Match Reaction vs Bayern Munich (home).

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

He pins down the role and rightfully so because starting with Giroud is simply no longer an option, is Walcott anywhere near the level that we require in terms of being clinical? Absolutely not.
But he pins down the role by default because of his ability to stretch the game with his pace and thus open up chances for his team mates as a consequence.
Giroud for me has always been best as an impact substitute and it appears that Wenger agrees, and is using him well to that effect.
Now of course everything I've said is only true until January, we need to go in hard for a top striker and defensive midfielder...I'm in no illusion that this will happen but that's what we should do.

[selassie]

I thought we were comparing starting XIs or squads, not just part of them. Overall I don't think there's much in it.

I honestly don't think their is either. I much rather we were fighting it out with City than Chelsea or Utd for the title. As said by others on this thread City have questionable mentality, they are just as likely to implode as we are and it's not a new thing with them.

I think they have a marginally better team/squad than us but considering what they spent they really should be out of sight.

Despite me thinking the above, I don't really fear them that much, if anything I look forward to playing them more than the other 2 top 4 teams.

[Marc Overmars]

Ramsey is out for three weeks. Little bit hamstring.

[Power n Glory]

Paternity leave. He's faking or the clubs covering.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

De Bruyne is more comparable to an Ozil or Silva in style. He isn't on that level just yet but probably will be in a season or two once he settles in fully.

Don't think there is anything between Giroud and Bony. As said before, both are proven 20 goal a season PL strikers. Giroud would look as similarly impressive playing for a Swansea or a Palace.

Aguero is a better player than Alexis unquestionably but he's also incredibly more injury prone than him. As it's impossible to guarantee he'll be fit for 30+ league games in a season, I can honestly say I wouldn't swap them.

Cech's better than Hart.

Defence's are similar though I think our fullbacks are better.

Theo's more proven in the league than Sterling and Navas.


Like I said, all in all, pretty similar first elevens.

Ramsey is out for three weeks. Little bit hamstring.

Knowing us it'd be more like four to five weeks.

Still, decent news. The fact that he was able to limp of by himself instead of needing help suggested as much on Tuesday.

The Ox must seize this chance.

[Niall_Quinn]

He pins down the role and rightfully so because starting with Giroud is simply no longer an option, is Walcott anywhere near the level that we require in terms of being clinical? Absolutely not.
But he pins down the role by default because of his ability to stretch the game with his pace and thus open up chances for his team mates as a consequence.
Giroud for me has always been best as an impact substitute and it appears that Wenger agrees, and is using him well to that effect.
Now of course everything I've said is only true until January, we need to go in hard for a top striker and defensive midfielder...I'm in no illusion that this will happen but that's what we should do.

That's what I mean by pinning down the role - from January and beyond. He has a lot of work to do before you could say he's a viable long term option. We have to hope that happens because I agree, I don't see anything coming in for January. Nobody will be available and even if they were I doubt we'll move.

[Letters]

His performance on Tuesday was a big setback. He has to do a lot more than that if he wants to pin down the role. As things stand, we still need a striker come January or the summer. Theo has been showing signs he's stepping up but he's not there yet and surely has a limited time to prove his credentials. The 1 in 2 ratio is entirely misleading. It appears to show consistency but the real measure is whether he can bag 20+ goals over a campaign on a consistent basis. If he can do that he's a viable option. And if he can do it when it really matters then he's a good option. Can't see it myself. There are upsides to his game no doubt, but the downside are there too and they are a real issue.

The frustrating thing about him is he shows flashes of being the real deal but he's not been consistent enough.
If he can stay free of injury free I still hold out hope he can get there.

[selassie]

Ramsey is out for three weeks. Little bit hamstring.

He won't be back for six weeks, Wenger will come out in 3 weeks time and say Ramsey has a little bit of a setback...

[Power n Glory]

His performance on Tuesday was a big setback. He has to do a lot more than that if he wants to pin down the role. As things stand, we still need a striker come January or the summer. Theo has been showing signs he's stepping up but he's not there yet and surely has a limited time to prove his credentials. The 1 in 2 ratio is entirely misleading. It appears to show consistency but the real measure is whether he can bag 20+ goals over a campaign on a consistent basis. If he can do that he's a viable option. And if he can do it when it really matters then he's a good option. Can't see it myself. There are upsides to his game no doubt, but the downside are there too and they are a real issue.

I think you overcook the whole Theo debate a long with a few other posters. Before the game was even over you were saying he cost us the game with some of the chances he had. We saw easier chances totally missed this season. That game in fact. The header was the best chance he had and that was a miraculous save from Neuer. He wasn’t having a quiet game. Watford he had a quiet game but before that he scored for England and set up two goals in the Utd game and caused their defence some serious problems. Cut him some slack. He’s not going to score in every game but he didn’t look lost against an experienced defence and was able to rattle them. That’s what you should be taking from his last performance. I said this to Blink but it’s annoying how people forgot so quickly when it comes to Theo from one game to the next.

[Globalgunner]

Say we swapped Giroud or Welbeck for Bony. How would you feel about our strikeforce?

Nice that you have calmed down. No need to use terms like hate, you dont know my disposition any more than I yours. There is a muppet who comes on here once in a while; claims hes a tennis expert to abuse anyone who disagrees with his point of view. I have no time for such infantile clowns. What brings us together is a love for this club. We can disagree without abuse. I dont hate Walcott, he didnt steal my Ferrari. I simply believe he is in delusion if he thinks he is a striker. He can finish but only intermitently. He is simply not good enough. Giroud has attributes but is also not good enough for a team that wants to be on par with the best clubs in the world. They are our players so we wish them well in every game but saying another club has better players is no sacriledge. A better team can be beaten by a lesser one with the right tactics and application. To beat City over a season we need them to stumble much more than we will over the same course. It can be done
I also find it ironic that people who shout to the rooftops that Billionaire clubs are ruining footie are seeing the two squads as being on par. If they are buying the title is it with better players or nefarious pollution of the game by other means. id like to know.