Arsenal Banter Archive November 04 2013

04 Nov 2013 17:33:47
Hey edds just had an idea for a player of the month poll to run on the end of each month? I don't know if this has been suggested before or not but I would like to see the views of all the chaps on here, obviously ramsey, giroud and ozil will probably dominate it along with cazorla but there's no harm in having one anyway. {Ed002's Note - You would need to remind us at the end of each month - I am sure one of the other Eds would put it up for you.}

04 Nov 2013 14:26:45
How can you say our squad isn't strong enough? We have SIX international players (Wilshere, Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski, Diaby and Flamini) missing from yesterday. So of course our bench is going to look weak. Take 6 players out of ANY squad and you tell me if they would be top of the table? We are top of the table because of our squad depth NOT DESPITE it. Everyone says Chelsea are favourites but if you take Mata, Oscar, Hazard, lampard, Ramires and mikel out of their squad for not just one game but for WEEKS would chelsea be 5 points clear??

Just watched Andy Dunn rip us on sun supplement journos sicken me we have no chance with our squad depth we will not win title saying our bench against liverpool was bad and only arsenal fans would know the names of the players.This response was in the comments below and I just thought is share with ya quality points.

I agree Dave. We are actually very well covered in some areas, particularly midfield. But there are still 2 concerns that cause squad depth problems for us:

1. We seem to get a lot more critical injuries than other teams. It is an age-old problem and every Arsenal fan has an opinion. Do we have inadequate staff? Dp the players train too hard? Do we buy too many injury-prone players? For whatever reason, all of the players you listed above are out right now. And apparently Wilshere and Gibbs too now. And that seems to be the case several times every season. So even if we have a squad of great players, it's rare that they are all available.

2. We do lack depth in a couple of areas. CF everyone knows about, although Podolski will probably be played there this season. DM we have trouble if Flamini and Arteta are both out - this showed against Chelsea. CB hasn't been a problem yet, particularly as Sagna has done well when deployed there. But it could be an issue if we get a couple of injuries in that area.

So yes, pundits are definitely exaggerating, but I reckon we'll need 1-2 signings in January and a bit more luck with injuries to maintain a title challenge.

I agree but I wouldn't compare our loss to Chelsea losing 5 of their first choice players (ok Mata isn't but he really should be). Realistically, the only players who are near certain starters for us would be Walcott and Flamini and even they arent.

I think we are probably still a couple of players light. The bench Sat showed it and having 5 players out as we do is not unusual at all, particularly when we start getting more suspensions. I think one forward that offers a different options to Giroud (ie Suarez) and a 21 yr old clone of Sagna would be perfect.

04 Nov 2013 10:27:11
Not having a pop at liverpool cause I think their fans have been very gracious in defeat. And I'm not getting too far ahead of myself either.

But I just read an interview by b Rodgers he was saying that they are playing catch up on us is this the same man that said he didn't understand why Suarez wanted to join us and that it was a sidestep joining us. I say this cause of the s&&t that was thrown our way when we made a disgrace of ourselves and tried to buy a player.

Could not care less what brendan has to say.

Liverpool are coming out of a bad period and they have adjusted well, done as well as we have for what they have in their squad.

Gerrard is now over the wrong side of his career, can impact games but not consistently. Suarez and Surridge are a major plus point, and coutinho is a very shrewd buy IMHO.

but their fullbacks are not at a top 4 standard, their CB's are worse than our pairing, considering everyone thinks our defense is rubbish of all rubbish.

henderson, and lucas are also not players you want in a top team.

Spurs are the team who are playing really badly yet picking up points and that is what impresses me.

everton is the same.

Man city and chelsea for the amount of cash they have spent and the talent at their disposal just seem to luckily screw up when it looks like they are about to hit a good gear.

Man utd also boast some amazing players but IMO none of them have Ozil.

and I maybe over stating this but when he is on the pitch. its just like having a pressure buffer. he seems lazy, nonchalant, can't be bothered and all that. but give him half a chance and he has already made himself man of the match.

he has taken pressure of Ramsey, wilshere, cazorla, giroud that everyone else is looking like a billion pound player, but I cannot state how amazing he simply is.

for those who don't get me, I suggest the next Arsenal game, just watch mesut. not the team, just one player for 20 mins or so. and then you will realise how truly special he is, as an individual and a team player.

I would like to just play pass the ball with him and I would look like a better player, but his understanding of the game is simply downright illegal.

fingers crossed, we need our mesut to assist us in our quest.