...what about next season? The clearout has begun. 15 acadamy players let go - http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/ Arshavin gone - http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal.../arshavin-bids-farewell-to-arsenal_85169.html Squillaci and Djourou gone - http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/03/johan...-leave-arsenal-arsene-wenger-reveals-3336301/ Denilson gone - (may be bought out of contract) http://www1.skysports.com/football/...hat-future-will-hold-when-Sao-Paulo-loan-ends Chamackh gone - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ane-chamakh-set-to-leave-gunners-for-west-ham Frimpong gone - http://arsenalnews.co/should-arsenal-let-frimpong-leave-on-free-transfer-this-summer/ Coquelin might go - http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/05/15/schalke-set-to-sign-arsenal-utility-man-francis-coquelin/ Gervinho may go - http://www.modernghana.com/sportsthread1/463881/2/ Bendtner and Park also could be gone Sagna might go. Diaby will be injured all season The club might have space for as many as 6 senior squad players, 1-2 defenders, 3 midfielders, 0-1 forward, and 1 anywhere, 1-2 of these must be "home-grown". We have space for 3-5 U21/U18 players This indicates a busy summer signing players ahead. We need 4 players just to fill the gaps in the first team squad (Arshavin, Coquelin, Diaby, Squillaci).
Sad to see the back of Arshavin. He always used to come on and provide crucial assists, see Sunderland away the season before and QPR at home in this. Had a great game against Reading in the league cup, and that was it. Can't understand it.
i agree , he scored some cracking goals for us. The best being that one when we beat Barca . If he is gone .. Thanks Andrey......and good luck to you . Andrey Arshavin has thanked everybody connected with Arsenal for the support that they have given him during his stint at the club. Following today's 1-0 victory away at Newcastle United, the Russian international's career at the Emirates Stadium was brought to an end after the recent news that his contract would not be extended. "Thanks a lot to all Arsenal fans, to all my team partners, who played with me all these years, to all the staff and coaches!!! Many thanks," he wrote on Twitter.
We already know Sanogo is taking one of those spots and i dont think anyone will be surprised if Jovetic takes another. Thats probably all we'll see in terms of strikers
That's all we need really. You don't want to interfere with the squad too much, over-interference can be as bad as not buying at all sometimes. Having said that I think we need a new backup GK, A backup for Arteta who is no longer young, and perhaps an out and out RW or LW.
A starting goalkeeper (Any German will do) A backup RB is Bac leaves A Central midfielder to backup Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere A striker. Badly need a top drawer striker. That should see us challenge next season. Our form at the end of this season leads me to believe that the team is almost good enough (even with Ramsey starting), we're a striker away from success in at least the FA Cup.
GK to challenge Chez (if Fab leaves)* Backup RB Top CB? CM (Particularly a more defensive based one)* Striker* *Priorities Shocked to see Meade go, thought he had potential but we do have Monreal and Gibbs
On the side note, we've finally got rid of Eastmond Don't understand releasing Meade, he looked a very good prospect.
Was a tad shocked at that, but Meade was way too small to be a defender. With him being that small, he had to be exceptional in other areas of his game.
I think we certainly need a top striker, and I'd like to see us sign a proper winger as well, preferably an outstanding one but there aren't many so a compromise can be made here; I also want an established goalkeeper, a central midfielder to provide backup or be an alternative option and a centre back as 3rd/4th choice. And a right back if necessary. Obviously if the right calibre of player is bought for each of those positions then I have absolutely no doubt that we could challenge for the title next season.
What i was trying to point out is that although people say "We need", they often mean "I want". This time we really do need 4 players to replace the ones that are definitely leaving. I guess we could promote Gnabry or Eisfield etc, but frankly I just can't see them really replacing the 4 definite empty slots (Arshavin, Coquelin, Diaby, Squillaci), even if Sagna and Gervinho stay. If they go we have 6 to replace. We are no longer talking about dropping Podolski, Giroud, or Walcott.
New creative middle man that can play wide or centre to replace Arshavin and give us more quality New midfield enforcer to come in place of Coquelin and to compete with Arteta New 4th choice CB to replace Squilachi New goalkeeper New striker Promote a midfielder from the academy in place of Diaby
Arteta defo needs a new 1st choice partner. Rambo had a few decent games of late and even I started to defrost, but yesterday saw all his old faults return. We won yesterday despite him tbh. So, my top targets would be RB MF CF GK Cheerleading team That should do it
1 bad game and he should be dropped and he wasn't even that bad, one of the better players on the day
Lol, I thought Ramsey was brilliant yesterday. He had to become the DM after Arteta went off, and did it pretty well. He was all over the pitch making tackles, and still found time to break forward. Phenomenal work rate.
Funny how we all see it differently. I still stick by my view that he was mostly a liability yesterday and would even say that Cazorla was pretty crap too. I'm not saying either are **** players, just that Rambo is way to inconsistent to be a first pick and should be a squad player only. I admire his energy and commitment, but sadly those 2 attributes do not improve his passing or speed of thought. Cazorla has just looked knackered for a few games and his form has naturally suffered as a result.
The thing is, Rambo's form has coincided with us winning almost every game. We've always claimed that the team needs to work harder to win the ball back, and work harder in general. Perhaps Ramsey is helping to give us that, and that's why we're winning. I would be reluctant to drop him. Bear in mind that I've been very critical of him in the past. I agree with Cazorla looking tired and being largely ineffective. Remember he got 4 assists against Wigan though.
I don't want to drop Rambo as deadwood, even though I have also been one of his main detractors. He has most definitely improved over the 2nd half of this season. It's undeniable that he grafts harder than anyone else in the team and is full of passion, always looking for the ball (just ahead of Theo in all 3 departments). The problem is that he will never be quick thinking enough and will always give the ball away needlessly and far too often.
