31 Oct 2013 00:24:40
There have been a few posts commenting that our squad has some short falls when it comes to winning the league, one of them being written by me. They have been met by a few posts saying "stop being so negative" or words to that effect. I feel that is unfair, and those who have come to that conclusion base it on knowing what it takes to win the league.
To voice that we are f**ked if Giroud gets injured isn't being negative, it's being realistic in my opinion. If you have a Bendtner in your squad he must be the last option, but at the moment he is our second option.
If Flamini gets injured we do not have another player in that position who organizes as well as he does. Negativity or saying what your seeing?
As for Jenkinson I said he was a long way off. What I mean by that is if Sagna leaves Jenkinson does not automatically take over, but a quality R.B will need to be brought in. That does not mean I want him out, that would be stupid. He is young and still learning and does need to improve which I'm sure he will, but not voicing what I believe to be pretty obvious would be silly just so that people don't call you "negative."
Another area we are lacking without Walcott is serious pace. An outlet, a chance to go direct and get behind defences. Negative or realistic? It doesn't help that before a balls been kicked at the beginning of a season we usually have 3, 4, 5 players injured, so we're always playing catch up. With everyone available we're looking good, but let's be honest when was the last time EVERYONE was available, (not including Diaby.) Knowing our luck by the time Walcott, Poddy, The Ox and Flamini are back, they will be replaced by the next batch of crocked players on the medical table. I just pray it's not Özil, Cazorla (again) or even worse Giroud. Is that being negative or realistic? Well bearing in mind I'm baseing our injury record on the last several years I believe it to be a legitimate concern.

All I'm saying is it's doesn't mean those who voice such matters are less of a fan, or should f**k off, or my personal favourite "go support someone else then."
This is where we're at. We have improved and are improving. We have a midfield when everyones fit which is the envy of the majority of other clubs when it comes to offence. Which in turn will be a strentgh when it comes to attracting a couple of class forwards. Add to that another ball winning powerhouse fighting Flamini for that position and in the centre we're sorted. A pacey skillful left sided winger (Draxler as an example) and the whole midfield is perfect, first 11 bench and more. If Sagna and Verm leave then obviously they will have to be replaced, with a another C.B brought in. If they turn in to good buys then we will have a Squad where anything is attainable.

Just look at the 98, 02, 04 squads. The Man u's 99 and early to mid noughties teams, and Chelsea's drogba era. When you recognise what it takes to win the big trophies, and notice that your team is not quite there yet it doesn't mean we love them any less, or don't cheer'em on, or aren't happy unless we're moaning about something. I believe it just means we're being realistic that's all.

If you read all of that your place in heaven as been reserved, but you do need to get out more. The only person sadder then those who read this is the person who wrote it ;-)
Now let's go and do Liverpool! COME ON YOU GOONERS
p.s
Giroud sends his love
Flybo

1.) 31 Oct 2013
Disagree, yes we are short in depth compared to other teams (who have all had to spend hundreds of millions of pounds to get that), but why does that mean we can't win the league? I think the reason i'm so excited about this season is that we (in my opinion) have the potential to not only win the league, but to win it our way. One of the things i'm most proud of is that we haven't spent like the other teams, we give young players a chance and do what is good for football. This is a much sweeter way to win the league than buying it like chelsea, united and city. Wenger has proved he is the one who can do it, and I personally think he can again. In terms of your specific issues, we have plenty of pace, Walcott, the Ox, Podolski, Ryo, Gnabry, would all outpace Luiz/Evans/Skrtel/Kompany in a sprint. Defensive midfield we have ramsey, wilshere, arteta and flamini, all of whom I believe are leaders and organisers. Flamini may be special in that position, but the thing about special players is there aren't many of them. "BUY BUY BUY" not only is not very arsenal, but is not good for football, growing your own talent deserves respect.

Finally, while I believe this squad is strong enough to win the league, I think we need a backup forward and someone who can play CB and CDM, like pepe or luiz.

2.) 31 Oct 2013
Barcelona and Bayern Munich were not built in a window, Flybo mate.
We all know this is the beginning and we are not the finished article yet but we are in the best shape for years.
This time last year we would have loved things this bad.
Jenks will be great and like the team is heading for great things in the very near future

3.) 31 Oct 2013
I think we have everything in place to win the league except for out achilles heal which is the amount of injuries we get. would take pod as a back up to giroud every day of the week. imagine rotating diaby with flamini. if we had ox and theo always available were would we fit them in? I really do think our squad is brilliant but know we will be relying on NB52 and players out of position because injuries cripple us.

4.) 31 Oct 2013
31 Oct 2013 08:50:32
AASgooner,
Just a quick response to your comments about players with pace. Podolski is not blessed with pace, and even the ox isn't as fast as you'de think he is. The only player up there with Theo like pace is Myachi, but he's not good enough yet and possibly will not make it. You also compared our wide players to c.bs instead of the wide players who would be marking them. Lastly you said as defensive midfielders we have Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta and Flamini. Three of those four are not d.Ms. yes Arteta can do a job there in certain games, but is not exactly a Gilberto, but to be fair to him why would he be. It's not his natural position. (And he has no pace).

Gunner 62
I didn't make it clear in this post, but mentioned it in another. I am not expecting us to buy quality in all those positions in just one window, but we could do it in two to three, why not.

We are getting there, it's just I don't see us doing it this year that's all.
Flybo

5.) 31 Oct 2013
I think we`re a few players off winning the EPL this year. I don't enjoy saying it but I`m a realist, our starting 11 whilst very good isn't as good as Chelsea or Man City this year, add in the lack of depth and we`re far behind both those teams this season. As has been said, its not going to change in 1 summer/January buying spree but as long as we add some attacking edge and 1 or 2 more players of the Ozil standard, EPL or CL could be ours very soon.

6.) 31 Oct 2013
Damn fine post flybo but you have to lose the infatuation with Giroud. yes, we all love him but man, you are obsessed (smiles)

7.) 31 Oct 2013
Fair points Flybo and I'm with you mate. We won't do all we need to do in Jan or even the summer window but what most of us agree with is Ozil was the start (and what w start) to a bright new era for us.
Come Saturday we will be top still and people will be saying all good things and Tuesday past will be forgotten as we get excited about Wednesday future.

The future is bright the future is ours :-) :-) :-)