Basically, our squad is fucking awful atm and we have no chance of coming close to winning a trophy...
Basically, our squad is fucking awful atm and we have no chance of coming close to winning a trophy...
It's better to burn out, than to fade away.
I think we're winger heavy, defensive composure light.
The plan is to win games 5-4.
Exciting times.
http://arsenalcolumn.co.uk/2011/08/10/9333/
Excellent column on how we're shaping out tactically at least for the new season.
Yeah, but brings up a few fallicies (re: set pieces) as well as highlighting how Ramsey may become really important, though it's a bit muddled at times and doesn't really factor in much about what happens if/when Nasri/Cesc leaves. I also don't think our pressing in pre-season will be indicative of how we do it when the season starts but I guess we will see.
Last edited by AKBapologist; 10-08-2011 at 12:48 PM.
Sure we have added some good pace but after seeing a couple of games in preseason i see no difference in how we play really. Still a slow build up (even without Cesc, can you imagine that) and hardly any intelligent runs being made. I have been impressed with bits of Gervhino's play but he drifts in and out of the game alot.
We loose Cesc and Nasri and our squad is awful. Ramsey and Wilshere will not make the difference in the middle as quite frankly both are neither as good as Cesc or Nasri. Our defense is the exact same minus Clichy so the less said about that the better and I will say the same thing as our options up front. Nobody will be able to convince me that we are stronger in any way starting this season. The only way we are is if both Cesc and Nasri stay and I will only add that we would/will be marginally better.
This Weeks version
Players who have left, or are in the process of leaving have been removed. (Nasri, Eboue, Fabregas, Vela, Bendtner, Alumina, Clichy, Denilson) Players with serious doubts on there partisipation in grey.
Homegrown players over the age of 21
Johan Djourou
Vito Mannone
Alex Song
Theo Walcott
Armand Traore
Kieran Gibbs
Non homegrown players
Gervinho
Andrey Arshavin
Marouane Chamakh
Abou Diaby
Lukasz Fabianski
Laurent Koscielny
Tomas Rosicky
Bacary Sagna
Robin Van Persie
Thomas Vermaelen
Sebastien Squillaci
Under 21's likely to be a big part of next season. (in red those we'd probably need to make space for in the squad)
Ryo Myachi (18)
Craig Eastmond (21) (????)
Emmanuel Frimpong (19)
Henri Lansbury (20)
Aaron Ramsey (21)
Wojciech Szczesny (21)
Joel Campbell (18) (visa?)
Jack Wilshere (19)
Carl Jenkinson (19)
Ignasi Miquel (18)
Oxlaid Chamberlain. (17)
Home Grown Players Total: 6 (At least 8 is required in a 25 man squad)
Home Grown Players minus potential departures: 6
None-homegrown players: 11 (17 is the limit)
None-Homegrown players minus likely departures: 11
Current Squad size: 17
Current squad size minus potential departures: 17
What does this mean? Assuming all the transfers for players within the squad continue as planned, we can add a whopping 8! senior players to the squad whilst keeping within the squad size limits. I think Rosicky and Arshavins contracts expire or are close to expiring next year so it's not even a case of reserving spots for youngsters. It's unbelievable with such a small squad, that there hasn't been much transfer activity. Maybe he's waiting for players to complete deals???
I'm just baffled by how little has happened so late this transfer window. And no, youths don't count. Funds for the likes of Campbell and AOC come from a separate pot. What we had to spend before the summer is essentially still there. The good news is that all those of you who have been complaining about the dross, well we've essencially cleared it all (apart from Squlliaci) but oh well...
Last edited by AKBapologist; 14-08-2011 at 12:07 PM.
This is the worst squad Wenger has assembled since he's been with us. Gaping holes all over the place and a distinct lack of experience. Potential is there...but that's about it.
I absolutely cannot believe Wenger will go into this season with the squad as it is.