27 Feb 2017 14:36:56
I think its clear that our midfield has been lacking this season. In my opinion this is an area we need to bring in a strong big name player. that's what we are missing to compete and control game and that's been really clear this season.
Cazorla is fantastic and makes our team tick. One of the most underatted players in the league but he's been completely absent the past two seasons. Xhaka hasn't delivered in terms of what we expected from him. Ramsey is also too inconsistent and also injury prone. And Coquelain was fantastic when he first broke into the team but he wouldn't get into any of the other top sides starting XI and i think he's a squad player at best.
This obviously will never happen. But how amazing a signing would Radja Nianngolan be. He's always been a quality player but this season for Roma he's become world class. Gets important goals, creates chances and is a superb tackler. Also a tought player and good athlete i believe he'd be perfect for the prem.
Xhaka - Nianngolan as a CM/ DM double pivot would be fantastic. Coquelain, Ramsey and Elneny as good back ups. Wilshere and Ozil competing for CAM role. I don't think Cazorla will be offered a new deal or stay unfortunately.
Thoughts?
27 Feb 2017 20:52:22
Both last season and this we have been a far worse team when Cazorla has been out, anyone can see that we needed a replacement in the summer to at least be able to learn the ropes from him yet Wenger again does nothing.
He did it with the keeper for a few years then the defence midfielder and now someone who you can see is integral to the team.
27 Feb 2017 22:37:50
Couldn't agree more JP, Arsene needing to have the problems repeatedly confirmed to him for a few seasons before he reacts to it is part one of the problem part two is by the time he finally accepts and reacts to problem area other players have aged or left for greener pastures leaving us with another problem that Arsene needs a few seasons to accept before he reacts and on and on it goes.
If we'd signed the striker we needed the the summer before last Sanchez would have been left do the job he does best on the left hand side and we might well have been champions last season and in contention this season but instead Sanchez will leave this summer and Arsene will then buy the striker we needed two seasons back continue with Iwobi on the left for a few seasons until Kos is past it at which point Arsene will address the Iwobi problem :-)
27 Feb 2017 23:19:58
DG I think you need to add the Ox to the list of midfielders. He deserves a run at Cm or AM but at the very least his recent performances should put to bed any thought that he is only a winger. I also said on here earlier I would love us to sigh a big tall physical DM who would offer something different to all our existing players. Just look at what an impact N'Zonzi is having at Seville this season.
28 Feb 2017 10:12:04
The trouble is big player's don't want to join us because like everyone else they see us as also rans.
Would Ibra or Pogba have joined utd if LVG was still manager?
The reason they joined apart from money was because they saw utds ambition to be great again and bought into how things might be different under Mourinho.
What reasons could Arsenal offer a big name player to join us next summer?
Sanchez and probably Ozil too are leaving for a reason so what's our selling point to attract big name replacements?
We need to forget about signing top quality players until we give them a reason to want to come to us.
01 Mar 2017 13:40:38
Lol G62, when i said big i meant physically, like a Papa Bouba Diop (aka The wardrobe) type, rather than a big name, although I do get your point.
01 Mar 2017 18:03:27
Ha see your point Epping mate, I hear the Sutton reserve keeper is available :-)