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08 Sep 2013 08:44:29
Well posting from sunny Iceland, fresh ((ish) from watching the amazing Switzerland vs Iceland 4-4 on TV. It's only the second time we have an Internet connection so I thought I'd take a look in at the posters, the moaners, the praisers, and the funsters here.
First observation. Life looks a lot better than when I left just over a week and a bit ago. spurs beaten, anyone think you can have too much change? Flamini signed - I'm very happy about that - a very good CDM and cover in defence, and hey cost us nothing. Sme young German chap signed, not sure how good he is, but I gather he can pass and shows promise.
Ozil is of course a fantastic signing.
Yes of course the lack of cover for Giroud is critical, but the attacks on Sanogo (including sadly by people like Metal in his reply to Wengerism) are just stupid. You are judging a young player on the first few weeks, and how much he cost. Ha how ridiculous! So cost guarantees class? I won't even bother giving the millions of examples that show the stupidity of that view.
What does count rather more is the view of experts, who can also be wrong of course, who almost all suggest Sanogo can be one of the deals of the summer. Read tv where the deal is picked as one of the type ten of the summer, or Bleacher or to be honest anyone much. I'd like more cover but Sanogo has the ability to step in. Although anything bad happening to Giroud and I'll be panicking which is clearly not great.
The attacks on Wengerism's post below are so boring. Yes Wengerism is being a bit smug, but being honest I can't blame him after most of you seemed to want to burn him at the stake all summer. A least he is a real fan unlike many here, and at least he didn't spend a summer talking nonsense about who we were just about to sign, or giving us his exclusive inside knowledge on the working of Stan's or anyone else's brain.
What he has said is support your team, trust Arsene, be loyal. That doesn't feel so bad. Our issue is that as fans it is just all a bit emotive for us, win a game against spurs and we are in heaven, lose against Villa and we are in despair. If Metal truly thinks Arsenal signed Ozil because of fan pressure he is deluding himself. Professionals do what they do for professional reasons over emotive ones.
Well that's it, back to watching whales (faster than Cygan ever was on the turn), drinking Icelandic beer, and walking through waterfalls etc.
Still think we will finish 4th by the way, but unimpressed by the United start, so who knows? Oh and that ECL draw is a killer and really worries me. Do I think we could lift the FA cup though? Yes if Arsene takes it seriously, and I'll snatch hands off for a trophy at last so I'll cope with that.
1.) Mate, don't confuse an unbiased appraisal of Sanogo as an attack on him. That's very immature. Truth is Sanogo was not meant to be a back up striker for the firsts this season, and he's not a massively impressive player. Hence why we chased Suarez. Now, through AFC inaction in the window, and there was plenty, we now have to pray that Giroud stays fit and firing til xmas. We are AFC, we should never be in a position where a 20yr old striker who nearly hung up his boots, who is very clearly out of his depth, is now our go-to guy.
We have zero variety up front and we are all now praying that the injury gods are good to us. Trust me I get behind Sanogo, and I have never, for example, tweeted a word against him like most did. I didn't criticise him for his efforts in either of his games, and he did well in his second one. This isn't an attack on the player, it's about appraising the situation and concluding that there is no way in hell we should be relying on him at all this season. To choose to in a game where we're ahead? Sure, why not. But to NEED him is another problem altogether. I am sure with our midfield it is only a matter of time before he gets a goal, should he play, but come on, any striker would be a better option than him. We've done the classic 'couldn't get who we wanted so we didn't get anyone' tactic, and Ba loan attempts on the last day don't go towards rectifying that. We should have had a new back up striker in the 0-15m max category sown up and boxed off by August let alone the last day!
2.) I basically agree Metal. Sanogo probably is too inexperienced to be relied upon so quickly, but then again who thought Anelka could do the trick, young, fresh, cheap and inexperienced? I would have preferred a striker like Ba but I never saw us getting anyone.
What is important is Flamini gives us some depth where we have been lacking, Sanogo is a talent (your original message seemed pretty scathing about him), and Ozil is an absolute class signing. Yes a striker would have been great but Metal your negativity is sometimes just too depressing for words. Oh and yes I know there is a thin line between realism and negativity, we all walk it.
3.) I think we MAY & its a big MAY have found someone here his positioning is very good but like so many others is young. THese kids need quality around them. Early days for him & should not be in the recogiing yet. But that is our problem thin squad pushes youngsters to far too early
4.) With ozil in the ranks I think Walcott could be used up top, so could podolski when fit again which should be before Christmas.
I very much think we could do with a striker but I personally don't see the crisis which others do. Whilst Walcott may not be a tried striker yet, last time I saw him play centrally he scored a hat trick.
I don't care to get caught up in mud slinging matches, just calling it how I see it.
5.) TGOTM
Don't get me wrong, on matchdays etc I am the most excited person ever, but outside of that I do take a critical approach. For example, I don't look at this summer outside Ozil and think about what we did, only what we didn't do.
I appreciate that is too negative to some, but it isn't as though it's not justified. So many people are happy with Flamini. I just see it as us delaying a headache by another year or maybe two, and I see it as last resort actions after failing with Bender, Gonalons and whoever else. I just don't get why we didn't pay the 22m or whatever Leverkusen wanted to ensure we don't have to worry about a DM for the next 5 years, and adding a world class one at that.
So I do get that many people are like 'woo, Flamini!' but I'm like 'daymmmm, we missed Bender when we could have bought him.'
6.) The striker situaition.
Cazorla is a certain starter, as is Ozil and Walcott in those 3 attacking midfield positions. The purchase of Ozil has put Podolskis position as part of these 3 in even greater jeopody, this does however compensate for teh lack of a striker bought in the window. Podolski will be the alternative to Giroud if he's injured, then probably Walcott and then Sanogo. Sanogo is clearly (atm) way out of his depth and was never intended to be near a starting position.
I don't think we`ll buy this Romanian guy, its just agent/media talk. In truth, in buying Ozil we`ve perversley also bought a striker with Podolski moving further down the midfield pecking order.
7.) I disagree Cazorla is a certain starter now. For big games yes but he played too much last season. Ozil can relieve some pressure. I think for the big games Ozil, Cazorla and Walcott are the likely first choices.
28 Aug 2013 15:56:44
I knew this would happen. Tomorrow I fly off to colder parts of the world, gone for two weeks. Damn and don't you now it no signings yet. So I go knowing that when I return it will all have changed, the three big signings will be in place, and even without them I'll return to catch up on Sky and watch the 4-0 win over Spuds.
I envy you all sitting watching Jack, Santi and Aaron outclass them, and Walcott and Giroud scoring a pair each. I envy you watching the new signings looking on, I can picture them now.
Actually my only slight problem is I can't picture them. Benzema? It diesn't feel real, just another reoccurring name in an endless list that never join, Mata seems even madder, what next Goetze and Hazard? As for Ozil well surely not? Di Maria? Possible but I'm not too convinced why or how he'll take us to another level, good but is he that much better than what we have?
Casillas? Hmm nope don't see that or one second. Cabaye? Yes if Paris don't take him first he'll end up here, but I don't see him as better than Ramsey, Wilshere or Arteta.
That's it the summer is almost over and I just can't see the names that will truly make a difference to us, the equivalents of RVP and Cesc when they left.
So I'll leave it your hands, I expect spurs to be thrashed and three world class players awaiting my return - the equivalents to Vieira, RVP, and Campbell at their height will do thanks.
1.) There are still players like Erik Lamela, who is heading for spurs, I really don't know what is going on at the emirates.
2.) Can I come with you?
{Ed022's Note - Ahhhh thats so sweet. This post is now sponsored by match.com}
3.) I shed my pity for you. I came off, in one of the hotter climates for ten days, expecting to see a host of marquee signings. Only was I then greeted by what I saw TOTTENHAM were up to!
Enjoy it! ;)
4.) Wenger is going to buy Messi. Come on guys it is obvious.
27 Aug 2013 07:20:20
Every so often I like to share a concern. Today it's have we become so desperate for Arsenal to sign that we have forgotten why we wanted them to strengthen in the first place?
Some of the names mentioned here and in the media, indeed most of the names mentioned, are midfield players.
So Cabaye seems serious, a very good player, but isn't he too like Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere to make sense? He's a deep lying strong skilfull midfielder not a Vieira or Gilberto or sadly even a Gustavo.
Di Maria is clearly talented but like Sanchez at Barcelona you get the feeling has never quite shown what he can do with any consistency. Is he better than Santi? Also there is Rosicky, who yes I know gets injured, but still seems pretty classy most weeks. So is this the position we most need to strengthen? Throw in Chamberlain too and we seem strong.
The idea of Ozil seems fantastic to me, I guess Real might sell if Bale goes there way, but I'd expect United to be way ahead of us desperate to sign exactly the one player they need, and again we've already got a very strong midfield.
What we lack is a defensive box to box Vieira or Gilberto. More than anything else it is our one defining weakness. Just look how our defence gets exposed, and the numbe of last player challenges.
We also clearly need an RVP replacement. Giroud is a talent but was signed to play with RVP and would have been fantastic - just imagine Walcott, Giroud and RVP - terrifying.
Final a defender who can ideally play in more than one position.
That's three mega signings, why on earth are we looking at two who simply strengthen our best positions?
1.) Im not sure what the definition for a CDM is anymore.
Cabaye=ramsey=arteta
a much more world class example of the same is gundogan, xabi alonso
Paulinho, Dembele, Sandro, Capoue, lars bender, kehdira these guys are traditional DM's.
But I think style of play is very important to the type of player who plays that position.
Ramsey/cabaye can retain the ball, can pass and are much more technical to a standard CDM.
what I think is basically a CM playing a CDM position, just because of his ball winning abilities.
manchester united seem to go the same way and barcelona, dortmund and bayern always utilised a very technical holding player.
i can't really describe it in length over here but what I am trying to say is. the options we are looking at, may have a downside in defending, but with the setup of the squad, a massive bonus while attacking. and when the attacking and possession comes as one way traffic, the other team does not get a chance to expose your flaws due to the superior technical abilities.
24 Aug 2013 15:44:00
So that was not such a bad crisis was it? Fenerbache and Fulham neatly overcome and our fears are just that much less. Of course we are still significantly behind last years to 3 in strength.
However, Chelski are completely unbalanced they have almost a team of superstars in attacking midfield, but there attack is Torres still, and their defence wasn't good last year and is no better this year.
United won by a street last year but jsp like us before them are heavily shaped by whatever RVP does. If he gets injured they suddenly look a lot less great.
City a staggering array of talent, and a new coach with a reputation of achievement. But the question is are they able to play together and will Pellegrini be given time?
Spuds some class signings, the feeling that AVB is a coach on the rise, but Bale is off and without him they would have been mid table at best last year.
So if we make the right signings can we compete? Yes. Will we make the right signings? This is the hard bit, I still doubt it.
Not because we won't try, not because we won't spend, but because:
- Just like Suarez before him I think chasing Benzema is a waste of time. He loves being at Madrid, and he will only leave if he has to. The only chance is if Suarez joins them. That migh happen but it's far from certain, and f it does it will be at the last moment. Too late I suspect for us.
- Di Maria will probably leave once Bale joins, but why will be Arsenal bound? I can't see it. There will be others who want him who are bigger than us and have more money than us - United for one.
- Cabaye is possible unless Paris want him in which case he is coming nowhere near us. But while he's good I don't see the great need he is too similar to Arteta and to a degree Jack.
As for the rest? Well if it's right we are chasing Benzema and Di Maria I fear we'll waste too much time on them that at best we'll be picking up talented but not game changing players.
I'd feel so much more convinced if we were signing Lamela, Martinez, Kondogbia etc.
Oh well fingers crossed and what do I know? I thought we'd only draw today.
1.) You was not the only mate I thought 1-1 and I agree with your comments about transfers targets
Heybridge Gooner
2.) Top class post, agree with everything.
3.) We wast0days doing. what! Have no idea now what we were doing!. think it is to late for the big signings now, should have identified targets and got them, spend top cash on top players, at the next level you don't haggle you just pay the price. we look like amateurs. I worry for the team if we can't recruit the required numbers
4.) Do think that DiMaria is a possibility and this is the calibre of player that wins you titles.
We do need bodies but 'accepting' where you are will win you sweet fa.
22 Aug 2013 18:45:25
So a good effort against Fenerbache, although they were pretty poor. A good Villa performance against Chelski, they were robbed of a draw. Yes we were poor against Villa, but maybe it's not the melt down we always seem to panic about.
Shame we aren't going to get replacements for Fulham as I don't see that as easy after the long trip to Istanbul. So great result, glad to see some are discovering Arsene just may still have one value, and great to hear we are moving on the transfers at long last. But I still fear there is a big risk f it being too little too late. I'm going to cross my fingers though.
The Arsenal team to play Spuds:
Cesar, Flamini, Koscielny, Inigo Martinez, Gibbs
Bender, Wilshere
Cazorla, Lamela
Walcott, Jackson Martinez
Cost? Cesar £3m, Flamini £0, Matinez £20m, Bender £20m, Lamela £32m, J Martinez £30m. A massive £105m guesstimate. Sell Podolski and Vermailen and that gives us another £25m in the bank, add on Gervinho and Mannone it's £35m. That's £70m of our 'war chest' gone but a side and squad that looks frightening not just for this year but for years to come.
It will never happen of course but I like to dream.
1.) Why flamini at RB he cian be used as cover there but not Sagan and jenko are available
The ghost of Terry Mancini's rumour replies
Oh come on get serious what are you thinking? This is yet another of those defeatist messages that riddle this site.
Bendtner one of our best players? Come on we all know the truth. He is more than that he is a talisman, Henry meets Bergkamp, as he modestly says the greatest striker in the world.
On the back of Djourrou (did anyone else think the Tony Adams of our time?), Chamakh (think Ian Wright), Santos (the power of Lauren, the speed and loyalty of Cole), and others we are in danger of ripping the heart and soul out of this once great club.
Good to see you back Charlie. Ignore he doubters, as ever you are ahead of your time and they will soon come to see you are spot on with your predictions. What Charlie didn't mention is we have closed the deal on one or two others, all of which will be done by the time we face Fulham.
Our starting team is going to be:
Casillas, Sagna, Koscielny, Hummels, Gibbs
Bender, Fabregas, Wilshere, Di Maria
Benzema, Suarez
All of this will be affordable without dipping too far into our savings as we are selling Nik for £99m (if Bale is worth £92m imagine what we'll get for the best player in the world? who is off to Spuds).
Charlie and I also saw in the tea leaves that I'm going to win this weeks euro millions and settle down with Jessica Alba, it's been real mixing with you but next week I'll have to message in from my yacht.
Well I've always liked Chocolate and this is no different. An excellent post. As you know doubt know these are just examples of some of the talent that is out there. So Arsene's lament that the players aren't out there is just rubbish. We have not had the will, the strategy, the skill, nor the basic willingness to do any business.
The ghost of Terry Mancini's banter replies
31 Aug 2017 18:46:44
Ed may technically be correct - but the general sense of the crisis at the club in this post is entirely right.
31 Aug 2017 18:51:37
'borders'? Taking it you are using the word in the same way that Hendrix bordered on being a great guitarist or the Beatles bordered on being successful? Less borders and more rampantly incompetent from top to bottom.
31 Aug 2017 18:48:11
Well we're going to let them catch up over the next two years for sure - and then they'll have the bigger stadium too.
31 Aug 2017 18:45:02
He's not a great pro sorry - he has played at 50% for the whole of 2017. You think he'll get any better forced to stay at a club in massive decline? Seems unlikely to me.
31 Aug 2017 17:53:09
Keeping Sanchez is nuts. He may have been our best . player (that says nothing) but his attitude stinks. No defender, no holding midfield player, no creative - the worst Arsenal team since the days of Terry Mancini!