he's a striker so we've lost a striker!

Not that at tues game i was 100% focused on ev ball played - as it was one of out dull games, but correct me if i'm wrong the fella AW, kept Podolski on the pitch for far too long from the point of his first noticeable injury???? so he AW has once again prob caused a longer recovery from the injury

[g88ner]

Of course that has got nothing to do with having a thread bare squad has it Wenger? If we had a bigger squad we could of rotated and protected the 3 goal lead we had and not only that, if we had a bigger squad the loss of Podolski would not be such a big issue especially as we expect shed loads of injuries anyway.

How big should our squad be exactly? - I just have an opinion that, for a change, isn't attacking the manager I want to be sacked.

We have Podolski, Cazorla, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Theo and Rosicky for the 3 attacking midfield positions. That's not bad, and many people this summer didn't think a winger was a priority, so I'm not sure using Podolski's injury to vent your anger at the squad size is all that valid.

If the injury was to a striker (we only have Giroud) or a CM (we're desperate for a midfielder or 2) or at centre back, then you may have a point, but until the unfortunate (and long term) injuries to Chamberlain and Podolski, wide midfield wasn't looking too bad.

I also don't think he could have protected Podolski either. Why would he? he's not played that many games anyway, so was hardly desperate for a rest. It's just bad luck.

are you wenger in disguise? Podolski is / was being played out of position IMO in midfield, he's a striker so we've lost a striker!

Not that at tues game i was 100% focused on ev ball played - as it was one of out dull games, but correct me if i'm wrong the fella AW, kept Podolski on the pitch for far too long from the point of his first noticeable injury???? so he AW has once again prob caused a longer recovery from the injury

No I'm not Wenger in disguise? - is that cheap put down supposed to knock my credibility? - I'd rather debate a point without resorting to that, if that's ok.

I like your logic about Podolski being a striker, but where is the evidence? - because I can point to about 90% of his Arsenal appearances (which is the only info that matters as this is the club he plays for) being at left midfield, or whatever you want to call it.

I thought we signed a striker too, but as Wenger won't play him there, I've given up calling him a striker because for Arsenal, he isnt'!

By the way, I wasn't aware Podolski was injured BEFORE he pulled his hamstring.

[TeeCee]

Wenger plays Pod out of position as a wide midfielder. Cazorla has played there and the games passed him by, he's no more a wide midfielder than Bendtner is!! Same for Wilshere, he is NOT a wide midfielder, Rosicky is also wasted out there and isn't the same player, therefore, Wally is the only other true option and in reality, he is actually more of a striker now seeing as Wenger refuses to buy a proper striker for one of the worlds 'biggest' clubs (sic).

So the comment about threadbare squad is absolutely bang on. We don't have decent cover in most positions across the pitch and a couple more injuries/suspensions to key players and we'll see 18 yo kids playing. I can't believe anyone would even try to defend what is happening at Arsenal. In previous years we just sold our best players, now the squad has been decimated, saving millions and millions on wages with virtually zero being spent and what has/will be spent is almost certainly going to be on average/unknown French players as Wanger looks to pump more money into French football. Welcome to 'Always French Crap'

In ANY other business worldwide, Wanger would have been sacked for negligence and under performance. I'll keep saying it, this is one of the biggest scams of the Noughties, that Arsenal (Wanger) are pulling off successfully.

[g88ner]

Wenger plays Pod out of position as a wide midfielder. Cazorla has played there and the games passed him by, he's no more a wide midfielder than Bendtner is!! Same for Wilshere, he is NOT a wide midfielder, Rosicky is also wasted out there and isn't the same player, therefore, Wally is the only other true option and in reality, he is actually more of a striker now seeing as Wenger refuses to buy a proper striker for one of the worlds 'biggest' clubs (sic).

So the comment about threadbare squad is absolutely bang on. We don't have decent cover in most positions across the pitch and a couple more injuries/suspensions to key players and we'll see 18 yo kids playing. I can't believe anyone would even try to defend what is happening at Arsenal. In previous years we just sold our best players, now the squad has been decimated, saving millions and millions on wages with virtually zero being spent and what has/will be spent is almost certainly going to be on average/unknown French players as Wanger looks to pump more money into French football. Welcome to 'Always French Crap'

I don't think I know anyone who is defending what's going on at Arsenal. No one with any sanity, that is. The inaction this summer is very worrying. The squad is threadbare. Absolutely.

[OneBardGooner]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... d-podolski

on Lukas Podolski…
It is bad news about Lukas Podolski as he will be out for eight to 10 weeks. His hamstring is much more damaged than we thought at the start. It is very disappointing and we have paid a very heavy price for that win [over Fenerbahce]. We have to be patient now.

Looks like the curse of the Arsenal medical staff has struck again

Obviously the pre-season tour to exotic climes really has prepared our players well and the medical team are doing a bang up job as usual....and of course this must be a Super, Super Top, Top Injury to one of our players to keep him out for this long....and of course yet another Excuse wenker can hang his hat of utter failure on to fend off any criticism.

[wibble]

Of course that has got nothing to do with having a thread bare squad has it Wenger? If we had a bigger squad we could of rotated and protected the 3 goal lead we had and not only that, if we had a bigger squad the loss of Podolski would not be such a big issue especially as we expect shed loads of injuries anyway.

How big should our squad be exactly?

We have Podolski, Cazorla, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Theo and Rosicky for the 3 attacking midfield positions. That's not bad, and many people this summer didn't think a winger was a priority, so I'm not sure using Podolski's injury to vent your anger at the squad size is all that valid.

If the injury was to a striker (we only have Giroud) or a CM (we're desperate for a midfielder or 2) or at centre back, then you may have a point, but until the unfortunate (and long term) injuries to Chamberlain and Podolski, wide midfield wasn't looking too bad.

I also don't think he could have protected Podolski either. Why would he? he's not played that many games anyway, so was hardly desperate for a rest. It's just bad luck.

In any case, based on the media, another creative player appears to be a transfer target, so perhaps the injuries to Podolski and Ox will focus the mind, and we''ll get in a "top top quality" addition

That's the thing, with Podolski out, instead of having an out an out winger to replace him we're having to play a central midfielder like Rosicky or Cazorla out of position.
Although I would agree a winger is less of a priority than a defensive midfielder or a central defender, I think everyone here agrees we could do with strengthening pretty much every position in the squad!!

As for Podolski's injury being bad luck, as a one off I would agree with you. However, with so many players out injured already I think it's time someone had a look at our training methods. Granted, there's not much you can do with injury-prone people like Diaby, and after a long term injury its more likely for a player to pick up another less serious niggling injury (wilshere being another example of this)

there's also injuries that do fall into the bad luck scenario such as the opposition making a horror tackle, whether or not our medical team are the optimal team to deal with players once injured is another debate (For a club the size of ours I sincerely hope they are, though I know some people have their doubts) but to reiterate, someone should at least be looking at our training methods and what can be done to reduce the likelihood of injuries happening in the first place (when possible)

[g88ner]

That's the thing, with Podolski out, instead of having an out an out winger to replace him we're having to play a central midfielder like Rosicky or Cazorla out of position.
Although I would agree a winger is less of a priority than a defensive midfielder or a central defender, I think everyone here agrees we could do with strengthening pretty much every position in the squad!!

As for Podolski's injury being bad luck, as a one off I would agree with you. However, with so many players out injured already I think it's time someone had a look at our training methods. Granted, there's not much you can do with injury-prone people like Diaby, and after a long term injury its more likely for a player to pick up another less serious niggling injury (wilshere being another example of this)

True, it does appear that we accumulate injuries at an alarming rate. I said "bad luck" because you can't play around with your team sheet to plan for such injuries, but yes - perhaps training methods, etc. need to be looked at.

As for my comment about options, I do think my words have been taken out of context a little (which is completely my fault for not framing them better).

Basically we can upgrade in almost every position, and I agree that neither Cazorla nor Rosicky (or Podolski for that matter) are best positioned at left midfield BUT I was trying to look at it based on how Wenger see's them, and like it or not, Podolski, Cazorla and Rosicky (and Chamberlain) have all played on the left many, many times. Not just when we're desperate (like Ramsey), but because he likes playing them there, so I consider all of them as viable options in that position.

That said, I'd love to see us sign a top class wide player, but I'd also like a top class striker, holding midfielder, centre back and 'keeper - and sadly I'm worried we won't get a top class player in ANY of these positions, never mind all of them!

[jaybee]

Of course that has got nothing to do with having a thread bare squad has it Wenger? If we had a bigger squad we could of rotated and protected the 3 goal lead we had and not only that, if we had a bigger squad the loss of Podolski would not be such a big issue especially as we expect shed loads of injuries anyway.

How big should our squad be exactly? - I just have an opinion that, for a change, isn't attacking the manager I want to be sacked.

We have Podolski, Cazorla, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Theo and Rosicky for the 3 attacking midfield positions. That's not bad, and many people this summer didn't think a winger was a priority, so I'm not sure using Podolski's injury to vent your anger at the squad size is all that valid.

If the injury was to a striker (we only have Giroud) or a CM (we're desperate for a midfielder or 2) or at centre back, then you may have a point, but until the unfortunate (and long term) injuries to Chamberlain and Podolski, wide midfield wasn't looking too bad.

I also don't think he could have protected Podolski either. Why would he? he's not played that many games anyway, so was hardly desperate for a rest. It's just bad luck.

are you wenger in disguise? Podolski is / was being played out of position IMO in midfield, he's a striker so we've lost a striker!

Not that at tues game i was 100% focused on ev ball played - as it was one of out dull games, but correct me if i'm wrong the fella AW, kept Podolski on the pitch for far too long from the point of his first noticeable injury???? so he AW has once again prob caused a longer recovery from the injury

No I'm not Wenger in disguise? - is that cheap put down supposed to knock my credibility? - I'd rather debate a point without resorting to that, if that's ok.

I like your logic about Podolski being a striker, but where is the evidence? - because I can point to about 90% of his Arsenal appearances (which is the only info that matters as this is the club he plays for) being at left midfield, or whatever you want to call it.

I thought we signed a striker too, but as Wenger won't play him there, I've given up calling him a striker because for Arsenal, he isnt'!

By the way, I wasn't aware Podolski was injured BEFORE he pulled his hamstring.

no offence meant re AW in disguise - of course yr not. We're just all so frigged off with it all!. So much bllcks going on at our club. I'm not even a natural moaner but it's making me into one! lol

[QuartzGooner]

Cannot see why people are having such a go at G88ner here?

Would love to see us buy five new players, but attacking midfield is not the priority area for me.

Podoslki can play as a striker, but from what I have seen of him he is best as wide left midfield, cutting in and shooting from there, not as a number 9 position.

Rosicky is best in the "Cazorla" postion behind the striker, and so too Cazorla.
Out of the two I would always start Cazorla central, but Rosicky is well capable of playing decently wide left or wide right, Cazorla when played wide left is not too bad at all.

Add in the Ox and if needed Gibbs and Theo, and we are OK wide left midfield, though of course I would welcome one more good signing there.
The youngsters Gnabry, Miyaichi and Eisfeld will get chances if good enough, so far none looks good enough to be a starter but who knows, as Eisfeld has looked very good for his age.

Would welcome more competition for Theo on right side though, as both Miyaichi and Gnabry are some way off starting level quality.

Think Wilshere is much more effective deep midfield than as a number 10.

If it comes to the central behind the striker position, the emerging talent has to be Zelalem, who must be nurtured slowly to avoid injury.

[g88ner]

no offence meant re AW in disguise - of course yr not. We're just all so frigged off with it all!. So much bllcks going on at our club. I'm not even a natural moaner but it's making me into one! lol

No worries.

We're all frigged off. At least it's only 4 days until the window closes - once that closes, there's no room for if's and but's, and we'll all be able to assess just how incompetent (or otherwise) Wenger and Gazidis really are.

Of course, that's when the "judge him in May" bollocks starts... oh, when will it end

[g88ner]

Podoslki can play as a striker, but from what I have seen of him he is best as wide left midfield, cutting in and shooting from there, not as a number 9 position.

Rosicky is best in the "Cazorla" postion behind the striker, and so too Cazorla.
Out of the two I would always start Cazorla central, but Rosicky is well capable of playing decently wide left or wide right, Cazorla when played wide left is not too bad at all.

Add in the Ox and if needed Gibbs and Theo, and we are OK wide left midfield, though of course I would welcome one more good signing there.

Agreed.

LM (Cazorla/Rosicky/Podolski/Ox)
ACM (Cazorla/Rosicky/Wilshere)
RM (Theo/Ox/Rosicky)

For me, we're one top class wide player short (di Maria please ) then we have plenty of attacking options.

Need a striker though. Obviously.

That leaves the 2 centre midfielders as any 2 from Wilshere, Arteta, Ramsey and Flamini. Even Rosicky, if desperate.

Could do with one more (probably Cabaye, I guess ).

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

Podoslki can play as a striker, but from what I have seen of him he is best as wide left midfield, cutting in and shooting from there, not as a number 9 position.

Rosicky is best in the "Cazorla" postion behind the striker, and so too Cazorla.
Out of the two I would always start Cazorla central, but Rosicky is well capable of playing decently wide left or wide right, Cazorla when played wide left is not too bad at all.

Add in the Ox and if needed Gibbs and Theo, and we are OK wide left midfield, though of course I would welcome one more good signing there.

Agreed.

LM (Cazorla/Rosicky/Podolski/Ox)
ACM (Cazorla/Rosicky/Wilshere)
RM (Theo/Ox/Rosicky)

For me, we're one top class wide player short (di Maria please ) then we have plenty of attacking options.

Need a striker though. Obviously.

That leaves the 2 centre midfielders as any 2 from Wilshere, Arteta, Ramsey and Flamini. Even Rosicky, if desperate.

Could do with one more (probably Cabaye, I guess ).

Funny now how Rosicky getting injured would severely shorten our squad at 3 postions. Well, not funny...sad, really.

[g88ner]

Funny now how Rosicky getting injured would severely shorten our squad at 3 postions. Well, not funny...sad, really.

Yup. When fully fit, Rosicky is a very useful player - and versatile.

Flamini, Cazorla, Wilshere, Arteta and Chamberlain are versatile midfielders as well.

That said, you could say there's a whiff of 'jack of all trades, master of none' going on, but erm.... hmm.

[officepest]

8 - 10 weeks? If our medical team have got hold of him he'll have probably snapped his c3 and will be out for 6 years. We surely have to procure a new striker now.

We have 3 days to do so, any ideas?

[g88ner]

8 - 10 weeks? If our medical team have got hold of him he'll have probably snapped his c3 and will be out for 6 years. We surely have to procure a new striker now.

We have 3 days to do so, any ideas?

Wenger isn't an idiot. He backed off Higuain despite his reasonable transfer fee and wages, so obviously we have a much better option lined up. (don't we? )

Benzema? Rooney? Suarez?.... I'm just listing strikers SteveO will soon be posting won't be coming