Here is an interesting excerpt from today's Arseblog: "for various reasons we have Almunia, Mannone, Squillaci, Gibbs, Diaby, Arshavin, Park, Chamakh, all of whom the manager doesnât have any faith in, or canât rely on, yet whose presence in the squad does have an effect. It means that thereâs an over-reliance on the 14-15 players he does trust. It means that those players are being used, perhaps, more often than they should be, leading to fatigue, mentally and physically. It means that when they donât perform our options are limited, to say the very least. It means that competition for places is minimal." Under current rules where squad sizes are limited, this is a big part of our problem. How many teams in the top 5 have so many players who are literally useless to them. We cant call on or rely on these players and so it puts a big strain on the others. Plus if competition for places is limited perhaps this is part of the reason for the lack lustre performances we sometimes see from certain players. Also I assume this is a big part of the reason Wenger is not buying or loaning in replacements, as there are so many squad blockers in place. A big clear out is needed!
Quite simply we made a lot of bad buys and no thanks to the folk who arranged them... Unlike Chelsea's as listed in Mr Grizzly's post, it didn't cost us a pretty packet, just the major risk of losing that CL place.
YES!! i've been saying this for AGES. insufficient squad quality means a set first team, means no motivation for the rest as they don't believe they will break through. too much deadwood. i'd rather a squad of 18 really good players vying for positions than 25 where 11 are nailed-on starters as now. the formation and line-up are far too predictable.
Hmm out of our whole squad i reckon the following are good players that deserve to be at the club. Szezeney, Santos, Sagna, Kosielney, Mertersacker, Vermaelen Gibbs, Djourou, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Wilshire, Walcott, Chamberlain, Benyoun, Gervinho, RVP Thats 17 Players what i would be comfortable if they where to play any game. (not counting the likes of Jenkinson, Miquel, Coq, Frimpong) To me relying on just 17 players throughout a season is just not good enough especially as we are in all competitions and play to win and due to our injury record every season. We have too many players who just dont do anything worthwhile and they basically need to go. (Arshavin, Chamackh, Park, Diaby, Denilson, Bendtner, Squllachi, Rosicky) I'd be more that happy if Wenger sold these 8 players and signed just 3-4 to replace them as the 3-4 who replace them would actually add something to the squad and make it more competive.
i'd agree with all of those outgoings aside from Rosicky, who i think has performed well this season so far.
While on the subject of players we cant rely on, perhaps Theo Walcott should be added to the list. Apparently he wants 100 k a week in his new contract negotiations. Personally I think he delivers far too little to deserve that salary, so perhaps we should let him go? Dont get me wrong I like the player, so fast and good on his day but very very inconsistent, and I'm not sure this team can afford a player like that. Looking at our options and current injury news (especially in defence), I am a little concerned United could deliver another spanking to us on Sunday!
While on the subject of players we cant rely on, perhaps Theo Walcott should be added to the list. Apparently he wants 100 k a week in his new contract negotiations. Personally I think he delivers far too little to deserve that salary, so perhaps we should let him go? Dont get me wrong I like the player, so fast and good on his day but very very inconsistent, and I'm not sure this team can afford a player like that. Looking at our options and current injury news (especially in defence), I am a little concerned United could deliver another spanking to us on Sunday! -------------------------------- compared to who? statistically he's still outperforming all our other wingers.
Theo wants 85k apparently. Based on his marketability, and football ability, he's worth it in the current market. When he's left with just one marker, he plays well. When he's double-marked, he appears to be having a naf game, but he makes a huge amount of space for the rest of the team - so Arsenal win both ways when he plays.
That doesn't say much, use your eyes he is still running in to people or running the ball out of play or crossing in to the crowd! I find him frustrating he is way too inconsistent, I am just questioning if he is worth 100 K a week and I dont think he delivers enough.
That's a starting bid regardless. I imagine he'd probably resign for around 65-75k. I'd also say he's worth it too. All about personal opinions though I guess.
I think that gibbs and diaby are just very injury prone and can still play a bit part in the squad. Hopefully wenger will have a clear out in the summer especially as joel campbell, ryo miachyi and oxo will have developed and really be pushing for a starting place, i actually expect oxo to become a regular fixture in the squad within the next few months.
