Any successful team needs competition for places which we currently lack in several areas and doesn't require the vasts somes of money that people keep using as an excuse. Look at Newcastle who've picked up several tidy signings for a very fair price With Wilshere set to return and Arteta having an impactful season we might be ok in CM but there's little pressure in other postions for those who are 1st choice perform But that is still Wengers fault with faltering players such as Ramsey and Arshavin are over played to gain confidence yet there seems little consequence for the poor showings It's not Wenger's style to have aggressive competition as he seems to believe it will cause bad morale for those not playing ?!? But we need it to move forward and have any chance of success GoalKeeper Szczency is hands down No.1 but has a cocky edge to him that maybe a quality back up will push him to keep on his toes. SOLUTIONS - There are some quality No.1 in Premier League like Al Habsi etc but would they be willing to be 2nd choice ?? Centre Back Kos has stepped up big time but TV has had an indifferent season and probably needs someone breathing down his neck. I'm not convinced by Mertersaker, pace doesn't come from playing more time in England so the adaptability argument doesn't rint true to me. He has some good qualities but he's very clumsy and for such a big chap only average in the air. SOLUTIONS - Vertonghen is a good bet if hes only 7M but i think Scott Dann is underated. I KNOW HE GOT RELEGATED in back to back seasons but look how good Cahill is now he's left Bolton Full Backs Sagna is quality and I wish him a speedy recovery, not totally convinced on Gibbs though and he's got his injury issues. Jenkinson has promise and Santos mixes some great work with a Kamikaze style SOLUTIONS - I know this is almost impossible but think we need a real quality left back Central Midfield Wilshere to come back (HOPEFULY!!!), Arteta has been a great influence and Song has added some excellent assists to his game plus Rosicky is "like a new signing". Concerned about a defensive midfield role...Coquelin shows tremendous promise as does Frimpong (Speedy recovery to him as well) SOLUTIONS - Can't give Ramsey anymore time to promote the younger guys...but M'Vila would be a huge addition and put pressure on Song Wingers One of the most disappointing aspects to our team...Walcott is hit and miss an who knows with his contract situation, Gervinho has been remarkably average but it is his 1st season plus he had the ACO so I'd give him more of a chance. AOC has stunning ability and deserves more of a run next season but what will Wenger do with Miayachi...is he ready or even good enough SOLUTIONS - Podolski can play out wide, Benyaoun might stay but I think we need someone with promise someone like Junior Holiett who's a free transfer and shows alot of qualities our team loves Stikers They most disappointing depth and thank god we signed Podolski...Chamakh and Park are a joke and what we have done if RVP was injured? Presume Vela, Bendtner and co are going to be sold SOLUTIONS - Fingers and toes crossed RVP stays, Podolski is a great signing but we made need to give him a little time to adapt, Joel Campbell has some promise but I think we need an older forward prepared to sit on the bench but who can add something if needed, maybe someone who can come off the bench and actually do something for us.....Yakubu???
Ajameshowe I've been a bit hard on you and some of your articles but I think you are spot on with this. We lack depth. I don't think we need a superstar in every position, in fact I would take 2 solid pros at every spot rather than one superstar anyway. We need too many players to buy them all. Some of our youth team need to step up and at least become a good back up. We the fans are very harsh on our players, and it makes young players lives difficult because they are never going to be as good as the seasoned pro they back up. A couple of things: Goalkeeper - Martinez is a very good Argentinian goalkeeper on our books. He has already played for his country at senior level and is very highly thought of. I think he will be our #2 next year. Wingers - Walcott is fantastic. I think missing him has shown a few people how important he is. Gervinho is getting better. Even Pires needed a season to settle in to english football.
Forgot about Martinez. We forget because Chesney is so confident that he's so young. I would worry about him picking up an injury and Martinez has to step into his boots for a huge pressure match. I don't doubt his ability but mentally would he be ready? I honestly don't know, just most goal keepers mature later. Can we be so lucky twice?! I mentioned Robinson on another thread in the unlikely event he could be made to forget his Spud background. I thought Gervinho was getting worse! Agree about needing a season to bed in but my concern with him is that he'll get less game time with Podolski coming in and become a bit part figure.
Gervinho needs to work on the defensive side of his game. I worry about Podolski in that regard. Our wingers need to defend as well. One of Walcott's strengths that no one mentions.
It is indeed. But I can see a frontline of interchanging RvP / Podolski / Theo next season will M'Villa & Song both deployed in midfield to protect that back 4 and take the defensive responsibility away from Theo / Podolski on the wings.
And I think that is what Wenger really wants to do, but he just hasn't had a good option to play alongside Song in that role.
Quite a few mention that side of Theo's game, myself for one! It's his consistency that frustrates most. I like him and think he's a great player to have. I'm in the minority though I'll grant you!
