I'd take Lewandowski.
He'd be decent backup to Giroud.
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I'd take Lewandowski.
He'd be decent backup to Giroud.
Is that what strengthening a squad is about -"finding a miraculous player who wins you everything"? And are we seriously using the FA Cup as a measure of our capability to compete with the top teams in Europe? And isn't it taken for granted the squad moves forward together? Is this automatically the opportunity cost of dipping into the transfer market?Quote:
'I don't close the door if we find a player who can strengthen the squad,' said the Arsenal boss. 'We have strengthened already, but I believe part of the success is the level of cohesion. We have a good level of cohesion.
'We moved forward in the second part of the season, and that winning the FA Cup gave something to the team. On the day you cannot fail, you have to turn up and win. To turn up on the day and be capable when trophies are there improves the confidence of the team.
'What is important for myself and the squad is to see how we can carry on and move forward again. But it is still not enough. We have to move forward together, which for me is more important than dreaming about finding a miraculous player who wins you everything.
'We have the quality and it's about how much we can be stronger together.'
If the manager isn't throwing a smokescreen here then it sounds like our summer is done and dusted. In which case, it will be an intersting battle with Utd for 3rd. But not an inspiring one.
And vice versa. Nobody is saying you have to throw Giroud and Coquelin out because you sign cover and alternatives.Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas Reynholm
>>>Insert Wenger killing their development quote here<<<<Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
We could make it work - between him, Sanchez and Walcott, I'm sure one of them could play through the middle, if we asked them to. Or we could just have bring him in as a second Sanchez to play on the other side of a target-man? When both your wide forwards can bang in 20+ goals a season, then we could probably get away with less-prolific CF options like Giroud and Welbeck?Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
He'd do as well - sign him up!Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
:gp:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jam Persie
With our injury record, we should actually sign two DM's..
Carvalho has fractured his leg and is out for 3 months, so I guess we can forget about that one...
Fantastic post, and this is what any top club with ambition does to ensure they are challenging and top of the tree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Agree with every point you make there NQ, and find it hard to have any reasonable football/debate conversation with anyone who can't see this about the Arsenal situation. If Wenget dicks around again this time when we are very well poised to improve our squad and really challenge ....then he can go hang as far as I'm concerned. If he's staking our chances on the team as it is to compete right at the top then for his own sake I hope it pans out, and his managerial ability will make up the shortfall. Failing that, any reasonable fans being charged the Arsenal prices will have no sympathy on him and quite rightly so.
Had to re-post this again, brilliant post.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
http://thesalesmaster.files.wordpres...r-and-nail.jpg
All the more reason to buy him. 50% discount. I think we should also consider Cristoph Kramer from Leverkusen, Speciality DM, right age, right profile, maybe 20M tops. can play offensively too.Quote:
Originally Posted by I am invisible
I hear Kallstrom and Bischoff are available..
I think it's the common mistake of equating quantity with quality, in terms of player numbers we do have enough but in terms of quality we don't.
For me it's bizarre, Wenger is prepared to be ruthless when it comes to signing a top goalkeeper when we already have two but he won't do it to provide us sufficient defensive midfield cover or a superior striker.
These are not "it would be nice" signings they are essential to a sustained title challenge
Silly Wenger
Yep spot on.
The problem is that Wenger never goes into a transfer window with a plan. Last season Mourinho needed a goalscorer and a playmaker and he got Costa and Fabregas. Van Gaal needed to address United's weak midfield and bought Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin. Wenger went in the market needing a striker and came back with Ozil.
If his wife sent him out to replace a broken mirror and a shower curtain he'd come back with a box of chocolates and an orange.
For defensive midfield cover, if we're going to the market, we'd be looking at a Monreal type signing. But considering we have Arteta and Flamini as cover I don't see us signing anyone in that area. You never know, Wenger may try Rosicky or Jack in the DM position. I'm not overly concerned with DM.
My main concern is the fire power up front but as said, I think Wenger will take a look at the squad in training and go to the market late. I think we need a striker or right winger. Ox isn't ready and too injury prone and I don't want to see Welbeck or any CM playing out wide. It's the waiting game. Wenger hinted early that we won't see any major signings and hoping he'll change his mind come pre season training.
My question to you would be that in the event that Coquelin gets injured are you happy to see Arteta or Flamini play for any sustained period potentially against the top sides?.
But we can extend that question to many areas of the pitch. If Sanchez gets injured...if Ozil gets injured, Walcott, Cech, Kos......we'll lose something from each of those players that we can't replace on the bench. We just have to hope whoever gets that call to replace them can really up their game. It happens. Most doubted Coquelin could play at this level and now look. We need a strong squad and we need the bench players to really bring their A game. That's how we've always done it. We never have a player on the bench that could replace Henry, Bergkamp or Pires. We had to cope.Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
No I'm sorry I don't buy that, if we lose Ozil we have Cazorla, if we lose Sanchez we have Walcott and Ox....are they exactly the same level? No. But the difference is we could rely on them, Arteta and Flamini are too slow, and we are asking them to cover a position where we know they have been destroyed by the top sides before I think is actually reckless.
Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott and Cazorla are all starting line up players. We'd be looking more so at Welbeck, Wilshere, Ramsey and Ox to fill gaps and those guys aren't that reliable in the big games either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
As said, we're not going to spend £20m on DM cover so just get over it. We need more fire power for the first team starters. If Arteta is starting game ahead of Coquelin, i'd see your point but if he's not, this is all a fuss about nothing.
I don't completely buy the 'if somebody becomes available line'. I think you have to make players available by showing the colour of your money at times. Then suddenly unavailable becomes available.
As most know, I have no fundamental problem with Arteta but I also have no issue with having 2 top players in each 11 positions. Let the better of the two come to the fore.... There are players around the globe who could seriously push Coquelin and for less than 20 million.
I will accept whatever the manager's decision is on a central midfielder but I think we really need to be adding another devastating attacking player to the fold. Preferably a CF (as Walcott and Alexis are capable of 20 goals) but a wide forward capable of 20+ goals (from a wide position that is) would have a significant impact and take the pressure off Giroud/Welbeck.
Just because you say something doesn't make it so, unfortunately like most seasons where we fail to strengthen our squad sufficiently to put on a laudable title challenge I will have to "get over it". But nothing you will say will convince me it's not reckless abandon to only have one capable defensive midfielder in the side, it's the point I'm making between quality and quantity. Arguably I think we should be signing a 30-40million DM who is better at being the focal point turning defence into attack than Coquelin and having him as the understudy, but hey I'm not the manager.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
There is nothing wrong with Arteta apart from the fact that he's not a defensive midfielder and hasn't the legs to sustain a title run in, in that position (five years ago possibly) and I'm much more concerned about that than welbeck or oxlade chamberlain having to step up to fill in.
If you're saying to me that a striker is of great importance, you'll get no argument from me....I think going in with Giroud as essentially our only out and out striker is equally reckless, but I personally hold a defensive midfielder of equal importance....and the likelihood is that we will sign neither. As from Wengers own mouth he seems to feel that transfer activity from Arsenal is about recruiting a player he happens to like if he becomes availability rather than strengthening key positions.
I'm warming more to the idea of signing a wide forward like Reus or Draxler and giving Sanchez a go at CF. Wenger needs to be a bit creative if the players he wants aren't available.
As long as Arteta isn't starting ahead of Coquelin, I'm fine because Coquelin was performing at a top level last season. One of the best DM's in the league. I'm ok with that. Far from an Arteta fan but I think our new team ethos on defending together should benefit him if called upon and he can play at a high level on occassions. I've criticised his performances often but believe his flaws are exposed further when playing with Wilshere and Ramsey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Also, I forgot that Calum Chambers can possibly play as DM. Wenger may also go to the market looking for a CB that can also play as DM.
We have that new kid in reserves we bought last season in January as well. We have options and we may fibd the quality there but until we bring in a quality forward, I just don't see any point in stressing over a position we already have a very good starter for.
:gp:Quote:
Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice
This, especially the part I highlighted. NQ already touched on it in an earlier post, there are players available, we just need to be assertive in our pursuit. It saddens me that Wenger seems to have reverted to type, this laissez faire attitude will get us nowhere, there are areas of the team/squad that need upgrading, our team/squad isn't perfect, it's strong I'll accept that but there is room for improvement. Our rivals are all upgrading problem positions in their team/squad, why aren't we?
All predictable stuff. Wenger said before not for us to expect massive signings this window and I knew we'd find out more once training started. I'm just hoping he sees the weak areas in the coming weeks. Giroud can't play as our main striker. We need a 30 goal machine to lead the way. It's the most obvious weak area at the moment.
When does Wenger ever say anything about transfer dealings which reveals anything helpful?
I honestly don't know why anyone is analysing anything he says and inferring anything from it.
I'm honestly not sure what I'd do, re: defensive midfielders this summer?
On the one hand, if our preferred formation and best XI includes a midfield destroyer, then it only makes sense to double-up on that type of player, and get some quality back-up / competition for them, for all the usual reasons.
On the other, there seems to be a growing opinion in the game that the role of the midfield destroyer is becoming a little redundant (certainly at the 'elite' level)? Quality holding midfielders and deep-lying play-makers are still valued highly, and, whilst you're always going to want players who are able to win the ball back when they have to, I kind of think that should be expected from every outfield player now? In general, the most successful of the top European sides seem increasingly unwilling to sacrifice a valuable place in the team for a purely destructive player - first and foremost, every player is expected to be comfortable in possession, and able to contribute confidently and positively with the ball. To that end, Coquelin himself could be viewed as the back-up option for a first-choice midfield that's built around players like Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Rosicky, etc? An emergency measure to turn to if we're getting overrun, or if we want to see a comfortable game out, but not necessarily an option that we need to use for 90 minutes of every game? If he's used more sparingly / tactically, then we may actually be alright with the options we have?
I think I'm happy to go either way on this? If we sign a top-quality defensive midfielder, then far out! If not, then I won't be unduly bothered if we focus on the attack* and defence.
(*One caveat - if the plan is to start using Ramsey, Wilshere et al. in those deeper midfield roles, and not invest in a new midfielder, then we really will need an extra man in attack, if only to cover for the loss of Ramsey.)
I don't know of any manager that reveals too much about transfer dealings. I agree its not worth trying to analyse Wengers comments but I think the issue is that unlike other managers he doesn't seem to have any plans going into a transfer window & this attitude of "lets see what come available" & "we will add if the right quality player is available" just seems clueless. Other managers end the season knowing the weaknesses & spend the summer trying to put those things right. We have strengthened the starting line up with Cech but it is obvious to all Arsenal fans that we need another quality CB,DM & striker, especially with our history of injuries. Just to take the DM situation, we have not bid for Schneiderlein, Vidal or Carvalho - all players seemingly available at affordable prices & would improve our starting 11. He says that the only reason other teams are paying lots of money for new players is because they are all worried about the teams around them - too bloody right Arsene, so should you be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Don't you think he's been there long enough & is paid well enough to already know our weak areas prior to pre-season training. You & I both now them & we're not paid £8 mill a year to address it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
Wenger's had the whole of last season to check out the squad, I don't understand what new things he's expecting to see now. He's seen most of these players day in day out in training for years so he should know enough about his players and their weaknesses. He's not fooling anyone though, he's so obviously trying to delay the pressure to buy for a few weeks.
still surprised a bit that people think only have coquelin is the answer. he played Jan to May and that's it. Surely we need someone else there. The other thing we ended the season well, but we end most seasons well when we are out of the CL. So was Coq driving the improved performances or was it our usual end of season run. Coq did do a good job but I don't think we should be getting carried away about him being the best DM in the league.
I don't expect us to sign any more than 2 more players and then I really only expect us to sign one more and probably knowing Wenger it will be a mini-attacker type.
£6m bid on the table for Joel Campbell from Sociedad - if that's accepted, then that'll be Campbell and Podolski sold, Diaby released, and Sanogo and Jenks out on loan (so far)... regardless of the ins, it does at least look like we're having a damn good clear-out!
I suppose it's too much to hope that we're actually making room for something...
Typical Wenger this, the team have a good run at the end of the season and he thinks they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and are about to dominate football for the foreseeable future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
He never learns unfortunately, else he would have had targets and maybe signed them by now. Hisstubborness is the main reason we're also rans these days.
Yes of course people will say when does he ever give anything away, the question should be when does he actually do enough to address the problem areas by signing adequate players.
The weak area is up front for sure. But I think we have possibly internal solutions. We can give Theo a run up front for starters and see how he fairs. Wenger should have given Theo a run last season ages ago instead of leaving him on the bench for so long. Also, he could try Sanchez or Welbeck. Some preseason games may sort out the movememt problems we had with them when tried last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dein-machine
I can kinda understand the hold up with the striker situation this year. But we really should have signed someone 3 or 4 windows ago.
We've got Alex Iwobi, we'll be fine. He'll bury those Singaporeans for shizure.
Reckon he might give Akpom a shot.
Agree with this - but forgetting our C.L. opposition for the moment ( the forward options for Barca & Madrid are beyond our means ), we have to compete with the likes of City & Chelsea who don't go into a new season wondering who will be their main striker or wondering if they can adapt a winger to become the main striker. Wenger will do this, in the hope that Theo hits the ground running or that Giroud amazingly becomes the best finisher in world football.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
Everyone has seen enough of Theo & Giroud to know they are not lethal enough infront of goal & they never will be - everyone bar our manager.
That's where we differ. I've always said Theo could be a dangerous striker and that's where he should be starting games. He's more likely to score a hat trick and keep up a relentless attack compared to Giroud. But yes, we shouldn't be going into the season in this position. Not at all. But i'd be even more pissed if Wenger decides to start the season with Giroud upfront and go with the tried and tested.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dein-machine
Yes we do differ - Arsenal football club shouldn't be looking to play a striker who "could" be dangerous. If we are to compete we have to have a striker who is dangerous & able to score 30+ goals a year. Theo is not composed enough infront of goal & physically he is a chocolate teapot. Giroud should be at Stoke. Its normally a fair shout to say that whoever scores the most goals wins the league. With this in mind we can't have "could be good" players in such key positions on the pitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
I suppose an encouraging thought is that, even though we only finished 2 goals shy of Chelsea's total last year, there's every reason to expect more goals out of this current group of midfielders and attackers? Sanchez, Giroud and Cazorla (from his deeper role) all weighed in with the kind of numbers that I would have hoped/expected from them, but we missed out on a lot of goals through Walcott's absence, and I don't see why we shouldn't be looking at guys like Welbeck(8), Wilshere(2), Ozil(5) and Oxlade-Chamberlain(3) to be doubling (or getting close to doubling) their season-totals next time around? Even Ramsey was down on his previous season's contribution (10 in 41 down from 16 in 34).
Obviously the main concern with this is keeping everyone fit enough to deliver...