Summer Transfer Misery and Recriminations.

[Marc Overmars]

I think the simple prediction is, is that it will be more productive than last summer but ultimately we will end up not buying in a position we need to buy in.

Won't take much to be more productive than last summer!

I think we'll do what we normally do, secure the one name that has been touted for months (Xhaka) then root around the dumpsters of the top clubs waiting for someone to become available. Might find someone decent, might not find anyone, either way, I think the manager is pretty chilled with the squad he has. Injuries may force his hand but otherwise he won't do enough, he never does.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Well i look at it this way, failure to significantly strengthen the side means no progression in the league means miserable stayaway fans means Wenger will walk.

[Kano]

Won't take much to be more productive than last summer!

I think we'll do what we normally do, secure the one name that has been touted for months (Xhaka) then root around the dumpsters of the top clubs waiting for someone to become available. Might find someone decent, might not find anyone, either way, I think the manager is pretty chilled with the squad he has. Injuries may force his hand but otherwise he won't do enough, he never does.

He committed to a figure of three players the other day but as to the quality of those players, that's an entirely different thing.

[selassie]

Leaving aside the fact that those two unfinished product players have just won a major prize, the problem is that by demanding only "close to the finished product" reduces the options and raises the costs. How many players are there that (1) could a similar job as Mahrez; (2) is available; (3) will fit into the Arsenal squad?

I understand and share the frustration. However, we do not know what goes on behind the scenes. I am always wondering who releases the rumours and stories about different players: is it a player's agent trying to re-negotiate a better contract; a selling club trying to see if there is any interest; a buying club trying to see who is available; a genuine story; or a journalist's flight of fantasy to fill the white space.

It's not even that I'm demanding, like most of us I'll be surprised if we sign more than 1 player. I'm not suggesting we go out and buy a team full of Messi's, but I do think we need a few high quality players to upgrade areas of the team, not squad. I also think it will be a waste of a window if we pursue "project" players, we have enough of them as it is and if Wenger is going to stick around for a few more years, which is highly likely, then he can develop them. The Xhaka rumours are very promising, a striker of that calibre would be a big step in the right direction.

Wenger needs to have a really solid window this summer, competition is going to be very fierce given that the likes of West Ham are putting out bids of 30mill for strikers.

[I am invisible]

He committed to a figure of three players the other day but as to the quality of those players, that's an entirely different thing.

Possibly. I think he says these things fully expecting that every player other than those out of contract will be staying - we'll have to see how that target of 3 players pans out if any of the contracted players start agitating for moves (or if we receive silly money for anyone he feels he can live without)?

[Kano]

Wenger confirms Giroud will be our number 1 striker next season, but that he is on the lookout for another face to replace Wellbeck.

Looks like we're going to get another middle of the road forward (like Wellbeck, Walcott etc) and not the top finisher we've been crying out for for years, though oddly he acknowledges Giroud scores in cycles and has some strong and weak moments.

What should be happening is that we should be getting a new number 1 striker and he should be a backup.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foot...-a3249451.html

"We will have to try [to sign a striker],” he said. “It will not, ideally, be someone just to make up the numbers.

“When you buy you want to buy top strikers. There is an international shortage. We need to find the right person but we have targets and hopefully we can do that.”

Who bloody well knows.

[Maestro]

Well, as things stand, we are starting the season down on squad numbers overall and quality in at least 3 positions;

Rosicky - squad filler gone
Arteta - squad filler gone
Flamini - squad filler gone
Oxlade - squad filler long term injury
Welbz - first team player long term injury
Walnut - squad filler touted to leave and shit if he stays
Striker - need quality, been a long term problem position
Right Winger/Forward - need quality, many players tried there and still no top quality
Central Midfield - need quality reinforcement, given all the departures
Central Defence - need quality reinforcement, given Per's arthritis and Gabriel's greenness ...no real competition there
Right Back - reinforcement may be required due to likely departure of Debuchy and Jenko's wilderness

Wenger relies on having a quality squad to achieve anything due to his tactical and motivational limitations. We have a decent team but gosh there is work to do and the injuries, departures and forever unaddressed key positions will see us struggle next season if we dither, deliberate and hang in limbo.

What Wenger do ....let me guess, dither, deliberate and hang in limbo. Well he's here for the long haul and he's buckled in tight, so let's sit back relax and watch what will unfold.

[Kano]

And possibly a keeper if Ospina clears off, although we may promote from within or use Ches if he wants to stick it out as back-up.

[Maestro]

And possibly a keeper if Ospina clears off, although we may promote from within or use Ches if he wants to stick it out as back-up.

True. I think we'll need to hold on to one of Ospina or Ches and one of Jenko or Debuchy, otherwise we'll end doing a rebuilding job rather than topping up and addressing the key weakness areas we already have.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We should name this thread "Suicide Watch", this place will be in meltdown come the end of the summer when Wenger is rummaging around the bargain bucket in Ligue Two looking for backup strikers to Giroud.