Personally I can't see a goalkeeper signing in the summer - if we do sign one, then we'll have 3 keepers who see themselves as first choice - Szczesny whose been 1st choice for years, Ospina who has just wrestled the jersey off him, and kept it for most of a season, and the new signing, who will (more than likely) been signed to be 1st choice - at least 1, or maybe 2 keepers would need to be shifted to maintain squad harmony. Will we be able to do that... I think a DM of some sort is a must as we have little squad depth in that position. We could sign a expensive signing (say Schneiderlin) and rotate with Coq, or play both at the expense of Ramsey and the partnership that Santi and Coq have built up. As you say tricky. I totally agree with Welbeck, he wasn't/isn't what we need - he helped us while Giroud was out, but his return of goals and assists is poor (very poor if you take out the hattrick against Gala). But Giroud has done, and is doing very, very well - with the stats to back it up. And he's done so well that we've built our attack around him, with a big hole being felt when he's not there. We'd either need to re-engineer our attack, or find a better striker than Giroud who does the same things as him - the 2nd option is very tricky. I can't see how anyone can't say we haven't made progress over the past two seasons, or that Ozil isn't playing well on the left/right/centre when he plays, just because he isn't a winger.
A couple here have highlighted the problem of getting a top drawer DM. Coqs clearly has warranted his first team spot but we also need depth in that area. Is Arteta good eniughu backup there? Also we have a problem playing two DMs which would put Ramsey on the bench. Ramsey is growing as a player and is becoming a complete player. Its a tough one but with Pods departure and a couple others, may allow us some additions. But as Cini pointed out, we need players that will improve us and not merely add to the numbers. As it stands, the squad is challenging material.
Agree with most of it apart from the bit in bold. We're on course for a very similar points finish as last season, just as far behind the league leaders and with the same performance in all cups. That's not progress, that's maintaining the same (albeit pretty good) position.
Points only tell one side of the story. Our record against the top teams has improved and Wenger is setting up his teams to be more efficient in possession rather than having possession for the sake of it. Also having a proper DM who knows what to do is making a world of difference. If Coqs carries his form over to next season then we are nailed on league challengers. Throw in our two world class players and the other very good ones and squad depth, then we are looking good to go.
Agree with this. As frustrating as it's been over the last few years, you have to say that we've made some progress this season and if it wasn't for injuries (Wenger was responsible for leaving gaps in our defence) then we could have made a decent title bid this campaign. What has really changed though is that Wenger is now playing a proper DM again instead of two CMFs and it's made a huge difference. I think a partner / rotating player alongside Coq is the missing part of the jigsaw and of course keeping our players fit.
True. He certainly deserves to keep his place. I would still like to see another quality DM brought into the squad though.
Me too, and I think Schneiderlin is ideal, someone that can play along with Coquelin when we need to finish games games off holding onto a narrow lead, or someone that can play instead of him.
Casillas is rubbish. I'd take Forster or Lloris in a heartbeat though definitely. But though there's no chance of Spurs selling Lloris to us really is there? Even if he stropped they'd sell him elsewhere for less money. Forster though - definitely... but would take a big bid given he's English.
Yeah Casillas 5+ years ago maybe but not now. Forster looks brilliant but both he and Lloris ouwld cost a bomb. Cech looks to be the only established top keeper available on a "cheap". Though I don't doubt there would be an additional c*nt tax from Maureen once he knows we're interested.
More media witch hunting of Bale: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32603122 Surely he can't be enjoying his time over there that much. Anyone take him even if it meant spending our entire summer budget on him? I would. Or failing that, let United sign him and then we buy Di Maria off them who would then be surplus. Yum yum attack...
I like the rumour and it's a player that would be very welcome to our squad. Having another midfielder that is defensively minded yet dynamic is something we lack. Having him would sure us up nicely and give us good depth to campaign for next season. We can't rely on Coqs solely for an entire season, there is simply too much football for him to play in every game. It will also give us an extra dimension should Wenger decide on being more solid in defence and go on the counter, if we decide with a Coqs and Schlinder anchor.
I think its a fairly likely signing.(and would be a good one) Personally would like Kondogbia if he's available. Technically excellent and an absolute powerhouse.
Being linked to Goetze again. Fantastic little player but surely not the type we need? However Wenger has a habit of pursuing his long term targets so maybe it will happen.
I wouldn't say no to that signing and I can see him develop further under Wenger's guidance. Sometimes it just too early for young players to go to mega clubs like Bayer, Real or Barca
James Milner anyone? Apparently us and Liverpool are after him. Rumoured to have turned down a £165k a week contract with Citeh because he wants to play more. Can't see us offering him much playing time in our already stacked midfield. He's a good utility player though.
Not liking Milner. I mean, where would we play him? We are fully stocked on the wings and centre and the only two spots that need depth are CF and DM. He doesn't fit either spot.
