Reserves, Loanees & Youngsters

[Darth Vela]

I guess they'll all get a shot in pre-season games, hopefully one or two of them will take their chances like Wilshere and Frimpong did (he looked good in those games before getting the big injury and would have got more chances throughout the season imo). The only guys I can see coming in to the first team squad are Lansbury and Frimpong (one for Rosicky and one for Denilson). I can't see Bartley getting in, I don't know why as I'd love to see him take Squillaci's spot as 4th (or 5th if we do bring another Cb in) as he seems to have the right attitude but maybe another year on loan would be good for him.

Incidentally, this is where project youth theoretically makes it easier for guys to break in. We now have Wilshere in the first team, he's played with Frimpong for 10 years so they have an understanding and Frimpong finds it easier to come into the first team. Lansbury has played a reasonable amount of time with both of them too, meaning that he'd find it easier to come in when either or both of them are playing.

[selassie]

I guess they'll all get a shot in pre-season games, hopefully one or two of them will take their chances like Wilshere and Frimpong did (he looked good in those games before getting the big injury and would have got more chances throughout the season imo). The only guys I can see coming in to the first team squad are Lansbury and Frimpong (one for Rosicky and one for Denilson). I can't see Bartley getting in, I don't know why as I'd love to see him take Squillaci's spot as 4th (or 5th if we do bring another Cb in) as he seems to have the right attitude but maybe another year on loan would be good for him.

Incidentally, this is where project youth theoretically makes it easier for guys to break in. We now have Wilshere in the first team, he's played with Frimpong for 10 years so they have an understanding and Frimpong finds it easier to come into the first team. Lansbury has played a reasonable amount of time with both of them too, meaning that he'd find it easier to come in when either or both of them are playing.

Yep I agree with this Darth, esp the part I've highlighted. Wasn't Kieran Gibbs also in the same Youth team as Wilshere, Frimpong & Lansbury? If so..it seems Arsene is integrating some of that successful Youth team of a few years back into his first team which is actually a good thing as you pointed out. I think Bartley was in that team too.

[Darth Vela]

Oh yeah, forgot about Gibbs, that's what a bad injury will do to your profile!

It should at least be interesting to see if it pans out nice and smoothly, we could find a smaller gap between the understanding and synergy of the first team and one with a few more back-ups in it if goes right, I suspect it won't be quite so easy though.