Arsenal Banter Archive January 25 2013

25 Jan 2013 22:31:31
every transfer window sees us getting progressively worse. we either sell our best and replace with inferior or just don't sign at all. signings going to get even harder when we fail to qualify for champions league. wenger and the board are running us into the ground.

Gaz123

Can the people that disagree with this explain why?

See second sentence.

25 Jan 2013 21:32:46
I was laughed at when I said AW would NOT spend the money 'cos a leopard doesn't change its spots. His latest comments re having 2 players for each position proves yet again he and SK believe us to be mugs and people and we will swallow everything he spits out! If he does buy anyone it will be a cut-price no0one yet again. Do you honestly think we will be in the top 4? The only way for the supporters to get anywhere with this manager and board is to boycott matches and hit them in the pocket, but just how many will do it? I predict a couple of hundred only and they will make themselves look stupid 'cos the majority haven't the guts to do it.

If only enough people used this site and was passionate like a few of us, ready to protest or boycott matches, in our thousands to get out meassage across to AW and the board, he really doesn't care about how we feel, and he should because without us, there would be no Arsenal fc!! 2 players for every position.... what like Santos, arshavin and squilacci, and even 1st team players like rosicky and mertesacker arent exactly worldclass!! If every arsenal fan was honest, then they would agree with me that the only way to cement in Arsenes mind that were not good enough, is have every possible player fit for Bayern munichs home game in champs league and get slaughtered 5-0/6-0

Shame on you two for not seeing the bigger picture. I would never boo the team or boycott because "i'm great on football manager for xbox". you either support Arsenal, or you don't. Shayman.

Season ticket holders, how many are they? It doesn't matter if they boycott the games they've already paid the money so the board will still have a smile on their faces.

Bradgooner

Yes I do think we will finish in the top 4. If we don't Arsenal will still be here, I hopefully will still be here, and I will still love them and hate all this whining rubbish.

SHAYMAN sorry to say but it's you who doesn't see the bigger picture - you see the small picture. Seeing the bigger picture is where you take the long term view and that involves instigating change, by boycotts etc. Not by turning up and being good little fans every week. FYI the players couldn't care less how many fans are in that stadium, they really couldn't.

That really makes me laugh, when you say things like "if only there were more people like us who use this site". Because this site dies during transfer windows due to the influx of the loud-mouthed, chromosome lacking MINORITY that you refer to.

All the regulars from this site disappear, nobody signs their posts and this place becomes a cesspool, of whining adolescents who think they know all there is to know about Arsenal and Football. I'll be clear here, you don't have a clue.

So please, please, please. Boycott Arsenal, they only have 40000 people waiting for season tickets....and we'll not have to put up with all this crap every transfer window.

Shayman you are an person.
It is blind fans like you that will mean things never change.

No, I am a fan of Arsenal the club, yeah, we're going through a slump the last couple of years, but I would never boo the team or call for heads on pikes, I would consider our club far classier than that. You sound like a little whinger, head on down to chelski, that might be a bit more up your street my little anonymous poster. Shayman.

25 Jan 2013 21:11:03
Wenger is just red faced, he knows arsenal fans want signings this window, so to hide the fact he's not going to sign any, he stars blaming the fact there's no rules to cap incoming players, Newcastle showing that their not in a position to gamble with relegation so have bought some quality signings...if only we were doing the same with cl and all trophies

Wolvo gooner

Does Wenger buy quality? Has he bought consistently well since he arrived at the club? Using the above link and only using 'significant buys' as a guide, take a butchers at this;

96/97 (first season)
Good: Vieira, Anelka
Bad: none

97/98
Good: Overmars, Grimandi, Petit
Bad: Upson, Boa Morte, Manninger, Mendez, Wreh

98/99
Good: Kanu, Luxhzny, Ljungberg
Bad: Diawara, Vivas

99/00
Good: Henry, Suker, Sylvinho
Bad: Malz

00/01
Good: Wiltord, Lauren, Pires
Bad: Jeffers, Stepanovs, Pennent

First 5 seasons, imo there were 14 success stories and 11 failures, including Christoper Wreh who was truly the worst player I`ve seen wear an AFC jersey.

Most recent 5 seasons;

12/13
Good: Podolski, Cazorla, Giroud
Bad: none

11/12
Good: Arteta, Mertersacker, Bennayoun, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson
Bad: Santos, Park

10/11
Good: Lehmann, Koscielny
Bad: Squillachi, Chamackh, Ryo

09/10
Good: Sol Campbell, Vermaelen, Coquelin
Bad: none

08/09
Good: Silvestra, Nasri, Ramsay, Sczcnsy, Wilshire
Bad: Arshavin, Bieschoff, Vela

Same again, I'd say that 19 buys have worked out well yet 8 were bad, especially the legendary Squid.

This doesn't of course address the issue of selling RVP, Nasri etc to our rivals, it's purely about Wengers ability to buy players who are a success at teh club. you could argue 1 or 2 I've got wrong, it's only an opinion, but it does indicate that overall, I'd say that Wenger gets it more right than wrong and the criticism that he's lost it is a bit unfair. Of course people will argue the quality of players has deteriated, and that i'm possibly in agreement with. Over to you lot :)

Son1ka

Silvestre a good signing?

Arshavin a bad buy? You must be high.

Silvestre good?
Did you ever watch him play?

If you calculate how cheap they are you will see that Wenger rarely makes mistakes... And sometimes we make huuge profit. For example Anelka's profit is more than 20 mil. With these money is built our training center... The other example is Kolo Toure. Arsene bought him for 150000k and sell him for 15 mil... The flops are very very cheap and by that are a risk worth taking. Chamack was free, Squid was 4 mil, Santos was 6 mil(and he had some very good games last season).
So with no doubt IN AW WE TRUST !!


BGGOONER

Ryo and Arshavin weren't bad.

And we didn't sign Wilshere he was already playing for Arsenal.

Nick.

Gervinho Good...! No no far too inconsistant and doesn't know how to look up above his boot laces.

Arshavin Bad...!! No not fir the first 12-18months but has lost his way now

Vela Bad..! No wasnt given a chance and is scoring for fun in Spain

Ryo Bad...! Not on your nelly sunshine, he hasn't even broken into the first team yet and was brought knowing it would take him 2-3 years to get near the squad as he is a rough diamond

Silvestre Good..! Ok enough now its just getting painful i'm going back to eating my lucky charms they talk more sense

Andy MK Gooner

Really man... Wilshire has been at AFC from the age of 9 HE DID NOT BUY HIM THE ACADEMY PRODUCED HIM.

Naz

I loved Chris Wreh

Utter madness and what of the years in between.

Francis Jeffers was the buy of the decade! Haha

Nice to see people just picking holes in 2 or 3 judgements, how about address the point I raised?

Re the years in between, do your own research, I don't have all day on yr beck and call.

Andy MK Gooner: I`d say overall Gervinho has been an ok signing, he is crap as a centre forward but that's not his call, he`s played there by the manager. Arshavin isn't bad? Have you even watched that fat Russian recently? Vela was proved to be out of his depth, Ryo is still young but on the current standing, is he a good buy? No one can say it is. And Silvstre was bought as a squad defender with experience, for that he did fine and for that reason, a good buy.

Wilshire is in there as the site (which Ed removed) shows him signing proferssional terms, my bad ofc he wasnt signed.

The point of this was ofc to ask the question, can Wenger still buy the right players when he has to, and overall I think this proves he can. He may pick up a dud now and again but those players are cheap, young or both, and obv in his opinion worth a risk.

/Son1ka

25 Jan 2013 20:21:57
Is AW playing games (Poker face !) it feels to me that he is playing games with other clubs and the press. I think a lot of the rumoured transfer targets are a smoke screen ! He is generally a magician when it comes to transfers (who would of thought we would get Giroud and Podolski for the cash we spent ?? i'm not saying we will sign anyone but AW is all about the find the lady trick. 3 cards, I will show you who I want and where he is, then shuffle the pack (get the press going) pick a player ( the press hype it and rattle the tree) and its wrong again !! Its all about watching the right hand while the left hand is doing all the work !!

RK

The problem must be that Wenger doesn't remove the Jokers from the pack before he starts playing! would explain gervinho, santos, squillaci, chamack etc etc

redgoon

25 Jan 2013 20:08:42
Tbh guys we do need 3 world class playes however; if we do buy a cdm this would mean we would have to drop Arteta and he has a great record this season.If we buy a striker we would have to drop Theo or Giroud and/or play 3 at the back. (won't happen) The only place we could buy is at the back, centre back.Hummels? 'Yes Please!'

25 Jan 2013 23:04:14
Must must have a DM.

Rotate arteta with wilshere in the middle got lots of important games on the way sometimes 2-3 in seven days that will give amazing depth......then bring in felleni for 22mil to rotate with diaby and we will be laughing all the way to the champions league!

Baz136.

25 Jan 2013 19:05:03
The Ghost of Terry Mancini,

Just bringing to the top so I can reply further, firstly I do agree to all of your post, my point being the game changer and in respect to your reply, I agree we don't have that one individual yet but when he's back to his real best Jack won't be far away from being one, world class is a term often over used but I posted that Jack has that potential and with world class you also get game changer, they are few and far between, RVP simply from his ability to score, there are not that many in the EPL, Mata, Silva, Ya Ya, Hazard and maybe a few others.

Our attacking players as a whole I think are equal to the other top teams, minus simply a Cavani, Falcoa or RVP. As a team we've shown we can score goals and change games, it's as you were saying and I've said our defending that needs to be sorted, we have a January window or 6 days or less to help our current squad, 4th place is no longer a shoe in.

So I'm simply saying get those or two like players now if humanely possible and add again in the summer, we have that British core and surely the ability to buy to add to it.

Players will definitely be leaving and spaces available to fill. My team I listed simply to put them on paper and added the variations possible with what we have available now so people could see, I totally get your point on Jenkinson but he has been our on form RB, positions were not meant to be set in stone just to show those players available. Gervinho is in our squad so I put him down but with the added "On form" if he has an on form I don't know, so no, not seriously.

Also in answer to the unnamed poster like I said I listed a team simply to put names down with players able to rotate, they were not meant as a definitive answer as far as positions go.

My ideal would be that we had a class British CB and CDM for the grit but I'm sure that Hummels and Wanyama would bring that, our concern is not winning the Champions League this year but ensuring we qualify again next year to remain attractive to other players we may want.

I also realise that those two are probably a pipe dream which itself is crazy because if we really want to compete then that's what we need to do. The market dictates that £15 million no longer counts for that much in relation to game changers or true quality.

Stoner

Stoner mate, I agree. I look at Arsenal's midfield and forwards and think you are as good as any. It's the defence that lets you down. Carzola was a great signing and as we have discussed, I'd love Wilshere at OT (I've even learned to spell his name). I'm not sure why you are 'struggling' at the moment, a couple of good defenders added and you won't be far away.

AJH

26 Jan 2013 07:36:04
AJH,

Thanks mate, it's just a frustrating time sitting and waiting, we all see what we need and I'm sure Arsene does but the penny pinching and farting about is somewhat ridiculous.

I know we're not far away but we seem to have been not far away a number of times and they've failed to take that final step. Like I said ridiculous.

And yep like the spelling and no you can't have him!

Stoner

25 Jan 2013 18:38:46
hope we play the youngsters 2morrow instead of wengers usual team we clearly need to see this excellence from inside I haven't seen it for a long time so please sho me arsenals in depth class proove all of us long serving supporters wrong.

ty.1

25 Jan 2013 18:19:19
Hi ed, well arsenal fans, once again wenger proves himself arrogant beyond reproach. Long suffering have had to support and endure his "project", told year in, year out, we are close and success will come."believe in me, believe in the team". What is this? A football team or a cult? Now with our team floundering, riddled with inconsistency, a light emerges in the shape of the transfer window. With a "war chest" at the ready, and all our hopes of a couple of "super quality" players to brighten our spirits. Today's press conference was akin to a father telling his child "there is no santa". His dismissive responses to new signings and his ridiculous statements of having two players in every position. Is he including the club shop staff or the match day mascot. We are so light in terms of quality. Players like arshavin, squillaci, rosicky, I would rathdr throw on the chuckle brothers, equally personic but at least their wages aren't offensive. Fans at arsenal have never been more marginalised. If this window closes and there are not two big signings, I want wenger out and a manager who likes to stuff all our money in his expensively lined pockets. Stop telling us things are good when all the world is laughing at this arrogant joke. Ray barboni

Well said Ray. Completely agree mate. I can't think of another fanbase in the world that gets toyed around with more than AFC's.

Two players in each position, yet we had to put out our best 11 against Bradford, and we still went down without a fight. sums up our transfer window and season.

gun44

25 Jan 2013 18:12:57
Why is Wenger now complaining about other teams buying too many players in January and stating that it is wrong and unfair on other teams.

As an Arsenal fan I have watched on for months and the Quality of the team in areas is shocking. Wenger states that we have 2 players for every position and that should be enough and its more important to get them playing to there full potential, well YES that is your job Wenger. It is also your job to understand where the weaknesses are in the team and we as fans can all see it in DM/CB and CF lets not mention width as Arsenal have none except for Walcott who in my opinion is wasted out wide and should be let go through the middle.

The rumours up here in Scotland of Arsenal getting Wanyama of Celtic are nowhere near the truth, we have a better chance of me signing for Arsenal than this deal taking place.

Wenger needs to start being honest with the fans as its at a point where we can not justify supporting mediocre players as our rivals get stronger including Spurs.

25 Jan 2013 17:42:36
Wenger says we're in for some players.

Wenger says we aren't.

Wenger says we are again, gives some names away.

Wenger says we aren't.

Wenger says we are if they are world class.

Wenger says we aren't.

Wenger gets asked about other players - we were never interested.

Wenger knows we want signings and thinks this is acceptable in the eyes of the fans? For a man who knows we are desperate for signings, he sure has no problems leading us up blind alleys and letting us down on a weekly basis.

"I have work to do." Really? Or is that another yarn to spin to tide you over til the end of the window, when we will then hear 'Diaby is back, we have also Rosicky who made a big difference this time last year. I believe this squad is exceptional and can do good things. We have enough, first we try to change things from the inside."

This is the guy who said the transfer window should not be open in August - even though he signed 4 players in August 2 summers ago - and then says the window shouldn't be open in January as teams who improve essentially put out a different team, which subsequently isn't fair on the clubs who have to play them after January. Such warped logic considering he has loaned Henry, sent our players away, Newcastle lost one of the best strikers in the league and the only reason this logic flies in Wenger's mind is because he is the only manager who does not want to spend money.

I mean if ever there was evidence that he does not want to spend, these mental comments surely provide it.

Faith for decent signings - gone.

So because he doesn't agree with policy he should let the club suffer so he can stick to what he believes in? Isn't that what all you lot complain about him doing anyway? No matter what the guy does you will find some way to complain about it.

That's like someone saying they don't agree with offside rule and then telling their team not to play offside to prove a point. Bleeeeeeh, so tired of all this.

He has no other way of communicating with all of Europes clubs at once unless he talks to the media. Telling the whole world were looking for a CF or CDM is not a good idea. It puts us in a weaker position with regards to not only the players club but also the player in the negotiating. How many people REALLY knew we were getting Santi last year? I think this season he realises how tight it's going to be to get 4th spot and will spend to bring in some proven talent rather than young unknowns. He's the boss, we can't change that so let's put some faith in him

Round of applause for the first reply totally missing the point!

The point is Wenger has been a muppet so far this window, has contradicted himself time and time again, and is coming out with more and more atrocious excuses for lack of window activity. It is embarrassing.

25 Jan 2013 17:05:11
i think we should go in for watfords matej vydra, he's young and a quuality and clinical finisher, anyone agree

25 Jan 2013 15:30:17
I'd say the arsenal rumour page gets the most bang for its bucks, what I mean is the amount of suggested signings compared to actual signings that happen, if that makes Sense ! also this site should come with a health warning as i'm on it hourly/daily just living in hope !!
R.D.

25 Jan 2013 23:55:07
I live in Hope as well mate, Hope near Wrexham (a popular joke around these parts! :-) 3-0 tomorow & 3-2 v Liverpool with Everton losing at home to W Brom!

25 Jan 2013 15:12:30
Those who say Arsenal do not need any signings in this transfer window are living in a fantasy world 2 needed at least.

25 Jan 2013 14:47:27
According to reports Manchester United are interested in AC Milan midfielder Urby Emanuelson.

Corriere dello Sport claims United are considering a move for the 8 million-rated midfielder.
Lp

25 Jan 2013 14:45:30
Our key signings will be Jovetic and humels but I think Giroud is a perfect striker who needs improvement.

The phrase ' a perfect striker who needs improvement' ? WTF?

yg

25 Jan 2013 14:22:34
Don't read to much into wenger speaking about transfers if he had bid for anyone he wouldn't tell the press anyway he never has done he's not like harry who tells the press every player he's after I think he will go for a striker still think a bid for villa will be made an if not jovetic on the last day of the window he like a signing in the last hours of the window arshavin arteta so could be an exciting last day of the window will be very happy if we got either of these players would of been a good window with Theo jak an the other lads signing new deals if we fail to sign a striker this window don't think we will finish in the top 4

25 Jan 2013 13:53:16
according to Belgian press AW said there is nothing concrete concerning David Villa. No bid will be made for Hummels because Dortmund are probably not letting him leave. AW will be focussing on players returning from injury. The squad is strong enough, so Arsenal fans should not expect any signings.

Surprise, surprise, whoops he did it again...

FlemishGooner

25 Jan 2013 18:36:59
Wenger has once again clenched his b*tt cheeks not allowing any money to be spent on what imo can make this team succesful...im talking about a proper defensive mid and powerhouse defender
Upfront attacking wise we are more or less sorted but our defence will leak goals
Its all good scoring lots of goals against west ham wigan spurs and other lesser teams but we get found out against big teams as our record has shown this season...so wenger please fix this problem and don't mess us around for the next few days
GS

25 Jan 2013 13:15:22
as I scroll down the page the rumours turn from a 30mill signing to us getting diame for 3.5 mill and then we just need to make it to the summer and nick 4th its happened again........so sad

25 Jan 2013 12:51:09
Wenger said that it is unlikely that arsenal will sign any players in the transfer window.
The squad is to small and wenger stubbornness to not sign anyone has ended our hopes of anything.
He has to go Now. ...

If he doesn't buy at least 1 person I will be SO fuming !

Little Gooner

How many of us have said for weeks that AW will NOT spend the money and his comments today virtually confirm that! I firmly believe he and SK are making mugs of us yet again so I do want both out asap.

25 Jan 2013 12:42:35
This goes out to Wenger, if you think that we don't need to strengthen the squad NOW you will find that the top four is out of reach this season.

Yes Arsenal might have two players for every position and nobody is arguing with that, but it is blaringly obvious that the players are not good enough.

We need right now:
CD or RB world class
CDM world Class
ST world class

By introducing three world class players (that the club can afford) we stand a chance to remain in the CL and top four finish. Then in the summer have a clear out and bring in more........

This gooner is losing his patience with the deluded AW, 5-1 win against West Ham does NOT equal top four finish!

Long-Time-Gooner

This is mere commonsense. This has been reported for months but AW will NOT spend the required money.

The term is glaringly obvious not blaringly obvious .

25 Jan 2013 12:06:58
How many quality players are availabe in January that are not cup tied for the champions league? It is very hard to find quality. I'm sure Wenger has bigger targets than M'villa, Diame, Adrian Lopez etc. Thus the lack of new players arriving. I think we can sneak into the top 4 and then prepare for a great summer transfer window.

NigeriaGunner

What difference if are Champions league tied, we won't be in it after next round.

Why are you sure he has bigger targets?

25 Jan 2013 11:54:05
just saw wengers interview on tv. so we have 2 players in each position. but what he don't realise is half of them are rubbish. don't hold your breath guys on any transfers.

gooner mark

We have one keeper! We have one left back, who started out as a midfield player! We have 3 centre backs, not 4! We have no true defensive midfield players! We have a surfeit of small technical midfield players!

25 Jan 2013 11:28:37
If you get a chance, listen to Arsene wengers interview from earlier, not holding my breath on any signings!

WG

He said no miracle signings...never ruled out 'any'

Wenger is losing his mind. Just because all the players he is interested in go to other teams does not mean there should be a limit on how many players you can sign during a transfer window. If he actually bothered to offer decent money players might actually come to us. Also didn't we sign 3 or 4 players in the last january window?
Please Mr Wenger GTFO!!
Chess

But he did say have not made a move for David Villa. We will sign no one, I am almost certain of this. Same old B******S. No ambition that's why we no longer have Nasri, RVP, Fabregas. Wenger must either start showing more ambition or move on. Slate me as much as you want.
Andylat

Probably won't get posted anyway.

25 Jan 2013 09:26:57
I think we need to forget about signing and quality players this month and jus focus on wraping up deals for the summer one of the first one's in my eyes should be ashley williams he's been great at the swans I think as djorou looks to be gone we need more numbers in the cb places and williams would be a great player also adds to the British core we have building at arsenal I really do hope we sign him in the summer will give healthy competition for mert and kos I think also we need to bring in another lb santos needs to go I also dnt understand how people go on to say sanga needs to go he might have a bad game but I think we need to sign him up for a few more years as jenko improves I think the midfield is pretty sorted as long as diaby can stay fit. Looks like wenger will be giving diaby he's last try to play a run of games if ha can go the rest of the season without injuries we are sorted in the midfield one more striker I think is needed and a winger possibly adrian lopez as he can take both roles and then maybe a gk to give shezza abit of competition
True G

At present were in C/league and a chance to qualify for next years, what happens in getting these players if were not in next year. Surely it would then become harder.

25 Jan 2013 07:53:30
Taking nothing away from walcott (probably his best season) and giroud (esp as its his first) I still think that podolski is our best striker, he's just so lethal and I've said it before, but I always think something can happen when he has the ball in the box!

It'd be great to see gnarby / ox on the left, walcott on the right and jack and santi behind podolski.

Bould said he has one of the best shots he's ever seen.

Josh

I would like to see Podolski play in a free role off Giroud in a 4-4-2 formation.

Podolski is not really suited as a lone striker, he is best playing with/behind a striker but unfortunately AW insists on the same formation in every game. Pod is ruined on the wing.

So ruined on the wing he absolutely destroyed West ham?

25 Jan 2013 06:13:20
Here we are again. So far we have had posters with that expert inside knowledge telling us with certainty that Diame will be signing after the game (when in fact he will either stay or predictably go to Spuds), M'Vila is on his way (even after he had signed for Zenit), told us Villa had be seen at Colney (clearly Colney in Barcelona) when it's obvious he isn't leaving the worlds best club for Englands number six, told us Ba was on his way (he was - to Chelsea), and had the long chase for Yanga Mbiwa turn to nothing as he went for a bargain price to Newcastle.

So of course then there ar the standard Goetze rumours still going on - when will we learn, it was the same with Hazard. He is world class, expensive, and will not leave a top club for anything other than one of the other top ten sides in the world.

Cavani and Jovetic rumours are utter madness, as is the Hummels one. All are considered world class, and all would be £20-30m, when was the last time we really even thought about a player like that let alone bid for them? Oh the answer is never.

Our success, our former world class players, with the exception of Bergkamp a generation ago, all were bought young and relatively obscurely. It's the only way it has ever happened or ever will. Our very biggest signings have in the main not worked out - Arshavin and Reyes? So maybe we need to be careful what we wish for.

I personally think Arsene ha got two key things right. First build he side around a core group of young British players, they will forge into a real team and won't leave every time City come calling. Second keep the passing mentality, it's what has made us so great to support in the last 12 years, and I love it still.

We also need to note that while some of his signings have indeed been rubbish - Chamakh, Squillaci and too many others, there are still others where he has worked well - I still think next season we will see the best of Santi, Podolski, and Giroud.

But the critical problem, the same critical problem for the last few years is he refusal to address the self evident.

- we need a midfielder like Vieira, Gilberto, or indeed Song, selling the latter was appalling business, we needed one more like him no one less. Imagine how powerful our midfield would be with Song and Gilberto of old?

- we had to sell RVP, there was no choice. But his goals are why United will be City to the title this year, and the lack of his goals are what men's will miss out on the Champions league. We couldn't keep him, and I wouldn't want to have kept him. But we had to have one player capable alone of 20 plus goals, and we haven't. Failure to address that was madness and will cost us £20m plus easily.

- final issue is grit. We can beat sides comfortably, we can look very impressive, but we have less 'dig in' mentality than ever. It's not so much where is a Thierry, Adams, Sol, Vieira, Bergkamp etc (although of course it is a part). It's where is the strength of personality that made Dixon, Winterburn, Parlour, Ljungberg, Toure and even Wiltord the players they were? The never say die, the fight?

So the transfer window is nearing it's close. Will anything change? Will we address any of these issues? I think you know the answer. My guess is one low level signing that will leave us uninspired, and the normal rubbish about Diaby coming back (he isn't and will forever be injury prone), and the big signing we made in Walcott.

The squad is far far too weak, we lack game changers, and we lack defensive and midfield strength. Sadly at the heart Arsene has all the right values, and we should forever praise him, but he has those blind spots that are meaning in the short term our deline continues.

The Ghost of Terry Mancini

Great post mate spot on

Very well written post!

Gunners4Life, IN AW we trust!

25 Jan 2013 10:24:04
I'm not sure I agree that we have no game changers, some of our football going forward has been fantastic, we are not short of goals as a team and will imo get better.

The likes of Jack, Santi, The Ox, Diaby, Theo, Podolski, Arteta, Eisfeld, Rosicky, Giroud to a degree Ramsey who has reminded us he can play and an on form Gervinho are our attacking options and are all capable of changing a game.

The focus has to be like you say defence as I've said before, make that the base for all our attack minded players.

_________Shez______________
Jenkinson__Hummels__Vermaelen___Gibbs
Arteta____Wanyama___Wilshere___Cazorla
_______Podolski_____Theo__________

My midfield is just one line up, you can mix and match, Diaby, Ramsey, The Ox, Eisfeld and the others when needed as you can Giroud up front.

Pretty sure that team or mixture of it could challenge on all fronts.

5h1t, now the hard bit, get Arsenal to buy those two, not much to ask is it?

Stoner

Nice post but I disagree on Song. Song was no longer playing the DM role. He seemed so see himself as the next Fabregas. So, with Jack coming back and the purchase of Cazorla, how many playmakers will we have? Not only this, he was beginning to feel very big. Now he knows his real size. I agree we need a good DM but you would remember he wanted Vertoghen for that role. Truly, January is not a good time to get the best but in our own situation, we had better spend and get some now. We all know my reason: we aren't sure of where we will be in May. If I know him well, Wenger will get some unknown name from Pua New Guinea or Nepal or somewhere and ask us to trust him!!

When I talked about game changers what I meant is someone with a proven record of altering the course of a game at the very highest level - at the harderst times. The kind of players I mean are rare and we have been beyond fortunate to witness so many in recent years - Vieira, Thierry, Bergkamp, Pires, Fabregas, and though it pains me to say it RVP were the best of these.

None of the players you mention have any record of performing in this way at the highest level. Most of them are class players, though not all - seriously Gervinho? - and can be the bedrock of a seriously good side. But they will never have that moment of magic or inspiration or pure phsyicality that beats Barcelona or indeed even United.

I don't say that to denegrate them. I will repeat they are mainly high class players. As for your team there are two problems I see - Walcott and Podolski wouldn't score enough - and jenks is promising but a mile away from Sagna at his peak and our greatest right back Lauren.

Now if we had bought Ba I would wonder. Your two other signings though are class and fit the need.

The Ghost of Terry Mancini

Stoner,
Cazorla was completly ineffective recently for two games playing out wide.

Yeah agree with stoner

Think podolski did a good job changing the game on Wednesday. 1 goal and 3 assists.

Defence is the issue for me. Full of inconsistency and a little lack of premier league quality. Hummels or I've Said before Howedes along side TV would be ideal

Paul - Rochester

I would say we have game changers, but they are only this if we assess what we expect of them. What I mean by this is, what do we expect of Giroud? Do we expect him to get the ball to his feet with his back to goal, turn, wriggle through a crowd of defenders and bury it in the top corner? No of course we don't. City might expect that of Aguero and Liverpool of Suarez...but Giroud is still a game changer.

When we can't play through the middle, he is the guy we bring on to get the crosses or long balls to when there's 5 mins left and we need to snatch a win (figuratively speaking). Having him on the pitch changes the game definitely. His heading skills change the game. He is also capable of little pieces of magic - I mean, I think most of his headers are magic but look at last game as a prime example - his first goal, a sweet volley - something he has tried in other games, something he can pull off. Buried it, what a goal. His second goal - one of the most cunning adept finishes you will see all season. But the biggest thing, is he does what Song did last season too - that one magical pass that gives us a goal. He did it for Podolski's incredible volley, he did it for Gibbs' similar volley, both of which changed the game, and he did it again against West Ham and Podolski got the assist instead of scoring himself. I mean he oozes class and composure and has the ability to change the game.

That's just one player. Rosicky is a game changer. 100%. Podolski's goal proved he is a game changer and to be honest I have been expecting more of that stuff from him. That long range effort, and his volley from Giroud's chip, are what I expect from Podolski if I'm honest! Gibbs has been changing games, when's he is good we are so dangerous down the left, and his defending was brilliant the other day. So he is capable of both. Wilshere goes without saying.

This was a great post but I just wanted to say we do have game changers, proved we use them for that purpose. If we bring on Theo and then start crossing the ball in to him he will have no impact, it's all about using our players as their strengths should dictate.

Metal Gooner

Song was probably told to get forward more as along side Arteta, the Ray Wilkins of our generation, he had a teammate who never passed teh halfway line. With Wilshire out last year and no other attacking midfielders at teh club worth their salt apart from injury prone Rosicky, its easy to blame Song for not protecting the defence. In truth, he was our best attacking midfielder half the time, our only link between RVP and the static midfield.

/Son1ka

25 Jan 2013 03:12:25
Zaha to Man United for those who thought we were still thinking we would buy him.

-LacedUpGooner

24 Jan 2013 23:53:42
people keep going on about the people behind arsenal transfers are rubbish and crap at making deals happen. It's not the fact that they are rubbish the fact is players want more wages than we are willing to offer that's the problem with the deals players want more money than we will give them.

top gun

It's not only about money, the fact that we have won chuff all in years doesn't help in attracting the best players either.

24 Jan 2013 22:37:05
Just watching barca it 2-2 73 mins an no villa on the pitch does this mean they don't want him injured because they are selling him to us hope so we have sold them players so they should do the same if we play like we did last night with villa up top that would be awesome as I'm writting this barca have just scored 2 so they don't need him anyway