03 Jun 2013 22:39:08
Assuming we add no one, this is the team I hope we start with

Poldi/Giroud.
Santi Rosicky Theo
Jack Rambo
Monreal Kos BFG Jenks
Shezza

As much as I like Gibbs, Monreal is a world class fullback. He is as good as Jordi Alba IMO. He is a luxury for us and will be the best LB in the PL next season

That team w Poldi/Giroud, Gerv, Ox, Arteta, Verm, Gibbs, Sagna, Fabianski off the bench, is pretty damn good. And there is always the Diaby wildcard. Arteta's age and slowing pace means he should be second half Scholes like substitute. See the game out when we are up.

As much as we are clamoring for signings, this team, as is, with the confidence of how we finished, should be a serious contender on all fronts next year

Additions will only enhance this, but as is, I'm still very excited

1.) 03 Jun 2013
Monreal is a great player but I don't think he's quite world class. I think him and Gibbs should be rotated a bit and see who is player better then continue playing the player on form, nothing wrong with some competition for places! Gibbs can also be played as a winger if he is needed.

2.) 04 Jun 2013
Wenger likes Gibbs better.

3.) 04 Jun 2013
Maybe you have a point- certainly the second half of the season, as you suggest (Bould finally having an influence on our defence?).

however, the problem is depth, especially if we want to challenge for silverware. Our season, in terms of winning anything was practically over in Feb. This, I believe contributed a little to how we finished i. e. no other distractions in cup comps like some of our rivals. where we could've had more injuries, fatigue, etc.

So I get your point, but adding 2/3 quality and 1/2 good signings could really make all the difference.

here's hoping for some fruitful summer transfer business :)
LG

4.) 04 Jun 2013
US gooner,

again you're optimism seems too strong. if you think that line up will challenge on all fronts then you and I must have differing opinions of what the work "challenge" really means. to me it means 1. In the league, making the eventual champions worry about losing their spot to us come the end of the season. and 2. for the cups it means we make atleast the last 4 or definetly win it if the last 4 have no united, city, chelsea. and champions league we aren't even close!

You are a perfect example of the clubs falling standards I have to say. you use the word Challenge way too loosely

I know we went on a good run of results at the end of this year. but we always do and bottom line is that we lose the the other big teams too much in league and cup games.


I don't get how you can keep throwing around this false optimism mate!

Scooby Dooby K

5.) 04 Jun 2013
In the games he played Monreal wasn't as good as Gibbs for Arsenal. Arshavin was world class at Zenit, not at Arsenal. I'd still pick Gibbs ahead of Nacho, but I suspect the idea is to rotate the two anyway.

Chimney sweep Josh

6.) 04 Jun 2013
Arteta > Ramsey

7.) 04 Jun 2013
Monreal isn't world class. yet.