Relative squad strength to last year

[DB10GOONER]

Augie, whilst I thought Sagna at his peak was brilliant week in week out, the last 2 seasons he was absolute rubbish tbh. Afraid to take his man on, always checking back, stifling our attack, losing posession cheaply. He looked a shadow of his former self. The only part of his game that didn't totally fall apart was defensively. I think Debouchy is an upgrade on the Sagna of the last 2 years, but not on the Sagna of old. Thoughts?

[Bradywasking]

Squad would be greatly strengthened by playing players in their correct positions...

[DB10GOONER]

Squad would be greatly strengthened by playing players in their correct positions...

^^This. Every single day of every single week.

But hey - what the fuck do we know? We haven't worked in football for over 30 years. My mate though, who coaches an under 12's side, can see the benefits of playing players in their best positions. And he's only been coaching about 10 years the mad bastard.

[SPUDMASHER]

Augie, whilst I thought Sagna at his peak was brilliant week in week out, the last 2 seasons he was absolute rubbish tbh. Afraid to take his man on, always checking back, stifling our attack, losing posession cheaply. He looked a shadow of his former self. The only part of his game that didn't totally fall apart was defensively. I think Debouchy is an upgrade on the Sagna of the last 2 years, but not on the Sagna of old. Thoughts?

Agreed........ I liked Sagna but he was seriously suffering from Laurens disease (the inability to beat the first man with a cross). It's been something that has plagued our right backs for the last 20 years. Debouchy looks to be able to cross the ball regularly without it hitting the defender. This for me is a big tick in the box.

[Theoperator]

Agree with DB10 Sagna wasnt so good possibly following his most recent fracture. Debuchy is definately an advance.

Chambers in the long run is going to be great I think- 19 and showing the game reading of a 30 year old.

Agree with Augie, Sanchez is baffling so far- though I guess with Ozil passing as he does that view may change.

We still need a DM and to actually play Campbell who could be great if allowed to play in a non 451 formation ( )

Weve also got rid of some relative deadwood too in the last 2 seasons.

Still totally miserable seeing Cesc in a blue shirt and seeing Santi decline annually

[Gunnersaurus]

Augie, whilst I thought Sagna at his peak was brilliant week in week out, the last 2 seasons he was absolute rubbish tbh. Afraid to take his man on, always checking back, stifling our attack, losing posession cheaply. He looked a shadow of his former self. The only part of his game that didn't totally fall apart was defensively. I think Debouchy is an upgrade on the Sagna of the last 2 years, but not on the Sagna of old. Thoughts?

Agree with this, too much opinion on Sagna seems to be based on what we used to know as opposed to where he ended up, Debuchy has looked good so far and we've not missed him.

Keepers - Upgrade, Flappy's legacy was last year's Cup run and nothing else, no great loss.

Defence - Downgrade, Sagna, Jenkinson and Vermaelen are no great loss and while Debuchy and Chambers have looked decent we are still short in numbers and quality in this area, I would not have the 3 back who left as they had seen better days but wanted more competition in this area and another left back as Gibbs can't be relied upon and not keen on Monreal.

Midfield - No change and needs serious tweaking, Jack looks like he's lost it, Chamberlain looks like a squad player while Arteta looks like the armband allows him the slot that seriously needs improving on.

Our season will be a success or failure based on how long Arteta is out for because if it's short term we are doomed because he won't buy in.

Strikers - Upgrade, Sanchez along does this, Campbell would too but he won't get a game so Sanchez for Bendtner is a massive upgrade whatever way you look at it, sadly I think Wenger will think Sanchez is enough when we seriously need a striker because Giroud and Sonogo are laughable, no one mention Giroud 's striker rate or link up play, he is a striker playing in this team, it is the minimum requirement, what we deserve is a matchwinner, someone that can WIN us games not just someone that can score the last goal, I think there's a big difference.

Overall, if the window was to close tomorrow I would be devastated as it was looking good at the start.

[WE8SPURS]

Augie, whilst I thought Sagna at his peak was brilliant week in week out, the last 2 seasons he was absolute rubbish tbh. Afraid to take his man on, always checking back, stifling our attack, losing posession cheaply. He looked a shadow of his former self. The only part of his game that didn't totally fall apart was defensively. I think Debouchy is an upgrade on the Sagna of the last 2 years, but not on the Sagna of old. Thoughts?

Totally agree. Sagna was one of the players that annoyed the fuck out of me. I can forgive players like sanogo as they are shit and it's not their fault the manager picks them but Sagna's fall com grace over the past two seasons was monumental. The thing that got me the most was the way he lost his touch, having played myself it's only really pace that you lose as you get older, the fundamentals remain though like being able to control a ball. He never seemed to be able to get the ball out of his feet and at times looked like old man steptoe with the ball. I was relieved to see him go tbh and feel that any half decent fullback would have been an upgrade based on Sagna's form over the last two years.

It's the other side that worries me most, with Gibbs injured again I hope it's not too long were stuck with Monreal. His last two performances have probably been his best in an arsenal shirt but I genuinely feel he is down there with the likes of Pie boy Santos and any decent forward/winger will turn him inside out all day. He never looks like he knows what to do and subsequently ends up doing nothing. If Everton put Lukaku up against him at the weekend we could be in big trouble I would be inclined to put bellerin out instead, he may be inexperienced but you can have all the experience in the world however that counts for nothing if you're a useless dog wanker like Monreal

[fivetothree]

Goalkeepers - def upgrade. Ospina an upgrade on Fabianski for sure. Martinez promising 3rd choice.

Defence - downgrade at the moment. Replacing Vermahlen and Sagna for Chambers and Debuchy is not bad in itself, but we got away with having not enough defenders last season with not too many injuries. At least one more centre half required. Will be interesting if Bellerin is promoted to second choice right back as he is highly regarded. Miguel's time might be up though if he is not promoted to the first team squad.

Midfield - same. Still need that DM that we missed so badly last season. I'm hoping for a signing here but it is hope more than expectation. Flamini is a decent squad player but we need a world class player here and for Artetas role to be reduced. Attacking midfield is still very strong, Ramsey is an obvious starter and hoping Ozil has a Pires like second season. Cazorla is still a class act (i think people are bit harsh on him here) and Rosicky valuable veteran. Wilshire needs to have a good season here though.

Attack - upgrade - Sanchez clearly is cut above anyone else we have here, and like some I'm hoping Wenger will at least play him at number 9 when Theo comes back. Giroud is a solid striker and I don't want to write off Sanogo (yet) but he has a long way to go. A top class 9 is needed unless Sanchez plays there. I'm hoping Ox gets plenty of game time as he is a great prospect, and Podolski and Campbell gives us some depth in the wide areas.

Overall a slight upgrade then but work to do.

What I like is a lot of the dross is gone (Bentdner, Santos etc)
At the very least then, we need a central defender and of we seriously want to challenge also a top class DM and striker. Hopefully some business to come.

[Brady's left peg]

We have now sold/let go or loaned out... Sagna, TV5, Jenko, Miguel and Djourou *cough* and replaced them with Debuchy and Chambers. Whichever way you look at it, that is a serious downgrade. And with only an hour and a half til the window shuts I cannot see that changing much.

[QuartzGooner]

Centre backs a big worry for me.
Chambers looks good for his age but Monreal not suited to that position.
It's down to Ajayi after that.

[SpendSumEffinMoney]

I would say overall we are weaker. The reason for that is because we have an 19 year old, who although promising, has already made a few slips and is the only cb back up for Kosc and Merty. So in defence I would say we are weaker although Debuchy is an upgrade on Sagna.

The midfield is worse. Santi, Arteta, Ros, Flamini are all a year older and TBH they look it. The only improvement is Alexis. I dunno what to even call Danny Welbeck- oh wait I do- a sprinter. He should quit football and sign up for athletics because he is shite. The guy doesn't need a medical he needs a brain transplant.

[1989]

The pace we've got in the squad now is absolutely sublime.

Welbeck, Theo, Ox, Sanchez, Campbell are all rapid. Bellerin could be considered too, he broke Walcott's sprint record!

Özil has got no excuse now. He has proper pace and runners in front of him.

[Herd]

We have 28 players in total which includes 3 goalkeepers .
We have 6 Injuries so far Leaving 22 to chose from and that includes Coquelin and Zalalem who haven’t exactly featured much and Cambell who Wenger has been desperately trying to sell not to mention the free scoring Sonogoal and the fish out of water that is Podolski .
We have a wafer thin injury prone lightweight squad with no depth at all except perhaps apart in midfield.

[TeeCee]

We're worse than last season in overall squad quality. Why Wonga only ever does half a job beats me, a decent CB and DM could have seen us make a decent challenge??

[hugh jardon]

I am happy with the addition of Welbeck, but now the window has closed and no more defenders signed I am at a total loss as to why Jenkinson was loaned out! Chambers is both our reserve right back and reserve centre back! Even more concerning is Monreal is now our 4th choice centre back and will be likely to be playing there at some stage in the league