Hi, Liverpool fan in peace. So, Arsenal set to let go off Nasri and Clichy. Nasri may be a loss but it seems now that he does not want to be at Arsenal (And with City his likely destination, could all be about the money) despite previously calling on Arsenal fans to ignore the speculation surrounding him future. I think £20million for a player who isn't willing to play and is in the last year of his contract is a good deal and the transfer isn't a negative in my opinion. With Gervinho claiming Arsenal are set to complete his signing soon I think he could easily slot into the first team setup, playing on the left the way Nasri did last season. Clichy will really not be a loss. He hasn't been himself and the only way he can revive his career is by a fresh start away from Arsenal and for £7million it is again a good deal for a player who really hasn't shown his potential and is in the last year of his contract. I also believe now is Kieron Gibbs' chance to shine and I have a feeling he will exceed expectations and perform much better than Gael Clichy in both the attacking and defensive departments. Some Arsenal fans seem to be panicking and rival fans seem to already be ruling them out of Champions League qualification, even though its only just turned July, the start of the european transfer window. So, whats needed for Arsenal in this transfer window? Ins - Defenders x 2 - Last season injuries exploited Arsenal's weakness of a unstable defence. Both defenders should be first team quality but will be competing against each other for a first team place with the other sitting on the bench for cover. Midfielders x 2 - Arsenal need depth and they need a good box to box midfielder. Someone who can control the game, a deep lying playmaker who can create a quick move with a long ball out wide during a edgey game. The other being a creative midfielder who can boast vision, accurate passing and great technical ability along with all the right qualities to see the ball in the back of the net himself (Diego perhaps?) Strikers x 2 - With Bendtner set to leave and Chamakh lacking consistency two new strikers will really provide competition for places in the first team and can help improve player's motivation. Outs - Thomas Rosicky - Don't think his upto the mark, should be moved on in order to create funds for new players. Gael Clichy - Mentioned above. Samir Nasri - Mentioned above. Nicklas Bendtner - Has expressed desire to leave, needs to be moved on in order to create funds for new players. Wasn't really effective and hasn't managed to break through. Denilson - See 'Nicklas Bendtner'. Possible outs - Francesc Fabregas - Arsene Wenger needs a long discussion with him to see what he wants. If he wants to leave then £40million should be the minimum. Why? Spanish clubs should pay a premium for buying Spanish players. (Same as English clubs with English players) Liverpool managed this when they sold Alonso to Real Madrid. Andrey Arshavin - Personally I'd keep him, with a good pre-season he can come back fresh and ready to challenge again for his place in the first team. Robin Van Persie - Wouldn't sell him. The only player who has shown respect to the club and has paid Arsene Wenger back properly. Only mentioned in this section because of what some people's opinions. His a great player who is injury prone but worth the risk because of his consistent efforts. (By the way, it was never a red against Barcelona!) -- Overall: Arsenal need to create motivation to get the best out of the youngsters, competition for places is a powerful way to manipulate them to give 110% on the pitch aswell as their attitude towards the club. Fabregas needs to make his future clear for Arsenal to be able to move forward in the right direction. If he wants to leave Van Persie or Vermaelen should become captain with the other vice-captain. Arsenal need to make some changes to the squad but I think the players they have ARE good enough to challenge for the league title, they just need determination, motivation and the right system to play. I don't agree that Arsene Wenger should be sacked ASAP because he does have it in him to push Arsenal to the limits, however come the end of next season, if he has again failed to stabalise the squad (Forget about the NEED to win something) and a world-class manager is made available (Pep Guardiola?) then Arsenal may need to make some changes. Not sure if I've missed anything out, if I have let me know and I'll edit and add. Thanks for reading.
I'm not sure that anyone is panicking but you have to admit that the prospect of seeing 3 of our best players being sold with no apparent ready replacements is of concern to most fans. It is breathtaking naievity on the part of Wenger and Gazidis to think that the loss of these 3 players will not have an adverse impact on the already shaky confidence of the team. If we could only manage to finish 4th with these players then it is reasonable to predict that without them we will be weaker whilst other clubs are getting stronger. Wenger is in the last chance saloon in the eyes of a lot of fans and nothing short of at least 6 big name signings will save him but to be honest i cannot see it happening, he will trot out the usual rubbish about 'there is no value in the market', 'players coming back from injury' and 'we have mental strength in the squad. It will be interesting to see what happens to attendances next season, i predict a lot of tickets being available on 'general sale' as fans vote with their feet, i know several who are not renewing their ST's.
Its depressing I know but no one has left yet, and if they do we should at least wait to see what replacements are lined up before making your mind up.
Although I agree with some of your points I disagree about Clichy, and even Nasri to some extent, being three of your best players. Clichy was never a key player, its the media making out like his been a key to Arsenal's play. Nasri had a good run but he seems to be in it for the money, and if he doesn't want to be at the club, let him leave. Fabregas is important but if Arsenal get £40million, so long as its re-invested, it'll also be worthwhile. If the above were so good, how come they didn't manage to work together and win something with Arsenal? Clichy has been a liability, Nasri has lowered the fans' morale, as has Fabregas and getting rid of them for the right price would be a good move, but like I mentioned, re-invesment is key. No player is irreplaceable.
perfectly reasonable point of view. A delight to read opinions that are sensible instead of Manu/Spuds drivel. Welcome.
I think we should have robin van persie beat some enthusiasm into the rest of the team. You can see everytime he plays, he wants to play for us, rather than just pick up his paycheque
They have some of the right qualities in the squad, but lack determination, motivation and maybe the right playing system.. Whats wrong with that?
I don't see Liverpool finishing above Arsenal when they're spending £35 million on Carroll and £20 million on Henderson. They're upper mid table talents, not top talents. And we'll finish above Spuds. It's not allll bad.
Appreciate your article but there is no proof they will leave, other than media stories. Are these journalists sitting in the Arsenal meeting rooms with Wenger and the player? There may be an agent and a legal person or two, but I doubt very much any of them will talk to the press. Could it be..they make it up?
Seems a little far-fetched considering so many newspapers have reported the same story and quoted the same amount. Not to mention BBC confirming Manchester City are in talks with Arsenal over signing Gael Clichy.
I'm not convinced Liverpool can make it into the top 5 let alone top 4. Reason? Kenny has clearly the charisma to lift the squad - but it won't last. Come the winter, cold and rain. results going tits-up, inevitable injuries etc. I'm not sure initial success will last long enough to put the 'Pool back in the top 5.
But the papers copy each other's stories. They get 'exclusives' from the same spurious sources. And these stories often have absolutely no basis in truth. So I'll judge Wenger IF the players leave and IF we don't improve the squad, rather than slag them off on here based on hearsay.
