Line-up at the end of the transfer window: would you be happy if....

[Darth Vela]

Except for the older guys with experience ofc, like our CB's consist of a 24 year old ,2 25 year olds and a 30 year old. Add that to the fact that there were only 4 defences better than ours, none from open play and we're looking to bring in another defender and your post looks a little hysterical.

Set-pieces are a problem and we're working towards it, you really think NO-ONE currently on our staff understand defence? You think Bould wouldn't step in and say 'excuse me Arsene, I think you meant to say the defence should move as a unit rather than instructing Clichy to stay at least 2 yards behind at all times' if he knew it was happening?

[Marc Overmars]

I'm sure it's that way for some people, obviously I don't think I fall into that category, otherwise I wouldn't think it. It's not a knack, so much as something he's done 3 or 4 times from my memory, most of those times when we were dominating but needed to push up so not such a bad idea really, just needs to be timed better and the midfield needs to have a little bit of awareness.

Regardless, it's something he'll definitely have to tone down if Song continues to forget he's covering defenders and Gibbs continues to believe he's a winger.

I should probably clarify, I meant that Vermaleen has left us compromised at the back 3 or 4 times rather than he's gone forwards 3 or 4 times, he's done that a little more often iirc.

To me he's always been naturally inclined to go forward and that's not an essential attribute really, it's a luxury and it's a luxury that will be encouraged here rather than toned down to focus on something we actually need, which is a stubborn and disciplined defence.

[Darth Vela]

If it's an inclination just to rampage forwards, it's nearly always unnecessary but if it's more a desire to push up and provide some impetus when the play slows down it can be useful, I think he would be encouraged to do the latter, rather than needlessly compromising us. It's one of the things the invincibles did well, knowing when to defend and when to push up, if Vermaelen wasn't just talikng out of his arse about studying the game whilst he was out I suspect he might know how to judge it better this season.

[fakeyank]

Except for the older guys with experience ofc, like our CB's consist of a 24 year old ,2 25 year olds and a 30 year old. Add that to the fact that there were only 4 defences better than ours, none from open play and we're looking to bring in another defender and your post looks a little hysterical.

Set-pieces are a problem and we're working towards it, you really think NO-ONE currently on our staff understand defence? You think Bould wouldn't step in and say 'excuse me Arsene, I think you meant to say the defence should move as a unit rather than instructing Clichy to stay at least 2 yards behind at all times' if he knew it was happening?

My bad on the part where I called them young. I looked at Gibbs and then at the inexperience of DJ and said they are young. Of course I do believe that CB's get better with age and their best times are late 20s early 30s but lets say I was wrong to call them young. The open play argument that AW brought was just another way to make us fans feel better that our defense is ok. Does it matter if we conceded goals in open play or from set pieces? We conceded goals when the other team just got a corner or a FK.. Most Arsenal fans could give a f*ck less about whether it was open or closed play.
As for this statement 'Set-pieces are a problem and we're working towards it, you really think NO-ONE currently on our staff understand defence?', you must be kidding right?! Set pieces is not a new problem, it has been a problem since 06/07. The staff probably do understand defense but the problem I see is that nobody has the balls to step in and tell Arsene that enough of practicing 5 a side triangular championships at practice and time to learn some defending as a unit. For eg: we know our team has a height problem.. is it something new? No, we have noticed the same thing for the last 3-4 seasons but nothing has been done. Arsene talks the talk in the end of the recent disappointing seasons but never walks the walk.

The problem if I can sum it up is Arsene Wenger. May be its the amount of power he has for his past achievements or may be its his personality that no one challenges him or tells him that he is being a pathetic fuck who is ruining the great legacy he built.

[Kano]

we had this starting 11 come August the 31th:

Szczesny

Sagna - JAGIELKA - Vermaelen - JOSE ENRIQUE

Wilshere - Song

GERVINHO - CAZORLA - MATA

Van Persie

Valencia president Manuel Llorente insists in-demand star Juan Mata will not be sold this summer.

A host of clubs are thought to be chasing Mata, with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City all credited with an interest in the 23-year-old.

Mata has claimed he is happy to stay at Valencia, despite the constant speculation over his future at La Mestalla.

Valencia coach Unai Emery admitted earlier this month they may sell if a big team comes in with an attractive offer because of the club's financial problems.

However, Llorente is adamant the skilful attacker is not for sale at any price.

"The decision is clear and money will not change our position," Llorente told Superdeporte.

"Valencia will not sell to any club that wants to buy Mata."

not happening

[selassie]

I honestly think we'll line up like this come the end of the transfer window...

Chesney

Sagna
Kos
Vermaelen
Gibbs

Song

Wilshere
Nasri

Theo
RVP (C)
Gervinho

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Arshavin, Ramsey, Traore, Rosicky & Chamakh

[Daniele]

I honestly think we'll line up like this come the end of the transfer window...

Chesney

Sagna
Kos
Vermaelen
Gibbs

Song

Wilshere
Nasri

Theo
RVP (C)
Gervinho

Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Arshavin, Ramsey, Traore, Rosicky & Chamakh

5th or 6th place beckons this season.