Wenger is ushering in a new age at Arsenal
Written by Joel Che on Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wenger said at the end of last season that "we analyse every position in the team to see how we can improve". Note the word "we". Selling Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Touré are big decisions and there seems to have been some strategic consultation within Arsenal.
I am sad to see Touré go and there is the potential exit of Emmanuel Eboue (a useful squad player) but I am fully supportive of the overall sale strategy that has taken place this season. I don't care if they go to rivals.
My reason, and I suspect this is also part of Arsenal's overall reasoning, is that Arsenal need to change the mentality of their squad. Many a time last season, after Arsenal conceded a goal or faced a struggle, the team could not find the resources to pick itself up mentally. Certain players thought themselves junior and waited for reaction from the older (or more established) players.
Clearing out those players who had established themselves at the top of the pecking order or had been at Arsenal for so long that they gained respect just due to their time at the club is a good way to start a new mentality at the club. We got rid of Adebayor's attitude and influence. We got rid of Kolo's seeming acceptance of graceful disappointment (he is a humble gentleman) and Eboue's lack of continuous improvement.
Losing Kolo is not losing experience in the same way as it would be to lose William Gallas. Kolo has always played more with his heart than his head but I loved him. Johan Djourou needs to learn from Gallas not Kolo. Losing Eboue shows that sheer seniority will not save you if you don't have the drive for continuous improvement and quality. It will be a good message to Song, Denilson and Diaby. Song has improved A LOT and Diaby very little. Losing Adebayor is a clear message that Arsenal will not stand for bad attitude especially when it doesn't deliver consistently. It is a clear message to Nicklas Bendtner that the manager wants him to step up and to Eduardo and Robin van Persie too.
This summer we have what we did not have at the start of last season. We have Eduardo, Andrey Arshavin, Thomas Vermaelen (who plays with his head), Bendtner, potentially Tomas Rosicky and an improved Alex Song. Yes I would have liked to have a more experienced DM but maybe there are other ways to play that makes that less of a problem especially given the options we have in attack. Don't forget Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela are very capable in various combinations. Arsenal have never had so many options in attack.
This summer we have also gotten rid of old attitudes and replaced them with new ones. The Gallas – Vemaelen partnership is going to be a brainy one. The balance of power in attack has changed, Bendtner and Eduardo will get more from Arshavin and Arshavin is starting his first full season with them together building a new partnership. FRancesc Fabregas will also change as a result of that. He will stay further back a little more and that helps Song.
I am overall more positive than many fans even if we don't buy any more players. I would like one more defender since I am not so hot on Mikael Silvestre but I am happy with attack and somewhat happy with midfield.
Bendtner in my view is the most underrated young striker in world football. I think he is very, very good for his age and shows every sign of great potential. Many people who claim Bendtner is rubbish cannot tell me a striker of his age that scores the numbers and range of goals he scored last season. Bendtner works better with mobile partners like Vela and Eduardo than van Persie and Adebayor.
Eduardo moves in the box as good as any great striker and finishes as good as the best. He hasn't got the height or the power or the speed but that should only be a difference of about 5 goals per season between him and the very best. If Arsenal learn how to play with Bendtner, Eduardo and Arshavin, we will not notice deficiencies in central midfield and we will be in for a good season.
I am not a betting man. People bet on their conventional knowledge of the thing they bet on (like the fact that Manchester United is expected to beat Portsmouth); others bet using statistics that show trends (like the fact that certain teams don't lose at home), etc. This year, I would like to bet on my instinct only. My instinct is that Bendtner and Eduardo will get more than 20 goals each. In my mind, van Persie is the third choice striker.
User Comments
52...
Posted on 1 Aug, 2009 at 10:28 AM - Reply
am amazed some guys still think denilson and song are gud enough to get a place in the first eleven... arsenal deserve better players.
51Mick
Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 10:16 PM - Reply
very few have Walcott in their side. Speed is absolutely a differentiation at EPL level. He should get into the side ... not just for what he does himself but the fact the oppo will double team him providing more space for others.
Bendtner must improve and we shouldn't forget that one mark of a good forward is getting into decent positions which he does well. His finishing has been poor (usually his first touch inside 12 yards) and that is where he needs to work
Signings or not. You would rather be an Arsenal fan than anything else and there is still plenty to look forward to
For those losing faith in Wenger - many of you would have not played a decent standard yourselves and therefore really don't understand what it takes and secondly, you have no idea all the issues he has to deal with - being in his position is never as easy as it might seem.
Up the Arse!
50valo
Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 10:04 PM - Reply
bendter is actually a great player who is young enough to become brilliant,he had a few misses last season but what you might not have noticed was his scoreing because his misses overshadowed it but he did score a fair few and now he will probably start more he will score more this season
49bidhan
Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 07:04 AM - Reply
--------------Almunia-------------
Sagna---Gallas------Vermaelen ---Clichy
---------Cesc--------viera----------
--nASRI------------------------Rosicky
----------------Arshavin---------------
------------------RvP----------ALL THE BEST
48Egele
Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 04:18 AM - Reply
wow...thats a serious realit check your talking about but at the same time while watching all these pre-season matches, Bendtner actually seems improved...very much improved compared to last season. i understand the need for quality cover {still wish we got melo}.lets just wait till we see the Emirates cup thingy
47ultimatefan.co.uk
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:44 PM - Reply
For me we need to view Barca as an example, we need to pass the ball around rather like they do, keeping possession and doing so if in effect the best form of defence!
My line up would be:
Almunia
Sanga - Gallas - Vermaelen - Clichy
Song
Cesc - Nasri
Arshavin - RVP - EduardoIt is not the quality of any starting 11 I worry about, it is the depth of quality that concerns me, lets face it most of our players will have some injury at some point and who is our decent cover??
46Adrian
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:41 PM - Reply
If Bendtner gets more than 20 goals, i'll eat my Arsenal jersey! Come on people, there are strikers who seem to have potential, and then there are strikers that get on the field and answer the questions that have been asked of them. I wholly believe Bendtner falls in the former category.
Maybe you have all been watching footage that i have not been privy to. After watching almost every game last season, and viewing highlights of the ones i did not get to watch, i am sure now more than ever that Bendtner is not worth his salt as a striker.
I have written on this site previously to quash this unfounded optimism in Bendtner's 'soon to come' brilliance and how he is underrated and will prove us all wrong. It sounds to me that the only thing Bendtner is perfect for is being a poster-boy for Arsenal's 'look to the future' mantra that always seems to be one season away from a huge payoff.
Do note that i am not trying to malign Nicklas, or downplay your opinion. I am simply trying to deliver what i believe is a much-needed dose of reality:
1. Our transfer policy (spend thriftily and look for diamonds in the rough) is not going to be enough to bring us back to par with the other major contenders in the League (or in Europe). Wenger has proven himself as being one of the few penny wise managers, surely he will not prove pound foolish in his choice of an expensive player (Arshavin rings a few bells). What we need is another injection of class, quality and consistency (this most of all since our players seem to be cursed with an injury plague) similar to Arshavin. In fact, 2 top class players certainly would not hurt. We would suffer financially, true, but how about the returns from winning trophies? Last i heard, those are quite substantial.
2. Arsene Wenger...the myth...the legend...the disappointment. At the moment, if there was an opinion poll going around for Gooners to vote on, i dont know how high Wenger's approval ratings would be, but i dont think the tally would be terribly high. I have trusted Wenger for a long time, and dont get me wrong, i still do, but i seriously think Wenger needs to reconsider his modus operandi. His insistence, for example, that the current team can challenge for top honors in the League and Europe is pure bullocks (for lack of a better word). Come on people, wake up and smell the bitter odor of reality, our squad at present can not possibly keep the likes of Man U and Chelsea out. We may contend with Liverpool (and probabluy scrape another 4-4 or something of the like) and dont even get me started on Manchester City! Anyway, the point is; we do not have a top class goal keeper (sorry, Almunia, but compared to Given, Valdes, and Der Saar, you just dont cut it); Our defence is languid at best(against our big rivals - the Jin Sung Park goal comes to mind - I dont blame Kieran, though, he was young and all and now he could probably take Park on, but whose fault was it that every other decent defender was out injured at that time? If we had more top class people in at the time, someone else would have been there to deal with that ball. The poor boy should never have been put in that position...anyway, i digress); Our midfield looks better now that some injured legs are back (oh wait, is that talk of Rosicky being out again with another 'minor' injury?) but the fact is half-way through the season, all these young stars that we constantly praise (with good reason) are going to start getting too battered up by the older heads in their opposing numbers and we are going to start looking high and low once more for other young talented yet feeble players to replace them, and the cycle will repeat itself with me blogging about the same thing this time next year and without a trophy to brag to my friends/fiends about. It all starts and ends with the great professor. Surely he is not the cause of all our porblems, but he is the one in the best position to begin ameliorating them, and the time to start doing that is this transfer season. Now, before it is too late to save us another year with an untouched trophy case and severely hurt egos. (and excuses to give everyone that asks us why we are not producing! i know i'm tired of defending us)
45Edd
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 05:42 PM - Reply
I always have had a lot of confidence in Arsene Wenger. Right now totally not. Two key players have left and Arsene Wenger isn’t talking about buying. At this moment Arsenal need players with experience and not any more children. Arsenal is becoming a first squad full of “kids”. Young players can’t add value immediately, only in the long term. And what will Wenger tell to Fabregas and Van Persie, those two stayed loyal to the club, but what if they knew what has happened the past few weeks? I think it’s time to buy. If not Arsene Wenger should leave and become a “youth” trainer somewhere else.
44oki
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 04:23 PM - Reply
i think next seasons line up would be more like barcelona's 4-3-3 formation with two holding midfielder instead of just one . i predict actually im hoping wenger will go eith the formation of the hannover game
-----almunia----
sagna---gallas--vermalen--clichy
--------denilson--song-----
-----------fabregas------------
---arshavin-------walcott/rosicky/vela/bentner
---------van persie/edu-----
im hoping wenger gets huntelar .. i think its the right time to get a wordclass player for cheap in this inflated market man city and real have created
GO ARSENAL
43Stair
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 03:38 PM - Reply
As much as I agree about the need to change the mentality at Arsenal, and give the players more urgency to get and retain results, I dont think that an enhanced attack will cover the 'deficiencies in central mid'. It is those deficiencies combined with horrendous injuries to the first XI that have stopped Arsenal from winning trophies and challenging for the league. Sure we beat United and Chelsea in the league last year but what happened in the semi's of both cups?! Their experience in the central mid and defence left us outside their 18 yard box for practically the entire game. Their ability to read our offensive play and deal with it before it got dangerous is something we must adopt if we are to reach a final. Song can tackle on instinct and is calmer than players like Diaby but he can't see whats about to happen the way a Fletcher or Essien can and frankly we need to buy that kind of insight.
An improved central mid is of the utmost importance to allow the strikers and full backs to bomb on but stick around for the counter attack and cut it off at the start. Look at the games against Man City, Villa, Spurs for proof. Furthermore we need some more size in our central midfield anyway to deal with the bottom feeder brute teams that we have been losing to for the past 4 years. Stoke, Fulham and Hull are just 3 examples that when they park the bus and we cant play around them then buy somebody to play through them, LITERALLY! Like Wenger said goals have never been Arsenal's problem so lets get some brain and brawn in to stop conceding as many.Veloso and Hangeland for the win!
42NorwayGooner
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:09 PM - Reply
Wenger should use the money to sign the rejects from Real Madrid: Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart.
41Alex
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:57 PM - Reply
didn't Wenger do that 5 years ago? for me this seems just another deluded excuse frome the Wenger knows brigade.
40Aaron
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:16 PM - Reply
This is what I (would like to) think, providing a couple of rumours are correct, will be the line up next year for Arsenal:
--------Almunia--------
Sagna Gallas Vermalean Clichy
Viera
Arshavin Nasri/Rosicky
Fabregas
RVP/Edu
Hunterlaar
39gooner
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:06 PM - Reply
almunia
sagna galas vermaelen Clichy
Walcott cesc Rosicky
arshavin
RVP eduardo
38Magneto
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:59 PM - Reply
I disagree wholeheartedly.
There's positivity and there's delusion. Anyone who agrees with Joel is delusional.
Unless, of course, your ambitions for Arsenal in 09/10 are less than winning the Champions League and Premier League. Maybe the QFs or SFs of the Champions League and a Top Four finish would suit you just fine.
In which case, you will seemingly match Wenger's ambitions.
Which is JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ARSENAL.
37moist
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:53 AM - Reply
i really like what you wrote. optimism in every word. thats what a true fan would say. coz you just focus on football. quite similar to what i've been telling my friends to just relax and watch the beautiful game play.
of course im sad that kolo's gone. i would be less sad if gallas were sold, but these matters are purely sentimental. gallas's injury last season was the demise of our backline on the champions league and the epl. well, clichy's as well. but kolo never really got it going ever since sol left. nevermind, lets focus on the positive, eh?
what i would like to see is the RvP+Eduardo combination. RvP is starting to show that his best position is the playmaker forward. Eduardo meanwhile, just needs the ball passed to him in and around the box n 9 of 10 he will score. Ho says he's not fast? I'd say after Walcott, he's in contention for 2nd place along with Clichy and Vela. Bendtner meanwhile, I agree with you. Underrated, but he is always in the right place at the right time (minus against liverpool in the ucl). If he can just adjust his scoring boots, no one's gonna remember adebayor. But i would put him as my 3rd choice and the game-changer for our team, along with Walcott.so here's my set up for this season:
formation 4-2-2-1-1--------------Almunia-------------
Sagna---Gallas------Djourou---Clichy
---------Cesc--------Song----------
Arshavin--------------------Rosicky
-----------RvP---------------------
------------------Eduardo----------
36cap06
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:06 AM - Reply
good. but eduardo DOES have the speed.
35lutaayam
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:01 AM - Reply
Nice article but actually I think we just don't have money to spend and we're actually selling to get money..may be to pay debts, I don't know. I won't be surprised if we offload more of our experienced players come next summer
34bal the gooner
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 10:24 AM - Reply
how many chances does bendtner need to have,whilst doing his best coco the clown impression,falling over his own enormous feet and then missing the target completely before we all realise,arsene mainly,that dennis ian or even adebarndor he isnt. come on arnsey baby show us the money!
33disheartened
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 09:38 AM - Reply
all I know is that AW said last season that if we don't win something in this one, then his youth project has failed. I hope he holds true to his word. For better or worst, I will stand by the team.
But if he cannot deliver this season, maybe he should go back to his old method of buying established players who are not famous in England or are underestimated. If not, sad to say, I feel a new manager with a fresh approach may be needed.
32Gorgonzola
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:03 AM - Reply
I will never understand the tolerance of Bendtner, let alone the acclaim. He's never had a run of more than 2 games where he's played well as a striker.
31mos def
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 07:35 AM - Reply
nice article Joel always enjoy reading your two cents on whats going on with Arsenal, I wouldn't be surprised if we got a few more come in before the end of August, but I'm more excited about Rosicky coming back than anything else, he makes everybody better, what people forget is how much influence he had on the team, made Hleb better, Clichy has never been the same since that partnership in the left was broken,I don't know if anyone noticed this last year, but when Arsenal play well then nobody holds the ball for more than 3-5 seconds,especially the first 15 min of each half or after Arsenal have scored or conceded a goal.
30saildrive
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 07:22 AM - Reply
nice write-up - but my two cents are :
1) arent we lacking the power packed attitude that was Arsenal once - TH/PV/DB/FL/SC/KT at the back.... never did I feel that we could lose a game... that was the attitude (fighters to the core!!)
2) RvP/E/CV/TW/NB - must be good strickers - but do they possess that attitude... i have my doubts
3) The only guys that seem to have that mite are - AA/FF/WG/MA (to some extent) rest do play but rarely seem to belong to the core like i mentioned in point 1 (Arsenal Thru and Thru)
4) Look at other teams now - Liverpool, ManU, Chelsea... even teams like Tottenham and Aston Villa seem tough to beat.Guess the mental setup which existed before is lacking in the current players....
Hope my fears dont come true and I have breathe with a heavy heart once the season begins in a few days from now!
Fingers Crossed!!
29J Mehmett
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 06:34 AM - Reply
We have first XI, but don't we need a back up? Last year's turmoil was due to the injuries of Cesc, Eduardo, Gallas, Rosicky and Clichy. A suspension/injury in Adebayor and RvP caused what they caused.
Our squad is like that of Ason Villa. They have quality players but they are so small that if a single player is injured, the rest are not capable to win. They could overtake our 4th position last year, but they had no many players to step in to change to injured/tired ones.
Now, Arsene Wenger has a lot of money to reinvest in the squad. £25m + £17m + £10m = £52,000,000. The managers needs to spend at least £20m of that money back into the squad. The team cannot relay. He can buy 1 or 2 players with that money. But we need only one. A copy of Vieira.
Song and Denilson look great in the start of the season, but they feel tired in the mid/end of the season. Diaby is good/poor/good/poor player and nobody can relay on him.
We have many players with team-winner attitude than any other EPL team. RvP, Cesc, Eduardo and Denilson are the current team winners we have. Man United had Tevez and Ronaldo as team-winners. Chelsea has Lampard and Drog. Liverpool has Gerrard, Kuyt and Torres.
So we only need that DM. I would like to see a player like Vieira, Gilberto, Flamini or Toure Yaya.
But, why Arsene keeps faith with Silvestri and Sanderous? I thought the manager will sell them with £2m and £7m respectively. As I thought he will deploy KT as a DM.
Fans, will remember KT as a club legend. We will miss and we hope he will get regular first team football at his new club. Kolo Toure, Robert Pirès, Gilberto Silva, Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp were my all time Arsenal heros, where the likes of Adebayor, Hleb and Ashley Cole are my all time wicked villains.
28Tamer
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 06:28 AM - Reply
Not bad, though I have to disagree about RVP; I think he is a top choice. Eduardo finishes as well as anyone in the world, and I agree with you that Bendtner is a great striker. I think the three of them should play, with three midfielders behind them and a back four that includes a forward-looking full back like Eboue (though he must be rotated with Sagna, and the formation will not always be the same anyway).
Alex Song, I believe, will come into his own and control the midfield, as he was doing towards the end of last season.
I disagree that Toure played more with his heart; he was a very intelligent player and fantastic at what he does, but I do not blame him for leaving; it is a last big contract, he felt disrespected when Gallas was made captain over him with far less seniority and status and leadership skills in the team. As for Arsenal, 16 mil for a man who could be leaving in a year for free is something you do not give up.Overall, great article (until the end!!).
27archangel
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 06:11 AM - Reply
im very agree with choosing RvP as 3rd striker. because Arsenal duet Eduardo - Bendtner is better than Eduardo - RvP or RvP - Bendtner. IMHO.
but, im very doubt about eduardo condition. can he plays and fights like he used to after recover from his injury.
26Mahmood
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 05:27 AM - Reply
I agree with alot of your comments, I think that Arsenal are going to be top flight this season, Arsenal have had time to adjust to their current squad. Wenger was planning this from time, he destryoed and rebuit the club since Henry left. Now we are left with a great team. Dont underestimate this squad. Its tight knit and been together for quite some time. Ashavin really blended in to the team as well. We shall see till then ...........Arsenaaaaaaaalllll!!!!
25goonerboy
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 03:55 AM - Reply
Agree in general. With regard to RVP being the 3rd choice striker, we think you need to further elaborate your view. I can only agree if you suggest RVP should be the 3rd choice central striker in Arsenal.
From what we have seen in the past season and those preseason matches, RVP showed his limitations whilst performing as a long striker. His header seldom made successful passes like Bendtner. He could not make a turn himself without 3-4 kicks and whilst performing his turn he looked like losing his balance too often. He could not shoot in the box as efficient as Dudu because he needs too much back-leg before he shot.
Having said that, RVP had great performance whilst on the wings where he would be given more space and time by the defence. He can then turn or make a nice side pass to his teammate.
24Digo
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:38 AM - Reply
As always, super work from Joel, written with the right perspective, some fine points you have made.
23Tall PAul
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:33 AM - Reply
We started last season knowing that we lacked real depth, and without a few influential signings we will be repeating the mistake. This season we have a real scrap on our hands for a C.L spot, and can't rely on the well-meaning talent of the up-and-comers. Arsharvin's signing showed the wisdom of bringing in proven class, and we need more of the same. Sorry Joel, but I think you're trying to put a positive spin on a less-than-perfect situation.
22Happy Gunner
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:21 AM - Reply
at least this article gives us some motivation and some brightside... way to go gunners... wish this article became news... Gunners Til I Die in Asia...
21AG
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:11 AM - Reply
Good article mate but I don't agree with your view that we don't need any more signings! We definitely needed a defensive midfielder right from the start of last season, and now Kolo's gone, we definitely need a centre back! Reports from Spain also suggest that Wenger is readying a bid for Huntelaar, who would be a great signing, though not a necessity. With a centre back and a defensive midfielder, and maybe a striker like Huntelaar, only then we would be sorted!
20Canadian Gooner
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:16 AM - Reply
Good article! I agree with most of what you have to say, but a lot of it would have to be classed as 'informed' speculation.
However, I disagree with alex.kanbar. I don't think the Board forced the sale of Kolo nor was it strictly a business decision. I think the the offer for Kolo was was just too good for Arsene to ignore when the player's attitude, effort, fitness, and approaching end of contract were taken in to account.
1.) Kolo has never been the same player since return from the ACN in 2008.
2.) His attitude and effort seemed to suffer when he was passed over for the captaincy. Ther is also his well documented differences with Gallas and his close friendship with Adebuymore didn't help.
3.) Arsenal conduct regular and rigorous fitness tests and assessments on all its players. Was Kolo in decline?
4.) Kolo was nearing the end of his contract and after ManShitty's offer any new contract would probably have to include a sizable pay increase and Arsene would NOT offer as long a term as Shitty.I like Kolo and would like to thank him for his service to our club, but I think it was time for him and the club to move on.
Will Arsene buy more players before the end of August? I don't know, but I hope so. I honestly think with the constant shifting of the team line-ups and positions in pre-season games he is still assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the team; while keeping an eye on the the market and being ready to bargain hard.
Unlike most managers, who for the most part are focused on the current season, Arsene is looking five to ten years or more down the line. While his emphasis on youth may frustrate the fans now, I think it will pay dividends in the future when one or more of our close rivals flirt with bankruptcy. They can't continue to buy results on the never never.
19jayz
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:04 AM - Reply
another deluded arsenal fan,jheez how many more do we have..get real and wake up and look at what has been going on at the club for the past 4 years.
18stowe
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:54 AM - Reply
Good article, great to hear some positive insight.
I would love to see a 433 especially once we get nasri back. I also think having 3 in central midfield would give us more control than having two.
I think song and denilson are going to play a huge role this season if we play with a 433.
Song is also good enough to play the DM or back up at CB. However he leaves for a month to play with his national team. The squad has no room for injury, and there will surely be injuries. We need to get a hard-nosed and mobile CM/DM most of all. Song needs can't play every game and may need to fill in on the back line
and i see what you mean about RVP being third choice. Bendtner provides size and eduardo is a great finisher; but RVP has something else...
17Gooner
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:15 AM - Reply
Really good article im not sure i agree with RVP as third choice he's a Second striker who creates alot more. I'm really of the opinion though Bentdner will come good, casing point there aren't many strikers at 21 who are playing at his level, only one comes to mind... Messi. However i still think we need some more experience i don't think Our depth in Centre Midfield is that great. Rumour had it Viera might come back which i think would be a rally good move for both as it won't hinder Song and Ramsey.
I don't think we need anymore strikers people forget about Jay Simpson coming back and Barazite who i think will play a sqaud role. I think Vela could step up to the plate aswell.
I'd also agree that Silvestre isn't good enough. A centre back might be needed, Hangeland would give us that aerial dominance we need as all of our players seem to be under 6ft.
I trust Wenger, however i'd like the board to come out and explain the situation better, becasue Wenger definatley don't deserve the Haters.
16kbot
Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:08 AM - Reply
good points, but RVP for me is the main man.
he changes game with the flick of a boot. you could say eduardo does to, but RVP does it with speed power and conviction. just my 2cents.
15siku
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 11:57 PM - Reply
If AW doesn't use the money to re invest in the squad,then all and sundry will know either Arsenal have no money or he believes in the potential.
Make no mistake. This is ds meaning decisive season.
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 11:38 PM - Reply
Good article joel.
14lamzo
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 11:33 PM - Reply
Some points made i agree with, but the fact that we can depend on some of our young players eg djorou, song, diaby for another season is too big a risk to embark on with man city,spurs, everton and aston villa breathing down our neck, i disagree. We need at least 2 signings a DM and CB, that is the only way we can challenge for the title. Without those additions i'll put my life on it we will struggle for 4th place again. It will take vermaelen at least 6 months to get used to the premiership. With the facts on ground this team has good attacking potential, defensively we dont stand a chance. Is anyone out there a realist.
13GunnerRai
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:48 PM - Reply
I rate RVP higher than Eduardo. In fact, he's the best striker in Arsenal right now.
And Eboue is going nowhere.
12Tom Lee
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:29 PM - Reply
very good article until right at the end when you say van Persie is 3rd choice striker- i have no idea how you get to that conclusion. think about it.
11addis gunner
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:22 PM - Reply
i think rvp will score 20+ and eduardo 20 bendtner will have many very important goals
10alex.kanbar
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:06 PM - Reply
Great article, very thankful I found this site, some very good material!!!
I like the way you analyzed the whole scenario, however I believe it’s most centred on wishful thinking. What’s currently going at arsenal is a crime!!! In no way should we have sold kolo, his passion and heart is what has been missing for past number of seasons.
I feel for arsene too, it seems the board have simply let him out to dry and take all the slack from the fans. Do you really believe he would have sold both ade and kolo if he really wanted too? ABSOLUTELY NO WAY!!
Something is seriously wrong, and we're being told a bunch of lies! IN ARSENE WE TRUST! But the board have to go. They like to mention how a new stadium is the cause for all this, as if they were doing us a favour? Any chairman in their right mind would have seen the benefits of moving into a larger capacity ground, and secondly the stadium was financed anyway.
Scares me to think that we'll be heading into the new season with such a weak squad, especially considering our luck with injuries in recent years which arsene doesn’t seem to want to contemplate.
Good luck afc, I pray for a great season...
9Judd
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:33 PM - Reply
I agree, i see V. Persie not as one of the strikers in a 442, but more as an attacking midfielder or roaming distribution type player...her is how i see it
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaellen Clichy
Song
Walcott Cesc Arshavin
Bendtner
Eduardov. Persie will rotate in at either Eduardo/Bendtner/Arshavin/Walcott spots or we will play a 433 as follows
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaellen Clichy
Denilson Cesc Arshavin
v. Persie Bendtner
Eduardo
8Brent
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:25 PM - Reply
I also agree with everything except the Van Persie part. Especially the Bendtner bit. I think this season could be his breakthrough. Watching him in pre-season has been a joy. Good article. I think Van Persie has a role it will be interesting to see how Wenger accommodates his attacking options.
7Dapo
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:20 PM - Reply
honestly i quite agree with the points made but i feel Wenger should buy two more players-a CF amd a CB to reinforce the team,and as forthe midfield Song and Diaby should do well with Fab,Denilson,Rosicky,Arsh,Walcott and Nasri.Gunners for life
6dn
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:17 PM - Reply
Against Hannover today Wegner played a 4-3-3 with arshavin and bendner on the wings and Robin down the middle. 1st half we looked very good alot of runs of the ball and cesc got a goal from some nice play from Bendtner and Van Persie. We could of scored a couple more in the first half. Second half was a little differant as Hannover gave Djourou and Veramallen some trouble with runners getting behind and in between them and with Silvestri being his typical not good enough self. In the end it was a pretty positve game.
5Tom14
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:06 PM - Reply
We will play a 433 next season I suspect...
- - - - - - Almunia
Sagna - Gallas - Vermaelen - Clichy
- - - - Denilson - Song
- - - - - - Fabregas
Nasri - - - - - - - - - - - Arshavin
- - - - - van Persie
Looks fantastic to me.
4Bedford Born
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:52 PM - Reply
Even though i rate Song as a DM and a decent CB i would love to see another world class DM such as Inler or Yaya Toure (Barcelona could sell if they sign Mascherano) to partner Fabregas. I think with someone like that and the attacking options we have we can mount a serious title campaign
3Mani
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:46 PM - Reply
A decent piece about the status of the team. I love Kolo and wish him well with his new stint -he has given his heart out for this team over the years. Fans, I'm sure, will treat his exit with more love and appreciation than Adebayor.
I think we'll do fine this year with the squad we have. I'd love to keep Eboue, he plugs in well at midfield or right back, but he wants regular place in the team which will be hard now.
Keen to see how Arshavin-Eduardo-Rosicky-Fab-Song-VanPersie combination will work!
2Jerzee Gunner
Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 07:29 PM - Reply
Are you insane Van Persie the third i guess were playing with 3 up top like Mourinho's chelsea use to do and have Bendtner sit in the middle of the box a clean up i agree with everything except for the Robin part he is talented and has a crazy eye for goal we have to play him and have bendtner continue to gain his experince off the bench . .. he will be a great forward i wanna wait until he is 23 to make him a regular starter of the 1st team
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