The Arsenal Board has a comparison of their team with Liverpool - they seem confident that they are a little ahead. They look very similar to me. I've tried to pick a 25 man squad from Chelsea, us, Liverpool and Arsenal and get 8 Chelsea players, 8 Spurs, 5 Arsenal and 4 Liverpool. I think that Chelsea have greater depth than us, Liverpool are about the same and Arsenal have less depth. I rate our manager the lowest, tactically, but I still think we ought to have enough to get 4th.
I think that Chelsea are comfortably ahead of the rest of us, as long as Villas-Boas can handle the job. The other three teams are probably not that far apart, so it could come down to how lucky each team is with injuries or how well us and the Goons handle European football this season. I'm hoping that we get back enough players to be able to rest our entire first XI for the Europa League games, which will allow us to keep squad players fit and happy, while also keeping our main ones fresh. That could be key.
Cech Reina Gomes (or Friedel) Sagna Johnson Ivanovic Luiz King Terry Vermaelen Cole Assou-Ekottu Sandro Parker Essien Mikel Modric Wilshere Bale Gervinho Gerrard Van der Vaart Drogba Van Persie Suarez
My system is 4-2-1-2-1 so doesn't need many out and out strikers. Modric as front midfielder, Bale and Gerrard behond Drogba
Gerrard hasn't been good for about 2 years, also not quite sure how Mikel gets in that team over Mata, Lucas, Ramires or even Arteta
You're probably right - but this won't alter the general point of the thread - I was reluctant to post my actual choice because it wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but I think you get seven or eight Spurs players in there however you think of it.
I think that parker is a slightly strange choice would much prefer Adam in that position, But very interesting idea. Arsenal, in my eyes, are still the weakest of the three. Its a tight one between liverpool and spurs and i still think Chelsea have the edge over us
I'd agree with most of that. I expect the top 3 to be City, Utd, and Chelski. With, possibly City edging it this season. The race for 4th spot looks pretty even. As has been said, it will be down to a combination of, luck with injuries, especially, to decide who gets there.
Arsenal haven't bought in any guts and desire, the main reason they have blown out for the past few years and their squad is weaker, without question. Also Wenger looks a broken man. As long as VB doesn't try and change things too quickly Chelsea are nailed on 3rd. Liverpool look good, but (barring the Caroll injury) have had zero setbacks yet. Over a season they WILL happen. It remains to be seen how they deal with them. Also they have Gerrard to return. As long as we keep our strikers fit, and properly use the depth of our squad, not overplaying "favourites," we have as much chance as the other two of getting that top four berth. The fitness of VDV and Modric's motivation are also key for us.
How do you judge guts and desire? Now we have two senior internationals like Mertesacker and Park. Why do these guys and the other 3 we brought have no 'guts' and 'desire'? Is our squad weaker? Arteta for Fabregas - Weaker. Per Mertesacker for Squillaci - Stronger Gervinho for Nasri - Not sure yet. Santos for Clichy - Not sure too. Park for Bendtner - Stronger Yossi for Vela - Stronger.
To be fair, parker aside we suffer from a lack of leadership on the pitch ourselves. Mertesacker, I give you, might help, but positively affecting the game as a whole from full-back is not the easiest thing in the world. You have to agree though, surely, that it was only guts and desire that stopped you winning something last year, or the year before? It was a lack of it that made you surrender a 4-0 lead to an average Newcastle team and lose the Carling Cup. Technically your side is amongst the best, but their temperment and therefore their game as a whole is fragile. The loss of Nasri and CF has not been sufficiently dealt with, just as Viera's never was. Yossi and Arteta wouldn't have got near your team 2 or 3 years ago. If you think you are as strong, fine. Time will tell. But Wenger has never looked as under pressure as he does right now.
I think we are starting to see Wenger change the team back to his old style. We are seeing more proper wingers in the squad. Guys like Gervinho are what you call wingers unlike Nasri. Also our two new kids are also out and out wingers. So its different. So no, we have no replaced Nasri with a similar type of player but replaced by someone different in Gervinho. How do you replace Fabregas? They can't be many better then him or on the same level. I personally hope that the team become more solid as a group and defend better for a start. Then you can attack with guys like Areta,Wilshere,Gervinho,Walcott and Van Persie. Also Per is a CB so he can affect the game from there. You would hope that with all the games he has played for a side like Germany he will bring something different to the side.
I think it still remains to be seen how Arsenal's new signings settle in. What would worry me, if I were a fan, is Wenger. He doesn't look happy- almost, a bit in shock. Whether that is down to a serious difference of opinion with the new owner, or a sudden realisation that he's actually got it wrong - I don't know. As for Mertesacker, he may have looked impressive for Germany, but he didn't look too good at WHL. If he gets turned, he seems to be ****ed, for want of a better term. I'm sure that the competition for 4th will go down to the wire - barring any major developments in the interim.
Possibly. Something is certainly wrong. I think, maybe he was forced to let Fabregas and Nasri go; and as you have said, go out and buy the only "replacements" which were available. He ain't a happy bunny, that's for sure.
Arteta is a very good signing but I didn't think AW liked signing anyone nearly 30. Park Chu-Young, Andre Santos & Per Mertesacker all smack of panic buying though.
