I think we saw in the 2007/2008 season what Wenger has been trying to achieve since the Invincibles. We passed the ball exquisitely, had a tireless, skillful grafter in midfield and a strong, prolific striker up front. I don't think Wenger has forgotten how to build an effective attacking team, it's just that in certain positions the players are simply not good enough! One weak link in the chain and the machine breaks down. We saw this ad nauseum in the Bradford game. It doesn't matter if the majority have the required passing ability because a couple of below par players is all it takes to destroy a promising move and relieve the pressure on the opposition. When we had the likes of Fabregas, Hleb, Rosicky, Flamini et al all keeping things ticking over, the opposition didn't have time to breathe and sooner or later we had the ball in the net. I like Arteta but I think we need a destructive, no-nonsense out and out DM. Then in the other more attacking midfield births we could rotate Cazorla, Jack, Arteta, Rosicky and, dare I say it, Diaby. We could then keep the passing quality high and as a result pressurize the opposition. In attack, I'm fairly pleased with Giroud but I think our wing attack on both sides needs strengthening. Podolski needs to be moved into the centre and rotated with Giroud; his finishing is excellent and his wing play isn't. Therefore we should exploit his strengths and not his weaknesses. This is where I think our second signing should be and I'm not talking about Zaha. We need to find an established, skillful, tricky winger who can bloody well cross! We have a tall, powerful striker who is good in the air, we need wingers who can exploit this. Our wing forward positions should be rotated among Walcott, Oxo (he's had a poor season so far but he gets more balls in the box than Gerv or Poldi), a new established winger and maybe a young understudy (this is where I wouldn't be averse to Zaha). With regard to strikers we should look at Man Utd for inspiration. They have four strikers that would walk into most teams. Therefore, although in my system we would already have Giroud and Poldi, I think another top striker to compete for this crucial position should be brought in. Maybe Llorente or Huntelaar. (Falcao if we're feeling ambitious) In defence ,I don't think personnel is a major problem and with an effective DM protecting the back four I actually think we're pretty well stocked at the back. The only replacement I would make is a quality LB to replace Santos Pepe Reina has been mentioned in the press recently and signing him certainly wouldn't hurt. A top team cannot run the risk of having Mannone as its keeper for any significant portion of the season. You may have noticed that I have omitted some names in my new look squad. This is for the reason that, in my opinion, Gervinho, Ramsey, Chamack, Santos, Djourou, Squillachi, among others, have proved themselves unworthy and should be shipped out as soon as possible. This could be achieved by informing them that they have a minimal chance of even making the bench. If they had any self-respect this would result in their transfer requests. If this revolution were to happen, the resulting squad would look like this: ---------------------Szczesney/Reina--------------------------------- Sagna/Jenks---------- Mert/Verm/Kos------------------ Gibbs/new LB ------------------- New DM/ Arteta----------------------------------- -------------Jack/Cazorla/Arteta/Diaby/Rosicky------------------------ Walcott/Zaha/Oxo------------------------------ New Winger/ Oxo/Zaha --------------Poldi/Giroud/New Quality Striker-------------------------- Other subs: Arshavin (good supersub, makes things happen), Miquel, Eisfeld, Coquelin(deserves 1 more chance), Gnabry These changes wouldn't require ludicrous amounts of money, just a change in our approach in the transfer market. The new arrivals would also light a fire under the arses of the existing members of the squad and instill a genuine fear that if they don't perform, they will lose their place. If, after a WHOLE season with this squad, Wenger failed to create a seriously competitive team, then, with regret, we should replace him with Guardiola or someone of equal quality and ambition. I realize that all these changes are a tall order for January but if our squad looked similar to this at the start of next season, I would be happy Thoughts?
Willian and Gustavo whilst mirroring the formation played in 07/08. Huntelaar would be a luxury, but useful signing in this formation -----------Giroud/Huntelaar------Podolski/Walcott-------- Cazorla---------Wilshere-----Gustavo----------Willian Gibbs-------Vermaelen------Mertesacker------Sagna -------------------Szczesny------------------------ I'd be confident with that team. It's strong defensively, in midfield and in attack.
Good thing as well would be the back up. Assuming we get all three players this may be our second choice team: -------------Giroud-----------Walcott------------ Rosicky------Arteta------Diaby----------Gervinho Santos-----Djourou----Koscielny-------Jenkinson ----------------Fabianski---------------------- Guys like Arshavin, Ramsey, Coquelin, Chamakh and so on would all benefit in this formation I feel.
