Arsenal Rumours Archive December 17 2012

17 Dec 2012 23:28:54
5-2 good performance but Reading were equally poor defensivly as we were good going forward. Nervy for a little while when they scored those 2 in reply, but we did well to then calm the game back down and kill it off in the end.

Still do not like this 4-3-3 and against better sides it still does not cut it for me. The midfield 3 are just not physically strong enough or defensivly disiplined enough to work as a unit without the ball and I still think we would be too exposed against better sides. A proper DM is still needed.

What was clear tonight was that Walcott added that extra demension though with his pace and threat in behind playing up top. We do really need to keep him as he is the only one of our forwards that has that real top level pace with the ball. He keeps defenders on the back foot and stops sides pressing us to high.

Overall a good confidence boost and you can only beat what is put in front of you. Wigan next and now only 2 points behind 4th with much better goal diff than Spurs. A good run of results now and things will look alot more promising going into the new year.

My only concern though is that Wenger does not use a good mini run now as excuse not to buy In January as we still very much need to.

Yes, 6 points before jan will look much better. But its still wall paper covering serious cracks.

Too many bargain basement players. The death of arsenal has been when we have spent money we spent it on buys like Gervinho, Santos etc.

I do feel for Wenger because had players been fit - Rosicky, Diaby, RVP, Wilshere, Fabregas etc, we might not be in such a long drought.

But at the end of the day, this wage policy will never let us be a force in football. Until we change that, we are going to be forever complaining.

For people calling for wenger's head, do they honestly believe the wage policy is his policy or the boards??

I still trust in Wenger, but I am still critical of certain aspects. But we wont do better than him.

Must we always moan.... is that all we are good for anymore.

Please take a long hard look at our away support over the past few games; and follow their lead.

Excellent performance under IMMENSE pressure.

Billybob

Sounds like the rock we need before our defence !!

Well said BillyBob...the most stereotypical comment I hear from other clubs' fans are that we are ungrateful, spoilt and incapable of enjoying the moment...

ES

I think we always looked better in a 4-4-2 with a strong holding midfielder sitting in front of the back four. If we want to have to have deeper midfielders with one out and out striker we can play 4-1-4-1...with Walcott up front.

Don't see how our defence was poor. One goal yes. The other wilshere slipped and gave them a freebie!

Great performance. Let's do the same at wigan. 5 new signings and a win behind us!

17 Dec 2012 19:46:05
Hi Ed, any truth in the reports linking us with a £16.2 million pound move for Christian Eriksen this January? {Ed002's Note - Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Spurs, Inter and AC Milan have shown some level of interest in Eriksen in the past year or so. He has already rejected both Manchester City and Chelsea but AC Milan and Spurs remain the most interested clubs and Manchester City may well return for him again. Back in July the Milan Press Office were convinced of interest from Manchester United and they have let it be known that they expected a bid to be made by for Eriksen. Expect both Milan clubs and Roma to press if a bid is made by Manchester United. The player remains adament that he will stay in Amsterdam for18 more months before moving to Spain but would likely jump at the chance of a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona if the opportunity arises. Ajax will not let him run down his contract so a move beckons. With only limited options for January, I suspect the player would wish to see out the rest of the season at Ajax and see if he can attract attention from Spain.}

17 Dec 2012 19:19:26
ed posted saturday but you didnt reply do you know of any interest in ciaran clark at villa a really promising young central defender who can also play in midfield {Ed002's Note - There is none I know of.}

17 Dec 2012 16:13:02
Eds, is there any truth behind the el sheraaway links? I.e. is wenger really considering a bid or will turn out to be another 'hazard' situation?
I believe he would be a class signing.
Thanks
Waq {Ed002's Note - Clubs such as PSG and Cologne have shown an interest in El Shaarawy over the past year but it is Real Madrid and possibly Arsenal who may well look to strike a deal with Milan sooner rather than later. They have no intention of selling. I somehow doubt a move to Arsenal.}

17 Dec 2012 15:37:13
Demba Ba looks like the most likely addition, prem experience, cheap at 7.5mil. He's also calling for Arsenal to buy him, saying he knows we need a striker.

El Sharaawy is a no-go to be honest, he is a Milan fan, and contracted till 2017. He is also there most prolific goalscorer. Why would Milan sell in January?

OG12

17 Dec 2012 23:38:59
He will cost a lot more than gbp7.5 , even his agent gets an extra 5! His knee will go ....he is not a gooner

17 Dec 2012 14:42:40
ED,is there a chance of arsenal buying zaha and then loaning him back to crystal palace for the rest of the season. {Ed002's Note - I would doubt it.}