All we currently have is a starting 11. Every other big team have large squads that they can rotate with no serious issues. When we lost our left backs the other day, we had to play a young, unproven right back out of position. Instead of marquee signings, i feel we should address the lack of depth. Squad players are invaluable, and we seem to lack them now.
You do seem a little short in some areas and I do feel it will come back and haunt you later in the season but I hope you make it an interesting title race because I like Arsenal more than our other title rivals.
I think managers hanging on too long isn't always a good thing. Someway back I recall it being said of George Graham that he let the team grow old. Today Arsenal has let the team be depleted of it's strength and experience. Going back to my car analogy, Arsene has a blow up in his 3000cc car. So instead of getting the same engine he goes for a 2000cc. Hey it's cheaper, drinks less and he has money left over from the insurance. Silly man.
'Strength in depth' an analogy might be - Arsenal's squad is to Jordan's IQ. Both make money - on the face of it both are attractive, look a bit deeper and its all fat and only boobs.
Any chance you could remove it off general chat please Syd.I keep on telling people not to do it and just put threads on the Arsenal board
If we were not good enough with Cesc and Samir, what makes Wenger think we can win anything without them?
??? So we don't need a decent no2 keeper, at least 1 centre half, a decent midfielder who can tackle and pass, a proper striker to play with RVP, an offensive midfielder to give us creativity ???
I cannot imagine our manager willing to risk our performance in such a manner. I'm not even talking success since silverware would be impossible with our depleted squad. Arsene may have players that will be our future but the dire need we have is right now. We simply do not have the equipment to go up against the three who finished above us last year and those who have designs on that fourth place, at least one of them.... the one we'll meet tomorrow. It s difficult to fathom what is in Arsene's thinking but David Dein's call to fans will go unheeded if the manager he brought in steers this current course which leads to nowhere but downhill.
Chesney / Fabianski Sagna / Jenkinson Vermaelen / Koscielny / Djourou / SQUILLACI Gibbs / Traore Song / Frimpong Wilshere / Diaby / ROSICKY Ramsey / NO-ONE Theo / Gervinho / Arshavin / Miyaichi / Oxo RvP / Chamakh / Bendtner / Campbell That's the squad. The weak areas are CB where Squillaci simply isn't good enough, leaving only 3 players, and midfield, where Rosicky isn't good enough, and Wilshere & Diaby are currently injured. Leaving just one player - Ramsey. If he gets injured at the weekend, the team is officially in crisis. At absolute minimum one new CM is needed. In addition, a CB would be nice.
A new CB for cover would be nice (i'm quite happy with TV/Kosc as our main pairing) and also a top quality creative midfield player and a Striker to rival RVP. That's all we need really. A creative CM is the most important addition to the squad though imo. Vertonghen for me would be the ideal signing and would be very happy if we got him in to the club. As he would cover the back line and DM positions. Then we just need a Fabregas replacement and if possible a striker. I wonder how much truth is in the Zarate rumour?
Well if everyone on here had their way our squad would be a whole lot smaller, thered be no almunia, no bendtner, no rosicky, no diaby, no squillaci, no chamakh no fabianski no arshavin make your minds up! you either want players gone or you want a big squad which is it!?!?! Chesney / Sagna / Jenkinson Vermaelen / Koscielny / Djourou / Gibbs / Traore Song / Frimpong Wilshere Ramsey Theo / Gervinho / Miyaichi / Oxo RvP / Campbell That would be our team if everyone got their wish
That squad would struggle to stay in the top 4 whilst winning nothing. Why should we accept such mediocrity when there is now a transfer kitty around £100Mill available. Wenger has to get his finger out in the transfer market or go.
I think Wenger will still bring in another couple of players. Not sure which positions he will end up bringing in though. Give him until the end of the transfer window though before judging how he has done. How many signings would he need to make for you to feel happy with the team then?
Surely part of Arsenals problem was down to a high wage bill? We've lost: Fabregas(£30m) probably ..Nasri (£22m) Eboue (£5m) Denilson (Loan) possibly... Bendtner (£8m) and Vela (?) That gives us room to add(and have no wage issues): Cahill Mata Benzema That would make me happy. -----------------Sczezney------------------- Sagna---Koscielney---Cahill--Vermaelen Walcott----Wilshere----Ramsey----Mata ----------VanPersie ------------------Benzema Subs: Arshavin, Gervinho, Song, Diaby, Djourou, Gibbs, Almunia. Strong team - with good options on the bench.
I would like to see 3 quality experienced signings e.g Mata, Vertongen & Benzema or similar, this would be possible with the funds avaialable but i have no faith in Wenger anymore and i can't see him signing such quality as it appears to be against his principles.
