I agree he's not a holding player but I dont believe Wenger is after one. Khedira is a box to box midfielder but he does start from a deeper position than Ramsey. He's just as defensive as say Arteta but is far more athletic - which makes a big difference with recoveries or when caught on the break. He would give our midfield more height, strength and energy. We have a reasonable holding player in Flamini but he doesn't get games. Wenger will always prefer an all rounder to a specialist in midfield. If I had to pick I would go with Bender or Vidal - neither of these guys are 'holding players' ether though.
According to a post on another site Jenkinson has completed his medical at West Ham. Shame as I think he's good, and this will leave us relying on a barely proven (but promising) 19 year old and a DM if Debuchy gets injured - but at the same time Jenkinson desperately needs gametime to fulfill his potential.
They can't force him to leave and would they let him be a bench warmer.Khedira has got all the cards in this situation.
While they can't just kick him out the door they can take steps to try and push him out of the club. Starting with letting him know he doesn't feature in there plans and if he stays he will be training with the reserves and not playing. Make it more difficult for him to make the decision to see out his contract. Not sure whether they will have any luck or not with trying to convince him to leave but I hope they do so we can get him now rather than bayern getting him next year!
I've got to say that while I'd definitely prefer an out and out DM I am beginning to be intrigued about the possibility of Wenger changing the dynamic of the midfield if he does sign a player like Khedira. This could mean that him and Ramsey share the offensive and defensive responsibilities (a system IMO Wilshere would fit perfectly into) - it may leave us without a natural outlet for Merts simple balls out of defence, and without a natural pivot sometimes. But may make us a lot more mobile and unpredictable.
Do you see this formation coming? Giroud Ozil-Wilshere-Sanchez Khedira-Ramsey Gibbs-Kos-BFG-Debuchy I really want Khedira to join us. I think that middle 3 might be solid enough to go with a 7 man defense. How many full backs are going to be confident attacking with Ozil/Sanchez getting in behind them?
No, I see Wilshere being a back up player for the time being. Once Walcott is back I guess Sanchez will play on the left
No def not - More a similar formation to what we're playing now --------------Giroud------- Sanchez-------Ozil------Walcott -------Ramsey---- (New DM)---- But whereas before Arteta would stay back almost always and receive the ball from the defence and start the attacks with quick, simple passes while Ramsey (or whoever plays in his position) would be the 'motor' in midfield, a more box to box player if you want, tackling high up the pitch, intercepting, arriving late in the box ect I was wondering if Wenger would change it round (if say he signed Khedira or if he waited until Wilshere was fully fit for example) and had x2 of Ramsey roles, but one would stay back, looking to break up play and start attacks, while the other attacked - but constantly swapping so the opposition didn't know who to mark and who to drop off. It could leave the defence vulnerable occasionally if they both get caught out of position during a counter attack, and neither would the defence have an immediate outlet (in Arteta) to play the ball to to relive pressure and keep possession. But it could be much more potent in an attacking sense. Just a thought - as I was thinking back to how Wenger subtly changed the team when he brought Arteta, and again when he brought Carzorla, Podolski and Giroud to replace RVP.
I agree I think Wilshere needs to be a back up player for now and to be drip fed football until his body fully recovers from his injuries.
Reports in Columbia claiming we're close to signing Quintero, if that's true then would probably mean Cazorla's off to Madrid
I'm not liking all the Cazorla to a. Madrid rumours. I think he's an important part of our squad and one of our most talented players. Any quotes by Cazorla are always that he is happy here and staying but you just never know. Hoping it's all paper talk and he stays.
An interview published just today has Cazorla saying that Arsenal are the only club he thinks about and that all he wants to do is help us win more trophies, so it doesn't sound like he's interested in moving.
Lots of rumours that both cavani and falcao may be available during this window... I'd love to see either of them at arsenal. Not likely to happen though.
According to Bild,Khedira is quite happy to see out the final year of his contract and move on a free next year. Stan Collymore has been tweeting that he's convinced Khedira will join us.
