I think you belief there is more in this squad is probably misplaced.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
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I think you belief there is more in this squad is probably misplaced.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Well, again, I wasn't expecting a title challenge. But Wenger was a poor tactician and a poor motivator.Quote:
Originally Posted by SMatthews
It's not unreasonable to think that whatever the limitations of the squad are, another manager would get more out of them.
He has to a degree. They've certainly worked a lot harder, which has been backed up by stats. But a first season isn't going to be a continual upward curve when trying to get rid of such an inrooted way of working. There are also limitations to how well this squad can perform. We aren't one of the best three in the league. Maybe fourth best, but that's something of a stretch too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
AW admired a lot of players, his problem was his rigid player valuations and procrastinations over making moves.Quote:
Originally Posted by 21_GOONER_SALUTE
I agree that some of the Sven led signings such as Leno and Leichinstiner have been questionable...but Torreira and Auba have been superb signings, Guendozi & Sokratis not bad either.
Emery's favoured targets worry me TBH, Ever Banega? 31....Carrasco...not sold on him either.
When I made the comment I thought he was also behind the signing of Kolasinac, who I'm already sick of, but I can see he got to the club a few months before Sven.Quote:
Originally Posted by selassie
Sokratis is an average defender IMO and I honestly don't think we had to go all the way to Germany to add another average CB to the fold, especially when there is an abundance of average and really good CBs already in the premiership and in the country as a whole.
In fact I've never understood why Arsenal FC has always overlooked quality CB signings already in the country- off my head their are about 10 names from other clubs I would rate over our international dross ( Cahill is included in that 10 BTW).
As for Guendozi, I think he is more of an Emery signing since he actually worked with him and he was totally unproven in any serious league before he came here. Either way, I've started seeing serious limitations with the way the boy plays and honestly don't think he should be holding a starting shirt in a serious top 4 club. Clearly I hope he gets better but I am not sold anymore.
I agree with you on all the targets the media says Emery wants- totally not impressed. However I would like him to be given the full opportunity to sink or swim with his "vision"- I really don't want any excuses of hands tied behind his back if he's still around this time next year.
Maybe I'm in the minority but I actually think Kola has really improved. He looks decent this season TBH.Quote:
Originally Posted by 21_GOONER_SALUTE
He was a Wenger buy though IIRC.
I actually quite like Sokratis...mind you I'm comparing him to all the other Garbage CB's we have so that isn't really saying much.
I do agree with you on the homegrown CB thing...Holding started to look good prior to his injury...but I've never been sold on Chambers.
I don't think Guendozi ever worked with Emery, he came from Ligue Two, Emery was most likely aware of him though.
I hear you on Emery and his vision...I'm just not sure about his record in the market and his targets don't fill me with confidence.
Kolasinac is okay, though Im rather disappointed with his lack of directness. A cut back is not what you do when you are 5m from the goal and ahead of the chasing defence. Our players lack in game intelligence and don't take opportunities, preferring to fall back on the safety net of training routines. Hes better than Monreal now who time has apparently caught up with.
Sokratis is the best of our defenders, his pairing with Holding was working well at the start of the season. Mustafi is garbage, his presence makes everyone else worse and nervous. He needs to be sold.
Xhaka is nothing but a nuisance. ABX.....anyone but Xhaka for our midfield
Laca is a good striker. He suffered initially last year because apparently Wenger didnt want him. He was bought apparently against his wishes and Wenger made a point of taking him off even when there was no tactical need. Auba is a conundrum to me. He is a different type of striker to Laca but not any more efficient. He seems to score only a particular type of goal and rarely creates his own chances. I am bemused how he is so high in he goals table as all I can recall are his glaring misses. His one outstanding goal was the classy strike against the Spuds. He would be much better if we had a playmaking AM supplying him chances, sadly we have Ozil instead. The solution is simple, play both together until we get a new playmaker. It could and should have been Mikhi, but something has gone amiss there, looks like the poor guy is broken...in his head.
in short, we need new playa
We just need better players in most areas of the pitch, we've got the weakest squad in the top 6 and it shows. Some players we have can be exceptional but the pieces around them need a lot of upgrading if we want to become a real top 4 team again and beyond.
What Arsenal players would fans of the teams above us include their starting 11? 1 or 2 at most then you're reaching.
If we somehow won the Europa League, I think we would get eaten alive in the CL if we didn't then invest heavily.
Agreed it's a squad of very average players, there's a real lack of quality and unfortunately next to no assets of any value we can sell either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Overmars
Keeper (down to 1 now) hasn't convinced, the defence is shocking, there's very little quality, we've got 2 full backs who can't defend (first and foremost defenders should be able to defend, being able to attack is a bonus not a necessity) and quite a few CBs that just aren't any good on top of that.
Midfield isn't much better, we're losing Ramsey, then we have Xhaka, Mhiki, Iwobi, Elneny who I think aren't much kop, Ozil is out of favour and doesn't perform very often and then Guendouzi and AMN.
Up front we have two decent strikers but no real cover (Welbecks contract is up in the summer, he's had a long term injurt and I don't think he's good enough anyway).
The state of the squad is quite something, we realistically need a big clearout and some fresh blood and a bit of quality brought in, it's no real big surprise though, this is the consequence of year of neglect.
Smith Rowe and Nelson are two potential decent players (at the moment the later is closest to be a decent squad player), Calum Chambers is awful though, got his chance playing for Fulham and he's been terrible, can't believe we gave this guy a new contract, another shocker of a decision (as was giving Xhaka one). There's that Bielik guy who's on loan at Charlton but don't know if he's any.
If we sell Ozil in the summer (hopefully) I think we’ll have to take a hit on the fee as the buying club will want to balance it out given his high wages.
In terms of assets? Lacazette and Bellerin. Really good money in there.