Based on the performance versus Liverpool, Wenger may have a problem: where will Wilshere go? But first I need to say something else. I have commented few times, but I've kept up with the criticisms and subplots that have been discussed on this board (Jayram v Piskie et al). So, I wonder what do Gooners think of the current state of affairs regarding the club on the pitch. For some time I personally struggled with this question: Clichy, Cesc, Nasri, RVP, Song-- has it been an exodus or a clear out? Have these players been leaving because they truly feel Arsenal no longer shows ambition or has Wenger and company been slyly issuing in a new era? I believe Cesc ushered in a new era. Not with his arrival, but with his departure. When Cesc left, Wenger's experiment of raising youth together with longevity, loyalty, and unity came to an end. After that occurred, I think Wenger has slowly been revolutionizing the club-- a révolution subtile so to speak. I didn't think that until very recently. Just a few weeks ago, after awkward transfer window after awkward transfer window, I feared that Wenger had become too proud to change. I feared he clung too much to his lost experiment, and would cling to his remaining players, and try to fill the holes with youth, until his pride, his hubris, would end the Gooners. Instead he has purchased experience, leaders, height, speed, strength. His transfers seem to be coming to fruition on the pitch (he even wanted Cazorla last season). He has brought in a Bould (forgive the pun) new defensive-minded assistant. Now the defense sits back slightly more. Now we've had our first three clean sheets in a row for 88 years. And we have a target striker, and we have wingers that play defense and take opponents on one v one. And we have no more connection to the Dein family. And we can see a club of new Gunners going through the s**t together; consequently, I sense this next generation of Gunners growing together rather than growing apart. If they achieve only a few more wins soon, if Giroud scores a goal or so, I think we may see an unbelievable transformation of character compared to that of the departed-generation. Accordingly, I sense we could see the arrival of that winning/gritty attitude so many on this forum have wished for in this newly arrived now-generation. Did you know that right now Arsenal has a better goal differential than RVP's Manu? The aforementioned are all changes that have been sought after by members of this forum. Is it a complete change of heart for Wenger? I think so. He used to cling to that super-high line of defense doggedly. Not so much any more. But what about depth? I too wish the Gooners had signed another striker and defender. (I really thought the club would at least pick up Dempsey for the price). We didn't. However, we've got good cover in CB. When Sagna comes back, we'll have cover for the fullbacks. If Giroud suffers injury, Podolski can slide into striker. And what about Wilshere? Diaby, Arteta, and Cazorla worked so well last Saturday. Let's make the assumption that JW does mend and does return to form; who's going to be sacrificed? That's depth...well, at least rotation. Oh, and now Mannone may challenge Chesney. Almunia and the goalie problem is fading quickly into the past. Am I looking through rose tinged glasses, is it to be good to be true? I do feel all the major issues that have been addressed on this forum have been in turn addressed or are being addressed by Wenger and company. How close the Gunners are to contending for the title. What do you think?
I still think we're one or two short of a title winning squad. But our first XI are as good as anyone else. I was disappointed not to bring Sahin in on deadline day, but if Diaby can stay fit, then we won't have needed him anyway. With Jack coming back, our MF looks really strong this season. Paddy Diaby
p.s. It was never really Piskie v Jayram on here, it was Piskie telling Jayram what he thought of his negativity and Jayram throwing his toys out of the pram as a result
i think one option would be to put Jack in Cazorla's position, and move cazorla out onto the wing. our right side has been pretty ineffective so far, and santi could change that, bringing guile and vision to that side. but rotation will be used a lot.
I think one of the benefits of this MF is that our players can rotate. Walcott, Gerv, Oxo and Santi can play on either side. Cazorla, Oxo and Diaby can play centrally or on the right side. Arteta and Wilshere are the only players who you would consider to be out and out CMs
The difference has been coming. The more the debt is paid down, the more Arsenal know they will have money available in future. There is a definitive shift from young players with potential - Theo, Nasri, Cesc - to players for "now" to assist the team - Arshavin, Chamakh, Merts, Pod, Giroud, Cazorla, Arteta. It has been a gradual thing over the last few windows and will continue to be. As long as the Academy continues to produce Arsene will continue to buy to compliment it.
I like it. All 3 in the centre can drop back when needed, and Wilshere, Cazorla & Pod can all interchange too. The more players swap around the harder they are to mark. You couldn't man-mark anyone save Giroud in that system, who would occupy at least one CB. Getting closer to some Total Football
4 quality mids for 3 positions, but we're bound to have one midfielder injured at any one time. When Wilshere comes back he'll need to work on his sharpness and fitness. If Diaby is still fit and playing well, Wilshere will have to work his way into the team OR Cazorla can move onto the wing.
Why move our most creative player onto the wing just to accommodate Wilshere? IF he gets back into the starting 11 it will be because Diaby get injured/loses form
because currently, our wing play is non existent and that is why we cant break down sunderland, stoke etc. id much rather have diaby wilshere and cazorla on the pitch than diaby/wilshere cazorla and gervinho/walcott regardless of position
---Wilshere----Arteta------Diaby---- --------------Cazorla----------------- -------Giroud-------Podolski--------- -------Wilshere------Arteta---------- ---------------Cazorla--------------- TheOX-------Giroud---------Podolski -------Diaby---------Arteta---------- --------------Wislhere--------------- Cazorla-------Giroud---------Podolski -------Wilshere------Arteta---------- ---------------Cazorla--------------- TheOX--------Podolski---------Diaby We have options! its a good thing.
I'd say Walcott is a long way ahead of the Ox at the moment. Not sure about the 4-3-1-2 (setup 1), but it worked against Germany when Italy did it. I think it would morph into setup 3 for us though.
I'm a fan of Walcott but I do think that Chamberlain is the better talent and I think he'll make big improvements this year. Wenger will be reluctant to leave him out as he's a 'match winner'. Still in the long run Oxo's natural position will be as an AM down the middle.
I don't know whether the question is what I would do, or what will Wenger do? I think Rosicky is definitely a candiate for the wide spot, I am not sure I wouldn't even try Wilshere there, before I moved Cazorla out of the middle. Having said that Wenger probably has a better plan that we don't know about! I wouldn't say that we have given up on the youth plan, perhaps better to say we don't have to rely on it quite as much.
