Talking transfers!
Written by Asser Ghozlan on Thursday, January 1, 2009
First of all, happy 2009 to you all! Let's hope that 2009 is a much better year for our beloved Arsenal than the past few years!
A lot has been said and written about exactly what we need, or indeed, who we need, in order to bolster our squad and maintain something that resembles a bit of consistency. Talk of strength, power, experience and quality frequently resonate in the Emirates, radio phone-ins, the Internet and so on, attributes that we have been direly lacking, especially when compared to our direct rivals. And so, going into the New Year in fifth is neither a surprise nor an anomaly at all, but a direct reflection of our strengths and weaknesses when compared to the teams above us.
Despite maintaining my belief that several players do not have the necessary attributes to cut it as an Arsenal player, it does not take a genius to realise that we have undoubtedly been hit by a severe wave of injuries to key men on a regular basis. With Rosicky out for a year, we have dearly missed our main attacking outlet from the midfield, a winger-cum-attacking midfielder who would've brought a lot of experience from his Dortmund days and international exploits into the role. The signing of Nasri has been hailed as a great buy by many fans and critics, though, as a 21 year-old acclimatising to the physicality of the Premier League, he is yet to star as consistently as Rosicky had begun to before being mysteriously crocked.
We are all desperately waiting for Eduardo's return to full fitness, Wenger's supposed trump card up front, our "fox in the box", something that we crucially need in tight matches against so-called "lesser" opposition. Again, this was a player starting to find his feet in the full rigours of English football, before his career-threatening injury at St. Andrew's last February. Thankfully, Eduardo's response to treatment and rehabilitation has been remarkable, and his return cannot come soon enough!
The injury to Theo Walcott, the club's most-improved player this season, with his true potential finally beginning to be realised, has been a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the freak circumstances in which it had happened, and during an England training camp prior to a useless friendly match (yes, even matches against Germany can be useless at times). And then, of course, came Francesc Fabregas' turn, following what seemed to be an innocuous challenge in our recent draw against Liverpool.
These are all key injuries that have ultimately left us humiliatingly decimated, and in that respect we have been very unlucky, particularly due to the nature in which these injuries had occurred. However, none of these long-term injuries are in defensive positions or to players who have a particular onus on defensive duties. And that rings many alarm bells.
Andrei Arshavin's name has been widely mooted in gossip columns and football forums over the past week. Whilst creativity and flair might now be needed following Fabregas' setback, this, in my opinion, should not really represent our main pressing priority as we head into the transfer window, particularly in light of the economic recession, and especially that we have been in our own little "credit crunch" since relocating to Ashburton Grove, or so Wenger has had us believe! It would be wise to address other, more pressing issues, whilst leaving the likes of Nasri and Walcott; upon his return, to take care of the creativity side of things.
The presence of a strong, towering, almost "boring" if you like, defensive central midfielder must be our top concern as an adequate replacement for the departures of Gilberto and Flamini last summer, an issue that Wenger must have finally realised needs to be addressed. The likes of Denilson, Diaby and Song have all had opportunities to show what they can do in that role, and, despite glimpses of potential from the latter, it is fair to say that they have not performed to the expected level, a key reason why we have been left exposed on many occasions in counter-attacks and set pieces.
Strength-in-depth in defence is another issue that clearly needs some urgent action. We might be covered in numbers at the back, but, the lack of true leadership and certainty has left a lot to be desired. With Djourou emerging as a possible contender for being a regular starter, the inconsistency of fellow centre-backs Gallas, Touré, and Silvestre has been stark, not to mention the former Captain's public outbursts that have cost him, and the team, dear.
I have recently stated that I am not Manuel Almunia's number 1 fan, and views on him have certainly been mixed. Ideally, the acquisition of a top goalkeeper is important for success nowadays, as you will see from Manchester United and Chelsea's trophy count over the past four seasons. Nevertheless, with Shay Given being touted as the only potential reinforcement in that particular area, it is highly unlikely that Newcastle United will part company with one of their star performers, and so, it is therefore unlikely that we will land a new goalkeeper this month, particularly if our economic resources are stretched.
So, it seems likely that we will possibly sign a maximum of two players during this transfer window for various reasons; with Wenger acknowledging how "short" we are in the midfield, whilst not wanting to completely destroy his young fledglings' desires to succeed at the top level, not to mention that we are not exactly awash with cash, despite the board's insistence to the contrary.
We all have our own wishes as to who we should sign, our own "dream teams" if you like. Nevertheless, realistically, we must hope that the bare minimum in terms of strength-in-depth is achieved, with the spine of the team in the centre of defence and midfield urgently repaired. Plus, of course, the possibility that Wenger might indulge in splashing half a million quid or so on a sixteen year-old striking sensation!
And, with the returns of the aforementioned absentees from injury, the return of each and every one of them will surely feel as a new signing, another crucial point to consider, as we will desperately require their services for the final run-in, with an eye for 2009/10.
The title is certainly out of the question, but there is plenty to play for, not least retaining our status in the top four, a real challenge with the emerging consistency and power of Aston Villa. A good FA Cup run, something that we have missed since our 2005 triumph, would be very welcome, whilst the Champions' League is an absolute lottery. But we should be confident in our ability in reaching the last eight, as Roma have been blessed with the same sort of inconsistency that we have suffered from so far this campaign, and so the tie is nicely poised at "fifty-fifty".
Finally, I leave you with this question. Just how well can we do if we strengthen the spine of the team?
A very simple formula for success, highlighting that we do not actually need "radical surgery" in order to compete at the top again, despite it looking that way so often throughout 2008. With the right buys and better luck in terms of injury, we can hope for a more successful 2009, a year in which we can be truly proud of Arsenal FC and prove the doubters wrong.
And, as I wish you a very happy 2009, we must all wish Arsenal a very happy transfer window!
User Comments
59younggun
Posted on 13 Jan, 2009 at 12:11 PM - Reply
almunia
sagna-toure-gallas-clichy
walcott-fabregas/arshavin-diaby/denilson-rosicky/nasri
benzema/eduardo/vanpersie
58mGiOcOhNaEeRl
Posted on 12 Jan, 2009 at 09:32 PM - Reply
alot of good points there but also alot of people who need to just keep faith. Arshavin at a good price, defensive midfielder to make fabregas shine, maybe a keeper but for me the most important is a creative or goal scoring winger, rosicky is pretty much done, nasri and walcott need time so pires and ljungberg have yet to been replaced. Adebayor has still got it but its hard when our main creative player has been limited. Densilon Song n Diaby all need to be more disciplined if playing protector even if its not their favourite role
Sorry for the essay
57stevo
Posted on 9 Jan, 2009 at 01:36 PM - Reply
I totally agree with you on that matter. What Wenger should bring in is a defencive midfield. The likes of Song & Diaby leave alot of space and that cost us dearly. So Wenger must give one more head to cover up in that position.
But i feel in the defence galas with Djouruo are ok with good midfielders
56hazar
Posted on 9 Jan, 2009 at 02:59 AM - Reply
Why AW cannnot entertaint Flamini and Hleb salary demand but not to Adebayor demand. What a waist....
Adebayor recently is a rusty star at Emirates.
55juice
Posted on 9 Jan, 2009 at 02:40 AM - Reply
It is so important that we finish in the top 4 this season. So we do need to buy now...... not crazy buy, but we need a CB and DM now and wait for the summer for other signings.....
Buy Matthew Upson and Inler now. Would prefer Alonso or Yaya Toure , but they are both CL cup tied. If Arshavin is available for a good price, then get him too.
A.W. will not buy a keeper now, he will wait to the summer and my fav is Artur Boruc (Celtic). Also in the summer another CB should be bought (sell Gallas), a winger (Ribery) and sell Adebayor and buy another 25 + goal striker (Eto'o, Benezema, but my favorite is Freddie Kanoute.
ARSENAL XI next season:
Boruc, Sagna, Upson, Mexes, Clichy, Ribery/Walcott, Inler, Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie, Kanoute........... what a team!!!!
54pk
Posted on 7 Jan, 2009 at 04:38 PM - Reply
We need to accept this season is over.We wont win anything and we (most likely) wont get 4th spot.With this in mind we should be clearing the DEAD WOOD out of the team and preparing for next season.Lets get rid of Eboue(useless and a cheat),Adebayor(vastly overrated and very lazy), Toure (if he cant handle being dropped then ta ta)and Bendtner (plain hopeless).I would also be tempted to let Walcott go but as he is injured that might prove difficult.If we get rid of this lot and persevere with a few of the youngsters we will havean idea by the end of the season who really wants to wear the shirt.At that point we should then enter the transfer market and rebuild the team.
53dw
Posted on 6 Jan, 2009 at 12:50 PM - Reply
this is the best team
Almuina
Sagna Gallas alex clichy
diaby
ribery fabregas v.persie
imbrohimvich Eduardoshay given is to small and he not good on crosses
.rvp plays on the left for holland and he we give u good ball in the box.
52billp79
Posted on 6 Jan, 2009 at 12:41 AM - Reply
a couple durable defenders
making gallas a defensive middie (he can finish in offensive half)
give theo his contract
then world dominance....in that order
51whiz
Posted on 5 Jan, 2009 at 05:15 PM - Reply
-------------------given---------------------------
sagna----toure----silvestre/mexes/distin-----clichy
walcott-------fabregas-----rosicky/diaby--------nasri
-----------V.Persie---------Benzema----------------pls sell almunia & gallas
50DAN
Posted on 4 Jan, 2009 at 11:07 PM - Reply
Its clear that everyone here is giving unfair criticism to the wrong players, you all blame almunia for our goals, when it is the lack of defence that should be blamed, clichy altough a good player gives the ball away too much, i mean he never plays a successful ball into the box. Gallas is one of the few great strong and experienced players in the squad and we would collapse without him. Eboue needs his confidence back so leave him alone, he is a good player. Selfish diaby, dopey song and lazy adebayor are the problems with the club. its nice to see that nasri stepped up since fabregas has been out and van persie is in form. Denilson is actually decent despite all the criticism, if u all want to suck up to walcott then give eboue and denilson a break, although a great prospect and fast player i dont think that walcott is THAT fantastic, he is sloppy on the ball and is often caught napping. With a decent defensive midfielder and centreback next to Gallas we could most certainly rise out of this bad patch and rescue the season, an FA cup and a top four finish would be a great result for us this year as the league is out of reach and out european dreams depend on the return of fabregas. i dont like to criticise arsenal as i am deeply in love with them but this club is at a low point and some criticism is in need especially to all the fans who are hating the wrong players. Im not saying that eboue, denilson and almunia are flawless but they are much more consistent and usefull to the team than adebayor, diaby and song. Cmon you gunners!!!
49Michael Fournier
Posted on 4 Jan, 2009 at 04:48 PM - Reply
David you have it right Arsenal have a midlevel squad right now and that is why they are falling down the table to match the level of the squad. If things keep up the only thing we will see is more players leaving. Which could put us in a relegation battle next season instead of a title race. And if that happens as a US fan I will never get to see my team play. Since there is no championship games on the tele here in the US.
If things keep up as it has Arsenal will have more in common with Charlton Athletic then ManU. I must say though the biggest problem is the number of goals we conceded this season. Arsenal is one of the top teams in scoring we just don't know how to shutout the opposition once we get the goals the worse games this season for me was the tottenham derby and the Man City 0-3. But the Spurs game was a classsic example of what is wrong. We scored 4 but let spurs score 4 of their own just unbelievable. That is the only time all season including cup ties with lower league teams that spurs scored 4 goals in a game. Just shockingAnd the worse thing is I first started supporting Arsenal because of their great defenders back then 1 nil to the Arsenal was not just a song but a common full time score line. What I would give for boring boring Arsenal. This season even when Arsenal go 2 goals up I sit on the edge of my seat hoping for the final whistle.
48djholmes
Posted on 4 Jan, 2009 at 03:23 PM - Reply
------------------GK
Sagna------Toure------Senderos-----Clichy
Walcott---Fabregas------DM--------Rosicky
----------VanPersie---Adebayor
47Sean
Posted on 4 Jan, 2009 at 02:39 PM - Reply
Fire AW, i am sick of him. If he wants a squad of 20year olds tell him to coach the academy. We need experienced players. We cannot win a championship with 20 yr olds. I guess he doesnt under stand that we need to buy players. Right now we need help. Fire Aw and get someone better who wants to win.
46readie
Posted on 4 Jan, 2009 at 10:03 AM - Reply
1.shay given
2.sagna
3.kolo
4.clicey
5.richards or distin/both
6.nasri
7.theo
8.fab
9.arshavin
10.ade
11.owen
12.van p
13.ramesy
14.rosicky
15.yaya
16.cruz
17.lescott
18.almunia
that would do the job.
45george 1 the league
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 08:03 PM - Reply
this is my rating of how much we need to buy in each position.
GK 5/10
RB 2/10
CB 10/10
LB 2/10
RM 6/10
CM 6/10
LM 0/10
CF 2/10
everyone else should agree with that LB and LM we don't need. we need CB
toure- cost us champions league
gallas - unsettling his team mates
silvestre - can't tackle and slow
djourou - clumsy
song- clumsy
senderos error prone and clumsy
44Arsenal Mad
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 06:40 PM - Reply
Buy = Yaya Toure,Phil Mexes, Ribery, Tevez, Shay Given
Sell = Bendtner, Senderose, Djourou, Eboue & Denilson
Play : Given
Sagna Mexes Toure Clichy
Ribery Fabregas Toure Nasri
Tevez Van Persie
Subs:
Almuina
Gallas
Song
Diaby
Rosicky
Walcott
Adebaoyr
Eduardo
43dan
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 05:53 PM - Reply
You need more perspective people. You keep saying Arsenal hasn´t properly replaced the stars of old (Vieira, Pires) but you need to realize two things, first: this season all Big4 have had trouble with lower teams, for Arsenal the biggest factor for last season collapse and this season dissapoiments being the lack of a healthy full-squad. And second: the great generation of the past (Bergkamp, Henry, Pires, Vieira) didn´t have had the great competition these past 4 seasons the current Arsenal side have, meaning a Mourinho side full of stars and a solid ManU with the likes of CRonaldo. So I would say, dont compare generations since the opposition its different, we never know how the first Wenger´s Arsenal sides would have couped with the current competition, after all even the 2002 and 2004 sides didnt conquer the UCL, something MUtd and Liverpool have done.
42Olusola
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 04:22 PM - Reply
Thanks guys. Well i have much to say, but i will say little. Is like i read in the newspaper this week, that the chairman of arsenal football club was saying that we have money, but we not going spend it, that wenger should concentrate on the kids, what a shame, i believe these people are hungry and slave of money. I want ours fans to keep their mind off the transfer market, nothting is going happen, they were just there to make money for their families, they did not care about arsenal football club or our success, all what they want is for the money making machine which is Wenger, to be making money and not to spend penny out of it. My believe is if they continue this way, arsenal will go to relegation next season,then Wenger will run away. Because, if they refuse to buy players this january, our captain will leave, van berse will go so is Adebayor. The managements and the WENGER are playing politics with the Fans. Let them keep using Denison, Song, Diady and bendtner, they will soon turn arsenal football club to Derby footclub. They should sell the club to those who knows the value of football, and for them to invest their money on financial institution, so that Wenger can be their manager.
41Gooner Get Ya
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 10:56 AM - Reply
What is going on at AFC? Have or haven't we got any money? If we are using our youth players, why are we not using the best ones? even Jay Simpon is better than Bendtner.
I am not impressed with the current situation and AW needs to sort it out before we end up in the inter toto cup
40joe okwute jr
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 10:09 AM - Reply
the true picture of Arsenal has been displayed in the above analysis,infact Asser Ghozlan is a true Gooner because he has shown to some us Arsenal Lovers that he is one of us.The board and Wenger should Ex-Ray the team based on the above observations and go for a buy that will turn around the club in 2009.
39sp
Posted on 3 Jan, 2009 at 12:56 AM - Reply
David, please learn how to spell. half your post doesn't make sense. I don't know if this is because it is so hard to read or not.
38Tonyk
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 10:43 PM - Reply
I'm extremely disappointed everyone who wants Toure out. How fickle you all are. A true arsenal great who when fully fit and confident has been one of our fastest and best defenders. Before the injuries started I remember when we all even hailed him as 'King Toure'. If this is how we support players who have been nothing but loyal and given 110% to the club. Give him time to get his fitness. My partnership will be him and Djouruo in defence,
37MC Dynamite
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 09:32 PM - Reply
Spot on. We are in desperate need of a proper centre back and central midfielder full of physical strength and solidity, we are very weak when compared to all the other big teams in the league and in Europe. Whilst I feel sorry for Toure if what has come out with his bust up with Gallas was right, Toure has been the shadow of himself over the past year and if the right offer comes in for him (and Gallas of course), we should take the money and invest in a strong centre back. But, we cannot sell both this month.
36Master
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 05:27 PM - Reply
i have read some of the postes that people have written and some of them are very funny! we cannot buy a whole new team. wenger knows still what he is doing and we have to support him. i think given will come to us..but will wenger buy him? and i hope a defensive or right midtfielder would come..player like stankovic..this season has been very up and down..but i am sure that next season we will be prepared much better with youngster like wilshere, ramsay, vela and merida will take big steps.
35Sean
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 05:17 PM - Reply
ARSHAVIN!!!!!!!!!!! He fits the role perfect. Also i would like Mikel or Essien from Chelsea as a holding mid and maybe Ben Arfa from Marseille. Sell Bentner, Rosicky, Eboue, and let Toure go if he wants to.
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Senderos Djourou
Mikel/Essien
Arshavin Fabregras Walcott/Ben Arfa
Adebayor V.PersieThat would look good!!!!!!!!!!
34arsenal #1
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 04:22 PM - Reply
dream arsenal team:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Veloso
Ribery Fabregas Nasri
Adebayor V.persieSubs: Fabianski
Djourou
Y.Toure
Denilson
Eduardo
33Arsenal Bulgaria
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 04:17 PM - Reply
We need Yoann Gourcoff !!! He is amazing and remind me of Zidan.
32greffens gunnner
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 03:03 PM - Reply
asser,nice article that was a good analysis of the current ARSENAL FC.
31Phatye
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 02:52 PM - Reply
wenger talks about youth but doesn't want to use wilshere & ramsey. blind to see dat vela is better than bendtner & fails to note that we need a dm and center back. God help Arsenal
30Attasmani
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 01:08 PM - Reply
Would be absolutely devastated i we'd sign Arshavin. He's exactly one of the greedy just-the money-counts players that have cost us dear in the past (hleb, Flamini). If he'd be a success we'd have to look for a replacement for him when the transfer window opens in summer.
We'd absolutely need a strong CM, I'm not sure if Inler is the right one, to me he doesn't seem to have a much stronger physics than denilson or diaby, maybe Yaya Toure would do ok but I'm not sure if he still wants to come to the Arsenal after his brother reportly wants to move away?
29TF
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 12:24 PM - Reply
Walcott is a quality player, but I do agree that, especially with him out, Wenger needs a consistent striker, a holding midfielder, and a centre-back. Given would also be reasonable in goal. I think that Sergio Aguero would be a good signing, but a tad expensive.
28EL
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 11:01 AM - Reply
Good report. i am a strong arsenal supporter and have been for 27 years but i am beginning to believe that the problem lies with wenger his philosophy is wrong for a team who wants to challenge for the premiership he has no tactical plan b if it goes wrong, and he has made us a feeder club. he brings through talent then as soon as they get any good there is loads of transfer roomers then they get sold. he then again puts faith in his youngsters and refuses to sign big players, hes been saying this for 4 seasons and there is no silverware. he must sign in january and change his philosophy to give us a chance for atrophy or perhaps a new manager is needed, it dosnt matter about his record, we want to keep repeating that record again and again. if this happened at any other club the manager would be fired.
27theiceman10
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 10:10 AM - Reply
i would like to say a whole lot but firstly when is arsene really going to wake up and realise that the squad he has is not good enough never will be and get rid of the following laughing stocks...denillson,song,bentder,almunia,eboue...how can he even play these in there first team is mind numbing have never seen a weaker arsenal side in years the loss of flamini and hleb still riles me 2 world class players and exactly what we are missing last year even with injuries to rosicky vp and eduardo all we needed was 2 players and we would have win the league..gallas given the captains armband and the number 10 shirt how much do you have to bow down for a player?????almunia captain now lol get it sorted wenger or on your high horse!!!
26David
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 10:00 AM - Reply
None of the great invincibles left has been replaced. Almunia=Lehmann? Walcott=Ljungberg? Adebayor=Henry? Toure=Campbell? Denilson, Diaby=Vieira, Edu? Not at all! The closest would be RVP=Bergkamp, and Nasri=Pires, given time. And the only strong positions we have are LB and RB at the moment, but I doubt if both of them will stay long enough to win a trophy under the stubborn Wenger.
25Otieno
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 09:55 AM - Reply
I am a big fan of Arsenal and i like your suggestions most and feel wenga should go for most experienced central midfielder & attacking midfielder. I predict if he can keep Galas to partner with Djouruo central defence is complete, with Sylvester Kolo their subs if Kolo doesn't go
24Mr Bear
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 08:18 AM - Reply
If you look at the size of our fist team squad it's 26 listed on the official club web site so in terms of numbers we have a big enough squad, however when you start to look at who they are then you see our real problems. Senderos and Traore are out on loan,Wilshere Bischoff and Ramsey are not first team players no matter how good they look, and Bendtner simply isnt good enough. So when you take those players away we have a squad of 20 then add in the injuries walcott, fabregas, rosicky, eduardo down to 16 combined with a couple of suspensions that we've had and minor injuries we look very thin to say the least!
I do feel though that as much as we need to buy we also need to sell, Gallas to make room for a towering committed defender. Denilson because im not convinced on him and would rather see another player in his position and he would only stiffle our young midfielders. Bendtner becuase he's useles! lol we could easily get 15 million upwards for those 3.
23yonata
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 06:53 AM - Reply
mikel arteta and per mertesacker would a great great addition to our squad.....no doubt at all....they are so though and we need their experience....
22Hitendra
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 05:43 AM - Reply
Fully agree with the analysis.
A strong defensive mid-fielder is priority number one, followed by central defender. Third is pace on the wings.
If we get good chaps for these 3 positions in the Jan window, I'll be happier than I was last week.
I do think Toure is on his way out, but I am not so sure about selling Eboue.
21bazagunner
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 04:07 AM - Reply
marcos senna would work wonders in the hold
20gunner4ever
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 03:14 AM - Reply
Excellent Article,nicely summed up. I do we sign someone experienced.If we can win pull off more off those 1-0 wins and not draw games from winnable situations then we should surely and safely be in top 4.I really hope we can win the FA Cup and UEFA CL is a lottery.We should win against ROMA and if we get a favorable draw, then who knows....
19Zack 10
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 02:55 AM - Reply
I think the that Arsene is buying Arteta is a good buy.He can be the savior of Arsenal.
18PAGE3BOY
Posted on 2 Jan, 2009 at 02:53 AM - Reply
we demand midfielders
don't sign arshavin....we've got eduardo&vela already...
alonso&arteta would be nice
17kill
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 11:28 PM - Reply
TT you are a dope...he did a lot more remember that run vs liverpool? The run at Bolton? His goal against Everton? His run at AC Milan?
He is a top player and we have missed him dearly with his fast running..he is a proper winger
16Robbo
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 10:53 PM - Reply
I've been a Wenger fan for an awful long time but i statted to doubt him at the end of last season when he didn't strenghtan the squad in january,he rated senderos and people like senderos are not good enough at this club and same as the likes of Bendtner, Song and Denilson wenger must sign 2 centre midfielders, 1 holding and 1 creative ( Like Fabregas ) also a striker because Eduardo isint back fully yet and vela is still young so atleast it will kick out bendtner because he's the poorest forward i've ever seen in an Arsenal shirt, Wenger if you dont buy you'll find yourself in a different position next season thats all i can say.
15Plashke
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 08:47 PM - Reply
I agree with Gunner Pete that Eboue Bentdner Song and Fabianski should leave AFC but we need the new players to replace them,better players and I would like to see DEFOUR, MIGEL VELOSO, SERHIO ASENJO, BALOTELI in Arsenal shirt.I'd also like to see my Serbian Daniel Aleksic as replace of Bentdner. HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL GUNNERS IN WORLD
14Fuzz
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 08:32 PM - Reply
In my view, this is one of the weakest Arsenal sides Wenger has managed. The loss of Diarra was bad, but then losing Flamini was unforgivable. As a result we now have to spend (something Wenger didn't want to do initially with Flamini's contract) and buy a new midfielder, which will be very difficult. Instead we have average players such as Song who can barely string a pass let alone make a decent tackle. Denilson, who to be fair isn't half bad, but more attack minded than is currently needed and the same applies to Diaby.
Defensively, the same problems exists, but now with rumours of Toure leaving, things are probably hitting their lowest ebb.
I keep thinking that things will bottom out and we will then finally take the steps necessary to rectify the situation, rather than sitting in denial and telling ourselve that things are fine, or that time for development is necessary.
Last season the squad had reached a level of maturity that I was happy with, despite the lack of silverware. We had a decent amount of depth and there was a clear improvement in performance and (four point gap to the champions is a definite improvement), but now with much of the core of that squad having moved on we are back to square one. Infact we are now at a minus, with players that couldn't break in last season now filling the boots of players far superior to them.
Wenger do what you want, it's not like our opinions mean anythihng anyway. I'll continue to support you and the team, but honestly you have made some serious mistakes and are continuing to, I just hope you atleast recognise some of the deficiencies, rather than taking the usual stance of stubborn denial.
13Splurger
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 08:25 PM - Reply
Great article to the point of who we need to get to improve our squad which has looked very weak at times. I would probably also consider a creative midfielder of the Arshavin mould though, but as you said money is tight and we can do with taking care of the defensive side first.
12Dan
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 07:23 PM - Reply
Nice article.
In a nutshell we need a CB and a Defensive midfielder. If it upsets certain players, then so be it. We need proven players too.
I've thought for a while we should just go to Bolton with £20m for Jaskelinen and Nolan....
11David
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 07:11 PM - Reply
to be honest if this was fm half the team would be sold, almunia i have tried to support but just isnt good enough, gallas cant keep his head n t all yr, toure has bn abused by wenger, djorou inexperienced, no dm, theo s young, rosicky cant replace hleb they are different players ros nva impressed me on the left, the eboue right wing experiment has proved very inconsistent and highly unsuccessful, diaby cant pass 2 yrds, adebayor has bcome lazy, bentnar dont kno wat hes doin, v.p. aint consistent in front of goal 2 make up 4 playin with ade.....if this was fm gallas n toure would be sold toure coz he complaining instead of knuckling down like the experienced pro he is, ade n bent would be sold, v.p and eduardo would be startin partnership, vela and jay simpson if he is successful n his development the back up for the starting two, nasri and arshavin on the left, walcott and bischoff on the right, denilson veloso &(rosicky, diaby, merida, ramsey, randall) only 1 would survive 2 be back up 4 and challenge cesc fabregas in the middle, djorou song zapata diakhate at the back, n kirkland or shay given n goal but unfortunately this aint fm such a sad story but realistically cant this team be acquired in this january transfer window?????????
10john quinn arsenal ireland
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 06:49 PM - Reply
Today i have heard Kolo is looking for a transfer ...this is extremely sad for Arsenal when a true Arsenal man is so upset that he feels he has to ask for a transfer..... apparently this Chap Gallas is once again involved in upsetting the team and in particular Kolo.....KOLO MUST NOT LEAVE>>>>KOLO MUST NOT LEAVE.... We will have no players to love soon after Gilberto and now Kolo....For Gods sake sort out this problem called GALLAS....Iwas willing to bear with him after he lost the captaincy but if this becomes a choice between KOLO and Gallas ...there must be only one winner and it wont be Gallas..we have never really had this type of open hostility between players ....Wenger seriously needs to do something about it ...without selling Kolo...Gallas has gone a bit too far this time ...the impression coming out of the club to the fans is that he is single handedly destroying the harmoney and internal fabric of the club...PLEASE PLEASE SORT IT OUT AND KOLO PLEASE STAY
9Aabbs7
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 06:36 PM - Reply
we need a strong, solid, defensive midfield pleayr, incisive passer, can attack aswell, we basically need Patrick Viera of 10 years ago.
Alonso would be an excellent buy, but I dont think Liverpool will sell, even Maschirano would be excellent aswell, but no way would Liverpool sell hm.
Rob Green from West ham is an excellent keeper, as is Shay Given from Newcastle, either of them would do.
Bendtner needs to move on, as does Gallas, Toures looking past it aswell.
8Miron Spahiu
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 04:16 PM - Reply
Fuat Spahiu would be yours just for 500.000 please sign him aand you will see that he has the talent to be the new Pires he finished last season with 21 goals wich is incedibely for a middfilder
7Matt
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 04:07 PM - Reply
TT - How about the time he ripped 5 liverpool players and layed it on a plate for Adebayor? The lads young, i know, but i think a bit of patience and we'll have one of the worlds best wingers, to not play him would be to risk losing that luxury.
6The Strategist
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 03:56 PM - Reply
I suggest we bid for Lescott from Everton and Barry from Villa - both teams do not believe they can compete with us for 4th spot and every player will consider moving to us. If we buy them and they fail - at least we have to compete with weakened opposition. If they are not allowed to move - we will at least stir it up a create tension into the oppositions' camps...
5Neal
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 11:48 AM - Reply
We reached the CL final with 10 defenders missing. I still have faith in the team. A couple of additions would not hurt though.
4GunnerPete
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 11:35 AM - Reply
Firstly I like your intelligent analysis of our situation, and most of your suggestions for the future. Like all true Gunners, and I have been a supporter since 1949, I want the best, but I am also realistic with my wishes. I would threfore love to see some quick decisive decisions made by Arsene breaking the trend of trying to buy too cheap and at 11.59 pm on the final day of the market opening.
So, who would I love? Foster (goalie) Chiellini and Upson with Gallas and Kolo being sold.
I would also love Inler + Arshavin+ Delph ( or Arteta) with
Eboue, Bentner,Song & Fabianski moving on.
3Hany
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 11:31 AM - Reply
Excellent article, well done
2G
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 11:19 AM - Reply
I'm a die-hard Arsenal fan and I think we've missed a flair player, a creative player. Unfortunately Nasri hasn't, as of yet, been able to replace Hleb and replicate what he done for the team as I feel he is still acclimatising to the demands of English football. However, give it till next season and we should hopefully see him expressing himself more. The question is about now, right now we need players have similar ability to Overmars and Pires..With Arshavin being linked with us heavily, you ponder to ask yourself can he really adapt to the English game and be the instant ready-made solution that we so badly need. The other problem position is a central midfielder, we haven't replaced Vieira and with Wenger a big fan of Gokhan Inler I suppose he has the ability of, if not fully, but replacing certain aspects of Vieira's game. Wenger will sign two experienced players in January and I predict he will spend up to £25+ million on these transfers.
1TT
Posted on 1 Jan, 2009 at 10:53 AM - Reply
Please don't dribble about Walcott. He was not all that. We needed a winger when he was playing and we still need one now. All he did was run at people and fall over. What did he do other than that?
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