Transfer Window Reaction & Season Predictions

[Coney]

Whilst still generally underwhelmed, having slept on it I don't think we've done too badly at all. We do seem to have addressed key deficiencies in the squad and whilst there were no world class "Marquee" signings we also haven't spent THAT much on fees or wages which leaves open the possibility of a January splurge (OK, realise this may be unrealistic based on previous windows but once Lille are out of the CL...)

Arteta
Obviously the most high profile signing, and is what we needed in terms of position, skills and experience. The fact that he took a wage cut speak volumes for his desire to play for us IMO. Maybe he hasn't shown the form recently of his early Everton days but that could be down to getting a bit stale and of course injuries. The latter being a bit of an issue with him but then Arsenal players don't really get injured very often...... Will get a fair few assists for us and takes a good set piece.

Benayoun
Initially a WTF moment but on reflection it could be a decent bit of business - he can spot a pass and has an eye for goal and as a squad player could do a job. Also, PL experienced and International captain. In his West Ham and early Liverpool days he reminded me a LITTLE bit of Pires. Also had his injury problems but it's only a loan after all.

Mertesacker
Pretty sure we've been crying out for a BIG defender and they don't get much bigger. Time will tell how he adapts to the PL but loads of experience and was club captain at a relatively young age. The fact Spurs didn't get Cahill also makes me a lot happier with Mertesacker.

Also, Vermaesacker has decent ring to it.

Chu Young Park
Don't know much about him but another international captain that runs all day, be happy on the bench, cheap so little risk... jury out but can't be worse than Chamakh and Bendtner

Andre Santos
Typical AW full back in that he's probably better going forward than defending but also experienced and considering its unlikely we'll change our tactics much he will get more assists than Clichy ever did whilst being good competition if Gibbs ever stays fit.

I'll go along with that.

[hobson's choice]

Jenkinson > Eboue

I know it's the cool thing on Arsenal Forums to say how shiit Eboue is, but this is one of the stupidest things i've seen. Just please.

[selassie]

First XI is weaker IMHO, Squad is bigger but I question whether it's stronger....I dunno.

To Summarise...Central Defence is arguably stronger now that Per has joined, Santos is probably on par with Clichy, Central Midfield is weaker as Fabregas is a major upgrade on Arteta, wings are weaker as Nasri is an upgrade on Gervinho.

Squad wise, right back is weaker, Eboue is a major upgrade on Jenkinson at the moment, Yossi brings experience to Central Midfield & the wings, Frimpong looks like a great emerging talent so we have quite good depth in Central Midfield now, Oxo is a talent so brings a bit of quality to the wings, upfront Park IMHO is at least comparable...maybe even an upgrade on Bendy.

Overall I think we've had quite a poor window but I'll reserve judgement on the new signings until I see them in action.

I feel extremely underwhelmed.

[Edinburgh Gooner]

Do we need direct replacements fro cesc/nasri? I think we need a total new direction. We wanted pl experience. Well we have it in midfield now. We also have a no nonsense defender, something we have been lacking for the last couple of seasons. Swansea is the start of the season. Ping Pong will be back(?) Gerry and Song still out. Definate start for arteta there and maybe Joshi. As long as Wenger adjusts the tactics to suit the new players, he may havce struck gold.

[selassie]

Do we need direct replacements fro cesc/nasri? I think we need a total new direction. We wanted pl experience. Well we have it in midfield now. We also have a no nonsense defender, something we have been lacking for the last couple of seasons. Swansea is the start of the season. Ping Pong will be back(?) Gerry and Song still out. Definate start for arteta there and maybe Joshi. As long as Wenger adjusts the tactics to suit the new players, he may havce struck gold.

Well we have direct replacements for Cesc & Nasri in Arteta & Benayoun, they are both inferior versions of Cesc & Nasri IMHO.

If we wanted a new direction we would have broken the bank for M'Vila or somebody like that.

Like you say we've added PL experience which is obviously a good thing though I would have personally added it at the back too so we have a core of PL experience running right through the team.

I think if all the new signings gel we can make top 4, but as I see it 4th & decent-ish domestic cup runs is the best we can hope for.

[Ironing]

They are inferior to Cesc / Nasri for sure, but that doesn't mean they won't be as effective in terms of their contribution. I.e. Arteta isn't as good as Cesc, but he can still create

Given that BENAYOOOOOOON MAN has been given the squad number 30, it's safe to say he's going to be a bit-part player / sub most of the time

[LDG]

The main thing was to get organised. Nasri made no difference in the run in last year, and we fell apart because we had no leadership, no experience and a bad attitude.

The team may not have the "wow" factor of Cesc and Nasri. But we would all have settled for an organised and efficient team ethos from January in order to grind out the results needed.

At the end of the day, Cesc and Nasri were part and parcel of our downfall last year, and just as much to blame as anybody else.

I don't care that they have gone. All I care about, is getting 11 players on the pitch who will battle, and work as a unit. We still have an abundence of attacking talent, and we will have the ability to score goals, and stand up to anyone....but only if the attitude is right.

These signings will help that. And I'll forsake the "wow" factor for a bit of that thanks. Just hope Wenger plays to their strengths, and doesn't persist with playing players out of position.

[selassie]

They are inferior to Cesc / Nasri for sure, but that doesn't mean they won't be as effective in terms of their contribution. I.e. Arteta isn't as good as Cesc, but he can still create

Given that BENAYOOOOOOON MAN has been given the squad number 30, it's safe to say he's going to be a bit-part player / sub most of the time

Sure, point taken, also with LDG's post too.

If they can create and graft then they'll definitely add quality to the team.

[Syn]

Cesc was a liability last season. As long as arteta doesn't backheel the ball to opponents, it's all good.

[Niall_Quinn]

Cesc was a liability last season. As long as arteta doesn't backheel the ball to opponents, it's all good.

If he stays fit.