21 Aug 2013 11:15:50
Hi all,

Spurs fan in peace.

As much as I would love to gloat, we've been in the boat that you've been in on more than one occasion, so I totally appreciate how frustrating it is. Especially when there has been a reported £70m war chest available and it's not being used.

With the reports coming through that Wenger said he doesn't have to explain himself to anyone, I wanted to get your thoughts on this. The fans, the people who pay for season tickets (the most expensive in the league), the shirts, every bit or memorabilia, I think he 100% needs to explain himself and his plans to you guys. Do you think he's losing the fans and is he really the right man to move you on to winning trophies and titles again?

I see that you've been linked with Pogba, but in an ideal world who would you like to sign (realistically)?

You have some very good players, Wilshire, Vermalaen when he's fit, Podolski, Carzola and the Ox which isn't a bad spine to build your team around. But This is one time I really think you need wholesale changes. RB Sagna isn't the player he was. Mertersaker is still very questionable for me, he can play brilliantly, or he can have a shocker, LB Gibbs needs a better player to learn from. RW Walcott, I think should be moved through the middle a la Henry, so you need somebody else to come in there if the Ox is played on the left. CM you've been lacking since Cesc left. Arteta is a good player, but he doesn't have the guile and craft of Fabregas, maybe Alonso? CF I think you need that world class forward, you missed out on Villa in January, and you need somebody like Ibrahimovic (obviously not him because of cost etc), but maybe Dzeko, I don't think he's firmly in at City with the signings they've made.

There is a lot to be done and the strength in depth this year, is the weakest I've seen an Arsenal team looking for a long long time. This is looking from an outsider, and what I think.

I would like to know your thoughts. I really hope you do strengthen and don't panic buy so that the derbys can be as competitive as before.

Thanks, and all the best for the season, whatever the transfer window brings.

{Ed022's Note - Thanks for your post Dom, its nice to have a football chat rather than slag each other off constantly...}

1.) 21 Aug 2013
Hi Dom,

I'd like the following given we apparently had £70m - £100m ish and have brought in around £15m in sales(?) -

Begovic - £15m
Sakho - £8m
Guilavogui - £10m
Lamela - £30m
Jackson Martinez - £35m

Think that pretty much fits into our budget and prices are realistic targets.

More realistically though I'd settle for -
Begovic, Sakho, Guilavogui and Benteke for around £60m.

{Ed022's Note - I'd be happy for Begovic, Sakho, Fellaini and Lamela...}

2.) 21 Aug 2013
Good post Dom. You are right that Arsenal have weaknesses all over the pitch, and realistically, this is the weakest team that Arsene Wenger has ever had (last season was marginally stronger than this one).

Spurs have been knocking on the door for a couple of years now. looks like this year levy has decided to go all out and knock the door down. AVB seems to be a positive effect on his players (although his voice really iritates me to the point where I mute him when he is on tv).

Realistically, Arsenal can't buy any top players unless they spend a lot more money than they ever have done - and seeing as Arsene Wenger is totally out of touch with the modern market, it seems very unlikely.

I am fully expecting us to sign a defender like Hangeland (2 years too late), maybe bring M'villa out of that 3rd world he is in (2-3 years too late), and then sign a striker from france. possibly Ayew. nobody of real star quality anyway.

Spurs are looking very strong contenders for top 4 this season, and we are not.

cheers

{Ed022's Note - Ahhh this is nice! Spurs and Arsenal fans having a sensible chat about football without an insult in sight! Can't we all just get along?!}

3.) 21 Aug 2013
Isn't Spurs and Arsenal fans engaging in sensible debate one of the first signs of the apocalypse.

The end is nigh people.

{Ed022's Note - You been reading that Mayan calendar again Mhc?}

4.) 21 Aug 2013
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Because Wenger's hands have been tied for so long due to your stadium, he's still in the mindset he can get top quality players for £8m tops. That's not the world we live in these days.

Here are my thoughts of where I really think Arsenal should strengthen and players I think would help at least maintain the level you've been playing at.

GK - Begovic or Cesar
RB - I don't think Richards. Not enough game time and too injury prone, no real improvement on Sagna. Possibly Debuchy, Espinoza.
CB - Lescott, Pepe, Alderweireld
LB - Shaw, Kolarov
RM - Sinclair
CM - Maloney, Cabaye
CF - Dzeko, Javier Hernandez.

I think all of those would be realistic targets for you. No issues with wages and transfer funds. Possibly £80-90m outlay. Take off what you've sold etc over the last few years, then you're probably looking at little or no net spend.

Then you could line up:

Begovic
Espinoza, Vermalaen, Lescott, Kolarov
Cabaye, Arteta
Sinclair, Walcott, The Ox
Hernandez

Not a bad line up and more than achievable.

5.) 21 Aug 2013
I don't think lescott, kolarov or sinclair would be improvements on the starting 11 (but they would be good squad players, to add depth) - hernandez and cabaye would be decent signings though, Hernandez is really wasting away at man utd. deserves more.

Unfortunately, the players spurs are being linked with, like lamela, would be available for arsenal aswell, if arsenal were willing to spend the money.
Vertonghen afterall, only joined spurs over arsenal because Arsenal wanted to play him as a DM rather than a CB. Shame. He was a great signing for spurs, although his pace (with dawson) is a massive weak point (just like ours with mertesacker).

Richards your right. too many injuries. can't help but feel if he played a full season injury free, he would be immense.

{Ed022's Note - I honestly think the same regarding Richards, if he's fit he can be a beast. That's the problem, if he was fit....}

6.) 21 Aug 2013
The sad truth is you can get quality players for cheap, see Michu/Coutinho/Sturridge. The 3 would deeply strengthen the squad and bought for less than 25m last year.

I would raise another issue with Arsensl that the scouting for hidden gems are no longer there. Obviously Hig, Suarez and co are visibly good but such are expensive.

I am sure that if the 3 above signed for Arsenal they would get more games than not.

They show that cheaper gems are available for Arsene to sign but as the eds say there is just a general lack of spending, maybe a deeper problem.

The players are there but Arsene and the Board aren't willing to overspend; admirable but also unsuccessful. Paulinho would walk into your team, as would Mignolet, Wanyama and so many other players that would have improved your team.

Looking as an outsider it is just sad to see you guys doing badly.