The players that Arsenal still need to ensure success
A Fine Line Between Arsenal and Success? by Abdul
After having a look at Arsenal’s squad last season and this season, it is evident there are a few minor changes Arsenal need in order to become the formidable force they once were. The defensive errors and costly mistakes at the back have been eradicated to some extent, with all the praise going to Steve Bould. It has been great seeing Arsenal play in a way where we can feel confident we dont have to score 4 goals in one game in order to get a feeling that Arsenal may come away with 3 points from a game. The good old 1-0 to the Arsenal phase seems to have returned and with Arsenal’s proven ability of scoring goals, there are some promising signs ahead for us Arsenal fans.
On the other hand, success at Arsenal has eluded us time and time again, whether it be injuries, mistakes or simply not being good enough. Arsenal have failed to win silverware for 7 years and it is evident that fans are getting impatient. However, I feel looking at the players in the Arsenal squad, we are just a few transfers away from success.
Arsenal’s defence has been great, but once injuries hit, things may get ugly. Therefore i would like to see Djourou and Squillaci leave in order to allow Wenger to bring in at least one top centre half. The defender that would fit perfect in the system Arsenal are trying to deploy is the likes of Sakho who is young and down the pecking order at PSG.
Arsenal have a lot of competition and depth in their midfield with almost 10 players able to play once they are all fit. We currently have Wilshere, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Frimpong, Ramsey and Rosicky. As nice as it is to see so many names, the more players we have, the more upset some players will become after sitting on the bench. If Arsenal were to part ways with Ramsey and Rosicky and bought in one more midfielder, they will see what it is like to be winning trophies again. I do rate the two players mentioned, however they aren’t quite what Arsenal need. If they bring in a defensive midfielder in the mould of Cheik Tiote, we will have 8 midfielders fighting for four or five places on the pitch meaning we will have cover for each player but also players with the quality required in an Arsenal line up. Also allowing Arsenal to fill the void that Alex Song has left. This will create a mix of strong, positive and creative minded players and would all be able to play the Arsenal way.
The final change I would like to see is for Arsenal to permanently ship out Bendtner, Chamakh and Park Ju Young and to bring in one striker. Who ? A striker with an eye for a goal, a great touch and one of the best finishers around. Ok, so it’s too late to sign Berbatov, but if Arsenal were to sign a Benzema or a Higuain, it would be a welcoming addition to the squad.
Wow,thats the most wishfull post I have ever read.No thought was put into what the signed players would want.Why would Sakho leave the PSG bench to go sit on the Arsenal bench? Why would Tiote leave a starting berth to sit on the Arsenal bench? Didnt you learn anything from the Mirallas situation were he chose to go to Everton even though Arsenal wanted him,because at Everton,he can play regularly.Wake up and evaluate the statements you make,this is real life and not football manager.By the way,how can you say Ramsey and Rosicky are not good enough.Ramsey was our highest chance creator last season,and he only played most of the first half of the season.Rosicky,I cant even begin to tell you how wrong you are about him.Then you want them replaced by Cheik Tiote? One player in midfield wont stop us conceeding goals,a collective unit will.To everyone out there crying out for signings and saying the board just wants money in their pockets,Everyone on Every board at Every club gets paid.This club is paying for a fricking STADIUM without huge commercial deals to help pay it off.When it is paid off and we get new deals,ticket prices will drop,we will be able to buy anyone we want if we dont find a replacement within.So be considerate,we have an academy for a reason,why spend on expensive players who will leave the club in future,when we can make our own.
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thanks for ur comment i think rosicki was one of our best player last season so i don’t think we need to buy any more u are very right.
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no one wants to come and sit on the bench except at, city,psg or where money is the driving force and motive.
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not 3 players i think v just lack one good striker……… who can shoot from distance rest of the team is perfect
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Why would you want a striker that can shoot from distance, its an oddly specific quality – why not just sign a midfielder that can shoot.
Just trust in Giroud when he gets that first goal, goals will come regular – he gets in fantastic positions. It took Thierry 8 games to score his first goal…
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We have only one regular striker (with two possible replacements, one already on the 1st team roster!), but all you ask for is another goalie! We still have three of those in the 1st team, and Mannone is good enough to keep Szczesny going. Let’s focus on getting a good sub forward and proper replacements for the key players that will leave in the future.
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Szczesny needs tougher competition. A goalkeeper of his age shouldn’t be allowed to think his position is safe for the next 10+ years – Manonne or fabianski will never reach shez’s level.
I can’t see any of the current crop of players wishing to leave, possibly koscielny at a stretch. Players like Gnarby, Chuba and Miquel and others can provide cover – these players are destroying the u21 league.
As for signing a forward we can rotate our front 3 between possibly 8 players at my count. As long as the midfield performs, no matter who is upfront for arsenal will have chances.
But in the interest of debate, who would you suggest we signed? – bare in mind it has to be a signing that would be liable to come and at a decent price
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I’m not stupid enough to list any names – we all know how devious Wenger is when it comes to locating and signing prospective stars. I guess it’s also too early – some people, like M’Vila, are going to have to prove their worth this season, others, like those numerous 16- and 17-years olds Arsenal are tracking, will only have emerged by next summer.
As for the goalkeeping situation: first of all, Szczesny isn’t the 8th wonder yet. He still has a lot to learn, and he knows it. It would probably be perfect to have someone like Friedel around, but a good goalkeeping coach usually suffices. I don’t expect him to rest on his laurels just because he doesn’t have another regular international by his side. He also knows full well that each blunder will be publicized and will hurt him a lot, and not only the team.
Second, to put things in perspective: look at Valdes and Casillas. Both emerged as 1st team regulars without much competition, their backup being obviously below par (Jorquera, Pinto, etc. v. the two Sanchezes). Both showed great talent and quickly made the XI for nearly every game. Both are still out there and still among the best. Having competition isn’t the only (nor the best) way to ensure your player’s going to develop.
Third, you’re writing Fabianski and Mannone off too soon. Both are quite reliable players. Neither is above making blunders, but is Szczesny? I feel you’re exaggerating his current abilities just as much as so many Arsenal (and England) fans exaggerate Wilshere’s worth as a player. Both are still just young professionals.
Talking about imminent departures, I wasn’t thinking of anyone in particular, nor of people “wishing” to leave, but if you want me to name examples, I’d go for Vermaelen, Walcott, Sagna, Rosicky, Arteta, Djourou, Fabianski. These are the players who I think are *the most likely* to leave Arsenal during the next two summer transfer windows. It often isn’t a question of loyalty, but simply of the club needing to free new funds, mind you, so I’m not trying to offend anyone here. Of these, Walcott and Rosicky seem to me to be the most interested in moving elsewhere. With Theo, it’s a no brainer, but Rosicky’s simply getting too old and would benefit from a homecoming – rejoining Sparta Prague, he’ll be of great value for the Czechs, while we can easily cover for his departure, with Eisfeld at the ready.
Koscielny is among the least likely to leave anytime soon. First of all, he has, I guess, the longest contract; second, he’s not a hot young prospect anymore; third, if anything, he’s our best replacement in case Vermaelen does leave.
As for forwards – I disagree. 8? How? We play with one lone striker and two wingers. We have 4 players who can play on the left wing comfortably (Podolski, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Gervinho), 4 on the right (Walcott, Gervinho, Cazorla, Chamberlain), but that’s only 5 players in all (with 1 engaged in attacking midfield), and only one of them has actually played as a striker at any time recently (Podolski). For out-and-out strikers, we only have Giroud and Chamakh. In other words, an injury to Giroud would mean Podolski would have to move to the centre; if he suffers an injury, we’re forced to play Chamakh again. Even if you factor Arshavin in, he’s still only a left winger or 2nd striker – I can hardly imagine him playing CF (i don’t think he ever has). In sum, then, we do have 8 players to cover our entire front line, but only 3 of those can be called strikers. Offloading the underperforming Chamakh and coming up with a good backup for Giroud in return is one of the tasks Wenger has yet to face. It also seems far more important to have an appropriate cover for the man who’s so vital to our front line than to add even more decent cover for a player whom we can replace with some ease.
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You misunderstand me, I agree with what your saying – especially about Szczesny, he is nowhere near immune from blunders. In fact I had him at fault for a few goals towards the back end of last season, I feel sometimes his positional sense is off. Without righting Mannone and Fabianski off both keepers have made high profile errors when covering for Szczesny, its at this point they should be looking to have fantastic games. With regards to freidel I also agree which is why I listed Craig Gordon – a currently teamless goalkeeper that could do a job, for probably a low wage just for a few years.
I try not to compare the Spanish league as it is so poor. The top 2 are so good that the goalkeeper becomes less important.
I said at a stretch Koscielny, I don’t think he’ll leave but Vermaelen has just signed a new 5 year deal and most of the first team players now appear as though they want to be there. Second string players can choose to leave if they want our u21 players look great and it won’t be long before most are pushing for first team chances.
Somewhat haphazardly I am counting wide players possibly filling a void in the center role if needed. Theo and Podolski could def fit in then throw in Chamakh – who when given a run two seasons ago scored 8 in 9 (roughly). Most of Arsenals play is centered around passing through midfield, so like Spain in the euro finals arsenal could play without a recognised striker, only in dire circumstance anyway.
In terms of signing someone, whilst admitedly not knowing enough about(or if Arsenal were even truly interested) M’Baye Niang seemed like a decent enough signing. A young good prospect that if it doesn’t work out we haven’t wasted too much money on.
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Ticket prices will drop!!
what planet are you on. you think they will drop the ticket prices when we are paying them already?why would they need to when we are already in hook line and sinker. all your other points are valid enough though.
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How many players do people bloody want? it is very rarely that a club needs more than a squad of 27 which is how many we have in our first team squad now. on top of that we have anpther 7-10 top young players who will help out in the capital one and fa cups. last season with all our injuries only 20 plauers made more than 10 appearances.
with the new 4132 formation that bouldy is pushing on wenger we have plenty of options all over the park. there is nothing wrong with our 3 keepers. no decent team has two top keepers of the top 7 clubs only spurs now have 2 top keepers and look at the problems they have already after one weekend. take the champions they have hart, who is the real challenger? pantillimon? wright? neilssen? so no change needed for us either we have 5 good keepers! in defence we have 2 good players for each of the 4 positions. plus we have the.likes of miquel squillaci yennaris angha boateng meade who can do a decent enough job if needed. ok may be not squillaci but djourou is a damn good 4th chpice centre back. perhaps a versatile defender like yanga-mbwia to replace the squid that is all. the sole dm role is now arteta’s and in coquelin frimpong eastmond and yennaris u have 4 good young players age 19-21 who can provide top support. for the attacking midfield we have wilshire diaby cazorla chamberlain rosicky arshavin ramsey eisfeld aneke henderson and gnabry 11 players that i would have no problem in fielding in most matches. if one or two were to be replaced it would be arshavin and rosicky because their contracts are running down and age is not on their side. once again rosicky is proving that his brief return to fitness and form has resulted in a wrong decision in offering him too long a contract. so to the forward line for me its giroud and podolski with walcott gervinho chamakh and even watt in the running. however seeing as 3 of those are in a tetchy situation regarding contracts again this is the main area that needs sprting. so in summary its still the likes of
squillaci
arshavin
rosicky
chamakh
walcott
watt
plus may be eastmond & fabianski (again due to contract situations) that are the most likely departures. though i wpuld like to see denilson bendtner and park off the pay roll permanently.
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Bould hasn’t pushed any formation on Wenger, we are still playing the same formation as last season – 3 mid, 2 wide and a lone striker – all positions interchangable.
Whilst I agree with strength through the squad, it still remains if you look at the top 4 and chelsea from last season their replacement keepers are: Pantimilmon, lindegaard, Manonne/fabianski, lloris/gomes/friedal and hilario.
Yes the second choice keeper doesn’t have to be strong, but their first choice keepers are stronger than ours. They are the tops of their field. Szczesny development will be stunted without competition
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Could have signed Matias Suarez after being linked with him since last year. But I would like to see Isco from Malaga at Arsenal. I dont see Arshavin and Rosicky playing for the Gunners for much long now. Isco would be a very nice fit with players like Afobe, Eisfeld, Aneke, Miquel, and the others from the reserves making up the numbers. It would be a dream to afford someone like Falcao
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Funny how so many people commenting seem to be more realistic and knowledgeable than the clearly deluded blogger and this is not the 1st idiotic post iv seen from him
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Please enough of writing for writing sakes. is this really an article or an attempt to fill spaces. Why would you ever think Sakho will be half as good as a Johan Djourou if he stays on the bench for a good part of 2 seasons? Djourou IS THE BEST 4th POSITION center back in EUROPE. Sakho wont take that position. He is 5rd position so if anything happens to any of PSGs center back he will play. And you expect him to leave that and be 4th place at Arsenal? It will never happen. And guess what? we have 3 internationals and class defenders fighting for 2 centre back positions. What more can we be asking for in defence. In FACT i challenge ANYONE to tell me a BETTER 5th placed centre back in EUROPE better than the much maligned SQUILLACHI!!!! Look this defence only needs daily improvements in training and NOT any stupid addition of any player anywhere in the world.
Now i have just heard the most ridiculous thing ever. Aaron Ramsey for Cheik Tiote? Wow. Do you know anything about this game at all? Let me tell you, Ramsey is a tad short of the defensive abilities of Tiote. But then passes? Creativity? Work rate? he IS mile above Tiote. Rosicky and Tiote? God forbid i will just assume that was a typo and that you were going to say craig eastmond. You cant mean Thomas Rosicky. NO you cant. That will be the height of disrespect. i’m sure Newcastle will easily swap Tiote and cabaye for him without thinking.
YES and most definitely, Arsenal needs a central striker. And i can imagine Arsene Wenger’s mindset at this time. He has Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski is a very competent deputy. Chamakh? Great player but Arsenal FC are so much in a hurry for honors we cant wait for him to get his long lost confidence back. So he should be loaned, sold, released, sacked, whatever. But do you notice he wasnt on the bench on sunday? if anything had happened to Giroud in that game its Theo Walcott that’ll replace him. Wenger knows so well he needs a ball playing and intelligent striker, i’m 100% sure he has one in mind already, because he is aware that in certain games you need a Luiz Suarez, RVP, Benzema sort of striker and he will like to try Theo Walcott in that role and he’s given him till january to prove himself. I heard he plays in that role in training now. So if he comes through, we will give him what he wants and sign him, if he doesn’t we will flog him in january and a player who is versatile (i.e best played in the wings but can play centrally as well) will be bought, because Wenger have reserved that role for a certain Joel Campbell and benik Afobe to back up Giroud and Podolski. Arsenal will replace Walcott with a winger and will hope campbell and Afobe will step up and i’m sure they will. I’m also still looking out for Sylva Wellinton, Sanchez Watt and Chuba Akpom to also spring surprises. I am quite excited about Arsenal today and future.
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This is probably the most badly timed blog ever.
3 months of speculation and debate and you come up with this 4 days after the window has closed
Lets hope you not in charge of playing someone’s lottery every week.
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God will definitl punish all board and trustes of arsenal except usmanov……..God punish wenger too for allowing them dictate for him……..they want to use average players to win the league,and when those average players try their best for a season or two,then they will feel the club does not have ambition……..has the likes of liverpool,chelsea,man-utd,man-city run into administration all dis years they are spending money to buy players……..but they have collect atleast a cup per season coz they buy quality players with good money……..just wish I could change club
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