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02 Sep 2016 13:44:58
While I think that finding a central defender was important, I think that Xhaka was the most necessary piece of business for the team in this window, and I find it puzzling that a number of people, news outlets, pundits considered the purchase excessive.
Last season when Cazorla was injured, we were worryingly poor at transitioning from defence to attack and when teams pressed us high up the field, which they increasingly did, we found it far too difficult to break through our opponent's midfielders to get the ball to our danger men. For an attacking team like Arsenal, where defensive strategy plays second fiddle to our attack, to not be able to regularly get the ball past midfield was simply not good enough - there was always the threat that teams could win the ball back or intercept stray passes to counter-attack the back four, and we looked weak in area where we should've been strong.
While Wilshere's decided to play elsewhere, we did and do have a well-stocked midfield, but none of them seemed able to do what Cazorla did so effectively before he was injured. With his quick feet, quick turning circle and accurate passing, he could turn midfielders and feed the attack, while none of Coquelin, Elneny, (then) Flamini, or in my opinion Ramsey could play the same deep creative role - I think that Ramsey is a good player, but for me his passes are often too risky to be made in deep areas and his intelligent runs are pretty useless as a deep playmaker, so I prefer to see him in the final third.
With Cazorla now thirty one and with no-one else to replace him in that role if he gets injured, I think that Xhaka was more necessary than a striker or a winger, and arguably a central defender (though I concede that some people won't agree there) . I think that Wenger bought him as a replacement for Arteta that is (hopefully) better at defending - someone that can protect the back line like Coquelin but is also creative and accurate enough with his passing to start attacks from deep, which is essential for a team like Arsenal.
There's little point buying Higuain to wait in the box if we keep losing the ball in midfield.
1.) 02 Sep 2016 18:54:00
Fantastic post roverston, completely agree with your analysis. I'm looking forward to some great football this season coming. Wenger is disgracefully mocked as a football coach, and I think he's targeted very wisely types of player to improve our overall control of games in different scenarios. Xhaka was first pick in his role, and snapped up quick, and I'm delighted for the reasons you give.
2.) 02 Sep 2016 20:08:21
Good analysis and our level definitely dropped while Cazorla was out of the team like you said Cazorla was the best equipped at getting that head up quick turning and finding a through pass to get the attacks going quick enough. Hopefully Xhaka can be similar. I kind of see him as a cross between Le Coq and Cazorla. Ramsey is definitely much better further forward as he makes good late runs, definitely not deep lying same with Wilshire. Elneny is good but more box to box power runner with the ball so better alongside a Cazorla or Xhaka. Le coq is more no nonsense DM but has not got that same quick vision as Cazorla so is needed when we need more physicality in the game to match the oppostion.
Yes for me Xhaka or Cazorla have to start every game if fit so rotate between them with either Elneny or Le Couq alongside depending on the situation. Ramsey can rotate with one of the wide men or Ozil.
3.) 02 Sep 2016 20:30:22
Top post Rover.
4.) 03 Sep 2016 00:46:40
Ramsay was better in the cazorla role when beside arteta - it really is a partnership. Cazorla was great with Le coq and hopefully builds something beautiful white xhaka! The partnership is so important.
None better than viera - petit, then viera - Gilberto.
01 Sep 2013 02:35:12
morning eds,
would there happen to be any knowledge (even some educated speculation really) that you'd be willing to share regarding transfers?
while i'd be keen to know what's going on with mata/draxler, if there's even anything going on, i'd be particularly interested in anything you'd be able to share regarding the positions that are hoping to be bolstered.
thanks {Ed044's Note - I can't help mate.}
09 Aug 2016 00:58:44
The Barn, thank you kindly. I prefer to see both sides of things, and I agree that unquestioning optimism feels insipid and it's altogether pretty feeble. I take your point that they're realists, or attempt to display more grounded opinions, and I think that some comments are good, valid points, but when the realist takes every opportunity to hammer home his realistic take, when he clubs you over the head with his realism, when he whispers in your ear 'No chance, I knew we'd bottle it', or 'Wenger's done it again, just like last time', when their realism focuses largely on what's wrong rather than what's right, then I think they become more than just realists, they become negative.
Steve, I have noticed your knack of taking what someone has said, or in this case their username, and misspelling it in the hope that it discredits them. It's a touch silly, don't you think? I don't think it's necessary. Those weren't intended to be specific examples, they were meant to prove a point about how some people on the site tend to manipulate good news, however small, into a grander negative narrative, and how they go about it.
I signed up solely to tell you (not just you, Steve) to just chill out a bit more, because most people who visit this site don't comment, they just read, and there must be a fair few people that're getting a bit sick of it, and they won't sign up, they won't be encouraged to join in, they just won't come back.
Anyway, who's super excited to see Takuma Asano in action this season, amirite? (Don't worry Malaga, that was a joke too)
{Ed007's Note - And the Pretentious Person Of The Year award goes to......
08 Aug 2016 17:01:54
To be clear, my post wasn't an attack. In their right place I value negative opinions as much as positive ones, even if I don't necessarily agree with them. I just think that recently it's gone a bit far.
And Malaga, that one was for comedy value, just, you know, to lighten things up a bit, but whoosh, it went right over your head. It's alright. Doesn't matter.
08 Aug 2016 02:37:38
Banbury, Steve, et al, your cynicism is spilling into the realm of comedy. I'm led to suppose that you hawk the site for positive comments, and then, when you find one, you lick your lips, you rub your hands, you relish the thrill of suffocating that rare and beautiful thing - an Arsenal fan's hope - with your premature pessimism. I understand - Arsene's hurt you real bad in the past, and you don't dare to entertain hope for the fear you'll be crushingly disappointed when we finish fourth and win the League Cup, but abject pessimism is not the answer, friends.
It's healthy to be critical - and by God, at times the club, manager and players deserve it - but it's not so healthy to smear each comment, each 'Walcott's goal was decent', each 'Holding looks solid', each 'Let's give Sanogo another chance. ', with your gloopy, and frankly quite tiring, negativity.
Take up squash. Have a nice, hot bath. Throw javelins at a life-size cut-out of our Lord and Saviour, Arsene Wenger. Do what you need to do to get loose. You'll feel better, and I'll feel better for not having to skim-read your bitterness.
Until next time,
As a back-up/bench player I think he'd be good, especially with the injuries to the team. He did well for Lille last season, can play both wings and is at present playing as a centre-forward for Lille. Apparently he has a release clause of a couple of million. What's not to like?
Obviously the caveat would be that Kalou shouldn't be a first-team signing.
Just because the fans want it doesn't mean it's the best for the club. Most, if not all of you, including me for that matter, haven't actually got a clue what's going on at the club.
Shushh yourselves and watch the games.
James R.,
nice post man, well reasoned.