Arsenal Banter Archive February 18 2016

18 Feb 2016 22:12:09
and there i was thinking liverpool and united taking the europa league seriously would be good for our coefficient! :P.

18 Feb 2016 13:20:51
By the looks of it when all players are fit Joel Campbell will not see much play. So do we keep him or do we sell?

18 Feb 2016 18:03:55
I think he looks good! Given his rivals are the ox and Walcott with the latter having his eye on the CF position I think he is a legitimate candidate! He improved quickly and showed once in the team he is willing to work hard and let's not forget the few lovely little passes for his assists. He stays unless we buy some world beater.

18 Feb 2016 23:44:17
Sell one of Ox or Joel to fund an upgrade.

19 Feb 2016 08:45:54
Do you think the ox would move up this early in his carer and come to Spurs?

19 Feb 2016 13:28:15
They only come the other way when players are at the height of their powers.

19 Feb 2016 08:30:09
Interesting comment. For me, at present we have the following players for the three attacking roles; Giroud, Welbeck, Walcott, Sanchez, Oxlade, Iwobi and Campbell. When all are fit, Cambell would just be the final option of the seven, opposed to Iwobi, as he qualifies as being both an under-age player and a homegrown player who I believe has enormous long term potential and has to be played, despite at present probably being behind Cambell.

I would reluctantly try and cash in on Campbell and use the funds towards purchasing quality replacements for the outgoing Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky. Next season, I believe we will need to replace Ospina, Debuchy and sign an additional defensive midfield player.

The basis of next season's squad is strong. We have a superb keeper. We have a decent back four, but as stated we need to replace Debuchy, I would keep the remaining seven defenders. For the defensive midfield roles, we have Coquelin and Elneny.

At times Cazorla and Ramsey are played deep, although I prefer both of them played in the more advanced central role, which Ozil currently occupies and we still have Wilshere to return. To sum up, a keeper, a right back and a defensive midfield player are all that we require, unless we sell any of the first team players, other than Cambell, Ospina and Debuchy, as well as letting the trio I mentioned earlier depart.

19 Feb 2016 21:52:43
We can't sell a good player just because he isn't a guaranteed starter, squad depth is integral.

19 Feb 2016 22:05:51
I still Think Campbell has a future and has shown in he recent games that he looks 1st team quality, he as been one of best players of late when he has played. Like you say though when all the strikers are fit it difficult to fit them all in.

Personally Walcott should no longer be played in the wide position and be alternated with Giroud in the middle for I more counter attack style in away games against better teams. So for me it is Giroud or Walcott up top Sanchez one side and Campbell the other as my first choice currently. Then Wellbeck as the versatile able reserve that can play middle or wide.

For me Ox is future is more attacking central midfield but we are so strong in those area's with Ozil and Cazorla currently I just don't see him getting regular 1st team action in any position really.

I priority with Arteta and Flamini going is another experienced DM as a kind of mentor and backup if you like to Couquelin.

Also Our main weak point though Is Mertasaker in defence though, he just too slow and in mobobile in the higher line we like to play. Stones would be great but unlikely now as we would be majorly outbid. Not sure on other options but he needs to pretty quick and mobile for me.

So CB and DM for Me I think this Eleney is more of a Box to Box power player so hopefully offers something abit different to the rest of the midfielders otherwise I can't se him getting much game time.

I think it kind of crunch time really fro him he needs to prove himself that he is good enough on a consistent basis. I think is too far down the line now to start loaning him out now Wenger must know by now if he can make it. The next couple of years are crucial for him. I just got that feeling he will never quite get there with us.

Iwobi still very young so still developing, hard to say on him.

18 Feb 2016 04:27:27
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Lescott Challenges Critics To Meet Him At The Training Ground, Williams Touts For A New Team, Zidane To Make Madrid Better Than Barcelona And More