Arsenal Banter Archive August 25 2015

 

Use our rumours form to send us arsenal transfer rumours.

25 Aug 2015 22:46:06
Cavani bid rejected they say?. I reckon we'll have to break the transfer record. He's also on over 200k a week.

I'd love him here

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25 Aug 2015 23:22:55
NOt for that price, everyone will want a raise. Wont get much for him when its time to sell on...give me Charlie Austin

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26 Aug 2015 00:13:21
He's overrated, and we ain't going to pay those sort of wages.

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26 Aug 2015 00:36:35
Me too , he is World Class and tough

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26 Aug 2015 08:54:23
Edison cavani is not over rated he has a great record. He's scored more than 1 every two games from out wide for PSG. And when he enjoyed a spell down the middle towards the last few games of season he banged in 11. Couple that with the fact he hasn't exactly been happy and then his amazing form in Italy you can safely say he would be a very welcome addition at arsenal. But wages would be a sticking point

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26 Aug 2015 13:27:12
He's over rated, he's playing in a crap league, i remember Giroud scored quite a number of goals in the same league. He also likes to have the odd sulk every now and then, 35-40 million and 200 grand a week never going to happen.

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27 Aug 2015 01:06:14
Your right rocky it ain't going to happen. But your entitled to your opinion of him. Benzema didn't bang as many as giroud in one season either for Lyon who were dominating the league at the time.

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25 Aug 2015 21:21:50
Somebody made a comment earlier about losing the league after only 3 games.

Ridiculous comment.

But, with every team buying players and improving, you can't fall too far behind teams like City and Chelsea, even after 3 games.

For me, West ham home, Palace away and Liverpool home, should be 9 points in the bag, whether it's start, middle or end of the season.

We have lost 5 points already.
That's 5 points behind City plus a sizeable goal difference.

Still, things can only get better..hopefully.

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25 Aug 2015 21:39:40
Seems to me Dags we're split into 4 groups on our start.
1 the told you so group who said all along where not going to compete
2 those who were full of real hope but have given up already.
3 those who were and full of hope and still think we can challenge but are very worried.
4 those who will still be ful of genuine hope even if we are 15 pionts behind after 10 games and won't stop thinking we can win the title until its mathematically impossible to do so.

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25 Aug 2015 22:03:55
5. Those who think we still have a very good chance of winning the league, but we need Chelsea and City to slip up a little.

(I'm in the above group).

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25 Aug 2015 22:21:10
I'm in 3 because I'm desperate to be involved in the title race again and genuinely compete, winning it would be amazing but not even being involved again would be heartbreaking.

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25 Aug 2015 23:12:03
I am in 3 and 5

If we don't add anyone then I drop out of 5 and sit squarely in 3 as we may well "challenge" but not truly with the ability to win it

Frustrating as I think the team is almost there and the money is there. I get it that buying players is not like going to Sainsburys but I still believe there are players out there to aid our cause. I just want 3 of them

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26 Aug 2015 00:38:30
I'm with you 62 .

Wenger just won't be held to ransom will he?? Trouble we have we will never ever get away from the fact everyman and his dog know we have dosh to spend

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26 Aug 2015 07:09:13
25 Aug 2015 22:34:17
I did dags and I don't think we ever wanted to challenge. Let's talk In may time but we are not winning the league again under Wenger. Sorry to break your heart

I feel like the Jenner's. You want to call him dad but he's a different person now. Still part of the family always will be but no longer that person.

Sorry for reposting this I replied to the wrong thread

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26 Aug 2015 10:18:03
Who are these Jenners you speak of?

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26 Aug 2015 14:01:12
There Chris Jenner's kids. Aka caitlyn jenner

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26 Aug 2015 14:50:54
DG,

I enjoy reading your posts especially when your ragging the spurs boys, , however I find your thoughts on expecting 9 points in the bag from 3 granges games a little arrogant. I like arsenal the style the speed an esp the way the club is run, I would say though there is amongst a lot of my mates who support varying clubs within the percived top 6 in the league that there is some miss placed arrogance amongst the whole club. Would be interesting to know what tit thoughts are, do you think this could be a contributing factor to the angst that exists amongst the fans at gone games.

An before I get berated I'm a Liverpool fan who doesn't live in a glass house am certainly not throwing stones, I appriciate there is a lot of arrogance amongst my own but I'm interested to here your thoughts.

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26 Aug 2015 17:22:02
Becareful what you say about arsenal in this page if you don't think they will win the title you looked at as an alien.

I'm off to phone home

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25 Aug 2015 21:06:07
Last night was the perfect example of when ypu play two def mids to break up play in front of an inexperienced cb pairing. And I don't mean arteta, flamini or caz or ramsay. We needed more than a striker that waits for things to happen around him and force himself onto the opposition and behind them. My big concern was how a relatively average liverpool side made us make so many errors at home, away I can except but this should be our fortress. We are not going to see many players come in now but minimum, striker and def mid is a must. And by the way gary neville is right, there are more aspect to football that just silky skills and we need a couple of big players with big heart, reputation and power.

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25 Aug 2015 21:17:55
A striker who comes in and plays with the heart passion and abilty of Sanchez would do very nicely, but where is such a man?

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25 Aug 2015 21:24:12
Come on in Charlie..your time is up.

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25 Aug 2015 21:32:12
Can't disagree with you Steve. We need some men in the team. We will beat most this year but we won't beat who we need to. I'm not writing us off but I can't bear to hear I told you so again. It's what we give the likes of CTR grief for but in some ways others can see our frailties

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25 Aug 2015 22:34:17
I did dags and I don't think we ever wanted to challenge. Let's talk In may time but we are not winning the league again under Wenger. Sorry to break your heart

I feel like the Jenner's. You want to call him dad but he's a different person now. Still part of the family always will be but no longer that person

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25 Aug 2015 23:18:02
Derby,

Nice analogy mate :-)

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25 Aug 2015 23:27:48
Oh my boys totally grasping around here - Arteta still getting stick and he has played all of 20 minutes this year and good ones at that - misdirected anger. The team needs balance and a positive attitude, Cazorla belongs in the middle, Merts is a first choice and Ozil is number 10, Ramsey is a capable backup to Caz and ozil and lastly ox/theo are wingers learn to live with it, if we screw up the above it doesn't matter who the striker is just covering up the inbalance.

Btw I am in group 5, we'll challenge and need a bit of help, Chelsea is already cooperating!

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26 Aug 2015 07:08:07
Sorry dags replyed to the wrong thread. It was meant for the one you did above mate.

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26 Aug 2015 08:04:49
Thought so Derby

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25 Aug 2015 20:41:21
Eds you see bitton goal ruled out? Strangest thing iv seen in ages

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{Ed025's Note - as mad as a box of frogs derby..

25 Aug 2015 21:38:50
You obviously haven't seen Mrs Dags naked?

Once a month, she forces me to make love to her.
I call it "Bruce Lee night".

Enter the dragon.

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25 Aug 2015 20:36:26
I understand my fellow gooners. Everybody knows we can sign pretty much any player on the planet. We have the money we can pay the wages. But people also have to understand that even if we break our policy we could still realistically end up with a top four finish again! But there has to be a happy medium. As much as wenger is bullit proof the longer arsenal fans have to wait for a significant return the more pressure wenger will face. Regardless of how we slice it arsenal belongs to the fans and we are now at the tipping point. I love wenger but this is the make or break year. Restrictions are now spent the stadium is long since paid there has been a few years of transition in between. We have to see results. COYG

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25 Aug 2015 22:49:01
Thing is, we are just one more class player away from being genuine title challengers.

Could it be Cavani?

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25 Aug 2015 23:26:01
If it was dags I would eat my shorts like Bart Simpson

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25 Aug 2015 23:33:14
Agreed partner, but he has to fix what he is doing on the right wing as well. Hope it doesn't take an injury to force Ox onto the side, not fair to him.

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26 Aug 2015 00:41:24
Need more than him mate, even with Kos and Mert playing last night if it had been M City we would have been beat for sure, we need another ' Big Bloke' in midfield

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25 Aug 2015 19:18:56
Walcott and Giroud aren't good enough up top. They should play together if anything.

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25 Aug 2015 19:50:57
Yh they should play together Some were else

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25 Aug 2015 21:01:03
We might not win the league with the likes of Giroud and Walcott, but we won't win the league selling the likes of Giroud and Walcott.

It's a team effort.

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26 Aug 2015 00:41:49
Valid Dags Valid

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25 Aug 2015 19:15:46
SY in reply to your post further down last night I asked the question ( does anyone else think Arsene seems reluctant to big Petr Cech to much or is me? ) Rocky replied it was me which I said he was probably right then.
I hardly think this constitutes trying to start a story about Arsene not appreciating Cech mate.
I asked the question Rocky gave his answer which I accepted, where's the rumour or story in that mate?

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25 Aug 2015 21:03:22
I did think SY was having a dig at you with that post.

Or is it just me? :-)

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25 Aug 2015 21:39:33
Sorry 62 - no dig intended.

Thanks Dags!

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25 Aug 2015 22:07:16
Lol SY,

I know you wasn't having a pop at G62.

He bloody deserves it though because he mentioned Balotelli again last week.

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25 Aug 2015 23:24:09
Thanks SY, sorry I if I took it the wrong way mate.

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25 Aug 2015 19:03:42
Not completely Arsenal related, but I was looking at the rumours today, especially at Stones and Berahino.
Guardiola sprang to mind, when he said that in Spain they have many players like Wilshere, he's not that uncommon there.

Whilst that's a slight exaggeration, it raises a point, what is the deal with the price of English players?!

£12m for Chambers
£25m for Berahino
£35m for Carroll
£40m for Stones
£49m for Sterling

Yes, these players (aside from Carroll) look to have very promising futures ahead of them, but why such a high fee, when there are many foreign counterparts for less?

Stones and Chambers for example are great talents, Stones looking the better currently, but Chambers definetly has potential.
When you're looking at almost £60m for those two players and then look abroad to the likes of Daniele Rugani, Alessio Romagnoli, Aymeric Laporte, Jose Giminez, just off the top of my head.
Great young players who wouldn't cost near as much as English ones (before I get bombarded with 'Romagnoli went for almost £10m more than Chambers' remember Romagnoli was already an establish first teamer, Chambers had played something like 3 games for Southampton, if he'd of been estabslished, he'd be nearer £30m and we wouldn't of signed him)

And this trend carries on for all the 'best' English players.
Sterling is being hailed as the best thing since sliced bread.
Yes, he's good, yes he's got plenty of time to get even better.
Look at the likes of Gerard Deulofeu, who's incredibly talented, rated highly by former coaches et al, and he went to Everton for a tenner and a bag of space invaders (I may of over exaggerated).

Carroll for £35m, Berahino touted for £25m , Kane being touted as a £40m player.
That's Harry Kane, having one good season, being valued at almost £10m more than Alexis Sanchez.
Yes, Kane is 22, Berahino...I wanna say 20? Carroll was like 23, yes they have/had a degree of talent and promise, but again, look to the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, who scored something around 30 goals last season (I may be off...im getting old, leave me alone) and he's valued for around (depending where you read) £28m.
That's only £3m more than Berahino and a solid £7m and £12m less than Carroll and Kane respectively.

El Shawaarwy moved to Monaco for about £10m, he's had a bad spell after injuries, but he's got bags of talent.

Marco Reus moved to Dortmund for £23m and can leave for about £45m aparently.
You take the Spurs rivalry out of it and Kane for £40m or Reus for £45m....I know who I'd choose!

I know part of the reason for inflated prices is the home grown rule.
It was set up to encourage academies to produce good English talent.
But all its done is encourage teams to raid Europe and then mug smaller teams for their English talent to meet quotas.

I also recognise you can say that splashing out on a player like stones, who has like 10-12 years in him, could be cracking value if he stays at his club for the remaineder of his career, but still, I'd be mystified if we went out and spent £40m on a player who's 20!
(I'd probably make an exception for players like Barcelona's Munir...but even then I'd be a little shocked!)

In turn, this ruins the careers of so many young players.
Look at Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Fabio Borini as prime examples.
Yes, they were never going to be top players, but they had their careers halted by moves to big clubs, bought mainly to meet quotas.

Roswell was once touted as our next great midfielder.
Now he's fighting relegation with Sunderland.

Too much money being thrown at young players, be it transfers or wages.

I realise I've just gone on a random rant but, you know.

Thoughts on this people?

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25 Aug 2015 19:13:56
Totally agree with the space invaders bit

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25 Aug 2015 19:31:31
Bruce Rioch enquired about a promising (nothing more than) Norwich player Darren Eddie and was quoted 7 million so he bought Marc Overmars instead for the same money who was a proven international already, its been that way for years and people wonder why there are so many non British players in the premier league not to mention the leagues below.
Oh by the way for younger readers I think Darren Eaddie went to Middlesbrough or somewhere similar a few years later for a lot lot less money and never did become the super star Norwich priced him at along side Overmars.

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25 Aug 2015 22:54:38
I think g62 he actually went to leicester and had his first england call up but was struck down with a knee injury that ended his playing days before he gor the chance to make his international debut. I think he is now involved in the yourh setup at norwich.

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25 Aug 2015 18:01:06
Reading a post below on How predictable we are that's why we loose points.

Lol even our invincible season we were predictable, teams knew what we were going to do which was kill them, and they couldn't stop us. Us being predictable is a load of crap due to which we loose points, its the performance on the day which counts. Sometimes the things with which people come up here is beyond ridiculous.

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25 Aug 2015 19:12:07
I replied to this in the thread.
The fact that you reposted the same again is hilarious.

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25 Aug 2015 19:16:20
I agree.

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25 Aug 2015 20:14:59
I agree also

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25 Aug 2015 20:25:39
If we are going to play our "predictable" brand of football we need to play it better. In the EPL you need to be adaptable we can play that way against half of the teams but we need a plan b. We have to get some men in the squad Tbh. Someone said you will never win the leauge with kids. Although this has been disproven we really need to take stock of the times. This leauge is harder than it has ever been and diversity and adaptability is the key. We need to be able to win consistently and at the cost of the purist approach. We can do this and can do it under wenger. As stubborn as he is he reslises that the climate changes and we have to adapt

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25 Aug 2015 21:05:33
Haven't got a clue what I'm agreeing to, but I agree.

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25 Aug 2015 21:18:59
TG i reposted this as i cannot be bothered to
Go all the way down to read your comment

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26 Aug 2015 00:06:01
Different personal completely different mindset, the Invincible team went in to games knowing it would take a stroke of luck for the opposing team for them to lose, this was because they didn't really have a week link or any square pegs in round holes and they had a lot of leaders on the pitch apart from Reyes who had the skill but not the mindset.
So i completely agree with you but it was easy to have no plan be with that team, with this one and the improvement in the league in general I'm afraid it will keep haunting us

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25 Aug 2015 17:31:34
Has all hope of a real title challenge gone already with 35 games remaining? Of course not.
Is it a much bigger ask than it was a little over 2 weeks ago? Of course it is.
If we started off head and shoulder's above city and Chelsea before the season starred then we could write things off as ring rust but the truth is we were always the outsider of the 3 realistic title hopefuls.
Maybe we do have enough already in the squad to do it and Theo and Olly will get us enough goals but would it hurt to have other options even if there not our preferred ones up top?
West Ham we can ignore Cechs mistakes as these things happen
Liverpool we can justifiably say we had terrible luck to loose both established CBs.
But the biggest question mark about us before the season started was our strike force and 3 games in the question mark hasn't gone away it's got bigger.
The window closes in a few days time and we'd be crazy not to use it while there's still time.

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25 Aug 2015 17:15:20
Regarding the striker situation. Eds mentioned Cavani to be an alternative to Benzema. I was wondering why would PSG sell him to us, as the futures of Zlatan and Lavezzi are still up in the air and no replacement has been signed by PSG.

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{Ed001's Note - they need to reduce wages.}

25 Aug 2015 19:21:22
So ed do u think there is a chance of cavani joining arsenal? Thanx

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{Ed001's Note - if Arsene decides to make a push for him, it is perfectly possible it could happen. They are looking to offload Zlatan at the moment though.}

25 Aug 2015 19:52:04
I'd take any1 atm

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25 Aug 2015 20:46:20
Thanks ed :)
I hope some striker comes in.

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25 Aug 2015 21:06:59
Imired,

Charlie Austin?

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{Ed025's Note - it would be a great race up front...between giroud, austin..and a tortoise.. :)

25 Aug 2015 21:42:13
Bit unfair that Ed.

On the tortoise :-)

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26 Aug 2015 00:58:10
He can't be worse than giroud

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25 Aug 2015 16:54:28
I really get fed up from time to time with our supporters. How can it be that so many put their heads into their hands and give up on the evidence of three games? May I remind you that we have the same amount of points as Chelsea have! Some results go our way and we are in the top 4 next round.
We were poor against West Ham as well as Liverpool first half, and still are on par with Chelsea.
One might argue that they had better opponents but we can only play the teams infront of us.
Some of the critisism towards wenger is justified. Especially the playing players out of position. The not buying part is partially justified I think.
Many fear we will panic-buy and point to similar seasons. Yet many tend to overlook the fact that we bought good old Mesut on the deadline day!
Also pointing fingers at single players is a bit harsh. I was furious with Chambers and the crap he played but there is a reason he doesn't normally play. Not his fault he was thrown into cold water, probably getting the news just a few hours before the game.
Ever since özil came back from injury he looks like a beast and I don't get why he get's so much stick. He creates chance after chance after chance it really isn't his fault nobody puts them away. Of course he has a bad game here and ther but he's only human. Alexis didn't play particulary well the last couple of games and I can hear no shouts for him to be dropped.
How about we all start makeing up our own minds and not just repeating everything the pundits and so called experts say. If you come to the same conclusion as them fair enough but I feel many just say it because they read/heard it somewhere else.
I think round 10 is when we should make a first judgement about how our season is going

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25 Aug 2015 17:09:53
Do you not think the same things are said each season tho?

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25 Aug 2015 18:07:48
And Chelsea have a better team than us

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25 Aug 2015 18:18:52
Yup - well said, too much negativity. Would like to have monitored the board the year of the invincables - probably didn't score enough or too many draws! Still would have been a Wenger out brigade ;-))

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25 Aug 2015 18:19:55
Do you dispare VG but you understand why?

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25 Aug 2015 18:23:03
That's a decent post VG, I didn't listen to pundits or fans who have said all summer Olly and Theo didn't have enough to lead us to a serious challenge I hoped/thought they could have enough between them, I was wrong.
Its difficult at the moment to see anyone other than Sanchez scoring the winning goal for us in a tightly fought 50/50 game of very few chances for either team, Ollys a brilliant worker but we need to try give somebody new a chance to be our main goal getter.

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25 Aug 2015 18:32:15
What would you do at round 10 if we are twelve points behind?

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25 Aug 2015 19:44:10
hard to say steve
Would be heartbreaking to see such a thing again
I am however very reluctant to call for Wenger to go since I don't want to have to suffer throw that hangover like United still is

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25 Aug 2015 20:41:09
My point is you never wait, you act how you can when you can. You don't have to wait to see what's required.

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25 Aug 2015 21:12:50
Fair post Vg.

Very good comment Steve..12 points behind just like last season, and look what happened.

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25 Aug 2015 16:34:20
i thought it was a very poor decision to sell afobe for 2mil last year (wolves have just turned down an 8mil bid for him) we could of got a good loan fee for him and his value would of increased, it didn't make very good business sence

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25 Aug 2015 18:46:13
Gotta say afobe is a good player he will be effective as giroud if he played for us

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25 Aug 2015 15:18:57
Iam going in hols in a few hours I'll be glad to get away from all the transfer Crap it's the same every year we build our selfs up and get kicked back down

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25 Aug 2015 15:55:22
Best piece of advice?

Never pay any heed to what is printed in tabloids.

Their first rule is to sell papers.
Their second rule is don't be too fussed about the legitimacy of the story.

Enjoy your hols mate.

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25 Aug 2015 16:13:41
Well the past two years have been different mate. Let's just wait and see

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25 Aug 2015 18:15:15
Has your hotel got wi fi and are you taking your ipad. You will not be able to have an holiday without knowing. Lol

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25 Aug 2015 15:15:37
My thoughts on our abilities and lack of are the same as before. First we should have had a perfectly legit goal and that would have made it a different game, but does mean we still would have won but a different game. We can only go on what we saw last night. We can blame individuals and pick on this and that, but there are constants week in week out and that's down to wenger. Playing players out of position, making poor tactical decisions, not looking at oposition strengths and weakness, not looking at our own weaknesses, fitting square pegs in round holes and balance. We have how much more possession and create how many more chances and make how many more errors in defence than the opposition, week after week. We have gone 5 home games without scoring a goal now, we try the same things again and again that don't work. Wengers substitutions are a joke, why did he bring a pacey striker on in a game where there was no space for him to work in, why was the ox given just 10 minutes including injury. People are saying we areconly three games in don't panic it's early days, well no, its three games in and we are falling back and the trend is there for all to see. Those who don't or don't want to see it, wake up. We are not title challengers, just pretenders, we don't have the tools. Was west ham a game we looked like contenders at home, was the liverpool a game we looked like title contenders at home, ask yourselves and give yourselves the chance to answer truthfully and then come back and tell us you thought we were. I don't have any confidence, that it is going to change, hope but no confidence on the evidence i am presented with.

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25 Aug 2015 16:52:53
I would have to reluctantly agree with a chunk of that. For me Theo needs to be starting. He stretches teams and would compliment Giroud. I know most people say play Ox, but he is different, he picks up deeper and beats players. Theo plays on the shoulder of defenders and that makes him different to anybody else we have. Only him and Welbeck look to get in behind and that's something we need to get back in the team. I agree, putting him on for 15 minutes when the other team are camped in their own box is pretty pointless

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25 Aug 2015 19:10:51
Well said Steve.
I guess some people are just content with where we are.

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25 Aug 2015 15:09:04
A couple of points

1. Liverpool turned up knowing our formation and tactics because they are always the same. Wenger even subs at almost the same time about 70 mins. Tactically it is predictable, and the team does not relate to form. The ox by now must realise he won't start regularly nomatter how he plays. Some of you are talking about a new formation. Never going to happen under Wenger.

2. We should have strengthened the team or at least the squad. If you don't believe there are players to do that I give up. I see lots of posts today now looking for a new CB, DM etc. Should have been done in the summer and the team prepared for the season. Other teams managed to do that. This has happened before, under Wenger it will happen again.

Maybe a panic buy on the cards now? That won't change point 1. Will it push us to challenge? Time will tell.

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25 Aug 2015 15:38:04
Barca are predictable but can anyone stop them. They have played the same way for the past 8 years. We are a diet barca. The problem we have and why it doesn't work in the EPL is that teams are physically stronger right through the league that's why we need more resolve. Our team has no meat sacks. In saying that barca would have a tougher time in the English league. It's why Chelsea , Man City do well but struggle in Europe with continental refs. We need an enforcer we can't put chambers at CB. Regardless of talent there is a big difference between men and boys

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25 Aug 2015 16:07:23
Messi browgun?

That's the difference in Barcelona and everyone else who tries to play like them.

They didn't have this dominate without Messi, they have always played the same way. Always been a good team but this is down to what Messi can do and more to the point the fact he guarantees atleast 45 goals before the season has begun.

Use need lewondowski and Morgan Sch but nit it has to he William.

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25 Aug 2015 16:51:10
I agree with tg

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25 Aug 2015 18:00:28
Lol even our invincible season we were predictable, teams knew what we were going to do which was kill them, and they couldn't stop us. Us being predictable is a load of crap due to which we loose points, its the performance on the day which counts. Sometimes the things with which people come up here is beyond ridiculous.

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25 Aug 2015 18:22:45
Didn't understand last bit. But regardless of messi barca would have a tough time in English league . We can't play like that hence diet barca. We need more steel and discipline throughout the squad.

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25 Aug 2015 19:08:48
You are comparing the invincible season to the current team. When you are world class you can be predictable. It doesn't work now that is the point. Thus, what you are saying is beyond ridiculous.
"Due to which we loose points" I'm not even sure what that was meant to be...

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25 Aug 2015 19:45:16
Brow I was saying Messi is the reason noone else can consistently play like that.

You need steel to win over here and I said above Morgan Sch would of been perfect but now it has to be William carvalho and also lewondowski because he offers wh at giroud does but also the threat in behind.

And yes mystifier the invincible were predictable.. Who again? Henry, Berkamp, silva, Vieira, cole, Pires?

That's why used smashed teams.

Liverpool played great a couple of years ago with sterling, sturridge and suarez but can't continue to play that way because they don't have the players, thy need to adapt so unless arsene pulls a Messi out of the academy or abroad then you have to have a plan b.

Arsenal before every season begins are title challenegers and are guaranteed 70 points

It's how you get the extra points.

There's 6/8 with Cech. 3 last night
Lewondowski gets probably 3/4
Morgan / William 3/4 (helping you get abcouple of draw throughout the season at the ethiad for example)

So there's 12/18 which with a bit of luck here and there could be the title.

If no additions aren't made then I'm afraid thete no title

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25 Aug 2015 14:39:46
Bringing on walcott as a substitute striker doesn't help at all, esp when we r chasing a goal and bossing possession. Teams usually sit back and this doesn't allow him space to run at and he doesn't hold the ball as well as Giroud. He's more effective when he starts or when we r already a goal up n can counter attack, shouldn't have replaced giroud yesterday I felt..

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25 Aug 2015 14:57:38
I think a lot of supporters will agree with the above. AW does not instil confidence in us supporters with his substitute timings, players used & playing players out of position. He is set in ways & it's difficult to see him changing.

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25 Aug 2015 14:59:29
Starting walcott and ox is better. Giroud is better of as a sub. But that depends on who we are playing against

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25 Aug 2015 16:51:41
Walcott should only play wide

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25 Aug 2015 17:43:05
i agree willy having giroud and walcott gives the perfect rotation for how different teams will be expected to play, walcott would of been perfect from the start when pool wanted to give it a go, with giroud a great sub if it was still 0-0 at 70 with them sitting deeper, but hey ho

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25 Aug 2015 14:08:54
Forget Benzema and Cavani. Icadi of Inter is the man we should target.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

25 Aug 2015 15:05:39
Ha! Alright then mate. Because signing people with personality issues always works swimmingly for us

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25 Aug 2015 13:37:05
I agree with this I think there many players that can play in the no 10 position including Sanchez and chamberlain
Mesut Ozil is Arsenal's "weak link", according to Steve Claridge.

Claridge bemoaned Ozil's lack of effort after Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

He said, "Ozil gave the ball away at least six times and never once did he react to try and get it back. That's a dangerous precedent to set and if I'm one of his team-mates it's quite depressing actually."

Conor McNamara agrees that the World Cup winner is a "luxury" player but thinks Arsenal need to find a way to get the best out of him.

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{Ed001's Note - except I clearly saw him track back at one point, almost the entire length of the field. Claridge is clueless at scouting players, that's why he was such a failure as a manager.}

25 Aug 2015 13:56:58
I recall that same moment Ed. I think people see what they want to see. Anyways, he certainly isn't our weak link. There are weaknesses in this team, but the central midfield trio is not one of them.

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25 Aug 2015 14:01:30
Ozil is world class and if he doesn't take a team apart single handedly he gets stick. If that goal was allowed it would have been a different story yesterday. 6 of liverpools points have been handed to them this season

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25 Aug 2015 14:02:32
Exactly Ed, I was at the match and I was actually impressed with Ozil's work rate. No idea where this has come from.

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25 Aug 2015 14:15:08
I agree Brow, but that does not excuse or explain our first half performance. We were awful mate. And also I have to hold my hands up and say Liverpool were very good first half.

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25 Aug 2015 14:32:41
I think he remembers one instance at the end where ozil couldn't cross the ball n it went for a goal kick, could see by that time ozil was totally exhausted..

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25 Aug 2015 14:38:05
Excellent point BG82

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25 Aug 2015 14:42:53
It amazes me that Claridge is a pundit and that people are expected to listen to him. He was a football league journeyman and without trying to be too disrespectful, he hasn't got a tube of glue sometimes.

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25 Aug 2015 15:06:50
I usually don't butt in but just my thoughts we didn't as a team play that bad in the first half we should have been a goal up. We started the game quite well and then when liverpool and ourselves realised how much of a liability chambers was at the back it kinda shook us into ourselves and shook liverpool to wake up and really have a go. after half time when chambers had settled a bit we were able to play again and I thought we were the better team. Losing both centre backs had a big impact on our play I feel in the first half. Another point why did ox only get ten min every time he has played this season he has looked dangerous I just don't understand Walcott gets twenty and ox gets ten he looks hungrier to shoot run at people and try to make something happen more so than any of our front players.
Only my two cents

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25 Aug 2015 18:28:56
Our problem is mentality not ability. Ozil is a feel good player and s player that I believe could walk into any side in the EPL. He needs to play when he can play. It's no good giving him stick. He never was a defensively minded work horse at Madrid. Spain is an easy league for Madrid and barca. Ozil is one of if not the best defense unlockers in the world. He is never going to be the grafter we need at times but I believe he is the best schemer in the world when things go well

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25 Aug 2015 13:02:55
Always amazes me that whenever results don't go our way the pundits and fans start blaming individual players. Mostly Giroud and Ozil. For me Ramsey needs some time on the bench as he looks frustrated with himself at times . The Ox should take his place as so far this season he has come on and changed our tempo and gives a directness that Ramsey lacks. It's a team game and our team wins and loses together, so to hear so called experts round on individuals is just crap punditry and cheap shots . For me, Ozil is used as a scapegoat too often, other players have to up their game to bring out the best from him . You don't play for Real Madrid and win world cups being an average player. There is a long season ahead and I think it will be very tight between top six places with little between them .

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25 Aug 2015 13:41:29
one word Arbeloa

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{Ed001's Note - Arbeloa was an excellent defender mate, attitude problem at times, but he was very good defensively.}

25 Aug 2015 15:27:43
dont get me wrong he's a reliable player but real madrid don't really miss him mate. for me he's lucky to of played for who he did. won't be remembered

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{Ed001's Note - I think he is highly under rated, not the best, but certainly way better than average.}

25 Aug 2015 12:56:29
first time poster.

Am i the only one that thinks our strike force is not the problem. all this talk about a world class striker but look at our attacking players, we have more than enough options for scoring. what we need is confidence at the back and more importantly a new vieira. If we are secure at the back our attacking players can push on more. On that note, any updates on the def midfield position would be greatly appreciated ed

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25 Aug 2015 12:22:58
For me, if we are unable to sign a magnificent striker, i'd play sanchez, walcott and ox as front three.
Giroud would be used as a super sub at most times.
It's not obligatory to play all the midfielders in the starting line up.
Hoping for great change in the next game.
Right players should play the right positions unless otherwise there's injury.
I'd bet City wouldn't have spared us with yesterday's shambolic and slipshod defence. Lack of game time for those two cb paring could have cost us 3points.
At least we can learn from our errors.
Ox is the player who tops my strong attitude list. He doesn't deserve to be benched because at the moment his form will be a nightmare for defenders.

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25 Aug 2015 16:54:17
I don't think that will work Sanchez is a better striker than Walcott in terms of movement and finishing so i think alexis should play upfront

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25 Aug 2015 11:35:54
Jesus Gary Neville is a douche, Ozil had a pretty good game and worked his socks off, if we had a better striker for his service I personally think Ozil would be up there with player of the season come the end of the year!!

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25 Aug 2015 12:04:17
Going by that logic half the people on here are douches too.

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{Ed001's Note - especially those with 5 tattoos....}

25 Aug 2015 13:00:24
I don't think so

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25 Aug 2015 13:00:50
People who don't understand genius, often label it as madness.

If we had a forward on an equal level as Özil, he'd be getting an assist a game.

We're basically playing 2 attacking players.
Özil isn't an 'attacking' midfielder in the style of coutinho, he's not going to go on little runs and crack off shots, it's not his style.

Ramsey isn't a winger, and offers little to nothing on the right wing.

Santi's dropped deeper and Coquelin only destroys (which he does well)

We only really have 2 major goal threats, Alexis and Giroud.

Alexis is still lacking sharpness, it's ok saying he's fit, but he's still been rushed back.
Played an insane amount of games last season, then comes back early to us and gets thrown into action on the first day of the season.

Giroud just isn't good enough to be a leading forward.
He's a cracking option.
But he lacks any sort of finesse, his intelligence of the game is poor (I'm not saying mine is but I'm not earning £90k a week) he takes up stupid positions for a lone striker and he just losing effectiveness.
Teams know, stop him in the air and you've stopped him completely.

Part of our attacking issues would be solved by playing Theo or Alex on the right.

But we still need a top level forward.
I know we need to buy one who definetley improves us, but if Wenger really is 'open to gambling' why aren't we taking a crack at Lacazette or someone of that ilk?

I went on a real tangent there, but yeah, I completely agree, this constant Özil bashing is getting boring.
He's become a scapegoat for people who think being a great player means running the length of the pitch every 5 minutes.

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25 Aug 2015 14:02:56
What's with all the americanised put downs on this site at the moment. Sheesh

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25 Aug 2015 16:04:39
I make you right Browgun.

Y'all wanna stop it because its beginning to grind my grits :-)

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25 Aug 2015 11:32:26
I live in NZ and have finally had the time to watch the liv game, got to say in my opinion we weren't that bad and pool were better than usual. Saying that I feel we still deserved more from the game than them. Chambers made them look even better with his sloppy passing in dangerous areas. Without chambers playing they would of only had a couple of chances.

I thought Giroud looked awful and can't remember him actually winning a header or assisting in anyway at all! I'd rather see theo given a chance up front with chamberlain on the wing and actually scare defenders! With have a awesome looking squad but need pace and energy down the wings.

I thought Gabriel looked a great prospect and I look forward to seeing him partner kos soon. Also seeing cech in goal is extremely reassuring!
COYG

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25 Aug 2015 10:32:11
Right so yesterday was a reasonably poor performance. But I really do feel if we had kos and mert it would have been a completely different game. And it seems players are still lacking some sharpness, which should come in time hopefully. And we can take some positives in that Gabriel looked pretty solid especially when he was having to look after Chambers and le coq and cech played fantastic.

Either way, going forward we still aren't creating enough chances at the moment. I am saying the same things as everyone else, when it comes to signing a striker but obviously it is very difficult to sign one.

So in the time being I think Walcott should be given a run of games because its clearly not working at the moment. Plus one of caz, ozil and ramsey needs to give way to the ox as ramsey out wide doesn't work and has never really worked and I can't believe that hasn't been remedied yet.

In my opinion Caz has probably started the worst out of the three, so he would be the one to take out for me.

Cech
Bellerin mert/gab kos monreal
le coq ramsey
ox ozil sanchez
walcott

Also I completely agree with G nev, a large part of the reason the invincibles were so great was a big strong cm pairing, so heres to a DM this window or Carvalho in Jan.

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25 Aug 2015 10:57:53
I think OllyG is taking the brunt unfairly here, he can only offer limited outlets against a deep laying defence - he does not have the pace to get into little pockets of space. Looking at last night he was highly effective at winning high balls in attack and defence. He is at his best when surrounded by fast players to draw defenders out and create space.

Drop Ramsay and play Ox/Walcott on the right and you will see a completely different dynamic to the team. Ramsay has a great engine but he's not hugely fast, can't cross to save his life and keeps thinking he's Zidane. A rest and a reality check are needed.

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25 Aug 2015 11:09:26
we have actually created more chances than any other team in the league this season and scored the fewest goal,,, creating is not the problem,, its putting them away,, and that is what we lack, not work rate, not niceness, not defensive duties from a striker.. someone who just wants to and can score goals at will.. over 60 chances created this season and only 2 goals.. its not Ozil, ox, Caz, rambo, that are the issue yes you want all the team to chip in.. but Gk and defender are there to keep clean sheets.. midfied to keep possession and create, both these areas this season have been ok, but strikers are there to score, that's why they cost the money and that's why they get the highest wages ( usually) and that is what we lack.

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25 Aug 2015 10:27:34
I wish Wenger would play a more balanced team, rather than trying to include quality players, played out of position. Last night Ramsey played mainly wide right, but tended to float, which left Bellerin exposed. We needed to play either Oxlade or Walcott wide right. The same goes for Cazorla, who plays far better when further forward, than when he is played deep. Wenger also played Walcott centrally when he brought him on and there was no space to get in behind Liverpool's deep defensive line.
We have 2 quality keepers.
We have 4 good fullbacks.
We have 3 good centre backs & Chambers who will improve as he matures.
We have two rapid right sided players.
We have two quality left-side players, when Welbeck is fit.
We only have 1 excellent defensive midfield player. We need to sign at least one, if not two & get rid of Arteta & Flamini.
We have one reasonably good centre forward, we need to sign a superstar centre forward.
We have loads of attacking central midfield players. The problem is that in order to accommodate them Wenger plays them out of position. I fail to understand how you can accommodate the following players, when fit: Wilshere, Ozil, Ramsey, Cazorla & Rosicky, Personally, I would have let Rosicky depart. Which still leaves us with four players fighting over one central attacking midfield place in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Lets assume the following is our strongest balanced team:
Cech
Bellerin Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal
Coquelin Arteta
Walcott Cazorla Sanchez
Giroud

The two glaring weaknesses are Arteta & Giroud.
Imagine now that we sign Cavani & Krychowiak, to replace Arteta & Giroud in the 'strongest' team, clearly there is an improvement.
The remedy is then to release/sell/loan out Arteta, Flamini & Rosicky, as well as Campbell, whilst signing the two players I mentioned. We then still have Ozil, Ramsey to cover/rotate for/with Cazorla. The squad and starting eleven looks far more balanced.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

25 Aug 2015 10:47:03
Robbie, I can't see how Ozil can be dropped and I like Santi playing the deep central midfield role. This role is similar to Cesc role except that Santi gets the ball forward quicker. Santi's role then changes based on home / away plus who we are playing. Ie he sits back or attacks more. I think him and Coq were great in that partnership. Coq just needs to play deep, keep discipline and keep to short passes.

We need back up for Coq. That person may be his partner against The Big Teams but replacement in other games.

I agree on the Striker - Cavani

I think we need a right winger with pace and some tricks as we need that to open the pitch up and find a way to win when opposition parks the bus. That role is not Ox or Theo. Its not Rambo or Jack... It's got to be someone new.

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25 Aug 2015 12:27:54
SY4 -
Firstly, we have two very good options for the right attacking role in Ox & Walcott, I do not believe either need replacing.
I do not believe that we should play Santi out of his best position, in the deep role alongside Coquelin, just to accomodate Ozil. Yes, Santi can play deep, as he is an exceptional player, but he will open things up in a more advanced role. I am a huge fan of Ozil, but I couldn't include in him ahead of Santi in the advanced role. We are simply accommodating Ozil and Ramsey by playing Santi and Ramsey out of position. Last night Bellerin came under huge pressure from Coutinho and Gomez looked like a world class left back, until Ox came on. Within 6 minutes, Coutinho was taken off and Moreno replaced him, as Ox was causing al sorts of problems. Whilst particularly in the first half we miseed Santi in the advanced center midfield role. An additional defensive midfield player will shield our central defence, who came under immense pressure. In the earlier great Wenger teams we had Vieira and Petit, then Vieira and Gilberto who protected the defence. In recent seasons Wenger has tried various players in the defensive midfield role, who are clearly not defensive midfield players. We need a defensive midfield player before the window closes.

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25 Aug 2015 16:56:55
Robbie I think you have lost it on this one ... no one is accomodating Ozil, he and Sanchez are the foundation and everything fits from there mate, plus they are really playing off each other more and more.

Ramsey v theo/ox is probably the discussion - but it all sorts itself once the injuries come and for us they always do.

Last night Ozil was very good, as was Gabriel, Coq and Bellerin - MOM was Cech - so lots to build on. Its a long season boys!

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25 Aug 2015 10:19:59
Can't believe our own fans try to start a story about Wenger not appreciating Cech.
First game - no blame at all on Cech
Third game - "He was superb, " the manager told Arsenal Player. "In the moments where we struggled he kept us in the game and he deserves a lot of credit for that."

Lots of over reaction to last night but I did read a good bit by someone - 19 shots ( at least we shoot now!), penalty claim, hit the woodwork plus a perfect goal disallowed.

If City's centre halves or Chelsea's two were out against a top 6 side - they would not fair too well either

We clearly need to improve in possession, creating space, pressure on the ball and scoring but it's not doomsday.

Let's hope for a few key signings - striker, CDM and a pacey winger who can dribble.

Let's get behind the manager and the team as its early days and we are a classy bunch of fans & classy club.

Don't underestimate how important that disallowed goal was. We paid Cech to be world class hence he did what he did. Hitting the post is not scoring, hitting the back of the net is. We did that, Pool did not but ref robbed us.

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25 Aug 2015 11:38:40
Excellent post.

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25 Aug 2015 09:18:07
Derby mate, again I don't wish to offend but you think I should be handed a straight jacket.

Mate you are genuinely in serious need of some powerful antibiotics because it must be coming on for two years now that you've struggled to shake off that MOTD Fever. Like the Fortune 500 we must now be close to the Derby 500.

Coutinho is a simple no all day long for me, small pieces of brilliance backed with not a lot else doesn't put him ahead of Cazorla, Ozil or even Ramsey in our midfield. We need the right striker to make the most of what our brilliant midfield provide.

Cazorla is a Spanish international, Ozil is a German International, Ramsey is a Welsh international, Coutinho is simply a Brazilian national. Good player but not good enough. Start talking about David Silva and I'm listening.

As for Griezmann, you'd move Sanchez from his preferred left wing, where he scored 25 goals, to the right to accommodate him or put him at 10, really, and how good is Griezmann at tracking back, he might be brilliant, but do you actually know? I'm guessing from your post you also hadn't heard of Krychowiak, as I asked you,before ed02 mentioned him.

You also seemed to brush over the fact I said I have not been envious of any transfer concluded AS OF YET but listed a host of big name players who could and would improve us, who are yet to move.

So quite simply, yes there are players out there that would improve any team, including Bayern and Barca, but you need to get away from this constant seeing or hearing something about a player then immediately think he would fit right into our team.

So if you really want to talk about upgrades then let's start talking about David Silva, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Javi Martinez, Marco Reus, Aymeric Laporte, William Carvalho, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski mate.

We need a striker and a defensive midfielder at least, who they are or whether we get them I have no idea but I can tell you with 100% certainty I will not be impressed with Wenger if he fails to strengthen this squad.

What I don't want to see by the same token is another Kim Kallstrom, we have the money, make the big bid, buy the right player. You were calling for that lump Benteke not long ago and probably were on the bandwagon in seasons past for Lewis Holtby, Yann M'Vila, along with numerous others that turned out to be pants. Which equates to most of the players you jump to on an almost daily basis.

The one positive in all of this and the biggest one, is that thank god, you're not in charge! ;-)

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25 Aug 2015 10:26:35
The polish guy krychwiak is a good player in my eyes and would be an upgrade I watch Spanish Footy and Europa league and been watching him a lot he gets stuck in and is also good on the ball apart from that your spot on stoner

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25 Aug 2015 10:17:54
Stoner, I agree whole heartedly with your post but I don't think Derby is alone. We've become so desperate for a big name striker to be bought, it's very easy to get caught up in the "circus" we know as transfer gossip.
I've been a gunner for 45 years and STILL get frustrated every season with our lack of "quality" signings....with a few exceptions of course.
What is like to think is that Wenger watched that last night and admitted to himself that we are simply not good enough, and dips into that transfer fund to make a quality signing or two.
He must be the only one to think we have (quote) enough talent internally to win the title.

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25 Aug 2015 10:22:32
coutinho not being in the brazil squad is not his fault. oh ye theyv won a lot without him havnt they? anyway he's in the squad now and will be for a long time.

whos fault was kallstrom. one mans desire to leave it late.

i would 100percent move sanchez to bring in griezmann.

david silva is world class the best in the prem at was he does. see previous posts and you will see my words.

every start to the season we ask the same questions.

groundhog day. insanity

g.neville speaks sense about us

cavani i would love. reus i would love but aslong as week keep trying to fit ramsey into the team we will not push on i'm sorry

truth hurts apologies

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25 Aug 2015 10:33:17
The problem for me still with arsenal is mentality. The way we started I thought we were going to rip Liverpool a new one. But as soon as that goal got disallowed I knew it would effect us big time. Any sort of adversity puts us on a downer. The current crop of players with their tails up are unplayable .

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25 Aug 2015 11:52:07
Stephen I'm not disagreeing with how good Krychowiak is, my point wasn't aimed at his ability or suitability for us and I would be certain he is an upgrade on Arteta.

Jock likewise, for my sins 46yrs, from the days as a kid when I thought Peter Marinello was some fancy foreign player we'd signed!

Wenger has a knack of frustrating us all and this for me is his biggest window and Petr Cech is so far not good enough business albeit a fantastic acquisition itself.

My point to Derby is not just to continually reel off a flavour of the minute player.

We like you say need quality upgrades in just a few positions and I'll be beyond frustrated if we don't get them this window.

The genuine upgrades I listed have all been rumoured to be available this summer and in some cases you can make players available by the package you offer there club. This is what we can afford to be doing now, buying the best not thinking of players like Coutinho and Benteke who maybe good but simply no good enough.

Derby I was certain you'd be aware that Coutinho had been dropped from the current Brazil squad as he didn't cut the mustard last time around. Surprised me there fella.

And fella you really need to read my posts, I want to see better players here, I listed them, they are genuine upgrades, not who scored a great goal this weekend.

Finally Brow mentality is an issue, winning the league is not like winning an FA Cup. Look at what happened to Liverpool.

It is 38 games of being on it with little room for error and we have not made the best start but equally we have not made the worst.

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{Ed001's Note - bit pointless talking about who has been in the Brazil squad as it was revealed the sponsors pick the team, ie Nike.}

25 Aug 2015 13:48:56
ask any brazilian they want coutinho in. since his debut at 18 he has made 10 appearances criminal.

jo has twice the amount of caps mate. now you try work that one out for me?

im not too concerned who plays for there country tbh mate. we are on about premiership football.

kleberson has a world cup winning trophey. criminal

so looking at the premier league ozil just isn't the same as la liga or international

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25 Aug 2015 13:59:48
Derby I don't care who gets caps to be honest I unlike you don't see Coutinho as any kind of upgrade on our midfield.

There are better players out there we need to be looking at, it's pretty straight forward.

Ed01 can I assume that is why Rooney keeps getting caps for England! ;-)

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{Ed001's Note - I am saying nothing....}

25 Aug 2015 14:06:03
Knock out competitions suit is stoner because teams have to go for the win. And if it's a game of attacking football they want then we will happily oblige. We are in ok shape it will come. Could do with a feel good signing tho

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25 Aug 2015 15:30:05
rooney for me is no longer an england starter.

the jo stats cut deep?

better players than coutinho in the league at what he does. only one. david silva. but you could play both in the same team. coutinho left. silva 10 wow :)

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25 Aug 2015 15:43:30
For me Coutinho would be a squad player, but not a regular starter. Good player, but would he get in front of Ozil or Sanchez? Absolutely not. And he simply isn't the type of player we need at all right now. In fact, he is the opposite of what we need. So I really don't understand Derby's obsession. We need steel and goals. He brings neither.

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25 Aug 2015 17:20:43
Ok Ramsey on the wing it is then lol.

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25 Aug 2015 09:09:54
If Wenger watches the game again and still sticks Ramsey on the right wing again, I will start thinking like Steve and Derby concerning winning the league again. And I think Ozil had a very good game

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25 Aug 2015 10:23:43
i honestly think you will see ramasey on the wing again. its sad to see.

im tired of bringing up the same points it pains me. but we are not pushing on with the french man :(

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25 Aug 2015 10:46:03
I have written a piece which may be posted later, which confirms the 'Ramsey' problem.
To explain briefly, there is no doubt that Ramsey is a quality player and can do a job in almost any position, but he is at his best when played in a central attacking midfield role. The problem last night was that Ramsey was roaming, leaving Bellerin exposed to the excellent Coutinho, as well as offering very little threat to Liverpool's left back, hence Liverpool's best two players in the first half were arguably Gomez and Coutinho. As soon as the Ox came on there was an instant change, as he could go past Gomez and Liverpool had to protect him.I know it was late on, but Ox was only on for 6 minutes, when Liverpool substituted Coutinho for Moreno. This nullified Liverpool's threat down the Arsenal right as Oxlade pressurised further up the field.
The same goes for the second defensive midfield place taken by Cazorla. Again he is an excellent player, so he can slot in virtually anywhere in the midfield, but he is clearly at his best in the attacking central midfield role. I believe we should have started last nights match with Arteta next to Coquelin (even though I would buy in a defensive midfield player to replace Arteta) and Oxalde on the right in place of Ramsey. I would then have played Cazorla in the central attacking midfield role. I know this would mean leaving Ramsey and Ozil on the bench, but, in my opinion the team would have been better balanced, rather than playing attacking central midfield players out of position.

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25 Aug 2015 08:19:57
3 games gone 2 goals scored 1 of which was an OG, yup I'd say we need a striker before Mondays window closes.
I want Olly to be good enough but I also want to win the lottery the odds don't look good for either although I suppose I could do an extra line to increase my chances I guess but as for poor Olly? I don't see any way its going to happen for him or us with him as our main goal threat.
I accept very top strikers are difficult to get right now but if I went to the butcher to buy premium fillet and they'd ran out I wouldn't go without food completely I'd have to make do with sirloin or rump or the best available cut.
So yes if Charlie Austen is the best available then we have to get him because we can't just give up because we can't have exactly who we want

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25 Aug 2015 08:44:15
What worries me is that Wenger thinks having Olly, with Walcott and Welbz as back up's, is enough for us to win the league.

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

As you say, its a lottery.

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25 Aug 2015 08:56:06
I don't want austin we should be dining on the best table

it screams out another welbeck signing. that signing set us back in my view.

we are already out of the title race. 3rd is out aim

damage repair now go sign two players and we go again.

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25 Aug 2015 09:19:07
Out of the title race after 3 games good grief

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{Ed025's Note - talk about over the top!...35 games to go and some are quitting already?..sometimes supporters make me laugh baggins, as you say mate..good grief indeed..

25 Aug 2015 09:47:11
Dags I kidded myself Olly and Theo might be enough because a long summer break does strange things to the mind but I was wrong, Olly just isn't prolific and as an impact sub Theo is well very short on impact swapping them round would be better because Olly is more effective than Theo from the bench.
Derby Austen would be a desperate move but we are desperately short of someone to take the chances we create usually in abundance, of course I'd like better than Charlie and we should if we can get better if we can but if not we have to gamble rather than do nothing and hope for the best.
Ollys record isn't that bad but he is a team that provides excellent service and his record should be better in our team.

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25 Aug 2015 10:17:08
so you guys think we are going to win the league. honestly ain't happening i'm sorry.

quote me in may please

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{Ed025's Note - things may pan out differently derby, but to give up after 3 games is very premature mate..wheres your bulldog spirit?..

25 Aug 2015 12:20:22
Im not saying give up we try but we will battle for 3rd. I just call it how i see it eds.

Btw who do you want if stones is sold to replace him

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25 Aug 2015 08:10:56
Results of a new survey.

6 out of 7 dwarves are not happy.

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25 Aug 2015 08:35:01
How come Arsenal fans are called dwarves all of a sudden Dags?

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25 Aug 2015 10:09:48
I think it's the Cazorla effect mate :-)

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25 Aug 2015 07:38:25
With Benzema making the coment that he did yesterday , it makes you wonder ...were we ever in talks with him?

ED?

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{Ed001's Note - it was only going to happen if Madrid could get the replacement they wanted.}

25 Aug 2015 07:36:01
What do you guys think of carzola's last few performances. Would we not be better of with Ramsey playing mid and ox out wide.

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25 Aug 2015 13:07:54
Carzola and ozil can't play in the same team

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25 Aug 2015 06:51:07
When I saw that both Oxlade & Walcott were on the bench it concerned me, particularly with the lack of pace in the midfield/attacking postions. When Ox came on, the threat was clear.
Although Ramsey was one of the better performers on the night, he should not be played on the right wing.
As for Walcott, it showed that when the opposition defend deep, he is unable to use his pace, as there is no room behind the oppenets defenders to run into. In the next match, Wenger must select either Ox or Walcott on the right. He must also buy a defensive midfield player, to play alongside the excellent Coqulein and allow Cazorla to play in a more advanced position, where he is far more effective.
Against Newcastle:
Cech
Debuchy Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Coquelin Arteta
Oxlade Cazorla Sanchez
Walcott

I would change the full backs, to give the other two a game.
I would play Arteta, to allow Cazorla to play further forward.
I would play Ox & Walcott, who can use their pace to better effect away from home.

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25 Aug 2015 09:56:25
Completely ridiculous, Monreal and Belerin have both been very consistent thus far, you don't change your team simply to give others a game. A place in the starting 11 has to be won or lost not just cause you fancy it.

You've also included Arteta at the expense of Ozil? MENTAL.

We've to many similar players, this is not football manager and not everyone can get a game.

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25 Aug 2015 14:09:57
g00ner83 - My comments are not 'completely ridiculous' and I will explain why:
In respect of the full backs. Yes, Bellerin & Monreal have been consistent, but not exceptional. We have alternatives in Debuchy & Gibbs, who provide options. The full backs have differing qualities. Debuchy & Monreal are more experienced, but less rapid. Whilst Bellerin and Gibbs have youth and pace on their side. When we play a high line, one could argue that quicker players are needed, whilst with a deeper defensive line you can benefit from playing more experienced players who aren't so quick. In addition the same players cannot play the entire season, as they can suffer from injury, loss of form & suspension. Hence you need to play the alternatives to get them match fit. Indeed, one of the successful policies of SAF was to rotate his team continually, keeping a core of 5 essential players. Yes, I included Arteta instead of Ozil and I am not a huge fan of Arteta as he is not a true defensive midfield player and age is against him. It is not as simple as playing Arteta instead of Ozil. The problem I believe we are suffering from is including quality players by playing them out of their best position. Hence, to include Ozil, it meant dropping Cazorla back into a deeper position, where he is less effective. I agree with your final comment, which proves my point and contradicts your Arteta over Ozil reasoning. I am not suggesting every player gets a game, but now we appear to have 2 players for virtually every position, we must use them to our benefit. Last night Chambers settled down after a dire first half performance and I am certain more football at the top level would benefit him. The same goes for Gabriel. If nether of these players play regularly their form will no doubt suffer.

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25 Aug 2015 06:27:21
Last nights game proved we need more signings for me.
I wonder if all the speculation has got to Giroud as he didn't look interested to me.
As for Ozil...at the risk of upsetting people here, he gives the ball away far too often, doesn't run at defences and for me lacks pace. Our main threat down the left came from Monreal who I feel has come on leaps and bounds.
On to the striker role....I would love to see us put in a big offer for Cavani, but I fear Mr stubborn Wenger won't do this, or he'll put in a derisory offer close to the end of the window. For big players you pay big money-fact!
The stats don't lie, given the amount of chances we create, our conversion rate is poor to say the least.

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25 Aug 2015 09:57:32
The stats don't lie.......yet you say Ozil should be dropped?

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25 Aug 2015 14:31:06
Stats can be manipulated to prove anything. You can have more possession and more shots on goal and yet lose a match.
I am not suggesting leaving out Ozil for any reason other than to give a better shape to the team. We have started this season poorly and the balance doesn't look right. The main threat from Liverpool last night came down our right flank, where Ramsey was played instead of either Ox or Walcott and Coutinho ran riot, whilst Gomez looked awesome. The moment Ox came on, Liverpool came under pressure in that side and took Coitinho off and replaced him with Moreno to shore things up.
Our central defence came under huge pressure, as the excellent Coqulein was having to play the role of two players. Whilst further forward very little was created in the first half in particular. Hence, a better balance would have been achieved, in my opinion, by playing Arteta next to Coquelin, Ox on the right and Cazorla in the central attacking midfield role. Of course if you bring two players in, then two have to go out. You simply cannot play attacking central midfield players on both sides, simply to accomodate them as they are great players. In my opinion you have to choose to play one of Cazorla, Ozil or Ramsey and allow Ox or Walcott to play on the right ans Sanchez on the left. Whilst Coquelin needs to play in tandem with another defensive midfield player, not an attacking midfield player playing a defensive role they are not suited to. I would go further and replace Arteta with a proper defensive midfield player.

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25 Aug 2015 05:46:11
Krychowiak is a very handy CB, as well as DM. Could've slotted in nicely next to Gab to provide an experienced hand at the back......

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25 Aug 2015 02:04:09
Can someone explain to me the appeal of benzema? Everyone says he is clinical and world class, but his goalscoring record says otherwise. Given how much Giroud contributes defensively and in build-up play, what does Benz add?

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25 Aug 2015 01:01:17
feel like i watched a different game, we could have one that in the first 15 mins

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25 Aug 2015 08:41:01
Equally we could have been 4 down by half time, we've loads of time to make up ground in the race for the 4th place trophy but the clock is ticking on a title challenge already and were still in August, no point pretending all is ok.
Its not over yet but it will be soon if we do nothing to change it.

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25 Aug 2015 00:19:06
Stoner. Regards to our convo earlier yesterday. You can't tell me coutinho wouldn't get in out team. Please just admit he would walk in..

Greizmann would be our left winger nailed on. Sanche goes to the right or plays ten

I'm not massive on ozil never have been and I always think what would of happend if we had suare instead

If you think there aren't players out there to improve this team you need to be handed a straight jacket my man.

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25 Aug 2015 08:37:29
There are definitely players out there that would improve our squad but the key is are they available. This isn't fifa.

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25 Aug 2015 10:17:44
money talks yorkshire. you can't tell me we can't get deals done. unthinkable to think that

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25 Aug 2015 10:38:44
I think wenger is obviously struggling to get a top top player. He's obviously been waiting for one to come available. Now he waits for the right player or he goes for the same player and offers them a bid they can't refuse which he won't do.

Wenger is like a pro eBay shopper he won't pay buy it now prices he will wait to end of auction . Potentially risky I know but it's the smart way

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