Arsenal Banter Archive August 20 2014

20 Aug 2014 23:16:17
Having a read of the posts and obviously, Olly is the main discussion point. I've already made my thoughts known on the situation in that we need another CF, wether as a backup or an upgrade.
I wanted to talk about Cazorla.
I couldn't really criticise his game, because he didn't really play. Had a great chance to put us 1 up in the first half, fluffed it well wide and, that's about it.
He is really ineffective on the left there, I would like to see the suggestion I read bel to with Ox on the left and Joel right, Alexis up top this weekend. That's some real power and pace there, Ozil and Aaron pulling the strings.

20 Aug 2014 22:09:40
Here's a poser for you.

Unquestionably, our best player thus far has been Calum Chambers.

BFG will return against Everton, to resume his partnership with kos.

So, what of Calum?

I know he is young and new to the club, and I'm sure he didn't expect to make such an impact so early, nor do I expect he would have regarded himself as an automatic first teamer so soon into his Arsenal career, but wouldn't it be a kick in the furry twins if he is dropped to the bench.

Where do we put him?

I have said it before, and will say it again.
He is young, athletic, defensive minded due to his time at playing across the back, so what about playing him in front of back 4 as a defensive midfielder?

What say you fellow Gooners?

{Ed027's Note - would have him their instead of Flamini, could well happen mate

20 Aug 2014 22:35:37
Worth a try Ed.

Calum has been brilliant and we're all delighted to have him.
But for a lad who came to us a RB has already stepped up to CB and now DM?
Too much to ask of one so youngo so soon imo.
Its the equivalent of putting an egg in your leaky radiator, it might hold but if you want to give yourself the best chance of going all the way? Get a new rad

20 Aug 2014 22:56:23
If it allows us to sign Falcao or Cavani, I'm ok with it. The problem is, it leaves the club open to questions on ambition again.

20 Aug 2014 23:00:24
I am worried he will end up as the next phill jones! Used in too many positions and unable to master his true calling - be it CB/RB/DM OR WHEREVER! I don't see him as a RB personally but we shouldn't make him a utility man at such a young age he needs to master one position and we should buy a DM rather than out square pegs in a carvahlo shaped hole!

Just my opinion.!

20 Aug 2014 23:02:59
If we don't sign that elusive DM, we might not have too much choice mate.

20 Aug 2014 23:08:45
I don't see why Merts should just walk straight back in tbh, love the guy but why disrupt so,etching that's working fine

He is and has always been until recently a central midfielder :-)

Agree with 1404. Mertesacker is a fan favourite. But that doesn't garantee a starting spot. Personally I see mertesacker as a weak link. Yes he reads the game well but his lack of pace worries me. The last game he played ( started )the World Cup match against Algeria he struggled. There will be tougher opposition in the prem to deal with.
Chambers has done well in the few games he's played in so far. But then his lack of experience hasn't been tested against a top threat so I'm not getting too carried away.
It's a tough question to answer but I don't see us winning the league this season, more of a chance next season. With that I'd keep chambers in for as long as he's playing like he is. His experience grows and come next season when I think our challenge will be greater, Chambers and Koscielny would be a tough nut to crack.

Anyone know kos's situation? would it be a good idea to rest him so he can hopefully get over his knock and play in the CL qualifier

20 Aug 2014 20:20:37
I wouldn't say the Giroud fan club has become smaller, he remains a good player within our squad, when fit and ready to go.

Anyone who watched the City game at the weekend will have seen what Aguero did to get their 2nd and everyone has seen what he did a million times to win them the league with the last kick of the game for that unforgettable Agueeerow moment.

I would not advocate getting rid of him, Dzeko, Negredo and to a lesser degree Jovetic are all owners of a Premier League title winners medal.

You can't tell me that Giroud wouldn't be happy to be a member of a title winning team whether he was considered 2nd or 3rd choice. City got the balance right and no one has been complaining, days of Tevez and Balotelli long gone.

If Sanchez is to be our main man then Reus should be a huge consideration, he is World Class, he is not going to stop the development of our youth, the same as a top draw DM won't either. Do you imagine Arteta or Flamini will mind being rotated to get a premiership winners medal.

It is massive to get over the hurdle of winning the League, the FA Cup was a nudge in the right direction, we need to be taking that first big step all over again as United did years ago under Ferguson and went on to win what 13 of them.

This squad needs another helping hand, a Reus and a which ever of the 3 or so are on everyone's mind to play DM.

Steve asked if Arsene is the man to lead us, if he gets this window right then without a doubt, if he leaves us short when their is absolutely no excuse then I'll question that he is.

We have great young talent in the squad and getting close to it, buying in two more top players and giving us a true run at the title will only make us stronger in the long run.

Challengers for the foreseeable future, a squad that just need the odd one or two additions each year.

Don't mess it up Mr Wenger. :-)

I think with a very good quality DM we can mount a serious challenge even without adding a top quality striker, with would obviously be ideal.
If we add a top striker without a DM he needs to be able to score 7 at Anfield the etihad and boot sale stadium to do the same.
Giroud isn't world class but we can cope with Sanchez and Theo helping out, in the middle of the park we have no serious option at present

20 Aug 2014 22:00:45
Jenjen,

You need to send that post to Monsieur Wenger x

20 Aug 2014 20:05:48
Steve r posted a good comment earlier.

"Arsenal should have a striker capable of winning matches on his own, like Bergkamp, Henry, Wright and RVP, Giroud can't do that".

As much as I like Olly, that's a fair comment by Steve r.

Brillain plan, no ones going to argue with signing this bloke at all!
Who is he?
Who does he play for?
is he available?
Will he come for 130 thousand a week?
Will his club sell for less than 50 mil
If so its a yes from me as long as he's not instead of a DM and as well as

Mr Remy old mate :)

How many clubs have strikers who can win games on their own? We are talking world class, 4 play in Spain, very very few here.

G62

Agree, with all that, those players than AW would get a cheque book out for

20 Aug 2014 18:39:48
A question to you all. We tried to sign suarez, so wenger wants a top drawer striker. We tried to sign bender and carvalho so wenger wants a top drawer holding mid. So why haven't we got one, when as clear as it is we need one, or both why haven't we got one or both. We have the money and we have the need, is a leopard not able to change his spots. This is the difference between great and good. Are we going to be great or just good again. Is wenger really the man for the job or is he going to go on being stubborn and let another season go by.

Its not as simple as that. wanting a player for the market value and gambling on a player are two different situations.

Lar bender does not want to leave, can we force him? NO

Khedira wants more than Ozil and Sanchez is that justified for our major signings? NO

Carvalho barely earns anything if at all, and super agent jorge mendes will have an agenda, will it work for us? NO

our only hope is khedira decides to take a paycut or in a years time we manage to land Lars Bender.

Man utd are finding it difficult to make signings.

City paid close to 40 mill for a CB, we all know what David luiz went for, so possibly building a squad the right way without over inflating the market is the right move for me.

i would understand spending 20 mill over market value for Ronaldo, Bale, Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Aguero, james Rodriguez, Reus, Muller, but beyond those names I really don't see anyone else who is worth an exhobitant fee for no reason whatsoever.

We never got Suarez because it was an insulting offer ( the plus £1 ) as for the others have we actually made a bid? Bender we did Last summer but as far as I know not this summer, Carvalho I think is just paper talk at the moment. Same with most links it's all talk.

20 Aug 2014 20:12:53
We never got Suarez because he did not want to join us - with the contract he had, he could have forced the move.

So, it's not the move he wants and we hadn't won anything for ages plus LFC offer him a great contract and a promise he can leave next season to his dream club.

Remember that players aren't trading cards. They have families, goals to achieve and favourite clubs. Like eminem says - life's not a Nintendo game!!

The point of the post chaps is we are dipping our feet but not going any further. If we are after this type of player how long are we going to wait for it and we know wenger is looking, but not getting.

SY what a brilliantly realistic and honest post mate, couldn't agree more

Steve you are spot on, we will NOT get there world class players as some are hoping for, they cost far too much and want too much, end of.

20 Aug 2014 18:12:28
What a difference a week makes, well less than a week actually.
All summer the buzz word has been a Defensive Midfielder, now after one league game and CL qualifier only a top class striker can save our season.
Scoring goals hasn't and won't be our problem being soft in the middle has and still is long term.
The only thing that's changed since the Palace game is peoples attitudes, to what we need most.
I'm not sure who pressed the every one panic button but please could they take their finger off it

20 Aug 2014 18:28:04
Definitely agree.

Spending £20/30m on a DM is a priority.

Like I posted the other day, how many DM's have been sold by their clubs in Transfer Window?

Southampton have sold half their squad, but refuse to sell Schneiderlin.

Carvalho, Pogba, Vidal, Toure, Khedira, Gustavo, Mascherano, to name but a few, have at present, been retained by their respective clubs.

For me, DM's have turned into the 'must keep' commodity for most clubs.

Gunner at the moment the problems that existed last season and beyond have not been addressed. Players have been replaced but problems haven't.

We have in Theo & Sanchez good goal scorers, yes Theo is injured but Campbell is still unused yet was good enough to go further than England in th WC. We do need a good solid DM but the real underlying problem to this old geezer is the tactics. Look at the Invincibles just how quick they went from defence to attack, then see how long it takes us now. A few times Sanchez was left on his own down the right hand side.
Power is now the game plan, L'pool took us apart that way. I fear we have bought the right players but will use the wrong tactics.

Couldnt have put it better myself sagalout.

20 Aug 2014 18:06:30
Lets also remember we paid under £10,000,000 for Giroud, some of the players I have seen being mentioned on here are double that cost and then some, you get what you pay for and his return is pretty good IMO .

Well that doesn't fit the price our fans pay for a matchday ticket, being the highest. So the fans actually don't get what they are paid for?

Olly is the nasty flavour of the half week, give a Sanchez another 3 games without a goal and he'll be a waste of money too, then Aaron (again), its a total over reaction to a very bad performance.
Half a week into the season 3 out of 3 pionts and we'll placed to progress in the CL, I fear what might happen if we don't beat Everton by 12 at the weekend

20 Aug 2014 18:40:22
Bambam,

I think our 'Olly Giroud' fanclub is getting smaller every day, lol.

But is he going to win us the league.

Last season proved Steve Olly on his own won't win us the league but we have Sanchez and hopefully a fit Theo that we didn't have last season to help provide nthe fire power.
Danger mouse is crucial to any kind of top place challenge.
As we stand I think 3rd is a realistic target not because of scoring goals but conceding them in big games

20 Aug 2014 20:01:25
Steve, Mr Nibbles (sorry G62) is the best out and out striker in the world but Scousehampton didn't win the league with him.

Aman so the ticket prices are all Girouds fault are they?

What else shall we blame him for . tube strikes? :)

Teams win leagues not players.

BG hahah that's a good one, its not Girouds fault, but we expect to see better quality when our fans pay for such high tickets.

20 Aug 2014 15:43:55
We need a striker or 2 tbh but it won't happen.

Sanogo:not good enough

Giroud:should be on the bench too slow dose not score when it matters.

Podolski: great left foot but plays outwide wasted tbh if a decent bid comes in I can see him leaving if it meant we signed a good striker

Sanchez: he's not an aguero or Suarez probably see him out wide most of the time

Campbell: good pace decent finisher why not play him up front give him.a chance he played upfont for Costa Rica and played up front when mitrigolou left olympiacos.

Possible targets

Balotelli
Max Kruse
Bony
Jackson Martinez
Benteke
Cavani
Remy
Lacazette
Mitrovic

Interesting post, probably harsh on Giroud, but overall hard to argue.

I would like to see Wenger's target list as I bet it has a lot more youth and bargain type players than this one, nature of the man.

We are arsenal we deserve a world class striker why wait until next season just go and get a bloody world class striker! Cavani falcoa why not we have the money

{Ed027's Note - Sanchez.

FROM YOUR LIST OF CF's
Balotelli
Max Kruse
Bony
Martinez
Benteke
Cavani
Remy
Lacazette
Mitrovic

Only Martinez, Balotelli & Cavani do I see starting ahead of Olivier Giroud.

Just because the players don't play for Arsenal, doesn't make them better than what we have already.

20 Aug 2014 13:42:14
If people are looking for a striker to come in and have a ratio of a goal a game, that isn't going to happen, who is there?

BG people get too confused with Girouds stats, it is at times in games where he is kicking the Air, and contributing nothing to the game, not even with holdup play. We don't want a barrage of goals to come from him, as long as he can do the job of holding up play and actually kicking a ball, not passing it to the defense.

Not really a world class striker but what about danny welbeck.

There's plenty who would get one in two.

Giroud can't even manage that. When he does score they're usually at home, against weak opposition and quite often when the game has already been won.

I don't mind giroud but god he is not good enough to be the main man at arsenal.

Rooney
Rvp
Aguero
Dzeko
Jovetic
Sturridge
Lukaku
Costa
Drogba
Boney
Adebayor
Remy

Are all better imho. That's just in one league.

For me Giroud is different player than most on this list and better than half of it - including old Drogba, Jovetic, Bony, Adebayor, Remy and Lukaku.

Original

OG has 40 goals in virtually 80 starts which is how he has to be judged, people who include an appearance as a Sub are being unfair as it could 10 mins here or 15 mins there, so his ratio is very good.

Also look at his assists, you are comparing him to players that are completely different.

So when ( just supposing ) Alexis scores less than 10 this season how will that be judged? and just a handful of assists. hypothetical yes.

20 Aug 2014 18:54:26
AG Giroud scored more than Lukaku, Adebayor, Jovetic and Remy last season the same as Dzeko and only one less than Rooney and Bony.

Drogba is old and Costa only has one good season under his belt, same with Sturridge.

Now I'm not saying that's the deciding factor of they're quality but how far off could he be, I'm on the "we need a better striker" team but I think that's overly critical.

20 Aug 2014 13:40:39
lets not forget that in the last four competitive games we've won 2 bits of silverware. we are unbeaten in the last 10 competitive games, we have 3 world cup winners in our squad. get over the fact that we had an average 2 performances in 2 hard away games. we still got the result. selhurst park and ataturk olympic stadium are two incredibly hard places to travel to relative to the teams ability. we should be chuffed with our recent results. that's not to say that if we want to push on and win the league we won't need to sign new players but we have a very good team at the moment and an excellent core to grow on

Saint, I could have sworn I was sat at the Emirates on Saturday to watch Arsenal vs Palace.

Maybe that's why I thought Arsenal didn't turn up? They were at Selhurst Park allegedly!

Unless I was sat in wrong place I'm sure I watched the palace game from my seat at emirates?

Our injuries have started already if wenger thinks our squad will last and compete at the top he needs new glasses as one player comes back we will lose another! We need depth and quality another 2 players a CB and DM are a must! And if he can get a World Class striker great if not think we should be ok 😳

20 Aug 2014 19:00:23
We were at home Saint but you've the right idea. I'm disappointed with the last two displays but we got good results. That's what matters and 10 unbeaten games? if its 15 on the trot by October we'll be sitting pretty.

Thanks for the optimism boost :)

20 Aug 2014 13:22:39
We desperately need a world class striker or need to change the formation. Not seen much of Sanchez in around the 6 yard box maybe he needs to play behind olly

20 Aug 2014 12:57:49
I still think og12 will come good in the following games. Even last year he had a dip in form but he came back stronger! Maybe he's a bit short on confidence with arsenal constantly being linked to new strikers. And all strikers world class or not hits a rough patch once in a while! Anyway I feel a cdm and cb should be our priorities this window. Gunner 4 lyf

20 Aug 2014 12:29:22
What is it about Arsenal that seems to guarantee negative press coverage. Yes last night wasn't pretty, but tales of "haphazard defending", "wonder saves by Seczesny", "woeful finishing from Giroud" and "beleaguered midfield" abound in today's press. The eventual 0-0 result seems almost secondary to the need to pan Arsenal at every opportunity.
Am I alone in believing a similar performance and result away from home in such a fixture from say Chelsea or heaven forfend Manchester United, would be liberally scattered with phrases such as "valiant rearguard action" "disciplined midfield" "unlucky scoring attempts." As for Ray Stubbs, words fail me

20 Aug 2014 14:19:38
I'm with you there smartie. In Ireland the day after we won the cup most papers here lead with a Suarez transfer rumour instead of the biggest sporting news of the day.

20 Aug 2014 09:43:29
Given the emergence of Calum. bad boy.chambers.
and the high likeihood that Gibbs will be injured more than once this season

Are we better off looking for a more "direct" replacement for Vermaelen, as in a CB that can fill in at LB as well?

No names really jumping to mind beyond Arbeloa. but even that isn't "jumping"

Arbeloa plays RB and tbh isn't that good.

Totally agree.

I have no good ideas here. If Calum gives us a young option with bags of potential, I am wonering if we should counter this with an experienced 'head', but as I have said in the past, has to be someone who can keep up physically with the league.

Ideas?

20 Aug 2014 11:57:01
I think Benedikt Hoewdes is a CB who can play on the left. Maybe and ed can confirm?

I'm pretty sure Inigo Martinez can play LB as well.

Nastasic, hinteregger, martins Indi. All 3 of them can play cb and lb

20 Aug 2014 08:57:45
The morning after the night before.

we are at the start of the season, the players are off the pace, Theo and the German's to come back, Alexis still finding his feet, we played on a quagmire against a decent team with a hostile crowd.

0-0?
I'm happy with that because we will turn them over 2-0 at The Emirates.

Be happy.

I don't think there's a doubt in my mind we'l win at the Emirates. I too was thinking 2-0.

We just to improve our performances with the bigger teams coming up.

DG this really can't be an excuse anymore for the performance put out yesterday, espically by Giroud, Other players have been involved for longer in this summer’s World Cup are back and producing for their clubs, so Giroud really has no excuses.

Good post, everybody is going way over the top about our performance. Its one game where we played bad but came away with a clean sheet to take to emirates, it is not the end of our season. We'll be fine :)

I don't ever think the pitch should be an excuse, its not like beskistas were falling all over unable to string two passes together.

Yes i'm aware the players are not upto speed, but they should be, the season has started and they should be kicking on.

Ramsey and wilshere Especially should have taken their game to another level( I mean consistency) I don't remember them having a busy summer.

Alexis did a fair amount out of a bad bunch and he tries, it was right of wenger to sub him off, we can't really let fatigue get to him right now. he has to be eased into it.

Giroud - what was he doing or trying to do? it was like watching a defender taking on a defender, absolutely terrible.

Cazorla did he even play?

Sczesny did not have the best of games was feeling the pressure at times, but did very well most game to watch the long shots and some key saves.

I have no issues with the defense, they played well, besides monreal having a few bad moments I have nothing bad to say on the others.

We should be looking at a striker or a winger, we can't be playing Giroud upfront.

go put a 40+ mill deal for marco reus and move sanchez upfront, even play David ospina upfront, we will not win anything with giroud, he has been substandard since he joined, he has had at best a 3-4 game run of form and then back to cellar dweller.

Not trying to be negative, but. . .
Ozil - will obviously start
Pod - doesn't make starting 11 - although good option for the bench
Walcott, will be a while before fully fit/scoring.
BFG - will start, but will replace, I would assume Chambers. who has been the stand out performer in the first few games?

Last night showed we desperately need another option up top, and I am generally a fan of OG.

Fenerbahce played us off the park yesterday and probably deserved a win.
Two games so far, two bad performances. We won't get lucky all the time.

{Ed002's Note - Is that why Arsenal were not prepared for the Besiktas game? Two games in a day can be tough on a player.}

@GoonerMKD - that's a proper gooner who knows who their team that they support are playing. Theo Walcott got sent off :o)

Bloody hell how did I get fenerbahce in my head.
I don't post often
But when I do I mess everything up :)

20 Aug 2014 08:29:02
I find it odd that the sun dream team. Or a daily papers dream team if that cannot be posted have given chambers a 5 in both matches. That's 5 out of 10. How?

20 Aug 2014 07:43:35
Just a thoght but Olly hasn't all of a sudden turned into Nicky B and we haven't suddenly before the worse passing team in Europe,
Giroud had an absolute stinker last night and he may not be everyone's choice to lead our attack but let's not go OTT with his very poor start to ntyhe season.
As for the team, well first two games have been poor but like Olly we will get better, we're off the pace I'm not sure why but we will get going and hopefully into for his weekend

20 Aug 2014 06:50:31
hi all.
i must say chambers has played well since joining, you wouldn't have thought he hasn't played much senior football.
giroud is not good enough imo and that's all I can say about him lol.
i hope wenger ain't thinking that giroud and sanogo are enough and don't need another striker.

also I don't buy into all that bull about the season coming to early. the players should be fit and ready for when season starts.

20 Aug 2014 06:19:51
Well let's be honest that was a pretty poor performance let's make no bones about it.
If we had been playing a slightly better team we would have had our backsides handed to us on a plate.
I will never understand why probably one of our best players on the night gets subbed. I:e Sanchez.
Marks out 10 for most of them would be around a generous 5. Very very scruffy performance in my opinion.
We all know we desperately need a left back. Ever since Ashley Cole went we have struggled here too. Gibbs has far too many injuries for my liking and we have nobody to replace him. Why? Our striker situation too just look at it. Giroud is doing his best but that's about it . If he goes down its end of for us. I hope the Palace game was not a sign of things to come performance wise. As I said in a previous post forget the revenue for a moment. If we want to attract top players we have to qualify for the CL this is where top players want to play now. I'm afraid we still have a lot of work to do!.

20 Aug 2014 01:25:57
Just seen an ITV interview with Calum Chambers.
In the interview he said something along the lines of. 'especially with me *dropping back* to centre back'.
We all originally saw him as a right back, but would this suggest he see himself as a centre midfielder or am I reading into this too much?

For me the guy looks class on grass!

A future England cb. I would personally have him central defence as he reminds of a young Tony Adams.

20 Aug 2014 13:18:00
Have to agree at the moment, I think he has all to be a real top class centre back. but if I saw him have a run as defensive midfield I'm equally confident he could be class there. A good problem to have!

20 Aug 2014 00:22:48
Maybe I'm missing something.

Lots of talk here and in the media about players lacking fitness.

These players have a career of roughly 15 years and are paid an extortionate amount of money each week.

How much time does a professional footballer need. 2 weeks holiday, probably a week relaxing at home and the pre season starts. Either our training programme is wrong or they are just lazy prima donnas who don't give a monkeys about paying fans.

AW saying Giroud is not match fit yet. FFS he needs a rocket up his Arsenal.

A point made earlier about Shurle playing last night, why are our Germans wrapped up in cotton wool.

Grow a pair footballers, you are in such a fortunate and financially sound position that to be classed as not fit is a disgrace. They all know when the season starts so prepare accordingly.

Rant over after watching such a poor performance.

20 Aug 2014 02:38:55
Mate, I was thinking the exact thing. Giroud is not match fit? Wasn't he playing in the biggest tournament on earth just over a month ago? What has been doing in the 5 or 6 weeks since? The super size me diet? Ridiculous. The only player that may not be up to match fitness is Diaby.

Let's not forget the Germans get an extra week because our season was a week longer

Maybe understand match 'sharpness' that comes from rgular playing - but general 'fitness', surely the amount these boys earn its habit for them to stay in shape during the off season?
Fingers crossed it doesn't cost us silly points early on

20 Aug 2014 00:30:08
What do you guys think of a chambers and stones England cb partnership in a few years (I'm an Everton fan btw) they're both got a high potential to become world class and are both similar also they are playing for managers who both have the same philosophy off passing football and will be both given minutes on the pitch to develop, IMO stones is better but that might just be my blue tinted eyesight;) but these pair look like serious talents!

19 Aug 2014 23:15:56
On saw the first half. I'm scared to watch the second when I get time.
Giroud is taking the most stick, people really getting tired of him now. Replacement needed in most peoples opinion.
People saying Arteta's injury will force us into the market, I hope so.
Got to say though, extremely off the pace again in the first with only Chamber, Wilshere and Debuchy doing themselves any justice what so ever.

No not all

just pointing out he was the worst of let's be fair a bad bunch.

20 Aug 2014 13:20:27
Which part of my post were you replying to sorry? The Giroud part?

19 Aug 2014 18:26:25
Hi Ed002, can we look foward to another edition of tactics truck this evening?

{Ed002's Note - Tomorrow if I get time.}

19 Aug 2014 22:14:34
Khedira left out again of Madrid's Spanish super cup squad. Fingers crossed he's coming to us. We really need him.