Arsenal squad 2014/2015 (how would it look if you were in charge?)

Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski (would try and convince him to sign a new contract)

Defenders: Kieran Gibbs
Jetro Willems
Thomas Vermaelen
Laurent Koscielny
Per Mertesacker
Christian Zapata
Micah Richards
Carl Jenkinson

In: Jetro Willems - pacey full back for PSV would be a good back up for Gibbss
Christian Zaptata - our centre backs have been excellent this season but look light in terms of numbers and a quality addition would help us to rotate
Micah Richards - plans to leave city this summer and is a boyhood Arsenal fan

Out: Bacary Sagna - not for how he has performed this season, but the fact that he still hasn't committed long term shows he isn't committed to the cause and it doesn't help to burden the wage bill further still by giving a massive wage hike to someone who has already peaked.

Nacho Monreal - Doesn't have the pace to be of any real use to us.


Midfield: Matthieu Flamini
Aaron Ramsey
Tomas Rosicky
Santiago Cazorla
Mesut Ozil
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain
Luis Gustavo
Antoinne Griezmann
Serge Gnabry

In:

Gustavo - Replacement for Arteta, been sending out feelers that he wants to leave Wolfsburg after just one season.
Griezmann - Gives us pace on the left side


Out:

Mikael Arteta - Goes without saying
Diaby - Also goes without saying
Jack Wilshere - Very controversial, but to be honest i think we have too many central midfielders, especially if we want to bring Oxlade Chamberlain into the centre and after Arteta he has been one of the poorest performers in that position this season and i think you need to be ruthless and let him go.


Attack: Lukas Podolski
Stephan El Sharaawy
Theo Walcott
Loic Remy

In: Remy: Gives us the pace up front we are desperately lacking
El Sharaawy: Same again, can also play on the wing giving us options

Out: Giroud: Too slow and not a particurlarly good footballing brain
Bendtner: Goes without saying

Goalkeepers : Ches, Fabs , 3rd choice from Serie A or something.
Out: Viviano :wave:

Defence in : Ashley Williams, Pisczeck , another CB like Zapata as we only have 1 backup, new LB
Defence out: Monreal (total liability), Vermaelen (will probably leave) , Sagna (I'd keep him, but if he leaves),

Midfield in : Gustavo/Bender , Griezmann.
Midfield out: Arteta

Stirkers in: Loic Remy, Drmic (Swiss in Bundesliga) , and a striker in the class of Diego Costa.
Strikers out: Sanogo (on loan) , Giroud, Bendtner

---- Team using the formation Wenger has used all season:

Ches

Sagna
Kosc
BFG
Gibbs

Bender/Gustavo
Ramsey

Griezmann
Ozil
Feo

Diego Costa

This is what my team would look like:

Szezny, Another GK

Sagna, Jenkinson

Kos, Verm, Ashley Williams, Per

Gibbs, Monreal

Bender, Flamini, Ozil, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere

Remy, Walcott, Giroud, Costa, Ox, Podolski

Manager: Diego Simeone/Martinez, Klopp, another young awesome manager

INS: Bender, Costa, Remy, Ashley Williams (or another CB), Another GK, New manager

OUTS: Sanogo, Bendtner, Arteta, Flappy, Kallstrom, Diaby, Wenger

Ashley Williams. :haha:

Thought this was supposed to be a serious thread.

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Originally Posted by Özil's Panoramic View

Ashley Williams. :haha:

Thought this was supposed to be a serious thread.

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As back up to Per, Kos, Sagna, Verm... I dont see whats wrong. Cant recall him making clangers for it be a such a surprise. Or may be I am missing something here.

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Originally Posted by fakeyank

As back up to Per, Kos, Sagna, Verm... I dont see whats wrong. Cant recall him making clangers for it be a such a surprise. Or may be I am missing something here.

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Dunno.

Has he made Garth Crooks' team of the week much? If he has, we can safely assume he's shit.

If the OT is serious then a better option would be to give all the shares to Usmanov, smash up the marble and replace the boot on the Bergkamp statue with an ashtray.

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Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

If the OT is serious then a better option would be to give all the shares to Usmanov, smash up the marble and replace the boot on the Bergkamp statue with an ashtray.

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speaking of which, where's my ashtray....i will insist on putting things down and not remembering where i put it.

If Sagna goes, we need another RB.

If Verms goes, we need anither CB

We need a super quality mobile striker.

We need some pace on the wings.

That's about it.

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Originally Posted by LDG

If Sagna goes, we need another RB.

If Verms goes, we need anither CB

We need a super quality mobile striker.

We need some pace on the wings.

That's about it.

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If Sagna and Vermaelen both go then we'll need 2 CBs as well as a RB mate, because we're already a CB short.

Plus a new keeper if Fabianski goes.

And maybe a long-term successor to Arteta, if the opportunity us there?

Chuck in the CF and the wide man and we're looking at quite a busy summer...

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Originally Posted by I am invisible

If Sagna and Vermaelen both go then we'll need 2 CBs as well as a RB mate, because we're already a CB short.

Plus a new keeper if Fabianski goes.

And maybe a long-term successor to Arteta, if the opportunity us there?

Chuck in the CF and the wide man and we're looking at quite a busy summer...

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Pretty sure Wilshere is the Arteta replacement, long term.

You're right on the Sagna thing though. One of our best signings would be to keep him.

We're being linked with Cesc again, if thier ban gets uplifted.

Arteta out, Cesc in :coffee:

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Originally Posted by LDG

Pretty sure Wilshere is the Arteta replacement, long term.

You're right on the Sagna thing though. One of our best signings would be to keep him.

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Fact!

I do think we should be keeping an eye out for another young CM though - the situation isn't critical yet, but with Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky all in their 30s, and with Wilshere still suffering a lot of injury setbacks, I think it's something that should be on out radar, if the opportunity is there...

Arteta is pretty much a full-time DM now so Wilshere can't really be a replacement. We wont get Cesc either unless we're selling Ozil or Ramsey. :unsure:

So basically we need a GK, 2 CBs, RB, DM, Winger/wide forward & a CF? Not happening :lol:

As usual I think any dreams which feature mass top name incomings are being overly optimistic. I think the philsophy that Wenger has is that having more than 2 or 3 major big name first team signings in a window causes squad integration problems. And I don't think he's necessarily wrong either with that belief - just have a look at Spurs this season. A complete shambles with 10 or so new names brought in, most them struggling to integrate themselves.


Sticking with that principle, my three major signings I hope for are:

Striker: Mario Ballotelli
I have my reservations about him, not on his ability but his behaviour and temperant. But top quality strikers are a dime a dozen and incredibly difficult to acquire. Given AC Milan's current plight, I believe he should be available with the resources we have at our disposal. He's 23, so right at that age of maximum return on investment.

RM: Antoine Griezmann
Quality player with bundles of pace and energy - qualities the current team is severly lacking. Seems to have a knack of scoring goals and like Balotelli, at that perfect age. Allegedely also wanted by the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool, which demonstrates his potential. But I believe if we bid early and fast and use the French influence, he's definitely gettable.


DM - No candidate yet
I had previously been a major advocate for Lars Benders however after witnessing how easily we can get brushed of the ball (often resulting in a goal) I think we need to aim for someone's who's a lot more powerful instead of a Flamini/Busquets type runner, e.g. Viera like. Someone like Matic would have been perfect for us. There's talk about William Carvalho, but personally I'm very unimpressed by him. Hopefully our scouts can find someone.


Other Minor additions
- Young reserve goalkeeper
- Young reserve Central defender
- Young reserve striker (that Swiss guy?)


Out:
Either one of Arteta/Flamini
Either one of Podolski or Giroud (Hope it's Giroud)

I love the Ballotelli idea too. He's a nutcase, but ultimately exactly what we need in a striker.

He may be suspended half the year, but if like Suarez, he can keep it down anpeg or two, we'd have a blinding player on our hands.

Trouble with Balotelli is he usually goes AWOL half way through the season to fight a revolution against a central african tyrant before setting up a ballet school for anyone from the cast of Game of Thrones who is under 5 feet (without their shoes).

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Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

Trouble with Balotelli is he usually goes AWOL half way through the season to fight a revolution against a central african tyrant before setting up a ballet school for anyone from the cast of Game of Thrones who is under 5 feet (without their shoes).

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Half our team have a half season off anyway, so if we can get him to cover that half, we're ok.

Suarez had proved his worth beyond doubt in this league though in spite of his questionable personality. Balotelli, didn't even wait that long. There's a lot more trouble for him to get himself into down in London and I sense that he just doesn't like the fundamental culture and modus operandi in situ in England.....especially with the press and all. I seriously doubt Wenger has the personality to keep him in line.....but if Wenger signed him, I would be just relieved he got the quality through the door over anything else at this stage....

As far as unruly personalities go too, I'd like to throw M'vila in there.... Positionally disciplined and astute a quick distributor and he's got an Isley brother beard too....

A BIG NO for Balotelli from me. Comparing him to Suarez is wrong. Suarez might be a diving cheat but he loves to play football. I do not think Balotelli's first priority is football though.. I'd rather have Remy here instead of him.

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Originally Posted by fakeyank

A BIG NO for Balotelli from me. Comparing him to Suarez is wrong. Suarez might be a diving cheat but he loves to play football. I do not think Balotelli's first priority is football though.. I'd rather have Remy here instead of him.

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These sort of world class forwards don't grow on trees - you've got to take what's available, especially considering our situation where we're sort of desperate. I'd much rather take the risk going bold with established quality like Balotelli then aim for another B list foward like Giroud.

Also, Ballotelli IMO is miles better than Remy and is also 4 years younger to boot. Despite some early great form, Remy's tailored off now and looks poor in a poor Newcastle side.

I don't watch enough football from other leagues to be able to offer detailed reasons in favour of probably most names mentioned. However, I have noticed that in recent times Germans appear to be pretty on the ball. Therefore I suggest we cram our team full of as many as possible.

I'm all for Germans, but we really need a striker more than anything.

I think Remy would be best playing wide left for us anyway and be a much easier deal to complete than Balotelli. Completely in the clubs resources to go for both though.

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Originally Posted by fakeyank

A BIG NO for Balotelli from me. Comparing him to Suarez is wrong. Suarez might be a diving cheat but he loves to play football. I do not think Balotelli's first priority is football though.. I'd rather have Remy here instead of him.

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The main difference is even though Suarez misbehaves on the pitch, unlike Balotelli i don't believe he is mentally ill.

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Originally Posted by The Emirates Gallactico

These sort of world class forwards don't grow on trees - you've got to take what's available, especially considering our situation where we're sort of desperate. I'd much rather take the risk going bold with established quality like Balotelli then aim for another B list foward like Giroud.

Also, Ballotelli IMO is miles better than Remy and is also 4 years younger to boot. Despite some early great form, Remy's tailored off now and looks poor in a poor Newcastle side.

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Remy is over-rated, another Ryan Babel touted as the next Henry. Balotelli on the other hand has the arrogance needed in a world class striker and under the right management and players he will flourish, at citeh he was surrounded by too many egoes all all wanting the same attention, in many ways he is like Van Persie loads of potential just needing the right guidance. With Balotelli leading the line our first team on paper would match anyone in the league, Giroud would never be feared by top team defensive lines but Balotelli will bring in the fear factor.

Any squad that doesn't have like Shaw would be a crap one, especially considering this is all fantasy anyway.

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Originally Posted by I am invisible

If Sagna and Vermaelen both go then we'll need 2 CBs as well as a RB mate, because we're already a CB short.

Plus a new keeper if Fabianski goes.

And maybe a long-term successor to Arteta, if the opportunity us there?

Chuck in the CF and the wide man and we're looking at quite a busy summer...

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The reality of course is that we'll buy a second rate/non world class triker (Moratta), bring Theo back and sell Sagna and Vermaelen.

Balotelli is a nutcase who is not worth the hassle. He is a world class striker WHEN he wants to be but he just loves contrevercy and can be distracted any given moment.

We are desperate though and id rather Balotelli than nothing.

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Originally Posted by AFC Leveller

The reality of course is that we'll buy a second rate/non world class triker (Moratta), bring Theo back and sell Sagna and Vermaelen.

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That sounds depressingly bang on the money. You forgot a bizarre panic buy (kalou?) in late august after a slow start to next season whilst we wait for theo and our World Cup players to get fit again.

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Originally Posted by pakgunner

Remy is over-rated, another Ryan Babel touted as the next Henry. Balotelli on the other hand has the arrogance needed in a world class striker and under the right management and players he will flourish, at citeh he was surrounded by too many egoes all all wanting the same attention, in many ways he is like Van Persie loads of potential just needing the right guidance. With Balotelli leading the line our first team on paper would match anyone in the league, Giroud would never be feared by top team defensive lines but Balotelli will bring in the fear factor.

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Even if you're convinced he's overrated....I see Remy as more a productive version of Gervinho than a contestant or comparison for Balotelli. Their best positions aren't the same in my view. Arrogance is a bizarrely highly rated ingredient for a top forward imo. Scoring 11 out of 10 in a self confidence test hasn't helped Bendtner....and he's no kid any more.

As AFC Leveller suggests....Mario is a good player WHEN he fancies it, but he doesn't always fancy it and does an awful lot of sulking or trying peoples patience. He must be up there with the easiest footballers to wind up in world football.

Having said that, I think 30 million will get him out of Milan, possibly more possibly less and there aren't many players of his ability available for that price.

Has anyone actually come up with a CF yet who we'd all be satisfied with? Costa has probably come closest so far, but even with him I've seen doubts raised about whether he's a one-season-wonder, and whether he could do it in the Prem (and besides, it's looking more and more like he's already decided on Chelsea now, so we might have to forget about him anyway)? Do we even agree on which players we'd put in which category (e.g. elite, world-class, flawed-genius, very good, good, average, below average, crap, Park, etc)?

Personally I feel we need 1 proven, bona fide goal scorer, and another striker who's maybe a level below for competition.

It's subjective of course. Everyone has their preferred choices, one mans trash is another mans treasure.

Massive change is not needed.

1 top quality striker.

1 top quality DM.

Recall Campbell.

Sign up Sagna and Fabianski.

Get rid of Bendtner, Sanogo and Arteta.

That's pretty much it.

Easier to say who it shouldn't be - Dzeko, for eaxample.

I don't think he's a bad player but he would be underwhelming. Not too many obvious choices which is why I suspect Wenger will perfectly placed to make an ostensibly obscure signing.

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Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice

Even if you're convinced he's overrated....I see Remy as more a productive version of Gervinho than a contestant or comparison for Balotelli. Their best positions aren't the same in my view. Arrogance is a bizarrely highly rated ingredient for a top forward imo. Scoring 11 out of 10 in a self confidence test hasn't helped Bendtner....and he's no kid any more.

As AFC Leveller suggests....Mario is a good player WHEN he fancies it, but he doesn't always fancy it and does an awful lot of sulking or trying peoples patience. He must be up there with the easiest footballers to wind up in world football.

Having said that, I think 30 million will get him out of Milan, possibly more possibly less and there aren't many players of his ability available for that price.

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However Bendtner didn't have the ability to match his arrogance, Balotelli does and when at the right club under the right management he will succeed it's speculative but worth the gamble at that price.

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Originally Posted by I am invisible

Has anyone actually come up with a CF yet who we'd all be satisfied with? Costa has probably come closest so far, but even with him I've seen doubts raised about whether he's a one-season-wonder, and whether he could do it in the Prem (and besides, it's looking more and more like he's already decided on Chelsea now, so we might have to forget about him anyway)? Do we even agree on which players we'd put in which category (e.g. elite, world-class, flawed-genius, very good, good, average, below average, crap, Park, etc)?

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At the moment Suarez is the closest thing to a fit T14 and technically still available but more likely to move to Madrid. I agree with you about Costa not proven over successive seasons so not too worried about him, however at the right price falcao would be a tremendous acquisition- pace, desire, positional sense and a proven goal scorer over the years.

I can't see us gettin benzema, he's doin alright at RM so it's unlikely that they will sell unless they do go after Suarez, but he might want to stay at pool if they win the title.

There's more chance of balotelli coming here, and I wouldn't mind that as I do think wenger would calm him down a bit.

Either that or we take a punt on Jackson Martinez.

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Originally Posted by pakgunner

However Bendtner didn't have the ability to match his arrogance, Balotelli does and when at the right club under the right management he will succeed it's speculative but worth the gamble at that price.

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You are suggesting Balotelli does have the ability and I happen to agree, but he too hasn't proven it beyond doubt yet either and he is no kid any more.

We would be spending the second biggest amount we ever have to bring a guy in who to date has mostly proven to be a maverick above anything else. Did he not have the reputation he has, he would probably be much more roundly sought after. It would be a big gamble. At least with the bitey racist his contribution on the field of play was beyond any level of questioning as we are witnessing again now.