Every seasone SOMEONE steps up and stakes a claim for a spot in the 1st team. Last year it was Wilshere, but who will this season surprise us with? The early contender seems to be Frimpong. The LB spot is still up for grabs, while if Miyaichi somehow gets a work permit, could he force Arshavin out of the starting Left Forward position? How about Ramsey in the centre? If Cesc leaves, will he step it up and take the spot? Or even Fabianski & Chesney fighting for the no1 spot? What about Rosicky? With a full pre-season under his belt, will he be vying for a starting position? There's plenty of opportunity this year, few positions are set in stone at the beginning of the season. Who can you see making the step up this year, and why?
i think Rosicky will do well, Miyaichi if he gets a work permit, which i doubt, Gibbs will make the LB spot his own and force his way into the english squad. ramsey will improve but will only become a starter if fabregas is sold. oxo will do well in the second half of the season. and i also expect gervinho to shine all throughout the season.
Well Ryo Miyaichi has his papers now. Things are beginning to look on the up already. Arsene needs to make sure the back is covered.....
Armand Traore. Can see Gibbs picking up a few injuries and Traore nicking his place. I think Coquelin would have been the next youngster to step up, but the Under 20s world cup has destroyed his chance this summer, and so Frimpong looks to have taken advantage. With the lack of strikers around the squad, and with those here being injury prone, Benik Afobe may get a chance or two if he stays!
Frimpong, I feel. He was unfortunate last season with an horrific injury. He looks good though, gives us something we lack in midfield and he is young.
rosicky will be at best a squad player player once again, and a not very good one at that, way past his best, recon gibbs still has a long way to go, l/b is a problem for us and an area that other teams exploit. fully expect Ramsey to be a regular starter this season, he and wilshire have the ability to become one of the most efective midfield partnerships in the prem.(i am already resigned to Fabregas leaving). Recon you are right about Gervinho, wasnt over exited about his signing but has been very impresive pre season and i think Arsenals style of play may really suit him.
i can see Frimpong doin the business. i reckon chamberlain will be 4th choice as a winger, so don't expect him to feature much. Gervinho will impress a few people. bit worried about Ramsey as playmaker, it's a LOT of pressure for him after so long out. Traore could surprise a few folks too.
If Frimpong does step up and replace Song, then Song could be the extra CB we have been crying out for. What do you think of a CB pairing of TV and Song?
Im going to chicken out and go for one of the old guard, Rosicky, Arshavin, Diaby or Song. I thing Gervinho will be solid gold with a 15 goal season and that Ramsey and Wilshere will be solid but unspectacular. RVP to score 25 goals and mostly stay fit all season. Arsenal to coast to the title, by at least 10 points, without Fabregas and Nasri. After the season is over fans calling for Wenger to be fiired becasue he didn't get rid of Fabregas and Nasri sooner.
I don't know why Diaby is always put in the same category as Denilson and Almunia (maybe it's because of the own goal against Man U or his injuries?). In my opinion, he is one of our better midfielders. He is very skillfull, fast, strong and is not afraid to get stuck in. If he can put his injuries behind him, he can be one of our star performers. Along with Diaby, I think can also be a star performer. With Fabregas most certainly leaving and Nasri to probably ruin his career with him, this might be his last chance to prove himself to Wenger and us fans. In my opinion, he should get the nod ahead of Ramsey because of his experience and long range shooting abilities. If they could pick up the slack and do better than last year, we might just win something.
