There's effectively a week left of the transfer window for the top European players, before pre-season starts. We could still negotiate for players outside of Europe - but thats always more of a gamble, or players from teams that did not qualify (though in the main they are of a lower standard). I really hope Wenger gets his finger out this week - but it is just hope, I dont believe he will do anything till its too late.
Seen alot of rumours linking us with Barca's Afellay? Heard hes good friends with RVP so signing him would definitely help bring RVP round to singing a new contract wouldnt it?
Plus he's been playing well for the netherlands recently. But we've already signed a left winger, and Podolski is better than Afellay.
At some point I think its Wenger plan to have a whole squad made up entirely of wingers - or at least central players than he plays as wingers.
I'm trying to think of how many we have now, it's pretty alarming actually. Those listed below are players wenger has used on the wing, regardless of real position Walcott Gervinho Podolski Chamberlain Miyaichi Vela Bendtner Ramsey Rosicky Arshavin Diaby Denilson Benayoun (on loan)
Yeah he used to play down the middle more often. But At Barca he has only played out wide. I personally think he's better down the middle. Would be a good signing.
Add Arshavin to that list, then consider only Miyiachi is a winger. Its no wonder we score so few goals from crosses.
That's not really why we don't score many from crosses though, because our wingers can't cross. It's because we don't really play that way. Our wide men try to cut inside and play the ball back across the penalty area to an attacker (usually RVP) to shoot on the ground, rather than hoofing it over for a big CF to try and head the ball goalwards.
Partly true. However, its been pretty clear that our 'wingers' CANT cross the ball consistently. I have no doubt that even players like Chamakh and Bendtner would be more successful if we could actually deliver any service. We have the ball in wide areas an awful lot, but the lack of real wingers mean we play it backwards instead of taking on the last man and whipping a good cross in. We dont have the ability out wide to play the percentage ball often enough, instead opting for too much intricacy.
I would have to paraphrase you again and say that they DON'T cross the ball, not that they can't. That said, I think you're right that Bendtner and Chamakh would score more if they did. One player who definitely does cross the ball well is Jenkinson.
Our system doesn't require wingers and who gives a **** about crosses? How many goals to barca score from crosses? We never scored a lot from crosses even with Pires and Ljungberg in our team. These days our wide men our not part of the midfield. Our wing forwards are required to cut in and run at goal and or interchange with the other forwards.
We need to change our style. period. We dont have the talent of Barca and even they struggled this year to break down teams who sat back to defend. If you cant score goals from crosses you are severely hampered in the PL - and even now in Europe. Its a crucial part of the game, one where we just dont deliver. Whether its because we cant or dont want to is neither here nor their. My personal view is that we cant, bacause we actually dont have wingers at the club - we have players playing out of position, and have done for some time. Having the likes of Adebayor, Chamakh and Bendtner over the years is ****ing pointless if you are not going to cross the ball to create chances for them.
