Arsenal Banter Archive January 05 2014

05 Jan 2014 22:25:54
Massive blow, Theo could be out for a month, he is probably the one player we didn't want to lose.

The way things are going, even I might get a game, polish ya boots DG, polish ya boots.

I'm hearing from a friend of mine that Zelalem may be getting a chance. Although he is still very young he is massively talented. Why not?!

05 Jan 2014 19:27:17
After the last few games, how are people feeling about more attacking midfield reinforcements? We have been persistently linked with the likes of Draxler, Konoplyanka, even Pedro, and many of us seem to think we really need such a signing. But do we really?

I would certainly agree that we lack an out-and-out left winger, and perhaps Theo would be better suited to the middle, which would leave a vacancy on the right wing. But I'm starting to think that we are actually equipped very well in these positions, even with players being used out of position.

Podolski's 25-minute cameo against West Ham was inspired, and it really looks like he could be a key danger from the left. Walcott scored 5 goals in 4 games plus several assists from the right wing. Wilshere was often posted on the left when our midfield probably had the best balance (early in the season when Ozil and Ramsey were taking the central positions). Cazorla has looked a bit off form on the left but was great yesterday. And Rosicky can basically play anywhere.

On the right, if Walcott were to be played more centrally we would have Gnabry and Ox to deputise. And basically all of our attacking midfielders (5-6 of them by my count) are best suited to the middle.

So with Cazorla, Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ox, Walcott, Podolski, Rosicky and now Gnabry competing for 3-4 positions, do we really need another player in any of these areas?

If we sell poldi we could do with a left sided winger/attacker but otherwise creatively I think were ad good as anyone.

For me there are 5 areas of the team we will need to address in the next 2 windows.

Gk - Fabianski is off, we need another reserve
Rb - Sagna looks like he's off, Jenks isn't good enough to be first choice
Cb - verm also looks set to leave in the summer and needs replacing
Cm - Arteta is getting on and against good opposition often gets found out. Flamini for me is an excellent squad player but can be improved with a Khadera or Bender type player, or even Pogba if were willing to spend the money
Cf - need an upgrade. Giroud is good, but not having a top class striker has cost us key points this year.

I don't expect 5 new players, more likely than not it will be 4 maximum. But if Wenger puts another winger or creative mid above the positions above I'd be very suprised.

Remember when he bought that young winger . what was his name now. oh yes Thierry Henry.

I'd settle for another winger like that!

Exciled do you think Theo could make the same transition as Henry? I do.
He won't be able to match him who could!
But I think he could save us 35 million given the chance and a decent run up top

05 Jan 2014 17:46:10
RIP Eusebio

The game and world are better for having had him

A true Titan of the game, and a gentleman off it

Well said US gooner. He's got a lot of plaudits but is still not quite given the recognition he deserves imo. One of the best of best that football's ever seen.

Legend.

R.I.P.
I grew up in a time where Pele had few rivals for his title of worlds best
Without a doubts Eusabio was one of the very few.
By all accounts a very nice human being too.
We seem to be losing them faster than we have time to replace them of late

I think he scored something like 730 goals in 750 games, amazing.

05 Jan 2014 15:56:40
Are the stories on a very unreliable site about Pedro just rubbish or is there some actual truth that were in for him?

If it's a very unreliable site, what do you think?

05 Jan 2014 14:13:28
My thoughts on the game were that we never really went full throttle going forward yet managed to carve out plenty of chances and contain spurs. Spurs have some good players but we made them look very average.

Gnabry, Rosicky and Cazorla stood out for me. All tireless getting back and closing down (especially Rosicky) and were potent going forward and all got a goal or assist. Gnabry looks a better winger than Walcott already. As for Rosicky, I really hopme him and Sagna get contract extensions. We need more players of his experience, class, work ethic and versatility. He will be sorely missed on and off the pitch if he leaves end of this year, although a PL or FA cup medal would be a very fitting parting gift.

Also think Walcott proved he can play uptop. i'd love to see him paired with Giroud with Caz/Pod and Ozil on the flanks. He made great runs on and off the ball and lately showed he is clinical infront of goal. I was going to say if we keep him fit and the emergence of Gnabry at RW we don't need a ST but don't know extent of his ankle injury. If its 4 weeks plus surely Wenger will look at bringing in a ST or Winger. Costa/Martinez or Di Maria/Rues would be nice :)

One last thing. Anyone see the Wilshere vs Dembele episodes? Its good to see he is passionate but he needs to calm dowm. I hope he doest turn into another Rooney. He has such potential.

Good post - with regard to the Wilshire/dembele stuff though, I thought spurs had been given a tactic of everyone giving him a clout in order to try and get him booked/sent off/injured. I think they were pretty cynical in this area. In general Mark Clattenberg had a good game but I think he was weak on this, the only action he took was to have a chat to spurs captain.

We need that from Jack. A no nonsense, you don't go after me or my guys attitude.

Years from now, it's why he will be the leader of the locker room.

05 Jan 2014 12:04:18
Mind the gap,

Wow, what a game, any game when we win is great, but to beat our tiny tots neighbours is sweeeeet.

Got to say, the benefits of TR7 are not just the inside or outside of his right boot, last night he showed why a mature player is needed, several times the camera caught him putting his arm around the shoulders of the younger players, we have missed that in the past, Santi is clawing his way back to his prime effectiveness the whole team did the fans proud, a deserved little break until Aston Villa

05 Jan 2014 11:42:16
The should we shouldn't we debate of the FA cup is over the fact is we are going for it as yesterday showed.

I'm a it worried it might be a competition to far for us especially with our injury list growing all the time but hey ho Kay Sera Sera

Its been a long long time since things were this good and I hope the wave we're on takes us all the way to the tittle but what ever happens it feels like I'm enjoying the ride like never before

It's a good point G62 but the draw today has suited us very well. We can rest Giroud, Ozil, Mertesacker, Szcesney etc against Coventry, maybe Gibbs, Ramsey and Walcott too, even if they're back. Rosicky, Gnabry, Podolski, Monreal etc (players who usually start on the bench) are more than good enough to beat a League One side. As long as we don't have a major injury disaster, we should have enough squad depth to compete on 3 fronts. Another CF would help hugely though.

05 Jan 2014 07:32:53
Well played lads made what should of been a hard game into an easy one.

That being said I think it now is time to give serge gnabry a run in the team, he just gets better and better, teams will doulble up to close him down which will create much more space for the other players in midfield. I would of liked Ben Arfa or Di Maria signed for this window but maybe Sergie is up to the challenge.
The only Problem is how to fit Sergie and Theo in the same team (provding Wallcott not playing up front) does anyone know if Sergie can play on the left?
Thanks Guys