It is a problem if we have two players who could potentially play in the DM spot, besides Coqs. We should have moved Flamini on but he seems to want to stay with us. I do hope he goes and we bring in a DM, but targets that are being linked to us are going one by one. The latest appears to be Schlinderlin who is currently favourite to sign for manure. Have we even made a bid for him?
As I said, I hope I'm wrong and this contract extension isn't the reason we don't sign a DMF. I like Arteta too but Arsenal shouldn't keep players based on sentiment. If Arsenal really want to challenge then there has to be ruthlessness, internally and externally.
I hope that is the case, because we really need a DM and it would be negligent to go into the season relying on Coq and Flamini/Arteta
Another problem is its a position that Wenger never seems concerned or bothered about. Coqs was a bit of a revelation and apart from him, we literally wouldn't have anyone else to play in that position last season, other than an injured, off-form Flamini.
Wenger got lucky with Coquelin last season. But it would be pushing that luck to rely on him for the whole of next season.
Agreed it would be pushing it if he doesn't strengthen in that area. I reckon we have enough attacking flair to miss out on a CF, but not getting a DM would just be tempting fate. We've seen how Coqs significantly improved our team and season, it would be foolish to think that the DM spot wasn't a priority. I have no doubt that Wenger would rather buy a CF than your boring DM style player, but its the one thing our team needs, those boring functional players to complement all our attacking flair. Give my a Makelele any day of the week.
I think Schneiderlin would be perfect for our team. Quick, mobile and skilful he's got lots of premier league experience and is ready to make the step up to a big club. It sounds like he wants to leave and reportedly favours a move to us over Utd. I really hope we go out to get him, he is worth he £25m that's being asked.
Are either of us interested or just playing chicken with his price tag? Has Wenger confirmed any interest in him?
Man Utd have made a bid that was rejected but haven't come back with an improved offer. As far as I know Arsenal haven't made any sort of enquiry.
I too hope he sign a dm. But i think if we dont then itll be because wenger wants to use a combo of coq and wilshere there (jack as a deep lying playmaker who is aggressive in the tackle). I cant see wenger relying on flamini at all Id like a new signing, but i can definitely see the sense in giving arteta an extension because of his leadership skilks, his experience and knowledge and that hell become a coach for us after next season
I haven't seen anything in Wilsheres game that suggests he can play in Coqs area of midfield. He doesn't have the defensive skills, strength or awareness to pull a DM role off. His strength lies in more advanced attacking roles. Ramsey is the closest player who can work in tandem with Coqs, he has a more well rounded skillset to Wilshere.
I know what u mean, but wenger is renowned for switching players position (arteta, henry, pires, even sagna at cb) and maybe seeing wilshere doing well in the position for england and thinking that if he strengthens (like ozil did) then he has more positional discipline than ramsey and as such can do the arteta role of starting attacks, controlling the pace of games and keeping posession. Personally i think santi does this perfectly already and offers great chance creation, and we need a true dm to sit next to him. But i was just putting forward the suggestion thet wenger might disagree
I think gibbs could possibly provide cover for DM he's tidy with the ball his pace will help him win a lot of balls back in midfield.I would love to see wenger trial this in pre season
This is an interesting article about the Transfer Window Madness we all experience. https://sports.vice.com/en_us/highlight/how-did-this-transfer-rumor-start-carvalho-to-arsenal
