They don't look like signing anyone - which is very good for us. Also: Sagna should be back next week. Gibbs as well. Huge boost, because we can have Verm and Kosc as our Centre Back partnership again!!
Any idea when Wilshere is to return? I agree the return of those players will give us a huge boost. Sagna more likely, Gibbs not so much..
I expect they'll be a major Chelsea panic buy in the next week, can't see them risking not making CL, whether one other signing is enough is debatable though.
I seriously doubt that wenger will use vermalen and koscielney as his centre back partnership, it will probably be mertesacker and vermalen, but it is good to know that kos has now adjusted to the pace of the epl and is now looking like a top class defender who can pass the ball extremely well and brings the ball out from the back, as well as having very good positional play and lots of pace for a defender. Because vermalen and kos's styles are too similar, and they are of a similar build etc whereas mertesacker gives you the height and his positional play and defensive structural play is very good. And sagna and gibbs cannot get back quick enough, especially sagna because djourou has basically had a nightmare at right back although fair play to him for sticking at it, and it is clear that vermalen enjoys playing in the centre more because he doesn't have to run about as much and doesn't need to deal with pacey wingers. We only need one more player back, when is wilshere going to return?
Wilshere will be HUGE boost. Sagna is badly missed as well both offensively and defensively both will make us considerably stronger. However it will be Vermaelen and Mertesacker at the back just wait and see.
C'mon, Kos + TV was always Wengers idea - two mobile CBs, good on the ball and capable of playing high line. I am sure it is his preferred choice, especially now when Kos is clearly becoming a better defender than Vermaelen.
Squillaci & Vermaelen were Wenger's idea. He was brought in to be 1st choice, and is apparently on 3 x as much as Koscielny wages-wise. I'd play Vermaelen & Koscielny against the smaller, more mobile strike-forces, and Vermaelen & Merts against more physical teams.
You know what I bet AW is just praying for the day when he's given tough choices to make, these decisions are always made for him not by form but by injury. Any squad losing 3 or 4 automatic first choice picks will struggle even if you have capable back ups, they're backs up because they're not better than the first chocie guys. Who the best CB pairing is I don't know, Kos and TV would be my bet but Mert hasn't failed and he's improved over time which shouldn't be a huge shock...
We were doing alright till Santos got injured. My worry is he looked unfit (flabby) and being injured won't have helped him. I think it's all the play for. Remember in 2008/09 we were 10 points behind 4th place Villa and managed to overhaul them. I also think that even 5th place this season, though disappointing compared to the norm, will be more than what I expected after the first 6 games. Maybe a season out of the CL with a few decent signings will be a blessing in disguise (so long as we play the kids in Europa League).
A nice idea, but sadly illogical. We need CL football to attract good players, we don't have the luxury that Citeh have of just paying people a fortune. We can't hire mercenaries because; A) We can't afford them B) It's not the Arsenal way.
teng - ah yes - he did look over weight. I was hoping he would trim down, but as you say -may have put weight on!!
I think it is just a thing with a few South Americans. I always thought Maradona looked a bit heavy and so did Ronaldo. If he can shift fast enough and make it through to the end of a game, I don't care what he looks like. (Edit : hope no one thinks this is racist - Ronaldo and Maradona moved dead fast - it was my eyes that was wrong not their body shape)
