Fans may have noticed that Wenger didn’t give Lauren a long contract. Nor did he offer one to Pires or Bergkamp. This is good news. The players above served the team a lot and they may have another year or two at the most. Wenger has already said that if Bergkamp signs a new contract then he does so with the understanding that he may not be a regular and will play less time than he did before.
Pires will be like Bergkamp; offered a one year contract. Lauren got away with a 2 year contract. This all means that these players can, at the most, play one season in the new Emirate Stadium. All this indicates that Wenger is paving the way for the younger generation to claim their places.
If we look carefully, Lauren is our weakest player in the defence. He isn’t quick enough to go forward and defend at the same time, so it is only normal for the manager to give him a short contract. Eboue assures me, he looks so promising and Hoyte will have to fight hard with him to claim the spot.
Bergkamp is too old now, and Van Persie looks like he is already the younger version of Bergkamp. Pires is old too, but unlike Lauren and Bergkamp, there is no player to replace him now. If Reyes prefers to be forward and doesn’t want to play on the left wing or is sold, then we need a left winger. I dont know if Quincy or Smith can be ready to play in 2 years time, but Pires won’t last that long, not to mention that we need cover now.
Ljungberg may have another 3 years but needs a cover for his position, maybe Bentley can do it.
For me every position in the squad is covered and somebody will get hurt whoever Wenger buy, but the most needed is:
1) Right winger
2) Left winger
3) Central Defence
4) Goal Keeper
Wenger said he will buy 1 or 2 star players, so I hope one of them to be on the wings.
I hope he signs Wright Philips to play on the right, and Vicente from Valencia to play on the left. I dont think that a sub central defender and goal keeper will coast us much, so Wenger should go for star players that can give us strenght whenever we need. sure Wright Philips and Vicente will cost us a lot of money but we will be the envy of the whole league and better than Chelase with all their millions, I’am afraid that another club will buy them while we are wondering if we should pay a lot of money for them or no.
Maybe Chelsea will get Wright Philips if Real Madrid get Jouqin (Chelsea can pay more than us to get him), but in that case we could outbid any club for Vicente. In the last few years it seems there is a small number of young quality wingers. Man Utd got one with Ronaldo, Chelsea got one with Robben and then there are Wright Philips at Man City, Jouqin at Real Betis and Vicente at Valencia.
I dont want sub-players because we have the young players to fill that role. I want match winning players (ie. one of the above), that I know we can afford to buy - at least one of them if not two.
I know we are good at scoring goals now but this doesn’t work every time nor will it work forever since the players are getting older.
Is Wenger thinking the same as I?
I dont know, but I hope so.
57 Responses to “Wenger’s thinking, and my thinking: The Future”
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April 27th, 2005 at 4:55 pm
Considering we need players between 24/28, my list will be as realistic as possible with regard to the budget, the players and our style (pace, skills, attitude):
1) Ballack
2) Bovature Kalou
3) SWP
April 27th, 2005 at 5:00 pm
Arsenal have scored at least once in virtually every match this season, it’s the defence that lets us down. This is where Arsenal have to prioritise
What assures you about Eboue? Who has only ever played once or twice. It is ridiculous to suggest you can be assured by a player after just 2 first team games.
Arsenal need a Goalkeeper and Central Defender, these are absolute priorities. Right Midfield is important too, as will be up front, as Reyes is off. That’s 4 players, essential. Wenger says he is looking at one or two, but I don’t believe him, that would be suicide.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:10 pm
vicente would be an excellent buy..but i am pretty sure he’d go to liverpool with rafa.
i dunno y eboue hasnt played more this season..he seems to have good pace and skill.
but i think a CD is a priority and possibly a strike partner. though a left winger if reyes leaves would be essential too. leave freddie he’s fine. Lauren isnt that bad either kept duff quiet all night against chelsea.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:24 pm
vicente could go to liverpool if they can pay more than us and that what they can’t do.
If we have a quality winger like vicente or WP then we could use any of them on the right or the left like Duff and Roben does at Chelsea, the point is the team must have another option if things are not working well for either Pires or Ljungberg.
Time will tell if Ebou is good enough, but Wenger wouldn’t buy him if he doesn’t think so, Wenger knows.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:37 pm
i think vicente would be more inclined to go to pool with their spanish contingent building..and rafa his ex-manager. but yes agree with u on the point for a new pacy skillful winger. i dont think swp is better than freddie prob more talent but doesnt perform like freddie does…with consistency.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:48 pm
If we want to win in Europe then we must have new players at the wings to unlock the strong defences that we couldn’t brake in the past.
The defence is sorted out with one more Central Defender so this wont be a problem for us anymore.
We should focus on the age of our players and not to expect from them to play like we used to see befor, for this we should have the cover available to strenthen our team.
Imagin having Peres, Begkamp and Ljungberg being a super sub, how would that hurt?
If we are scoring well at the moment then we shouldn’t sleep and feel goals are granted , we should search every were to add strenth to the squad in all the areas, and the wings needs them for backup at least.
As for Ebou are you suggesting that Wenger buys players just for the sake of buying, he brought him because he saw the talent there and we only saw a little of it.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:53 pm
I agree in theory, but if you’re wrong about Reyes leaving it changes the whole equation based on cash. If that happens I believe Wenger - 2 signings, 3 maximum.
April 27th, 2005 at 5:56 pm
Well either Vicente or SWP wouldn’t hurt if they are with us, maybe Wenger will have a headache but a good one, may the best player be on the pitch and do his best since the othe one is waiting for his chance to claim the spot.
Either one is A big star that can make a difference, and we need someone from that caliber, but the question is how much would Vicente cost?
April 27th, 2005 at 6:22 pm
Pretty impressive analysis. You broke down the positions we needed most carefully. Though personally i don’t really know which position is our most urgent need at the moment. I thought it was central defence previoulsy, but then Senderos emerged. Central midfield? Then Gilberto was back. Striker? Then van Persie started to impress… Tough call. I probably would go for your winger theory, since we are playing quick, attacking football, we better get someone who’s pacy.
One thing you are probably right too - yes, we can use a match winner. A truely classy player. I would love to have SWP joining us for obvious reason, it would be nice to hear the chant “Shanny Wright Wright Wright” in our new stadium! And I heard that he supported Arsenal as a kid [before his step father joined the club, at least he says so]. It’d be even better!
Vincente and Jouqin both top class wingers. But i’m not quite sure about Spanish players. I afraid they may not physically be able to cope with the English game. Reyes got a lot of talent as well, but he’s also struggling, more because of his physical side of game rather than his technical ability.
but overall, i think ur analysis pretty spot on.
April 27th, 2005 at 6:58 pm
Thanx for the support, you saw why wingers is a priority to us, they are the only positons we lack cover for, so it is obvious.
As for Vincente and Jouqin they are international players with experience, Reyes is trying to be but isn’t reular yet.
I hope you can compare them with Fabregas and Alonso from Liverpool, both are young and are not afraid to challenge anyone so not all spanish players are week physically.
Beisdes there is little options to chose from when we talk about wingers.
SWP could do well but Chelsea will have him for sure, so we must find someone else just in case.
April 27th, 2005 at 6:59 pm
I would buy two versatile wingers and a support striker.
WE DONT NEED A CENTRAL DEFENDER.
Senderos, Kolo, Sol, Hoyte, Cygan, Djourou, Ryan Garry all played at least once for the first team.
If you add Ebou?, Ryan Garry we’ve got 7 players for 2 places.
Kolo, Senderos, and Sol are top class players. It’s difficult to leave one of them on the bench.
It won’t make any sense to buy a top class central defender and leave him on the bench.
Ii’s better to play the yougsters we bought in the hope they’ll come good by playing with the first team.
No defender, no central midfielder.
Stars kill stars.
If players don’t play they become unhappy and that can affect the whole team.
This is why I don’t want Arsenal to buy players in areas we’ve got top class cover.
That’s the case in defense and midfiled.
People doubt of Ebou?’s abilities but we spent 1M pound therefore we need to try him.
Next year he and Garry will turn 23 and will need more games.
It’s an issue a manager cannot ignore.
April 27th, 2005 at 7:27 pm
Ballack is a good choice but there is just no way he is going to leave Bayern for Arsenal. If he leaves, it’ll be for a Barca or an Italian team.
April 27th, 2005 at 7:40 pm
Paul I agree. The emerging of Senderos make us have a perfect 3 central back rotation in the club, no longer need an extra central half.
As for Eboue. I think I said before I love what i seen so far from this kid. To me, he will be HUGH. He got every element to make it - strong, quick, no fear going forward, technically sound.
April 27th, 2005 at 8:08 pm
I saw him with Ivory Cost. He played the whole second half. he was very good.
Arsenal signed him for some good reasons.
The manager is not certainly going to keep him on the bench.
I don’t mind at all if we don’t buy a keeper as long as Lehman keep performing well.
This guy may be mad but he’s got a strong desire to be the best. 2006 is Lehman’s year so we should keep him for another year.
Therefore I would spend all the 33 M in just 2/3 top class attacking players between 25/28 to strengthen the team.
April 27th, 2005 at 8:13 pm
I know he wanted to leave last summer for Barca or another club. beckbauer said that if the right offer comes they will consider it.
Why Ballack won’t come at Arsenal ?
April 27th, 2005 at 9:25 pm
paul, you know, there is one aspect of Lehnmann’s game I quite admire - the man is a real character. He had made a few high profile blunders [as they called it], for other keepers with a less character, they probably would lose their confidence completely [just take a look of Howard and Carroll with United]. Afterall, CONFIDENCE plays a big part in a goalkeeper’s game. But Lehnman always seems do not bother by it [his error] at all. He may be cocky and mad at times, but he got a tough mental strength that’s big plus.
April 27th, 2005 at 10:33 pm
Well, don’t think of it from an arsenal fan’s perspective. This guy plays for a team which more often than not wins the Bundesliga crown (more or less equal to Arsenal’s position in the EPL) and does better in the UCL than Arsenal over the last 7-8 years. Now if you’re Ballack and you don’t have a personal softspot for Arsenal, why would you switch teams? And if he’s looking for a transfer because he’s tired of playing for Bayern, don’t you think that he’ll most likely go choose a team which he, and I stress he, views as having a great chance of winning the Champions League and in his eyes, in all likelyhood, that’s not arsenal. Now it’s possible that he’s looking to play in the EPL and has a penchant for living in a cosmopolitan city like London. In that case, you never know.
April 28th, 2005 at 3:53 am
we need a new keeper, dont be fooled by lehmans recent return to form, hes poor, we also need a right winger , preferably wright phillips , and to keep reyes and cole ,
April 28th, 2005 at 6:58 am
Buy Gallas. Because we could laugh for a week. Strange time for him to be expressing dissatisfaction with Chelsea, don’t you think? Some very lofty remarks from Paddy in today’s The Times: they are ‘effective’ but he, Paddy, ‘isn’t impressed’. Humph. Hope all you Gerard fans were watching closely last night. You still want him? You think he’s so good we should bench Cesc to make way for him?
April 28th, 2005 at 7:06 am
Don’t understand why you want a left-sided midfielder more than a striker. If Ashley stays, which I assume he will, then we’ve got Clichy (or Cesc, I suppose, though he’ll move into the middle wherever you start him). Priorty has surely to be keeper and striker. Then a defender or right-sided midfielder. Then a left-sided midfielder, perhaps.
April 28th, 2005 at 8:06 am
Does it make sense to say that Lehman is not as good a keeper as his current form?
On his current form he has kept loads of clean sheets. When does his form stop and his ‘normal’ service resume? Maybe his dip this year was a one-off? I say we don’t know as yet what Lehman’s normal servie actually is.
April 28th, 2005 at 8:46 am
Wenger is not impressed with Lehmann and will get rid of him. He is still play acting in stupid areas, last year he got sent off against Tottenham, and Wenger was seething, this year he was being stupid again pushing Defoe in the area. There is no need for it, and Lehmann never learns.
Once again, people here seem to have no vision. Just because a player has a good run of games they quickly forget their indescretions. Lehmann is, and always will be, a liability. The bigger the pressure, the more unpredictably he behaves. Wenger does not like liabilities, so I am 95% sure he will be got rid of.
Arsenal also require 4 central defenders, 3 is not enough. Toure has panicked a lot this season, the way he flaps his arms in the area is more likely to panic his team mates than calm them. For me, there is a question mark against him too when the pressure is on. I think he should be tried at Right Back, he would be far more useful coming forward than Lauren. I’d like to see Toure, Senderos, Campbell, Cole as the back four, and another central defender as back up on the bench, not Cygan. Some decent who will keep everyone on their toes.
April 28th, 2005 at 8:51 am
There is a problem in Centre midfield, in that Flamini, Vieira and Gilberto are too similar. The only creative midfield player we have is Cesc, but he’s not a goalscoring midfielder - and he is still only 17. I think Wenger should try hard to keep Edu, then we wouldn’t have a problem.
Right Midfield is an absolute priority, we are far too unbalanced and need that threat, SWPhillips would be the perfect answer.
I would keep Pires on the left, he is intelligent and works well with Henry, they know each other well, you don’t want to break up that communication.
April 28th, 2005 at 9:27 am
Nice post. Wenger sure has his work cut out for him, doesn’t he? What a few months of results and a string of clean sheets will do.
We need to strengthen our right-sided attack. No question. Everyone would like Shaun Wright Phillips, including me, and to be honest I think the money Chelsea will throw at him doesn’t guarantee they’ll get him. If I’m SWP and I’ve been watching, he knows why we dipped in form this season, that we have a new stadium coming, that Wenger has faith in his players and allows them to be versatile and grow, and that he buys players because he NEEDS them. And the best of all reasons: Thierry Henry. If you’re an attacking midfielder, and you have a chance to play with the best in the world, its hard to pass up. He’ll be welcomed with open arms because of his uncle’s fabulous legacy, and won’t immediatley feel like one of Jose’s chess pieces. And with the news that Kezman is the next in line to say he’s unhappy being Mourinho’s late-game booty call, things are starting to look pretty crowded over there.
I agree with Danny that Cesc is our only real creative force in the midfield at the moment, and I’m sure Wenger doesn’t want to burn him out. I think he’s going to get the Camaroonian from PSG, M’Bami. He’s 23 and coming off an injury so the price will be right and he’s looking to prove himself. Besides, doesn’t he sound like a Wenger signing? We could swap him for Ali, and things could get interesting.
I also agree that, if the deals are done well and we can use our cash wisely (no splash-outs for talented Spaniards who don’t like the cold…sigh) we should go for that fourth central defender. We don’t need him, but Toure is more suited to playing the line. He’s just too wiggy to be holding it down in the middle. I think he’s going to have a great season next year, though. He’s collected his scars and I’m still thinking about that screamer free kick he took against Spurs.
All that’s left is a keeper. Here we have the number 1 or 2 choice for the German national side in Lehmann, but since they dropped to 18th in the rankings, what does that really mean anymore? Kahn is doing well in Munich, but it seems like every time I turn on the Bundesliga, he’s letting one in. De Sanctis WANTS the move to the Premier League, and welcomes offers from ManU and Arsenal saying, “I want a team that is challenging for the league and CL.” I think we pip them over United’s whining manager who is now blaming the refs these days. Besides, “sanctis” refers to the something holy, which sounds like “safe hands” to me.
The above picks, with rotation from the kids, Wenger’s new “Plan B” involving crowding the midfield with triangular passing (which brings Cesc in when he’s on the wing, I think), and I’m thinking we’re looking damn good.
April 28th, 2005 at 9:46 am
I read on dayly basis french, english, spanish, and italian press.
I’m also aware of the bundesliga and the german football and footballers as I watch 6 or 7 major leagues every week ( In fact, I’m totally addicted to football, and I watch everything my TV can bring to me).
I don’t think professional players think like some fans or journalists about Arsenal chance of winning the CL.
Nobody can say for sure we won’t win the Champions League, because there are not a single expert who can say Arsenal CANNOT WIN THE CL.
All the experts I heard say almost that “Arsenal not winning the CL or even doing in semi final every year is mystery”. Among these expert you have Ranieri, Houiller, Guus Hiddinck, Bobby Robson….
Arsenal can attract a lot of great players :
1) because Arsenal have already got some great players, and especially Henry. If Ronaldihon has to leave Bar?a for any reason, we can land him because he’s expressed many times he wants to play with Henry.
2) Wenger and his style of management and his expertise of football. Talking of bayern Beckenbauer has always said clearly he wants Arsene to coach his Bayern or Germany. France wanted and want him.
Vieira, Henry, Cesc, Pires, Senderos… all rejected some BIG CLUBS and join Wenger.
3) Arsenal. Even without a champions league Dennis came before Wenger. Now Arsenal have become a big club.
this is what I hear from the real expert and professionals around the world.
4) remember that professional players have got a different view from fans’ regarding things such as trophies, clubs, career….
I think Ballack could be the big star we are tipped to be very close.
I don’t say he’s but that he “could” be that star.
April 28th, 2005 at 10:23 am
Just read that Gerrard had dental surgery the day before their tie and didn’t sleep a wink because of all the pain. Wonder what a fresh Gerrard will mean at Anfield? But they must win, which will be difficult. Still can’t believe their CL form and league form are so disparate.
April 28th, 2005 at 10:37 am
They give everything in CL which is a cup.
Their squad cannot the same performance everything.
They play big games with pride, and pride is not enough at the highest level on consistent basis.
April 28th, 2005 at 11:56 am
Scotty, nice analysis on SWP. I share the same thoughts since a while.
I can’t see him joining Chelski.
I’ve got a mixed felling in the fourth central defender issue.
Kolo’s getting better and better. He’s improving in the air. He attacks the ball with more confidence. He can jump as high as any decent CD, but he needs to learn how to do it.
We’ve got a great free kick taker. He’ll improve in that area too.
But I see him on the right or the midfield before Sol retire, and for many other reasons.
We might see Sol/Senderos monday.
But I think we don’t need a fourth CD, because we’ve already got Djourou, Garry, Hoyte, Ebou?, even Cygan there.
Besides all, why people want to buy a fourth experienced Central defender ?
FOURTH means he’s GOING TO SIT ON THE BENCH, for MOST or ALL the time.
I can’t help but laugh about this strange idea, because I’m fully aware of where it comes from.
Fans have been traumatised by our poor defending in some very crucial time.
We should move and keep faith in the youngsters like Djourou or Hoyte, Garyy who showed they could be the next rising star after Clichy, Cesc, Senderos, Flamini.
I don’t buy the Modeste MBami story. I know he wants to leave the Hell PSG has become, but Wenger’s got great faith in Flamini, and Cesc.
In fact, as we’ve seen Flamini comes before Cesc in the central midfield.
It’s not just about passing and ball skills. If it was that Gatusso would never play for AC Milan.
Wenger already said he’s not going to put someone in front of Senderos, Cesc or Clichy.
This means no CD, no central midfielder like MBAMI.
Kejman wants a move, he’s a massive player who lost his season because Chelski want first class and ready made covers for covers.
In real world players always are unhappy when they don’t play because for an experienced player it’s the best to desappear.
We could learn from them. I don’t think Arsenal have got the financial power to support an unlimited wage package.
To buy a player and leave him on the bench is a complete waste for all parties..
April 28th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
Ever heard of injuries?
You have the same short-sightedness that Wenger does. Besides, what makes you think Garry, Hoyte, Djourou are any good? They can’t even get past the hapless Cygan.
Not all of our kids will make it into the first team on a permanent basis, in fact, 80% will end up being sold to lower divisions. Even a great talent like Pennant has been sold.
In the meantime, Arsenal have big competitions to compete in, so it’s time to stop day dreaming and start buying in some quality. It’s what the players want, there have been murmurs from Henry, Gilberto & Vieira.
April 28th, 2005 at 1:22 pm
I’ve heard of injuries. In fact that’s where Garry has been for the better part of 2 years so to say he can’t get past the hapless Cygan is unfair to him.
And Wenger definitely likes Hoyte. You don’t get a handful of 1st team starts as an 18, 19 yr. old under Wenger w/o showing you can do it.
Also, Cygan had “experience” when he bought him, he had “quality” when we bought. When we bought him he was one of the candidates (& may have even won it, I don’t recall) for the French Ligue 1 player of the year, & he was captain of his club at the time, so there’s the exception to that experience & quality rule as well. So do you go with an inexperienced kid or an experienced player who migh too make the transition a la Cygan b/c there have been a fewl “quality” busts under Wenger. Davor Suker comes to mind…
And Pennant falls into that liability (b/c of his lifestyle) category Wenger doesn’t like, a view you were talking about in another post of yours. So you see where all that quality skill got Pennant? Oh by the way Pennant is also a “kid” as he is only 22, 23 & can’t have more than 20 or so 1st team games.
April 28th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
It’s obvious that an experienced player who has already played at the top level for a number of years is more likely to do a job. Not always, but more likely.
Cygan may have been a candidate for French Player of the year, but so what? English football is completely different to French football. Since when does French quality equate to English quality? Similar to when does English quality equate to Italian or Spanish quality? How many English players have played in those countries and been a success, a handful in 100 years.
let’s be honest, buying defenders and goalkeepers is hardly Wenger’s strong point is it? He doesn’t fill me with confidence when it comes to buying for that area of the team. His record is appalling, the majority of defenders and goalkeepers he has bought have been sh*t , Stepanovs, Garde, Cygan, Van Bronckhorst, Upson, Grimandi, Luznhy, Manninger, Shabaan, Almunia, Upson, Vivas, Silvinho, I could go on….
Even the successes he has bought have question marks, Lauren is not a true defender, Kolo was a lucky find, he ended up playing in defence by mistake. Campbell was a no-brainer and Cole was at the club already.
Senderos could be the only defensive gem Wenger has found in 7 years. Surely this is all the more reason to buy someone who has been there, seen it and done it, rather than gamble with cheapo buys or players who “nearly won French defender of the year”. In England Cygan would be voted as “worst defender of the year”.
April 28th, 2005 at 2:10 pm
The players you mentioned, Vieira, Henry, Cesc, Pires, Senderos were all either struggling in their respective leagues, or kids at the dawn of their career.
Ballack is a completely different animal. He is the finished article, when you buy him you know what you will get - you cannot say that of any of the other players you have mentioned above.
Ballack is a fantastic player, in his prime. He wants to win the Champions League, so he looks around Europe and sees which clubs have pedigree. He then looks at Arsenal, who have failed to get past the quarter finals for 7 years. He has maybe one move left in his career. If you were him, would you come to Arsenal? Be realistic, and stop being so blinkered in your views, he is much more likely to go to Italy or Spain. And if he wants to play in England, Man Utd and Chelsea are still the choice ahead of Arsenal for the best players in world football.
I wish it was different, but thats the realism of it.
April 28th, 2005 at 2:36 pm
Sol no brains? He’s said to be a very mean chess player which suggests pretty good brains for a defender to me (anticipation, position etc. etc.). Now Toure, despite his many skills, does seem totally lacking in positional sense. Which is presumably why he is fine with Sol and/or Senderos, because they tell hiim what to do.
April 28th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
Yup, M’Bami sounds very Wenger. Hope he can play wide, however, as I feel the centre of midfield could otherwise be overcongested with talent. I suppose if we do buy a big strong striker who just sits in the box we could occasionally play five in midfield, when Thierry is resting, for instance?
April 28th, 2005 at 2:50 pm
I’m surprised at this sudden enthusiasm for SWP. Where’s Stag, incidentally, on holiday? Whenever I’ve mentioned SWP in the past, he says he’s not fit to wash Freddie’s kit. I like him, as you’re probably sick of hearing, and I think he’s gutsy and versatile enough to be very useful. If he comes, however, I hope he does something about his hair. Not sure what - shave it, grow it, corn rows? At present it’s kind of nothing distinguished.
April 28th, 2005 at 3:05 pm
Miranda, no-brainer is an expression. It means ‘easy decision’. ie. It was a ‘no-brainer’ for Wenger in bringing Campbell to Arsenal.
April 28th, 2005 at 3:15 pm
Wenger hasn’t played 5 in midfield in 7 years, and he never will.
April 28th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
As long as he fulfills his promise at Arsenal he can wear a pink wig for all I care. I want him at the club, he’s just what we’re missing.
April 28th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Then, then will see what happen if he wants to move and if we make a bid.
April 28th, 2005 at 4:15 pm
i think AW had to work really tactfully to get sol to highbury..so on it wasnt a no branier. it required plenty of thought wasnt an east decision. silvinhio was one of the best left backs around and was one of my fav arsenal players for a while. the only reason he left was becoz of documentation problems. how many right backs in the EPL better than lauren? he was in the EPL team of the season last season. cole didnt exactly develop all by his own…i am sure AW had a part to play in that.I agree wenger has never spent big on defence but.he hasnt done that badly.
i dont get vot u get out of constantly miaming him. i can understand the need for a realistic opinion and not an overtly positive one but seriously i think u really take it too far sometimes.
April 28th, 2005 at 4:17 pm
i agree on the back four and play lauren as midfield and rb cover. but y dont u give lehmann some credit took guts and a big heart to come back the way he did, and he is playing well. you have to agree to that.
April 28th, 2005 at 4:48 pm
Oh! Thank you
April 28th, 2005 at 6:19 pm
I agree that he is doing well, but in truth nothing much has changed. He is the same as before, but Wenger needed a scapegoat for our rocky defence and picked on Lehmann instead of Toure/Cygan.
However, Lehmann is still not a keeper that can be trusted - he is a lunatic and always will be. And no defence in the world needs that when they are going into huge Champions League matches. It’s a pity, but that’s Lehmann’s character,
April 28th, 2005 at 6:23 pm
Yes, of course I give credit to Wenger, he is one of the best managers around. But the facts speak for themselves, just look at the defenders & keepers he has bought, don’t you think in 7 years he could have done a lot better? He never spends big money on defenders. It’s almost as if he doesn’t think they’re worth it.
April 28th, 2005 at 7:53 pm
BIG MONEY, BIG QUALITY
LESS MONEY, LESS QUALITY.
Brillant Danny,
Arsenal should have known.
April 28th, 2005 at 8:19 pm
Danny T, liek any amnager in the world in the world, Arsene deserves some credits when players improve in the club. Cole is no exception. He was in the club that’s all.
April 28th, 2005 at 8:27 pm
Danny T on SWP
“I want him at the club, he’s just what we’re missing”
Surprisingly I do agree with you.
SWP is just what we need.
I won’t mind if we spend even 20 millions and 8/10 on Kalou.
I watched him for two years. From all the players I know he’s the best candidate to replace Dennis.
April 28th, 2005 at 8:56 pm
“It’s obvious that an experienced player who has already played at the top level for a number of years is more likely to do a job. Not always, but more likely.”
Granted. But those busts are worse b/c they should have had the experience & have now cost more in terms of money where when a kid makes a mistake, it’s cheaper & generally through a lack of experience.
“let’s be honest, buying defenders and goalkeepers is hardly Wenger’s strong point is it? He doesn’t fill me with confidence when it comes to buying for that area of the team. His record is appalling, the majority of defenders and goalkeepers he has bought have been sh*t , Stepanovs, Garde, Cygan, Van Bronckhorst, Upson, Grimandi, Luznhy, Manninger, Shabaan, Almunia, Upson, Vivas, Silvinho, I could go on…. “
I was being honest & I grant you this point too.
“rather than gamble with cheapo buys or players who “nearly won French defender of the year”. In England Cygan would be voted as “worst defender of the year”. “
But then again, every signing is a gamble isn’t it Danny? And that’s the point, do you gamble & waste a couple million on a player who has experience then flops or gamble on a kid who’s come through the club & is going to generally be a heck of a lot cheaper gamble.
Personally, with the crop of youngsters we got now, I gamble on the youngsters b/c if injuries happen, the youngsters have to play at some point anyway & find out if they can cut it for Arsenal. I just personally don’t agree with going with nothing but stars for 2 & 3 deep squads, in my opinion, it’s a recipe for eventual in-fighting.
April 28th, 2005 at 9:02 pm
You Paul, you funny.
Me Corey, me hungry.
Arsene succesful professional manager, he know
Me not, me only have opinion, me no get paid for…
Me sad now.
April 28th, 2005 at 9:03 pm
OK we might not need a CD as some say here but we have got to look for a goalkeeper who is going to take over the number 1 jersey off Lehmann. We cannot possibly win major honours with him in the first 11.
Keep him as number 2 goalkeeper.
Also Vicente sounds like a good buy to me but I don’t think Wenger will strengthen the left.
April 28th, 2005 at 9:13 pm
Pink wig is ok, but I draw the line if he wants to play for Arsenal in a French maid’s outfit.
April 29th, 2005 at 12:14 am
I think Wenger Should Buy VICENTE , A Right Winger(SWP) and someone who can hed the ball well to score(a deadly header of the ball
April 29th, 2005 at 8:56 am
Curtissimo, you should not be sad.
We are just fans, positive or negative.
Personnaly I agree with the Arsenal project.
I understand that human beings make mistakes so I am not interested in the constant negativeness.
My first source of joy is to think I’ve got the BEST TEAM in the world.
Even on the spuds’ boards, the fans are convinced that they’ve got a GREAT TEAM.
April 29th, 2005 at 9:51 am
—Danny T—-
“let’s be honest, buying defenders and goalkeepers is hardly Wenger’s strong point is it? He doesn’t fill me with confidence when it comes to buying for that area of the team. His record is appalling, the majority of defenders and goalkeepers he has bought have been sh*t , Stepanovs, Garde, Cygan, Van Bronckhorst, Upson, Grimandi, Luznhy, Manninger, Shabaan, Almunia, Upson, Vivas, Silvinho, I could go on…. “
——Curtisimo—
“I was being honest & I grant you this point too.”
What about comparing these failures with the success achieved by other clubs.
Inter Milan spent 525 millions Euros in the last 10 yeras in buying 119 players.
Sol, Senderos, Senderos, Kolo are all great signings.
Upson was injuried and asked to go when he was fit.
Van Bronckhorst also was injuried.
The jury, except in Englnad, is still out on Almunia.
He showed some glimses of a fantastic goalkeeper.
The media just focus on his mistakes.
If we have to win the FA Cup, we should not forget that Almunia saved us when he needed him.
Blame when blama is required but we shouldn’t forget to give credit where it’s needed.
April 29th, 2005 at 10:45 am
Top priority is defence, end of. I’d be delighted if Arsene spent his ?40m or whatever on a centre back and a goal keeper.
Senderos is looking good, but you need 4 top quality centre backs at this level. Cygan will be leaving to free up a space on the roster. I’d go for Chivu as his replacement, a strong and quick defender with the sort of distibution our other 3 lack. We have to look to always be improving the quality of the squad and the team.
Even more important, we need a convincing keeper. the biggest problem is that there aren’t many of those around. Yes, Lehman has looked back to his very best over the past few games, but was anyone surpirsed when he got his place back from Almunia? I had hoped we’d go for Toldo originally, but Niemi would be a safe bet when Southampton get relegated.
In an ideal world, I’d hope we did add SWP to the sqaud to take Pennants place and provide competiton to Freddie, but I’d rather we went for a striker so that we had a different option, but alos someone who would do a good job in Thierry’s absence…it hurts me to say, but I would like us to go for Saha from Man U (if they sold to us, which they may have to to improve their creaking team), if his injuries haven’t affected him too much. At Fulham he proved he can play right up top and is a good goalscorer with pace and dribbling skill. If Thierry were ever out injured I’d be a lot happier with Saha up front than Reyes (much as I love this guy). Saha is also very decent in the air and for France he and Titi looked a much better combination than Trezeguet-Henry. The only other player I think I’d really like us to go for (an it would be realistic he would come, unlike Ballack, Adriano, etc) is brazilian Julio Baptista from Sevilla - a big , fast, muscular presence (probably a good mate of JAR), who scores goals from midfield, in behind the main striker or as an out and out striker himself - not bad for a guy bought as a defensive midfielder.
that would all be nice, but I would settle for the defender and keeper.
April 29th, 2005 at 12:33 pm
No one is saying that this could never happen, just that it is unlikely given Ballack’s situation. He’s not some 21 year old playing for Armenia Bielefeld. Besides, he’s captaining Germany at next year’s cup, you think he’s really going to make his move the summer before the cup?
April 29th, 2005 at 6:20 pm
Someone said they need a LB. Clichy is more than capable of being that guy. He has another season under his belt and next year he’ll on the bench more.