Arsenal Banter Archive April 10 2013

10 Apr 2013 22:15:24
If we kept RVP and Song we would have seriously challenged for the league this year. Although he was slated, Song was brilliant for us, the kind of battering ram we needed in Midfield, what we have been somewhat lacking this season.

Last year we had a decent team, but with the addition of a 15 goal a season striker (Giroud), creativity in midfield (Cazorla), more defensive cover (Monreal) and a supporting forward (Podolski). Also with Diaby and Wilshere back, we could of been a real force this season, just saying. And United would have 12-15 points less. Those goals would give us the edge.

All I can say to RVP, Song and the board. I hope your all happy with where you are at now. Sadly for most it is true.

Detroit Gooner {Ed027's Note - Song was our weak link. His assists covered up his laziness and his thought of replacing Cesc.

Agree with ed, donkey Song was not good enough.

I agree with Ed also

Song was an a**hole - he was lazy and had dicipline problems both on the pitch and with regard to time keeping for training etc.

Arteta is the supreme professional - looking at his career it is abvious he is not a real defensive midfielder and he probably doesn't enjoy it however he gets on with it.

TM

Theres a lot of Song haters around but I agree that he is a loss. However, I think we needed a proper def mid beside him. I think a team with Capoue, Song, Jack, Cazorla, RVP, Podolski would have been very very good but it wasnt to be.

Donkey's song. EEEEE AWWWW :) haha:)
COYG!:) andi

Why bark on about the past. get over it mate
look ahead and forget about the money grabbing pr**ks. I want players that want to play for arsenal not mavericks who throw their dummies out of the pram and then cuss arsenal or say they love arsenal after they left.
we now have a good core of quality young british players along with quality players from abroad the mix is right and lately have shown a lot more fight and wanting to play for the badge - than the songs and rvp ever did.
ifs and onlys never win you nowt!

GS

10 Apr 2013 21:06:30
Right if we use our money well look at our possibilities:

GK: Begovic/Casillas
DEF: N'Koulou, Koscielny, Hummels (unlikely but if rumours are true, we have £70 million to spend), Monreal (looking brilliant)
MID: Santi Cazorla, Rosicky, Wilshere
ATT:Jovetic, Podolski/Giroud (alternate), Walcott

BENCH: Fabianski, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Chamberlain, Podolski/Giroud, Gervinho

Notice that Szczesney and Vermaelen are not in the squad. I would sell them. This squad is ludicrous but one that could challenge any team and would take trophies easily. Plus if Wenger uses his chequebook wisely this team is possible. Please give feedback and Ed are there any setbacks to the squad? {Ed027's Note - We have no defence minded mids, I wouldn't want to hold Jack back. No chance of Hummels or Casillas

Needs a DM.

Again with the selling Vermaelen thing. Can you not all see that it is just a drop in form? Koscielny had a tough time when he first joined, and now he is our best center back.

And Szczesny may be arrogant, cocky and p*** poor sometimes, but I firmly believe that he has a future at the club.

And Hummels, will never happen.

Chezzer may be a cocky p**** but he's our cocky p****. He definitely has a future. Especially if we commit to reforming defensive and goaltending coaching for real. (Not taking a shot at Bould).

yyc

Why sell Chesney and keep Fab? I also wouldn't sell Verm as hopefully its justs a blip in form. And yes we really need a def mid.

10 Apr 2013 19:10:33
Before RVP left last summer, I claimed we were only 2 signings aaway from challenging for the title, and many gooners agreed. Wee made those two signings (Cazorla and Giroud), but the little boy inside of that dutch **** meant last summer was a case of one step forward and 2 steps back, as was the summer before that, and generally since David Dein and Titi left. This summer however there is no 1 player you can take from our side that will make us lose or draw matches we shouldn't, which is why I think we need 4ss signings to turn our squad into potential title winners:
1) An solid, experienced GK who can almost mentor Szczesny.
Ex: Begovic, Valdes, Cesar
2) An young, athletic and beastly CB who can boss any attackers on their day
Ex: Kouyate, Dragovic, Richards
3) A destroyer at DM. Needs to be Vieira-esque: physically huge and comfortable on the ball, and cover for the sometimes more attacking Wilshere, Cazorla, Rambo and Rosicky
Ex:Wanyama, Capoue, Diamé
4)A world class ST, and different to Giroud: quick but technically brilliant, so he can add a different dimension up top. Ideally able to play behind a ST in the 3 if needed.
Ex:Jovetic, Lewandowski, Higuain

I think if we can sign four players in these moulds then, provided wwe don't sell key players such as Wilshere or Cazorla then there is no doubt we can be the Arsenal of old again.
COYG

Good post
agree completely.

Nick.

Pretty much 100% agree. I actually think our CBs of Verm, Kos and Mert are ok but if better is available or cheap backup then go for it but money might be better spent on a really good winger if available.

You say Cazorla and Giroud, I think almost everyone thought that Podolski would replace RVP but due to an injury and Wenger's unwillingness to play him upfront that hasn't happened!

CheetahChaz97

10 Apr 2013 17:59:56
After the last few games I really feel confident about this seasons run in, and also next season. When the team is fit and motivated it is an amazing side.

It will therefore be very exciting this summer to see who we will buy. There is also a question wether we need a whole lot of players as well, with rosicky, ramsey and gervinho finding form. And young players hopefully taking a leap (Coquelin, Yennaris, Aneke, Bellerin, Gnarby etc).

My oppinion is that we should prioritise 2 or 3 world class players, rather than 5-6 good players. I think we need a centre-back, a ballwinning midfielder (if not coq or frimpong are ready), and a striker who can create somthing from nothing.

For the centreback position I think we should concider Ashley Williams (Swansea), Mamadou Sahko (PSG) and Alderweird (spelling, Ajax). These player will bring the steel that I feel we need.

For the holding midfield role I would hope for Wanyama (celtic) or Capoue (Toulouse).

And for the striker I believe Jovetic, Lewandowski and Damiao would fit well. Although my dreamsigning this summer would be -unrealisticly- Falcao.

Feedback please!:)

COYG

I like your thought process and list - quite similar to mine the other week.

I would like a winger who scares the crap out of people as he can take people on.

I would like an experienced 30 year old cheap but quality keeper

I would be happy for Sagna to stay and deputise for Jenko plus keep Rosicky.

Happy with some of the youngsters to come into the squad as long as they play. If not, sign some older players to supplement the squad with experience and knowledge while the youngsters play for others in the premiership so ready for the next season.

If they don't play, they don't get better and leave. We then moan about the academy.

SY4

Ill feel more confident, if Gervinho don't start any games.

A GOONER

Alderweireld is overrated in my opinion.

Why not go for Wanyama and Capoue? Why can't we aim higher and buy 2 top notch cdms?

CheetahChaz97 {Ed027's Note - Because we'd have one unhappy player, and we'd give our youth no chance at all, if we want to aim higher, we should go for proven world class, De Rossi, Yaya, but it ain't happening

But surely ed we need competition and by buying one cdm wouldn't he be almost guaranteed a starting position?

CheetahChaz97 {Ed027's Note - If we buy two, we need to shift Coquelin, Frimpong, Yenaris, as there is no point of them, then Arteta would also leave

10 Apr 2013 11:51:47
Hi Ed I know you've said that Ruffier appears to be the no. 1 goalkeeper target, but have u heard anything in the past few days about Casillas coming to the emirates? {Ed027's Note - No chance

10 Apr 2013 11:31:27
These Arsenal linked rumours are getting silly.

My mate told me Valdes, then now in the papers, its been Reina, Begovic, ceasar, Casillas ( someone should see common sense to know that Madrid will not replace casillas with lopez no matter how out of form he is)

then there are the strikers. remy then higuain, then jovetic (signed and sealed apparently) and even wayne rooney to arsenal with wenger returning the favour to fergie. its gone mad

we have been tracking wanyama like we did Mvila. like an obsession. while İlkay G�ndoğan put in an amazing performance yesterday, seems like no one else notices him or he loves it there to rebuff any other club.

Hummels saying he would move to only 3 clubs in the world. unamed thou madrid, barca and united would be the 3 names, and hopefully barca's pursuit of him will result in us keeping Vermalen.


On another note : I really do appreciate clubs like Barcelona and Dortmund. who don't go out buying titles. Yes I am aware they bought deco and ronaldinho and ibrahimovic, but they also sold them for the right purpose. to build a squad for a decade and not to make money. And they use their academies to churn out the majority of their players.

We are going in that direction and down the line it will benefit us. Having a core of Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Ramsey, Gibbs and Jenks, means now we have to build on this core.

I do hope to see some promotions from the reserve to 1st team for Eisfeld, Gnabry and miquel. Would also like to see Ryo back at emirates. he has the talent just not the luck. Coquelin and Frimpong need to be retained.

lets see what the summer brings. but the names just keep coming. not sure if we will end up buying a bag of chips

These players didn't come through the Arsenal academy;
Walcott and Ox - Southhampton, Jenkinson - Charlton and Ramsey - Cardiff. Gibbs was at Wimbledon until it closed down.

Maybe I put too much in one sitting. I didn't have time to write the life history of every player. but I meant to say that we seem to have a lot of players in our reserve team who will eventually make the step up to the first team. and yes we may have got them from elsewhere but we are teaching and training them to play the arsenal way.

hope that clarifies a bit.

10 Apr 2013 02:09:07
Edd any interest in Aymen Abdennour thanks
Imranredman {Ed027's Note - No

10 Apr 2013 09:32:59
Is it just a coincide that Arshavin lost he's form as soon as Wenger changes he's formation? When he first joined Arsenal, Wenger deployed a direct 442 with him playing wide. As soon as Wenger changed to 443 with a slower build up he seemed to struggle. Coincidence?

Noodles

A 4 4 3 what no goal keeper hmmm no wonder nothing has been won for a while. maths a fantastic thing

dave

Maybe he means 4 goalies?

Desire and want are traits your can't coach. he seems very laid back. I can see it, as I myself am one. hence I would be a very bad footballer. a decent amateur thou. Arshavin has talent but he has squandered it, other players who come to mind are Nani and Anderson, talented but just no desire.

I think with him, squillachi and fabianski coming off the books, enables us to get better players.

Its a shame about him but I also partly blame Wenger. If Arshavin played in Cazorla positions a few years ago I think he might have kept interested.

Surely his massive wage should have 'kept him interested'?

Arshavin was a tremendous player when Arsenal signed him. I think it's harsh to blame Wenger. Modern day fotballers need to be versatile and work hard - I don't buy that you can wreck a guy's career by altering his position somewhat. Any player should be able to cope with that.

HB

Essien plays RB for madrid. surely that's not his position. but don't see him looking like he could not give a F

10 Apr 2013 03:24:13
This is my take on Arshavin.
Arshavin when he first joined was an exciting player whos' first goal for the club was sublime. Add to that his 4 at Anfield plus a couple of others at the very same ground plus many others shows what a blessed footballer he was. Finally a successful 16 million pound buy. In his defence I will concede that Wenger played him out wide which is not his favourite position.
But,
As time went on he would try and get passed players (no bad thing) and end up losing the ball which became a common feature within his game. That was usually followed up by the same natural response as Bendtner when it came to losing the ball. That being, "I can't be bothered to win it back. " So he would stroll back as if he
were on a Sunday walk after having a roast. (That's a normal roast I'm talking about, not a footballers roast. ) Now the legend that is Thierry was also occasionally prone to such behavior, but I find it a little more forgivable with him as he was absolute class and won us so many matches
. Anyway, back to Arshavin. So the way I look at it. If you stroll after losing the ball in front of 60,000. Then chances are he'll be doing the same during training sessions. And bearing in mind training sessions is the place to impress your manager, then I'm not surprised Wenger has gone for others instead. Even those who are not as naturally gifted but will give more for the TEAM. In the Prem you really can not afford too many players that aren't willing to put a shift in. A player would have to be top class for me to be able to turn a blind eye, I. e Thierry.
The way I see it, Bergkamp ( wiping a tear from my eye) was world class and put a shift in. So if he did it, then I expect everyone else to.
Apart from Bendtner. As he's the greatest.

This post was sponsored by Paddy Power :-)
UP THE GOONERS
Flybo

10 Apr 2013 08:34:13
Flybo,

In my eyes you could stroll anywhere you like. Still laughing at the footballers roast!

Stoner

Bottom line, blame the coach/manager for any player's inability to perform/prove himself on the field.

every player has his own strength and quality. though vary in degree but a good manager will be in a better position to bring out the best or sell off the player rather than hold to him for this long.

AJZ

i agree the formation has changed.

there was no excuse for AA23 being lazy and not interested.

i have a feeling that aa23 believed he was worth more money every week after his very good 1st two seasons, when the club refused to pay him extra he decided to do f-all.

i remember him coming on against Manchester United last season and I thought he was a disgrace to the badge.

we have had too many players like arshavin last couple of years, can't wait for them all being off the pay roll.

money for transfers has never been the problem its the wages factor.

malaga gooner

You can't coach desire and want. I got wengers back on this one. Arshavin is on his own.

Malaga sign up mate. saves you typing again and again and again and again. 12 characters less.

Before he went on loan to Russia even Wenger was quoted in the press as saying Arshavin was on fire in training, banging in goals from everywhere and skipping out of tackles - yet he still refused to play him. Typical Wenger freezing people out - and you wonder why Arshavin looks like he can't be bothered?

I was signed up long b4 the registration was brought in.

malaga gooner

Im sure you were. but makes it easier i'm sure.

10 Apr 2013 00:12:21
I wonder what people opinions are on Fabianski and Gervinho. At one point they were dead certs to leave however with thier improved form do they deserve to stay? Should Arsene keep faith or show some ruthletvess so he can build a championship winning team.

Personally I will get rid of both plus walcott and ramsey and replace them with quality. Jovetic, Belhanda, Wanyama and Valdes.

I know there is a lot of walcott and ramsey fans on this site. But these players are the very reason why arsenal don't win trophys. Always play in the big games always flop in the big games

Noodles {Ed027's Note - Not true we haven't won trophies when Ramsey and Theo weren't here

Why of all players would you get rid of Walcott and Ramsey? Why not, I dunno, Bendtner or Chamakh or Denilson? Why not get rid of players that actually have no future at Arsenal?

Also, they don't ALWAYS flop in the big games. Ramsey has scored winners against Marseille and Manchester United (I think). Walcott is our top scorer this season, so of all players, why would you want him to leave?

I do, however, agree with the suggested signings, except Valdes. I'd rather just have us sign Ruffier or just keep Szczesny in net.

Also, how will you personally get rid of these players? Are you Wenger? And if you are, could you sign me up? I've got eyes and legs, what more could you want?

10 Apr 2013 08:37:38
Jeez Noodles,

It's a squad game, we can't possibly bring in 10 players in the summer, if you get rid of those plus the already obvious outs, is what we'd have to do.

Stoner

Noodles,

I cannot see us winning the Championship. We may have "off" seasons but never enough to get relegated from the Prem.

CECEGUaW