Arsenal Banter Archive May 31 2014

31 May 2014 22:05:21
Cesc Fabregas
One of the most gifted and experienced midfielders in the world.
Scores goals, Defends well and gets more assists than anyone else in spain.
He's still only 27
At 30 odd million he's a steal.
We have no need to sell ANY of the quality midfield we have . another class midfielder available to us last year we woulda won the league- ramsey wouldn't have needed to play on through injury and end up out for three months nearly. We would e had the energy in midfield during jan and feb that we lacked.

31 May 2014 23:20:05
30 is an absolute steal

A MF that boasts Aaron Cesc and Mesut! We or any other PL team should be so lucky.
Our MFis already excellent if Cesc can be brought home its without Question the best

31 May 2014 21:44:40
It's utter madness to not want Fabregas. We moan all season about injuries to our midfield being a huge reason we didn't last the duration in the league. then now we could sign a fantastic player we don't need him?

As long as it's not a case of Cesc or a genuinely good striker, it's a no brainer for me, bring him back.

31 May 2014 18:10:28
Ed02 thanx for my earlier rumours reply I have another question for u? Ed02 how many players are u expecting ars to sign this summer? Thanx I will really appreciate your deplyy

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to speculate.}

31 May 2014 20:55:37
Aurier Kos Mert and Gibbs

Schneiderlin Rambo and Cesc

Theo, Remy / Giroud and ozil

This could work with plenty back up for midfield and upfront although it might lack width.

Cesc plays deep where I think he plays best. This means we have two super players to occupy the oppositions thru Cesc and Ozil as both can play killer balls.

May need to sell Santi to free up space for Cesc and a true winger / wide player

Thoughts?

So you think jack will play as a keeper?

31 May 2014 23:51:47
Sounds like s great team to me mate.

Mohawk gunner Iam the same I would sell jack wilshere bcos he can't play more than 5 games without getting injured that's just the way I think

31 May 2014 19:47:12
If we do sign Fabregas. Do you think he could play as a centre forward? as a 'false nine'.

31 May 2014 20:23:07
Maybe but certainly not if we don't have Walcott and a pacey left winger.

Wenger has done a interview on Eurosports, about the world cup, and in that interview he says that Spain always have the option to play Cesc as a centre forward, so he obviously feels he can play the position. Would he play there for us, very doubtful, but interesting nevertheless!

31 May 2014 17:54:56
My thoughts on Team England

1. Players and coaches need to shut the tv off, don't read newspapers, and ignore the worst press and analysts in football. All they will do is make you believe you're a failure if you don't win the World Cup.

* Well then I guess Messi, Ronaldo and Ibra are failures

2. Realize that this team absolutely has the talent to win this tournament. I'm being serious

3. Remove the pragmatic, "don't make a mistake, " mentality in big matches. England are like the US, they play big matches "not to lose."

4. Take a look at Liverpool's STRATEGY, not lineup, to figure out how to do this

Modern game is based on pace. When we played Barca, they game planned for Theo. What Liverpool lacked in the middle of the pitch, the made up for with pace down the flanks

5. Utilize Rooney for the good of the team, not to make him happy. Rooney is not a good enough passer to be a number 10, nor is he agile enough in the box to be a number 9. He should play wide.

6. The best midfields have central midfielders who can glide past defenders up the spine of the pitch, break the opponent apart up the gut

England has 3 players who can do this. Jack, Ross Barkley and based off of the Bayern matches, our very own Ox.

7. Sturridge is the most in form striker, with the confidence to boot, he's your number 9

England attack IMO

Sturridge
Rooney Ox Sterling
Gerrard Jack

1. Sturridge's movement and ability to drift in and out of the box will make runs possible for Rooney a la Poldi

2. Rooney and Ox constantly switch from in and out, vice versa getting defenders out of position

3. Ram Sterling down their throats, pace pace pace

* Sterling is the show, Rooney is the complement. Seriously

4. Let Gerrard be the Arteta, and let Jack, Rooney and Ox combine to run the middle of the pitch dogged. Jack and Ox make up for Rooney's lack of pace and mobility

5. Huge mistake! Lack of a Gibbs. Apparently ole Roy wasn't watching us playing Bayern, or how the match completely changed when Gibbs went out.

With Gibbs in, Pep played Lahm as a RB. He knew the threat of Gibbs. As soon as Gibbo got hurt, they moved Lahm centrally and let Robben attack the flank wave after wave. As in immediately. As in Nacho walked into a firestorm.

Gibbs is an elite LB

I love Baines, he does not possess pace, the key to the modern game. How quickly can your back line transition to your front line. Baines plays for set pieces

So the same complaint of why Beckham played is why Baines plays. England's infatuation with the old set piece I see. Except no one complains about Baines, as he's "earned" it

I love Leighton Baines, and it's also a decision like this that keeps England a decade behind its competition

6. First 4 subs should Henderson, Lambert, Barkley and Lallana. Against tired legs, now they can be at their best

Play the technically best first, then bring in the lungs and energy

This analysis is not because I am an Arsenal fan. If Klopp or Pep managed England, or even Jogi Low, our lineup resembles this or very similar

You MUST utilize your "top end" talent and supplement it with guys willing to work hard

If it comes in a combo package like Jack, Ox and Barkley. there's no business for them not to play

At least 2 of those 3 should start

Jordan Henderson is a nice player, had a nice season

Real, Barca, Bayern, Dortmund, City, Chelsea, Juve wouldn't even look at him

If we put Jack or Ox up for sale, they'd be queue'd up

Time for England to play the modern game, one-two touch, pace and possession

Sorry for the lengthy post

Also, for the posts below, I know Jack just got back from injury. I also know England have a measly 120 min left to figure a lot out. He's healthy. He played at Wembley 2 weeks ago and has been training. He should have started next to Gerrard. That duo needs to acclimate ASAP, as in yesterday, as in that 60 min Roy played them separate and then removed one for the other, as in a ludicrous mistake

Uruguay are salivating at the thought of playing yesterday's lineup

Lallana, Lambert and Henderson, and England are back to their mid 90s team, scaring absolutely no one

31 May 2014 18:27:54
Nice read buddy

31 May 2014 19:08:36
MG hope you've been well my friend

31 May 2014 19:26:19
Good post USG, very well thought.

31 May 2014 19:47:35
I'm doing well mate, I'm just waiting for the window to open, I think wenGer will hit the sales big time

Regards to you and your family

31 May 2014 16:39:17
Here's an idea - raid Bayern for their attacking players so that pep plugs the gap with cesc.

Ribery
Muller
Gotze
Mandzukic
Shaqiri

Yes please - really don't want to see cesc at another English club and sadly do not think he fits into our squad.

31 May 2014 15:58:53
Just heard on ssn that fabregas is available this summer and expected to return to England. Hopefully with wenger signing the new contract and the trophy drought ended he'll come back to arsenal if we bid

{Ed004's Note - I read that too but were will he play? Surely he just gets in the way of Wilshere and Ramsey who both need as much game time as possible. Also from watching Arsenal they need to address Rb, possibly cb cover if vermalean leaves, a proper CDM like Bender or Schneiderlin, a winger and a top striker. Also Ozil and Fabregas positions clash as well. Unless you Fabregas deeper in a midfield 2 which I think could be his best position but arsenal fans will know more than me about that or Ozil could play out wide which is a waste IMO}

ED spot on!

What we lacked were players who could dribble, were direct and had pace.
Between ozil, Ramsey, Wilshere and an aging arteta we have players who can distribute the ball.

That said I think none of us want him to go to man utd. As I said in another post - try to raid Bayern for attacking players so that pep goes for him!

Billybob

{Ed004's Note - I can understand you don't want to see him playing for a rival. It would be like Ronaldo joining city. However if signing fabregas meant a rival wouldn't get him but arsenal didn't get a striker would you be happy with that?}

31 May 2014 17:08:41
Strenght in depth.

Bayern have Schwiensteiger, Kroos, Lahm and Thiago for 2 CM positions.

Real have Khedira, Modric, Illeramdi and Alonso for 2 CM positions.

Chelsea have Hazard, Schrulle, Willian and Salah for 2 RW/LW positions.

City have Negredo, Aguero, Dzeko and Jovetic for 2 striker positions.

Juventus have Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli, Cacares, Ogbonna and Marrone for 3 CB positions.

These are the best teams in Europe, they have quality filling starting position, bench and reserves. How we supposed to compete in PL and CL with players like Arteta and Sanogo on the bench?

We could have a midfield/attack of.

Ramsey/Wilshere - Fabregas/Flamini
Walcott/Ox - Ozil/Cazorla - Podolski/Rosicky
Benzema/Giroud.

That would win you titles. We could have Wilshere, Ramsey and Walcott all injured and itd be no problem. Time and time again injury and lack of depth have cost us.

Thats where Fabregas fits in.

{Ed004's Note - I could dissect that list but I've too much work to do ATM however I can't see arsene keeping arteta fabregas Wilshere Ramsey ozil cazorla flamini etc all happy that's forgetting wide players and don't you have some wonder kid in the reserves dubbed the next Fabregas.}

If Cesc comes back he's our best player along w Ozil

Rambo is almost there

The question of him fitting in is ludicrous

He's sitting because the 2 best players that have maybe ever played central midfield are in his way

Andres Iniesta

Xavi Hernandez

Name me one central midfielder in the world better than either of them. Just one

31 May 2014 18:42:26
In my opinion. Xavi and Iniesta are just cogs in the Barcelona/Spain machine. Pirlo, Schwiensteiger and Yaya Toure all just as good.

31 May 2014 18:42:57
It's a tricky one. When Cesc went to barca there was talk that he would eventually take over the Xavi role. A deep lying midfielder who starts off attacks. Even though Xavi is getting on he still is first choice in that position for most if not all league games. So Cesc was tried out wide in a three on occasions, and also in the 'false number 9' role. Which he did quite well in scoring a number of goals.
Then it all went t*ts up for him with the signing of Neymar. You don't spend kerchilling gerzillying on a player and don't play him.
So with Neymar, Messi, Sanchez, Xavi, Iniesta and even Song. Add the pace off a Pedro and Cesc started to end up on the bench. During this period the Catalonians (I think that's the plural) began to blame Cesc for I don't know what.

So the flame that only a first love can provide has ended up a fat spotty special brew drinker, who smokes like a chimney and swears like a trooper.

So do we buy him? If his signature interferes with us buying a top class striker and top class defensive midfielder then I'm afraid no. The thought of him playing for another English team sticks in my throat. Unfortunately it's something we've been forced to get use to. Schofield at united, Nasri at city along with Clichy and soon to be Sagna.

If it doesn't interfere, and 'IF' Arteta, K�llstr�m, Diaby are moved on say. Then would I like to see Cesc and Bender for example come in. Let me think, yes!
For me Cesc's position would be what it was meant to be at barca. The Xavi role. Along side that D.M we need.
"But what about Wilshere and Ramsey?" Let's be honest, we can't rely on any of our players being available all season. Not when our medical staff confuse plasters with razor blades.
If you want to know how strong you are then look at your bench.
Who do we play? Ramsey, Wilshere, Cesc, Cazorla, Bender (example), Flamini, �zil, Rosicky. Carling cup - add to that Zelalem, Crowley.
Would I rather have Rosamund Pike hand feeding me strawberries or grapes? Decisions decisions.

Flybo

31 May 2014 20:54:02
Flybo,

You had me at Rosamund Pike.

31 May 2014 12:22:36
if things keep going this way.

and england actually do the impossible in brazil


we would NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER! stop hearing how LIVERPOOL won the world cup.

sterling
Sturridge
Lallana
Gerrard
henderson
Johnson
Lambert


with all the other 'omens' in alignment too.

Lambert and Lallana will still technically be Southampton players, Sterling looks like he has missed out on a starting place and Jack looked 10x the player of Henderson when he came on so he'll start if Woy has any sense!

31 May 2014 14:16:53
To be honest I wouldn't mind England playing a front 3 of Lambert, Sturridge and Sterling with combinations of Jack, The Ox, Gerrard, Barkley, Henderson, Lallana and Milner backing them up.

Like I said before, Rooney no loss and Welbeck not much better.

Defence is a bigger worry and we'll probably have to play like Liverpool as in you score 3, we'll score 4.

Well said jenny. I'm an American so England isn't really my strong suit, but I have to say, if there was ever a World Cup to let the young talent in, it's this one. With Gerrard leading, of course. Rooney has missed his chances, and sturridge and sterling have been an absolute joy to watch this season. Sterling, at this pace, could become a great. My only concern is, idt Roy Hodgson has the urge to play the out score you game.

To be honest if their English its ok by me England is the one time clubs shouldn't come into it, we should just support our nation together imo

31 May 2014 09:27:25
Love Ricky Lambert and hope he wins the world cup golden boot I really do, but just how gutted would you be if Arsene bid for him?
I hope he gets his dream move to Liverpool but just find it strange they want him at his age

If I already had Suarez and Sturridge smashing them in then probably not the that gutted, but yeah is a strange one I think.

He gives us an option we don't have when teams park the bus
Loves the club, has the hunger Brendan wants
4mil is fairly cheap for an England international regardless of age these days
Southampton play a similar style to Liverpool so he can easily fit in when needed.
Upgrade on Aspas, strength in depth especially for the cup games.
Almost as strange as the signing as Kim Kallstrom eh G62

Liverpool fan here,
Lambert would be a brilliant signing for us. He would actually contribute with goals and assists (29 goals and 15 assists for Soton in last 2 seasons) unlike Aspas who simply took up a squad place without any meaningful contribution. In terms of our attacking department, Lambert in, Aspas out is a huge improvement, even a die hard Manc would admit that.

Nothing strange about it. He scores goals, he's completely different in style to both Sturridge and Suarez.
With him they now have another attacking option to throw on the pitch if needed.

Absolutely mate Kallstrom was much stranger but two weirds don't make a natural

Ok lads as long as everyone's happy, Real get Suarez ( very likely ) and you get Lambert!
Quid's in lovely jubly all round then

Suarez going nowhere g62! No chance.

May be not T but akso a very big maybe yes, personally I think Suarez to Real is the most predictable transfer of the summer, but the good news for you is I have been wrong many many Times before

31 May 2014 19:44:11
Really AG? His strike rate isn't much better than Podolski's and given he hardly plays and is stuck out on the wing I wouldn't say that was a great option.
Lambert might have done ok in the lower leagues but his prem record is hardly prolific is it.

31 May 2014 00:30:18
The world dares Hodgson to not start Wilshere.

Keep your best midfielder on the bench.

I'm sure Barca and Bayern are clamoring to sign Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana

Amazing

Only in England would a talent like Wilshere sit on the bench

He has played half an hour of competitive football before that I am pretty glad he didn't start can't see him being on the bench for the opening game!

And Arsenal of course! Jack can't get into our best starting 11at the moment either.
Thats his challenge this world cup makes himself a must start for club and country

Wilshere has been injured or returning from injury just about every time I've ever watched him, so it's difficult to judge. But, from what I've seen, he's supremely talented but had a temper and can become his own worst enemy. Sure, Henderson lacks some flair, but you always know what you're going to get. 90 minutes of nonstop running, dirty work, and he's actually better on the ball than many people notice.

Henderson is a head of Jack on merit, he's had a fantastic season and Jack an indifferent one

31 May 2014 00:12:02
Here's a question - would anyone be happy/satisfied if we get the bare minimum in terms of transfers. Let's say Aurier, Remy and Schneiderlin?

Will have to see how the lads do in pre season and the world cup you never know we may sign Remy for 8mil and then he gets the golden boot

No I'd be disappointed. As that clearly wouldn't change the situation of lack of squad depth

Plus a keeper. Ben Foster not ruddy!

31 May 2014 10:27:23
Schneiderlin > Arteta
Remy > Bendtner/Sanogo
Aurier = Sagna

Improvement is it not?

Keep hold of Vermaelen, Podolski etc and we've improved.

Would be satisfied with the 3 pick-ups, but still would like all 3 plus a couple of young potential players as well.

One thing to disagree with here Schneidlerlein is not better than Arteta - he is different with bags of potential. Arteta is a pro and gets way too much crap on this board - he is a leader, penalty taker, passer and fills in the gaps for the rest.

31 May 2014 14:26:35
Red Rooster.

Arteta is a defensive liability. No pace. Midfielders just breeze past him. Think Henderson, Sterling, Schrulle, Oscar etc in our crushing defeats. He also cannot tackle well enough or has enough strength. Gets bullied by Matic, Fernandinhio etc.

I don't question his commitment or leadership. And yes you are right, he takes cracking penalties. But, his passimg is limited to 5-10 yards. Most of the time they are sideways or backwards. His poor passing cost us goals vs Chelsea and nearly gave Man U a 1-0 lead at the Emirates.

With Arteta as first choice we will never be able to compete with the big boys. Schniderlin offers everything Arteta lacks defensively. He can play in a possesion team aswell. Also 9/10 years younger.

Schneiderlin might not be as good as Khedira, Gundogan, Bender or Vidal, but he is definatly and improvent on a past his best, played out of position Arteta.

Arteta is past it, but to say he can only pass 5 or 10 yards or has poor passing is not true. Youtube Arteta passing and you'll see what I mean. He's just not a tackler and too slow now. Still useful squad player over kallstrom

31 May 2014 17:15:50
Arteta cannot tackle, he just gives away a load of fouls, any fool can do that. Hope we can offload him for £8m/£10m to Italy or Spain.

I stand by what I said about his passing. Youtube highlights don't prove anything. there's a vid of Sanogo banging in goals for Auxerre and France U19s, yet he didn't manage a single goal for us. Arteta's passing and lack of mobility have no place in an Arsenal team. i'd rather Flamini every time over Arteta.

Sorry mate, but nonsense. A youtube of Sanogo scoring U17 goals is not the same as arteta spraying 100 pinpoint passes for Arsenal

Hey I am all for Scneiderlein coming in and being part of the rotation and the future, but just think people slagging Arteta are nuts, the boss loves him for a reason - he is very talented and has leadership, intelligence and the intangibles he has. Wait and see if he's not still one of the first names on the team sheet. In Arsene we trust!

31 May 2014 23:19:40
Its not nonsense. That video of Sanogo makes him look like Ibra the way he bullies defenders and scores acrobatic goals. A video showing Arteta's 100 best passes is the same concept. Its only his highlights.

Arteta needs to be shipped out to make room for Cesc. First two seasons he was decent, kept us ticking over. But this years he's been out of his depth, especially against weaker opposition. All these passing stats are meaningless. he's taking up the role of a true CDM, whether that be Flamini or Bender/Schniderlin.

30 May 2014 23:45:16
Where's Higuain? . Oh sorry that was last summer.