I don't agree. In terms of personal performance, Cazorla looks as if he is playing better in the middle, but the entire team gets worse. He ends up always looking like someone who is playing well in the midst of a non-functional team. When he plays out wide the whole team plays better and he just looks like one of the team. This is not a bad thing. To me this is the Steven Gerrard syndrome. A player that always looks like he is a brilliant player surrounded by idiots. At some point you have to start thinking that they are looking like idiots because of, rather than in spite of him.
Can't agree with any of that to be honest. I thought Cazorla looked wasted out on the left and played much more effectively in the middle - as well as the team around him. He brought players into play, made passes to set up chances, dribbled past defenders and shot and scored goals himself.
Well, just bear it in mind as a possibility. I remember some of those games mid season where we were talking about not having a real creator in the front three. We were playing a front 3 of Podolski-Giroud-Walcott, and none of them had the feet of a Pires or even a RVP to create a final ball. Anyway, I couldn't resist the opportunity to get in my weekly denouncement of Steven Gerrard.
Keep Santi as LW (Plus Oxo, Gerv, Pod and Gnarby can play there) Buy Higuain, Fellaini, GK (Not really necessary if Flappy stays), Williams (Not really necessary (he'd probably be 4th choice) but depth is good granted I think Iggy would be fine s 4th choice)
I'd play Wilshere AM, move Arteta back to his proper position as CM, and bring in someone like Wanyama to add much needed strength and tackling ability. When Arteta was CM, he was our second best player after RVP. He was our Alonso that season. It's his natural position, and he is our captain after all. It would be unfair to drop him after a season playing out of position. I think he did reasonably well considering.
In a couple of the earlier games Cazorla did look lost on the left. Eventually though, he started playing like Iniesta does from the wide position. It basically became a free role for him, and he drifted infield far more. Despite starting the season well, Cazorla had started to stagnate a little in middle. Being on the left eventually saw him return to form. I don't often agree with TT, but we did need more creativity in the front 3.
Higuain rumours are getting stronger, seems like there's some truth in this one. The more I think about it, the more i'm certain he could be a MASSIVE signing for us. [video=youtube;zjCDyoGSVTQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjCDyoGSVTQ&feature=player_embedded[/video]
That's a little unfair he basically had 10-11 poor games. The season before last while Vermaelen was injured Koscielney and Mertesacker both played like absolute crap for over half a Season. He's a good player (hence Barca, United and Bayerns interest) and with our injury record we need at least THREE top class centrebacks if we want to compete.
I was unsure until I heard he's only 25. Still got his peak ahead of him, and a 4-5 year deal will see him play for us during that peak.
I didn't say he's a bad player. I said he blew it as captain. His form was noticeably worse this season. I'm not saying we should sell him either. I agree we need at least 3 able CBs. With the armband given to someone else, perhaps he can regain his form. I doubt he'll be in the starting 11 at the start of next season (barring any injuries), so we need a new captain regardless. Arteta has shown he can do that job, and I can't see anyone else capable yet (Wilshere in future though).
Arsenal rumours have all gone a bit quiet, i really thought we'd make a big signing early thos year. Liverpool seem to be pretty busy
I think Arteta will be the one making way for the new midfielder if we get one, not Ramsey. He is slowing up, and will not be playing as much next season. A great servant to the club, but time marches on.
Don't forget that Madrid are still without a manager and it's unlikely that there will be any movement until one is appointed
