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.
Arteta and Cazorla have to start for me. Wilshere is a must also if he gets back to full fitness and reproduces his pre-injury form, I think a midfield three of them would work.
We saw the use of Diaby's ball-carrying at Anfield but that's probably even more effective off the bench, and I imagine this hip injury will keep him out until 2015 anyway.
Here's a novel idea I've heard other clubs sometimes try: how about we change the team based on our opposition and what suits the game? For example, even if he's not scoring goals Giroud's ability to hassle defenders, hold the ball up and get others involved makes him a bigger asset in difficult games away from home, and likewise Diaby may prosper in away games on bigger pitches where the other team are likely to attack. Or Coquelin/Frimpong if the game is likely to require it.
As general first-choice three though I'd say Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla: so far this season has suggested that perhaps we don't necessarily always need a conventional 'DM' if Arteta sits fairly deep alongside whoever he's playing with.
Red Member wrote:who will be dropped when Wilshere is back then?
You are assuming Wilshere will start? A man who on Friday kicked his first football in what? 18 months?
no I don't expect him to start yet. i am just assuming when everyone is fully fit.
Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere are the best midfield combination we have if everyone is fit. I just hope we see them play together but unfortunately at least one of them is usually injured. We never have a best XI available.
Red Member wrote:who will be dropped when Wilshere is back then?
You are assuming Wilshere will start? A man who on Friday kicked his first football in what? 18 months?
no I don't expect him to start yet. i am just assuming when everyone is fully fit.
Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere are the best midfield combination we have if everyone is fit. I just hope we see them play together but unfortunately at least one of them is usually injured. We never have a best XI available.
Arteta played 30-odd league games last year (not bad) and Cazorla hasn't been here long enough to get injured yet, so touch wood we have some good fortune with them this season. Although saying that Wilshere hasn't played for over a year so I guess you could say one of them is usually injured, even if it is nearly always him!
Latest financials out later today, rumours are we will announce approx £50m profit for the year ending 31st May 2012. If true, it surely means the only way the club will escape criticism at the end of the season is if we win at least one trophy.
and that figure does NOT include the money from the sale of Van Persie or Song!!
Well done Arsenal, top of the league for profits.......that's our trophy in the bag for this season!!
Then Wenger and Gazidis roll out the same old shit they spout every time someone mentions money.....oh, and yet again it is emphasised that Wenger has FULL CONTROL over money and can spend if he wants.
Profit before tax of £36.6m. Increased football related income, decreased property income.
YES!! YES!! YES!!
A true backs to the wall display. We kept our powder dry until it really mattered. A super human effort against all the odds! Fucking yes!
"Have you ever won the profit making cup?"
"Champions of finance!"
"Profit to The Arsenal, profit to The Arsenal"
"Balance sheets, sheets, sheets. Balance sheets, sheets, sheets!"
"Your accountants, your accounts, your accountants are fucking shit"
Commenting on the results for the year, Peter Hill-Wood, non-executive Chairman, said:
“We have invested in the team and in the Club’s infrastructure as a whole and this will continue. UEFA’s new financial regulations have added a further emphasis to the need for a sound financial model. That is why our activities to increase revenue are important. Increased revenues allow us to continue to be competitive and to keep pace with the ever present cost pressures in the game.”
Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive, said:
“Clubs, fans and other stakeholders in the game are demanding a more rational financial approach and this reinforces our conviction that our Club is strongly placed to succeed over the long term. We have qualified for the Champions League for the 15th season in a row whilst off the pitch we have a business strategy and infrastructure that is helping us to grow our revenues. This revenue growth will provide sustainable funds for future investment in the team whilst keeping within the UEFA Financial Fair Play requirements. We can and will forge our own path to success.”
Love the bit about fans demanding a more rational financial approach!
