Once the dust has settled?

[GranadaJoe]

Mods may want to merge this, but I wanted to separate this debate from the immediate aftermath/euphoria of yesterday.

I screamed my head off when the third goal went in and gave a firm fist-pump at the final whistle, but I didn't share the excitement of many posters (I'm not sure if the excitement fuelled the alcohol intake or vica-versa). My sentiment was one of resigned reflief. I'm delighted we won, but mainly so I don't have to listen to the "8 years without a trophy".
Overall, I feel pretty down and less optimistic than this time last year.

Ozil, Santi and Pod show no interest and no ability in the defensive part of their job (Pod wandering up the pitch as Hull scored made me want to punch him). We still don't have balance in the team. AW still plays them together.

Pod not knowing who Matt Fryatt was shows that AW still ignores our opposition. How can you not discuss, let alone plan for, the opposition's main goal threat prior to a Cup Final?. It's arrogant of AW and classless.

Arteta has looked woeful in the second half of the season and can't be expected to improve next year.
Giroud is as limited as ever.
We have no pace.
Sagna is going (if he goes to either Manchester club he will be in the same league as van Judas).

i can't see any significant improvements without significant change, and as long as AW is still at the helm change isn't going to happen. It would have been a good way for him to retire.
Has anybody changed their opinions as a result of yesterday or now feel more optimistic?

[Ryanswannell]

I must say, I shared pretty much the same emotions as you yesterday. But, I hope for my sanity's sake that if Wenger does stay on, lifting that trophy inspires the manager/board to make the signings we need, and gives Arsene that hunger to win things that he has seemingly lost over the years.
If it does, happy days and long may it continue. I shall not be holding my breath though.

Now, I'm in a pretty good mood. We won a trophy, the weather is beautiful and we have the World Cup on soon

[QuartzGooner]

We have pace, but they were not fit: Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gnabry.

I have a feeling that Joel Campbell will come back from loan, he can run a bit too.

Yes, a new striker, with pace is needed.
Probably two new strikers if Podoslki leaves.
Have stated often that I want Jackson Martinez and Loic Remy.
Send Sanogo on loan to get much needed experience.

We will probably have to replace Sagna, maybe Vermaelen too?

As most others feel, another defensive midfielder is needed, a really tough guy, Arteta has slipped in the last 18 months.
But defensive midfielder was never really Arteta's forte anyway, we have asked him to change his style since arriving.

And a centre back regardless of whether Vermaelen leaves, as we do not have enough cover there.

We should work on our pressing and our shape.

[clockender1]

I was very impressed with Alex Bruce as CB YEsterday. The TV made references to his leadership and direction of the hull back four several times. When he went off injured we scored 5 minutes later...

I don't understand why we don't pick up more British defenders in the mould of Bouldy, Dixon, Winterburn etc who learn the basics in a lower league - it's not like we need ball players is it ?

Kos and per are good but not good enough at tracking back and picking up their men - per did it again yesterday. Once a game is too often - which might be down to the zonal marking bollocks but that's another issue too.

If we are to continue with the cagey 451 we have to keep it very tight at the back to compete with the top 5 and in Europe.

Either we need to give those two a LOT of coaching or one of them needs to be replaced.and we need a RB who can cross and push wingers out wide or onto their wrong foot.

We also need a proper holding DM, an enforcer to protect the back four.

Attacking wise I think we have plenty of talent - we should be playing a 442 week in week out - Giroud got 22 goals this year and 11 assists, but he is not quick enough or skilled enough to play 451...

he needs a man up with him to give him time and space and should be Pod who as a finisher is lethal, or theo for his pace - and they should rotate depending on the opposition.

ox and ramsey give us plenty of pace and creativity, if ox plays, go with pod and Giroud, if he doesn't play walcott up there.

so :

pod - giroud

-ramsay-DM- ozil-ox

gibbo-per/kos-CB-RB

but the team can't do it all - Wenger has to evolve and realize his mistakes too - if you can't get two world class German players on the ball like yesterday, something is tactically wrong,

in yesterday's case Caz was playing where Ozil needed to be and he was pushed out wide, and when he did get the ball he only had the closely marked Giroud ahead of him and no options - Pod being pushed out wide the other side...

as i said, Pod should have been in the middle but Wenger didn't really get it...

[Theoperator]

Cant see why Sagna would go to Citeh, he wont get much playing time with Zabaletta 1st choice. Suppose its about the money, very sad. Maybe the cup win will persuade him otherwise.