Arsenal’s season crashed in the last 11 days. That does not mean this Arsenal team is finished. Far from it. We have seen so many talented players come through - RvP, Cesc, Diaby, Clichy, to name a few. I believe we are ready to explode. But we need a few finishing touches. I see the problems as two fold - personnel and philosophy.
On the personnel front, we need a few players who are established, have the right attitude and a winner’s mentality. I am not saying we need stars. It’s not Wenger’s style and it won’t change. But Wenger has always signed good players like Pires, Hleb and Rosicky (usually one per year). This season I want him to sign two at one go. No half measures. Go the distance. Who are the two?
1. A left winger like Ribery. We have seen Hleb struggle in certain types of games. In those games, play Ribery on the left and Rosicky on the right. In others, rotate between all three and Walcott, who I would keep as the 4th winger for one more year. We will have creativity, width and pace.
2. A goal scoring striker like Bent. I wouldn’t mind Bap succeeding, but at present, it is difficult to see that happening. I would prefer to sign Bent. He has pace, technique and scores goals. He can head, has played in the EPL, AW likes him and Charlton are going to be relegated. I would keep Ade, despite his poor first touch. He offers something different and Ade + Bent would be an awesome combo for the Bolton/Blackburn games. With Ribery and Eboue, we can even cross the ball and expect Bent to score a few headers. Throw in Bendtner into the mix and we are well equipped.
What about the defence? I really don’t see Wenger making any changes. If anything, we must work harder on set-pieces. Toure has been an excellent player for us and we cannot just move him to RB. Yes, he is weak in the air. In games where that is very vital, we should just play Gallas + Djourou. But in short, we need more practice.
How to fund all this?
Bent - 15M
Ribery - 12M
Reyes - 10M
Aliadiere - 3M
Ljunberg - 3M
Song - 1M
Net cost - 10M (same as one player) Not much, is it?
And the GK? I wouldn’t mind Lehmann staying for one more year. If that does not happen, we need one who will command the 6-yard box and go for crosses. Good shot-stoppers are many, but good aerial keepers are rare.
On the footballing philosophy front, I can only leave it to AW and players to realise that free-flowing football will not win you games all the times. Sometimes, you need to be unorthodox and a little dirty to just grind out results. I believe the addition of Bent and Ribery would add more variety to our play and we can get rid of the one-dimensional tag.
What do you think?
63 Responses to “What Now?”
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March 9th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
With Henry and RvP out for the season and Ade suspended for the next two games, it has got to be the last chance saloon for Bap, Ali and Ljunberg to start performing and scoring goals.
March 9th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
nipuna,
I agree with everything you’ve said in that last paragraph:
“On the footballing philosophy front, I can only leave it to AW and players to realise that free-flowing football will not win you games all the times. Sometimes, you need to be unorthodox and a little dirty to just grind out results. I believe the addition of Bent and Ribery would add more variety to our play and we can get rid of the one-dimensional tag.”
I think it starts with Wenger, that he can’t be such a perfectionlist. I do not doubt that Wenger’s system can win games, but it’s too reliant on EVERYBODY being in top form in order for it to work. That means we’re unlikely to be consitent enough over the course of the season to win the league. We’ll always be inconsisent playing such a system.
The problems with the players listed above, is that they all fit the Wenger mould, and we would end up with the same footballing style just with different players.
I for once, would like to see AW get some players who can do the basic stuff reliably, like a traditional CB that can defend set-pieces, and a CF that can attack in the air and from set-pieces. At the moment, our stikers can’t head the ball in the air and our CB’s can defend in the air.
March 9th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Does anyone have figures as to what the Prem teams each spent this year?? I'm used to thinking of Arsenal as frugal, but I'd be curious as to where we actually are in the spending table.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Ok lets get a little down to earth on the buying front. We have a huge debt with the new stadia, thats the first thing that has to be reduced… As far as Ribery I dont think he will be leaving Marseille due to the fact that they’re building a winning side over there and he said he wanted to stay until 2010, he wants to win the domestic leauge trophy in his home land first. We cant forget that buying players to solve problems isnt always the answer, look at Rosicky, Hleb, two of our more recent purchases, how many goals between them both do they have??? -(not many)- If you recall we had Pires knocking in 14-16 goals per season, Freddie 17, Big Pat has his share, strikers are one thing, but when you have a horrible scoring midfield as we do, then blowing a bunch of loot isnt the answer…. So what is the answer you may ask…??? Well I think its technique, it’s positioning, its tactics, 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, thats what gets it done, not a load of loot… AW doesnt spend big anyways, he gets them young and refines them thats what he does, a leopard doesnt change his spots.. Now I know this is going against the grain on here, but hey thats what I think needs to be done. I have a question, how many goals can you recall Arsenal scoring from corners, set pieces, etc…??? I cant recall many at all, we need to get back to more basics, passing the ball around until you drop doesn’t do anything for the score board, banging the net does~! We have the proper pieces to the puzzle to win, we just need to place them in the proper places, and get back to more basic footie.. Thanks for letting me rant a bit.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
“The problems with the players listed above, is that they all fit the Wenger mould, and we would end up with the same footballing style just with different players.”
Bent and Ribery?
Bent can do what you are asking - a CF that can attack in the air and from set-pieces. But we need a winger who can cross and that’s Ribery.
Anyway, I don’t want to get fixated on Ribery. As long as it’s a natural left winger, who can run with the ball, dribble and cross well, I’m fine.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
We don’t need to spend big. Wenger always buys one player (Hleb/Rosicky). This season, it can be two, funded by the sale of some other.
Rosicky and Hleb have been poor signings only because they are too similar and we already had Cesc (and now Denilson). Wenger lost Pires, Reyes and Ljunberg in the same season and was left with no wingers. But managers are paid to foresee such things.
The hardest thing to teach in football is to score goals. I don’t think we can change Rosicky or Hleb. Maybe Cesc will improve. Instead of taking a chance on one new player, I would do it with two.
Our team is ready. I don’t want to spend another season like the last two - fighting for 4th place.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Agree with most of the post. But let’s not get rid of Song. Have you seen what he’s done out of the spolight in Charlton? He’s got talent and just needs to settle down some, and then he’ll be a good fit for the Arsenal.
March 10th, 2007 at 4:39 am
squad for next season
GK: Buffon, Almunia
LB: Abidal, Clichy
CB: Gallas, Senderos
CB: Woodgate, Djourou
RB: Toure, Eboue
LM: Rosicky, Babel
CM: Gilberto(c), Diaby
CM: Fabregas, Denilson
RM: Ribery, Hleb
CF: Henry, Walcott
CF: VanPersie, Adebayor, Bentdner
Buffon - 25 mill
Abidal - 10 mill
Woodgate - 8 mill
Babel - 6 mill
Ribery - 15 mill
Bendter - back from loan
So how will we get 64 mill to buy players? i dunno. we get get around 21.5 mill for selling all these players who are not required by arsenal. still 40 mill short which means we need someone to buy the club and invest 40 mill on players.
Lehmann - free
Hoyte - 1.5 mill
Gilbert - 1 mill
Ljungberg - 3.5 mill
Reyes - 6 mill
Flamini - 2.5 mill
Song - 2.5 mill
Muamba - 2 mill
Baptista - free
Aliadiere - 2.5 mill
Lupoli - free
March 10th, 2007 at 7:06 am
wait, you are honestly telling us to spend 10 million on Abidal??? are you nuts?? and you are even suggesting that abidal is better than clichy when clichy has been MASSIVE this season.
abidal is an OVERATED waste of space …and clichy would soon take his place in the french team. the only reason he doesnt play for france now, is cos of his injury record which like woodgates is clearing up. he will be first choice LB for france at the Euros mark my words. AGAIN, abidal is grossly OVERATED incased you missed that.
that aside. i want buffon and woodgate. but i think we will get ONE of babel or ribery, but not both. and buffon would not cost 25 million. more probably around 15 million.
Buffon - 15 mill
Woodgate - 7 mill
Ribery - 15 mill
Carrson - 3 mill
TOTAL - 39 mill
OUTGOING:
Almunia - 3 mill (i figure if he is not given no. 1 shirt he will leave. and remember villareal paid 2 mill for cygan).
Bendnter - 8 mill (i heard Milan wanted to pay 8 million for him)
Lehmann - free
Hoyte - 2 mill
Gilbert - 1 mill
Ljungberg - 4 mill
Reyes - 8 mill
Flamini - 3 mill
Song - 3 mill
Muamba - 2 mill
Baptista - free
Aliadiere - 3 mill
Lupoli - free
TOTAL - 37 mill
So thats a balance of TWO million.
Ofcourse this is ALL fantasy talk really.
But all in all we DO NOT need a stupid sugar daddy to buy us to do the business in the market.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:10 am
wait, you are honestly telling us to spend 10 million on Abidal??? are you nuts?? and you are even suggesting that abidal is better than clichy when clichy has been MASSIVE this season.
abidal is an OVERATED waste of space …and clichy would soon take his place in the french team. the only reason he doesnt play for france now, is cos of his injury record which like woodgates is clearing up. he will be first choice LB for france at the Euros mark my words. AGAIN, abidal is grossly OVERATED incased you missed that.
that aside. i want buffon and woodgate. but i think we will get ONE of babel or ribery, but not both. and buffon would not cost 25 million. more probably around 15 million.
Buffon - 15 mill
Woodgate - 7 mill
Ribery - 15 mill
Carrson - 3 mill
TOTAL - 39 mill
OUTGOING:
Almunia - 3 mill (i figure if he is not given no. 1 shirt he will leave. and remember villareal paid 2 mill for cygan).
Bendnter - 8 mill (i heard Milan wanted to pay 8 million for him)
Lehmann - free
Hoyte - 2 mill
Gilbert - 1 mill
Ljungberg - 4 mill
Reyes - 8 mill
Flamini - 3 mill
Song - 3 mill
Muamba - 2 mill
Baptista - free
Aliadiere - 3 mill
Lupoli - free
TOTAL - 37 mill
So thats a balance of TWO million.
Ofcourse this is ALL fantasy talk really.
But all in all we DO NOT need a stupid sugar daddy to buy us to do the business in the market.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:12 am
buffon is in the top 2 best keepers in the world. Hes basically on par with Cech. Cech would cost around 30 mill. so buffon’s price tag will be there abouts. i agree with abidal, i got a bit carried away. clichy is fine. i still think we need both ribery and babel. walcott is a striker, not a winger.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:20 am
and if we are interested we could also put down 10 mill for bale (who even claims he’s an arsenal fan) and who is best buddies with walcott.
he could deputize for Clichy if traore has problems AND he can also play as LEFT winger.
PS: he has a thunder shot. and we all know shots from distance is something we need.
SO if this fantastic (and admittedly unrealistic) transfer wishlist comes to pass…we would only need to spend about 12 million.
and we would have weeded out the wasters as well.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:26 am
yeah, but remember we will ONLY get buffon if he wants to go. and if he wants to go, that would force the price down. also he cost 30 million in 2001. after 6 of his contract he wont cost that much again.
also remember that players over 28 can buy themselves out of their contract. so that can also force juves hand. for these reasons i think that if buffon wants to come to us, we will get him for a bargain.
yeah, i agree walcott is a striker not a winger. but as for babel, remember in our “wishlist” we are getting rid of two “homegrown” players in hoyte and gilbert. they will need to be replaced …seriously!
that is why i think bale is a better option. he might be welsh, but he played all his football at southampton meaning he is “homegrown”.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Since we have nothing better to do, with the season over and all. We can as well speculate and dream on, cant we??
I would love this to be the Arsenal team by August:
GK: Buffon, Carsson
RB: Toure, Eboue
CB: Gallas, Woodgate, Djorou, Senderos
LB: Clichy, Traore
RM: Ribery, Hleb
CM: Gilberto, Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby
LM: Rosicky, G. Bale
ST: Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott
And from my admittedly un-informed estimation (see above), it could cost a net sum of just 12 million!
March 10th, 2007 at 7:47 am
- Carsson, Woodgate, Djorou, Traore, Fabregas, Bale, Walcott…..and an addition of one of say Randall and Connoly in the reserves will ensure we have up to the 8 “homegrown” players we need for the champions league next season.
- As for the goals, i am hopeful of the following happening (if all players are generally fit)
Henry - 20 + goals
RvP - 20 goals
Adebayor - 10 goals
Walcott - 5 goals
Ribery - 10+ goals
Rosicky - 10 goals
Fabregas - 5 goals
Gilberto - 10 goals
Diaby - 5 goals
Denilson - 5 goals
Hleb - 5 goals
Bale - 5 goals
So our attack scores 55 goals and our midfield scores 55 goals. IF…and that is an optimistic IF….that happens we WILL win the league.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:55 am
In the past couple of days I have seen that people want Toure at right back. C’mon, he has played one good game at that position and you have already moved him there. Remember the Toure from the years before, especially from the last season where he was instrumental in the CL run. He had superb games against Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Raul, Forlan… and with only one game at right back you think that is a better position for him. If you ask me I think his best position is DM, but Wenger decides on that and I think he will stay at CB. Also Eboue has had much better games than Toure at that position and I think he should keep his position unless Wenger goes out and buy Dani Alves who I think is the best right back in the world.
When we are telling about our fantasy team for next year, here is mine:
GK: Akinfeev, Almunia, Poom
RB: Eboue, Gilbert
LB: Clichy, Bale
CB: Toure, Gallas, Woodgate, Djourou
CM: Gilberto, Cesc, Denilson, Diaby, Song
RM: Hleb, Walcott
LM: Rosicky, Ribery/Pedersen
FW: Henry, Torres, RvP, Adebayor, Bendtner
March 10th, 2007 at 8:06 am
- we would NOT buy woodgate if he would not be first choice. so it makes no sense for you to put him there.
- the reason a lot of us are putting toure at RB is because he is NOT good in the air. Gallas is also not GOOD in the air, which means that BOTH of our central defenders are weak in the air, THAT is the reason why we suggest Woodgate. If your defenders are not good in the air we will not win anything. Besides Toure was a RB before converting to CB.
- Bendner can not be 5th choice striker…he is far too ambitious for that. And walcott is useless on the wings.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:14 am
You are being very optimistic.
Rosicky’s record in Germany was 19 goals in 149 games.
Hleb’s record in Germany was 13 goals in 137 games.
Still you expect them to score 15 in one season?
Gilberto is unlikely to repeat his goal scoring exploits. His Arsenal record is 14 in 138.
Diaby has scored 1 or 2 in his Arsenal career and Denilson is yet to open his account. Fabregas scored 4 last year and 2 so far this season.
Ribery’s record with Marseille is 10 in 53. That’s encouraging.
Henry and RvP will score 40+ ONLY IF they are fit all season. The last two seasons have shown us that we can’t depend on that. That’s a simple reason why we need to more sources of goals - new striker and new winger.
PS: All figures from Wikipedia.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:15 am
also remember Wenger was so concerned about Toures lack of aerial ability that he had to move Gilberto (our best header) to CB and Toure to RB. If he was confident about Toures aerial ability, he would have been paired with Gallas in the middle and Djorou would have played RB.
And if you look at the videos of corners and freekicks we concede….over HALF of all the headed goals we concede are from men marked (or supposed to be marked) DIRECTLY by Toure.
We cant have TWO poor headers of the ball in central defense. we cant win any trophy if we continue like that. Before we had Sol Campbell - but now our best header of the ball is Senderos and even he is regularly destroyed by good forwards.
Conclusion: Of all our centrebacks Toure is the worst header of the ball. On the other hand he is almost as fast as Eboue, and a FAR better defender….meaning that he would be a BETTER rightback than Eboue.
Gary Neville was once a centre back but was moved to RB because of poor aerial ability. And that was a genius decision by red-nose ferguson.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:16 am
remember Wenger was so concerned about Toures lack of aerial ability that he had to move Gilberto (our best header) to CB and Toure to RB. If he was confident about Toures aerial ability, he would have been paired with Gallas in the middle and Djorou would have played RB.
And if you look at the videos of corners and freekicks we concede….over HALF of all the headed goals we concede are from men marked (or supposed to be marked) DIRECTLY by Toure.
We cant have TWO poor headers of the ball in central defense. we cant win any trophy if we continue like that. Before we had Sol Campbell - but now our best header of the ball is Senderos and even he is regularly destroyed by good forwards.
Conclusion: Of all our centrebacks Toure is the worst header of the ball. On the other hand he is almost as fast as Eboue, and a FAR better defender….meaning that he would be a BETTER rightback than Eboue.
Gary Neville was once a centre back but was moved to RB because of poor aerial ability. And that was a genius decision by red-nose ferguson.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:21 am
well, ofcourse, optimism is the key!
yes, i admit hleb is an hopeless case. but i am still a bit optimistic about rosicky…..remember those liverpool goals in the FA cup in january? i think he can do more like that in the league next season.
i think gilberto will continue scoring headers and penalties. i am optimistic.
diaby and denilson still havent played much at all. so yes, they can get enough goals in a full season.
well, we have to depend on Henry and RvP mostly…we have to pray they are fit.
also: Bale has an absolute hammer of a thunderfoot….i am hopeful he can get a few too.
PS: ofcourse wikipedia is the source of all wisdom
March 10th, 2007 at 8:25 am
@ sheed:
and remember akinfeev is 6′1. for a keeper that is short! especially for us as we need a tall keeper to handle the crosses, because we are EXTREMELY weak aerially.
as for almunia, he will probably not stay here if he is not going to be number one. so we will probably lose him. so there is a high probability we will need to buy two keepers this summer.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:31 am
I am optimistic of signing 2 (maybe 3) players, you are optimisitc of signing 5!!
I am not optimistic of Rosicky, Hleb or Gilberto contributing goals. Anything they do is a bonus. My only hope is Fabregas. Right now, he shoots straight at the GK, but atleast he shoots. The more he shoots, the more he is likely to score (remember a certain Fat Frank).
Depending on Henry and RvP for 40+ goals would be a mistake, given our recent injury troubles. RvP hasn’t had a trouble free season since joining us. Henry will be 30+.
I wrote this article suggesting that we don’t need too many changes to challenge for the title. Not as a fantasy team selection. Do you REALLY believe (other than in fantasy land) that Wenger will make more than 2 (max 3) changes?
March 10th, 2007 at 8:39 am
You are wrong, Toure was midfielder before Wenger converted him into a CB. And don’t look at Bendtner as a 5th choice striker, maybe he can prove himself and become a regular. We saw that with Denilson this year and with Cesc three years ago.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:42 am
And who said that Woodgate would be a 3rd choice? We can rotate our defenders depending on our opponents.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Hey, Akinfeev is the future best goalkeeper in the world. It would be ridiculus not to sign such a player if you have a chance. He will be as good as Buffon and Cech.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:48 am
And Fred, how come we have so many different oppinions on the players. I mean you don’t like the players I like…
March 10th, 2007 at 10:25 am
ofcourse, this is ALL a fantasy list!!! i said it from the beginning.
if wenger signs just a keeper and a winger i will be PERFECTLY happy.
i called it a “dream” team
i mean what else do we have to do in these next few months.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:30 am
nope, but you put Henry, Torres, Rvp and Adebayor infront of him! so HOW will he get to prove himself???
if we get torres or any other striker, we would have to sell him for some hard cash….
in a normal season without these many injuries a 4th choice striker wont even be on the bench for most games? so imagine the faith of a 5th choice striker.
and factor in the fact that he is highly ambitious.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Thats 39 mil for 4 players. Your going to pay for them by selling 12? that leaves a sqaud of 22 outfield and 2 keepers. Is depth not an issue? The arsenal tend to have ALOT of injuries.
Glibert, Muamba, Lupoli, and Reyes are the only ones we haven’t used this season. Although we probobly would have if they wern’t all out on loan.
We can find a keeper for 8 mil or less, we should keep:
Flamini
Hoyte
Baptista
Gilbert
Muamba or Song
Then dump:
Ali
Reyes
Freddie
Almunia
Bendtner
Lehman and Lupoli are Free’s and gone. I would think About bringing in:
Akinfeev/Boruc/jaskalinen
Babel or Ribery
Gamst-Pederson
Van der vart/Eto’o/Robinho/an AW bargain aged 24-26
Thats 5 out and 4 or 5 in Depending on our keep situation. Of couse i’m just a fan From minnesota who doesn’t watch as much soccer as some others here to know for sure but its fun to speculate all the same.
GO GUNNERS!
March 10th, 2007 at 10:38 am
that is naive talk. woodgate was on 80,000 pounds at Real….and i imagine he would demand similar wages here. and he would also cost around 8 million as transfer fee. and with the world cup coming do you think he would accept bench roles hoping for an injury to play?
remember this season as been an HORRID season when it comes to injuries….it is not normal for defenders to be rotated. in any club in the world.
so either we buy woodgate and move toure to RB. or we leave Kolo at CB and dont buy any new defenders to help with our aerial difficulty.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:44 am
you still did not counter my argument. i too believe he is a FANTASTIC keeper. but he is SHORT for a keeper.
at any other club he will be MASSIVE but at arsenal where our defenders cant deal with anything in the air, we must have a TALL keeper who can handle the situation better. we need somebody as tall as cech, and van der sar.
for arsenal a goalies HEIGHT is extremely important as our defenders are useless in the air.
we didnt win the carling cup and the champions league were lost because we could not deal with balls in the air.
more than half of the goals we conceded in the league were because we could not deal with the crossed balls.
put akinfeev in the chelsea or man u goal, he will be massive. cos he will terry, ferdinand, vidic and carvalho in front of him.
put him at arsenal in front of toure and co and we will concede even more than we are conceding right now.
March 10th, 2007 at 10:46 am
ofcourse we all have differing opinions, that is why its a forum.
we discuss and argue….afterall what else is there to do lol
March 10th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
There is a really good keeper who can be signed on free transfer, Timo Hildebrand from Stuttgart. He is very good keeper and when Lehmann is going to retire from international football he is going to be Germany’s #1. But I would prefer Akinfeev.
March 10th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Hey, as u said, these are just our fantasy teams, so in my team I have put Bendtner as a 5th choice striker. If he is not happy sell him, we have Carlos Vela who I think will be happy to be a 5th choice striker and to wait for his chance. I’m won’t be concerned who will be our 5th choice striker if we can get ‘El Nino’
March 10th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Well I think that it is better to have a short worldclass keeper on goal than some average tall keeper who is making big mistakes that would cost us points.
Hey, and guess what? All the keepers I want to come to Arsenal are 185cm
Those are Akinfeev, Hildebrand and Frey. Yes I like Buffon very much, but I don’t think he will leave Juve. They are going up this year, so he will stay there, and other top class keepers who could be available are those three above. Even Hildebrnd can be signed on free, so that would save some money for the Torres transfer 
March 10th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Casillas is 185cm too
March 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Hey the world cup is in three years time, I think you meant european cup, which is in 2008. Still if he can’t get games if he is a 3rd choice(and I said they would rotate) then why on earth everybody are affraid to have Senderos as a 4th choice CB when even the 3rd can’t have a game.
March 10th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
On defense, you think we just need to practice more?
Gee, thats new. I wonder if Wenger ever thought about practicing?
You have to be kidding. They probably practice set-pieces every single day. At some point, its the players not performing. Its not that they don’t practice.
I’d love a winger… Babel or Ribery… I think that would help some.
If Lehmann goes, we need a #1 keeper.
I’d have to think Wenger will go with Toure, Gallas, Djourou and Senderos in the middle of defense. IF… IF… IF… they can stay healthy, its a pretty solid group.
Clichy needs a back-up, and historically, we will have someone go down for a long period of time… so another defender who is versatile, would be great. Gallas has played LB… Toure has played RB… so that is cover in case of more than a few injuries.
I would like to see a striker IN.
Henry RVP… yes yes.
Ade will probably be in that rotation… though he doesn’t have ANY touch on the ball.
Nobody else has really merited the probable or definite selection.
Ali and Baptista will have more play than they deserve over the last 11 games, we’ll see if they have anything special.
I’d like Amauri of Palermo. He is very impressive. But Wenger usually goes for the hidden (or semi-hidden) gems.
It will be an interesting Summer, assuming we don’t collapse in the last 11 matches, and fall out of the top 4!!
If that happens… fire everybody!
March 10th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Perhaps Gilberto playing in central defence with Gallas is a precursor of changes for next season though Gilberto didn’t exactly defended very well against PSV. Woodgate has been touted as a possible acquisition in the summer - I for one will welcome that move and see Reyes heading the other way at par (adios Baptista!). While I appreciate Lehmann’s contributions over the last few years, handling crosses has not been one of his strengths - heck I think Almunia of recent form is better than Lehmann in handling crosses. It is embarrassing to watch him tussle with opponents when defending corner kicks - why is it I do not see Almunia or other keepers having that problem!? We should go for a British keeper as they generally have more experience in catching crosses as opposed to continental keepers whose preferred option is to punch the ball. For that Craig Gordon of Hearts should be a good choice. I see Woodgate providing the leadership and organisational skill in defending setpieces because it is obvious from the amount of goals we conceded from setpieces that none of the current crop can do the job.
With Gilberto, Cesc, Rosicky, Helb, Diaby, Denilson, Flamini, the improving Song and Maumba, we are well served in midfield. I think Ljundberg will be released this summer. The weakness here is the lack of goals from midfield when in the past, we can count on Pires for 15 goals a season. Even though bringing in Ribery or Babel would not could change that based on their respective scoring records in Marseille and Ajax, it is important to have a speedy player on the left wing to provide the penetration. Ribery would be more expensive but is a more direct player than Babel in the mold of Overmars when running with the ball at opponents.
In attack, we have Henry, RvP, Adebayor, Walcott and Bendtler. Both Henry and RvP can be expected to score 35+ goals a season combined but we will need the other strikers to step up. There is rumour of Arsenal going for Robinho but I don’t think that is a good idea as he is similar to Walcott in terms of stature. If Anelka changes his ways and Wenger is prepared to let bygones be bygones, he can be the one to elevate Arsenal’s attack to the next level. That is wishful thinking - so I hope Wenger gives Bendtler more chances in the first team to see how he performs.
March 10th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
-Babel just signed an extension.
-Ribery is just the flavor of the month.
-I’ve watched Lyon. Abidal is a pimple on Clichy behind. In fact I would predict that in 2 yrs, Clichy could supplant Abidal in the French team.
-Woodgate is an excellent defender and I would love to have him. He has to want to leave Middlesbrough and Real have to be willing to let him go. That’s a big ask.
-We need a striker(!) as an insurance policy for (A)the possible decline and fall of Henry (B)attitude from Bendtner (C)Baptista and Aliadiere failing to demonstrate potential during the remainder of the season. We are giving a 2 day trial to a 17 yo striker from Trinidad and Tobago. He’s reserve team fodder. For the big boys team, I think we should buy Sevilla’s ex-Zenit CF-Kerzhakov.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Bent would be a reasonable 2nd hoice. Song’s play is driving up his value with every game he play’s for Charlton ( he cost us ?2 mil from Bastia and I’d say he’s at least doubled that now). We could work a deal with Song+cash for Bent. Song puts us in the pole position for a Bent deal.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Bent would be perfect.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
How many games have Gallas and Toure played together? Defending set-pieces is a collective responsibility. Remember two seasons back when Gilberto was out for a long while, how we suffered and how things dramatically improved when he and Senderos returned?
I am convinced we don’t practise set-pieces well enough. If we did, our strikers wouldn’t suck like this at corners. If our defence practises against our offence, it’s a cake walk. That’s no good. We need to do better. Even Wenger admitted that we are “practising” corners before the PSV game.
At the end of the day, our 4 defenders ar a good collection. Gallas is class and can head decently. Djourou is tall, fast and can head. Senderos is slow but can head very well. Only Toure can’t head well enough but excels in other things. Put together, it’s a very good set.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Moving Gilberto to defence is just covering one problem with another. Yes, he can head the ball better than Toure, but he is known to lose the ball and for his wayward passing. If Farfan troubled him, imagine others.
Robinho? No please, not another skilled striker who doesn’t score too many goals. Actually, his record with Santos is good, but I would prefer Bent.
Anelka? He is good, but too similar to Henry. We need variety.
March 10th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Watched El Derby last night. Barca are suffering the same plight as us. Free flowing football but leaking goals. Real Madrid, with only Raul and RvN as stars and injury ravaged, played a disciplined game and almost won the game before Messi’s injury time equaliser.
I think we need a serious re-think of our style of play. Don’t give up on the passing. But without a doubt, our counter attacks don’t work anymore, partly because we don’t have fast players and partly because the opposition packs the defence. Instead, don’t maintain a high line of defence which is allowing the opposition to counter attack. Stick to a more disciplined approach. Start with clean sheets and once the midfield and attack start scoring goals, we’ll be back in business.
March 11th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
ofcourse the third choice will have a game….but woodgate is TOO highprofile to sit on the bench.
March 11th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
u still dont counter my argument. We NEED a F-CKING TALL KEEPER … BECAUSE WE CANT HANDLE AERIAL THREATS.
what dont u understand about this??????
ofcourse we should only get a world class keeper….but a worldclass keeper who is TALL !!!
i am a keeper, and i know what i am saying. a short keeper would be USELESS at arsenal. be realistic please.
March 11th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
cassilas would be USELESS at arsenal…because he will have players infront of him that cant win headers. crosses are cassillas’ weak point.
dont u still understand what i am saying??? arsenal NEEDS a tall keeper who can handle the crosses. a short keeper in front of players like kolo who cant head will be DISASTER.
dont just list your favorite players.
March 12th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Before asking Wenger to sign a CB, it might be worth pondering over his list of CB signings
Campbell - free transfer
Gallas - swap deal
Toure - converted midfielder
Senderos, Djourou - young signings
Cygan, Stepanovs, Luzhny, Tavlaridis, etc. - actual money signings, but all flops
Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.
March 12th, 2007 at 6:27 am
I get your point Fred. But, name me one tall worldclass keeper. Apart from Buffon and Cech, name me another one(without Van Der Sar, he is to old and is at United). Maybe Jaaskelainen and that’s it. And you don’t have to be tall to be good in the air. You need to make the right decisions and you will be fine no matter if you are 185 or 190cm tall. Also look at Michan Richards(who I think should be considered as a potential transfer target) at City, he is short, but is winning every high ball.
March 12th, 2007 at 9:52 am
So Wenger signed Senderos and Djourou, 2 of the most highly rated young centre backs in the game and both are internationals. He also signed Campbell (does it amke a difference if it is on a free?) an england and Arsenal stalwart. Gallas, widely considered 1 the the top 3 defenders in the world and Toure who is awesome and almost every other team in world football would love to sign him (though apparently he is rubbish in the air). Wenger also signed Luzhny - a right back, who appeared at CB for us on no more than 10 occasions. Stepanovs who cost something like 300k. Tavlaridis who cost? and the one real money buy was Cygan, bought as cover for 2.1m. Not a bad record if you ask me.
Not in one single game this season have we played our first choice back 4 of Eboue-Toure-Gallas-Clichy. No wonder we have struggled at the back..or was that all Senderos’ fault?
March 12th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Some of you'd like to see Woodgate? No thanks unless he comes really cheap. I wouldn't trust his health to last more than a couple weeks. Coupled with our recent seasons of injury problems & no thanks! I'd rather have somebody who's played longer than a season w/o a major knock especially at the price that will be asked of us to pay for Woodgate. No thanks, I'd rather stick with Senderos (save the I'm crazy comments, I already know this; I'm a risk taker) or give Connolly a run out or find a CB somewhere else.
Song too, don't bring him back, if his value has been raised by playing for Charlton, cash in now before his value drops again & move up Muamba or Mark Randall or keep Flamini there (whom I still think gets somewhat of a bad rap around here. Song over Flamini? No thanks.
And Ribery… I must be insane b/c I don't understand the infatuation some people have with Ribery. To me he's a more wide playing Hleb. All moves & dances & a weak end product. Did he go through some major metamorphosis? Or we still remember the World Cup? B/c again, I never understood what made Ribery a have to have player. Especially at any price over 10 million pounds or euros.
I'd also keep Baptista & dump Reyes. Reyes is forever going to be homesick & I think people are a bit too hard on Baptista as well. Most of you clamored for him last summer & as soon as he gets a season here & he doesn't meet expectations for most of you (probably too high of expectations in my opinion as well), we need to get rid of him. I have half a mind that thinks Ribery would be the very same way- he's this alledged “got to have” player & when he doesn't deliver the final product, dump him, worhtless, poor 1st touch, etc. etc.
Bent would be an interesting choice but at 15 million, sort of reeks of a panic buy.
I'd also like to see Lehmann stay another year although it looks like he gets caught in two minds a lot lately as far as whether to come for crosses & when (the PSV goal by Alex, to me, Jens had a horrible play- either come hard or stay on the line, don't go then stop b/c you're screwed at that point!, but I digress).
Personally I wouldn't mind seeing us offload Eboue too. He's got talent but it looks like his diving & feigning will continue to hurt us in the long run. Bendtner too if Milan wants to pay 8 million for him. 8 million for a guy who's never played an EPL game? Thanks for the money, Galliani!
Unless we offload Aliadiere but I'm also not infatuated with Bendtner alledged party & booze lifestyle.
I don't know. It's just most of y'all speculate with these big names each spring & summer & each summer Wenger usually surprises us with an initial “who?” signing. I seem to think that's going to happen again before he ever buys a Torres/Ribery/European star player or quasi-Championship Manager fantasy buy player du jour…
March 12th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Akinfeev is 6'1″ but what his is vertical leap? A guy who has 6'6″ but can only jump 18 inches is “shorter” than a guy who is 6'1″ with a 30 inch leap.
I'm not saying specifically I just mean in general, height is height, it doesn't necessarily have to do anything with crosses (other than starting at a higher point) if you're tall & have poor technique, timing & jumping, etc.
March 12th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Fred, when you list Carson here are you referring to Scott Carson? Just want to make sure that's who you're referring to.
March 13th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Bring on Van der Vaart, Heitinga and Coupet.
I read that Tevez might be going to Marseille, does that mean they are planning on selling Ribery?
March 13th, 2007 at 3:49 am
If Bent is 15M and Baptista is 12-13M, who would you prefer?
Ribery is not “must-have”. Must have is a speedy winger who can run with the ball, dribble past players and cross well. Any “who?” signing will do provided he can do the above. Reyes was well suited for that job, if only his head was in the right place.
March 13th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Free transfer makes all the difference. Wenger would not have got Campbell otherwise.
Wenger would not have got Gallas either but for the Cole situation. We can’t give him credit for that. Remember, if the 12th hour swap didn’t happen, our CBs would be Toure, Sendy, Djourou and Cygan. Wonder how our season would have turned out then.
I am happy with the current 4 CBs, but that’s just me.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:43 am
the season would probably not be too much different as Gallas has spent most of it injured anyway. Maybe we would have stayed committed to 451 and played a bit deeper, but it makes no difference now.
If you ask me, it’s churlish to say wenger would not have got campbell if he were not on a free, that supposes that campbell had no other options. Beleive it or not, Wenger would have had to convince Campbell to join our team in the same way he had to convince Gallas and every other player Arsenal signs. you make Gallas sound like a second prize as part of the Cole deal, Wenger did well to get him on board. Wenger can only sign the players that are available.
March 13th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
ofcourse NOBODY is talking about buying a poor technique player, so why are u bringing it up.
height doesnt matter at most….but at arsenal, especially in the PL, with the rough tactics, height is a MUST……since we cant handle the business aerially.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Oh yes. Sorry, I didn't clarify. I went poor technique relative to each other not poor technique meaning overall poor technique. Sorry for the mix-up.
Yes, as you said, after I posted, I thought about & height does help with the physical aspects of the EPL, although I still think that 6'1″ wouldn't necessarily disqualoify someone from being a keeper but admittedly I don't know anything about Akinfeev, that's why I was asking.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Oh yes. Sorry, I didn't clarify. I meant poor technique relative to each other not poor technique meaning overall poor technique. Sorry for the mix-up.
Yes, as you said, after I posted, I thought about & height does help with the physical aspects of the EPL, although I still think that 6'1″ wouldn't necessarily disqualoify someone from being a keeper but admittedly I don't know anything about Akinfeev, that's why I was asking.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Baptista, b/c he's more versatile since he can play in more positions than Bent. Therefore, your 12-13m has more value than just the 12-13m on the face of it. See how figures don't necessarily mean what they say sometimes? And I'm not against signing a player like Bent, I just think 15m for Darren Bent is about 5-7m too much. Just b/c you have funds doesn't give others the right to charge you more, that's why a progressive tax system is so evil- it's monetary discrimination & doesn't treat people as equals. Anywho, I veered there…
I'll say it outright- I do not want Ribery at all. Don't see what most people like in him other than attributes we could find in any number of players. Ribery will be another player that will get the shaft from Refs for the 1st year or two b/c he's French & they'll be allowed to muscle him off the ball & be overly physical & when he retaliates or some other Arsenal player retaliates, of course we'll be the ones who'll get in more trouble.