Agree with this. Dempsey has had the best season of his career and its more than likley downhill from here. We now have two top class forwards in Van Persie and Podolski, Then there's Joel Campbell coming back who could be a great impact sub. I think a midfileder and a TOP class centreback should be our priorities. M'Villa and Vertonghen would be perfect.
As long as RVP stays, then just adding Pod will be sufficient. We already have attacking players like Walcott, Gervinho, Miyaichi, Campbell and OXO. I'm hoping that Gervinho will get better with a season under his belt and Miyaichi is looking good for Bolton, who i think will play a big part in our cup games and hopefully our league games too. I hope the same thing happens with Campbell, who seems to be a natural finisher and can play CF and wings (i presume). OXO should be better with a half season under his belt and Walcott seems to be adjusting to our 4-3-3 striker/winger role.
Don't get the Dempsey bashing at all. By all means say we don't need him but you can't knock his ability. He's had his best season in the EPL but by no means has he ever been anything other than a skillful, commited player for the rest of his time in England. Added to which he's been asked to play almost everywhere in midfield/ up front and done so well. He'd be an incredibly useful squad player who'd strengthen us. Would I have him in our starting 11? No, probably not. Would I like to have him in our squd - hells yes. He'd hopefully kick some of our chokers into shape too which can only be a good thing. Back to the OPs 3 players. Yes, yes I'd like that. I'd probably faint if we did sign all 3 though.
I think bringing in M'Villa would give our midfield more balance and strength. Saying that, im happy to have Arteta play, who looked very good for us this season. But after watching Yaya give Man U so much trouble lastnight, someone like M'Villa could provide a simular role as the powerful central midfielder. This would give Song a more suitable partner if he wishes to gallop forward. With this in mind, Arteta could be used in a more attacking sense.
I think the key difference with the squad I put forward is the room for tactical choices. Playing against a tough team who take no prisoners? Play Song and M'Vila. Playing against Swansea? Arteta and Coquelin. I still think having Dempsey as third choice striker would seriously strengthen us. I can see him coming off the bench in any attacking position and having a gamechanging effect.
Totally agree with this. Arsenal NEVER set up to beat the opposition - they set up to play "The Arsenal Way" and hope to win. With just a couple of good new players, diversity would ensue - the ability to tailor the team to the opposition to nullify their major threats, whilst at the same time making Arsenal less predictable
I think that if we offload: Diaby, Almunia, Manonne, Squillaci, Denilson, Vela, Chamakh, Bendtner and Park Whilst gaining: Podolski, M'Vila, Vertonghen and Dempsey We'll have a better squad, with far fewer players. The trouble has always been a lack of quality in the squad so tactical choices were never really possible.
It would definetely be wise to cut our squad down. I would'nt mid if we sold: Bendnter, Arshavin, Denilson,Almunia, Park, Vela, Squillaci, Djourou, Fabianski, (cant stand him!-terrible keeper.) Whilst offering Abou Diaby a 'pay as you play' contract.
Pay-as-you-play might be a bit unfair. Maybe more of a pay-as-you-are-available-to-play because we won't always play him, but it would be nice if he was available.
cutting down the is not a good idea. when we get multiple injuries, and end up playing half a youth team, the same people that called for everyone to be cut and only a couple of replacements will slate wenger for getting rid of our useful squad players
A few things: Agree we need a top defender, a creative CM, a proper defensive DM and I'd suggest possibly another striker - it takes an injury to either Pod or RVP and we are back to being threadbare again. Would buy Dempsey all day, he is a proven quality reliable goalscorer in the EPL who is good in the air and has a great shot - could be the Plan B we never have, a positive player. Looks like Arsenal have learned from the lessons of last season, get your targets early. I was speaking to someone at work who is a Newcastle fan, she claims that Newcastle's scouting network have the next 2 players for each position already identified !!!! Arteta has to start, before anyone else in my opinion. If we get M'Villa I'd drop Song, he wouldn't be needed - M'Villa is a better DM than him and Wilshere is a better AM than him - so he would become obsolete.
None of these players are "incredible"! Solid team players, but to get to the next level we need one more superstar and none of these players are it. I suggest you start thinking differently, because if you think the very debateable upgrade from Song to M'Villa is going to turn us into winners you are just not being realistic.
Who would you define as incredible superstars. If you want to buy players like ronaldo, messi, eto, sneijder, robben, xavi, iniesta, ozil or someone then I am afraid they will cost a fortune and it isnt practical for us to buy them. usually this calibre of players arent even for sale. Look at city. Even they spent most of their money on potential or decent players. But players like kompany and silva have grown into superstars
Given that most players are insured for injury, this is in effect what Diaby is on. I think too much is made of the size of our squad, we have nearly 20 players out on loan. This youth development system is a side business, it really doesn't affect the main team. Our squad is effectively 51 players. I agree that it should, and will be trimmed, but I think it is a side issue. Every team has 5 or 6 players that need to be moved on at any time.
I agree completely. I just don't think Dempsey is going to get any better (not superstar level) and I am not sure that a "superstar" is possible at DM or CB. Like I said the upgrade from Song or Kos (even if there is one) isn't going to make a difference. Yes, we gain squad depth (Good), but we need something more than that.
Yeh, well I agree on dempsey. he would be a good buy as a squad player who doesnt cost too much (in wages and xfer fee). If we spend money it should be on potential or the real deal But there is a time and a place for buying squad players too espicially those who can do a job 30 games a year like dempsey could starting or off the bench
There are two reasons for squad depth. First, trying to anticipate where the injury goblin is going to strike, and second for a plan B so that we have one team vs the teams that actually want to play football, and another for those that don't. The first, is very tricky given the squad-size we are limited to. This is where the youth system really has the kick in. The third back up in every position has to be a youth player. The second, I just don't know about. It is good in theory, but I'm not sure how easy it is going to be to keep the vs Stoke team match-fit. More and more teams are playing football these days and players need a run in the side to play to their top potential. Can we afford (for example) to have a top class DM on the bench for all but 12 to 16 games a season? People need to look at the squad in detail and pick their 25-players with 8 home grown. We cant just buy players, over-21, for "squad depth", without considering who we will drop.
I still maintain (as I have all season) that we need another creative attacking MF to replace one of Nasri or Fabregas. Rosicky, Benayoun and even Arteta are not long term options - and with Wilshere looking like he might still be some way away from getting back to his best, I think we need to buy a top quality midfielder. I'd love us to get Goezte, but I think he'll either stay where he is or go to Barca or Real for crazy money - a good second option though would be Kagawa who has indicated that he wants to leave Dortmund.
