Looking through Ferna's squad, there really is nothing to fear, but the problems we have worry me more than what the opposition have to offer. We were in a similar mess at the start of the 2011/12 season, but we somehow managed to get our act together for the CL qualifiers against Udinese and pulled through in the end. Let's hope and pray for a repeat of that.
Are you so sure this is what you should be praying for? Now, let's take it as read that you will get 3/4 players before the end of transfer window that in all honesty will not take you close to your 5 rivals. This is a given as you definitely need that amount as a minimum and if you're in for players like Cabaye that is not going to make the difference!! So, with an ill equipped squad do you honestly expect to reach Top 4 and compete in CL. Granted you will make last 16 as with your previous luck you have a likelihood of getting a piss easy group, just think that not qualifying this year would definitely take the doubt in anyone's mind as to the seriousness of your position and get them moving now! But hey, it's only one game, still another 37 to go and let's not forget how fantastic Les Invicibles were!!
The squad we currently have were pretty consistent toward the end of last season, getting 27 out of a possible 30 points, so they're not totally incompetent. The problem is that our closest rival for top four, Spurs, have strengthened considerably with some quality additions. This makes strengthening and improving on last season's points tally crucial. I can't believe we have not added some quality to the squad already but not qualifying would exacerbate the problem and make us an unattractive destination for the kind of players we need. Like I said above, the best case scenario is qualify, bring in 3-4 quality signings, beat Fulham and Tottenham and get our season going, that is what we should be hoping for.
They might not need decent players to cause us problems, the other day we were getting roasted by the average Agbonlahor
I think a lot of our transfer business will be dependant on us progressing through to the CL group stages
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger receives some welcome news as five players feared to have contracted injuries at the weekend reported for training. Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky all hurt themselves during Arsenal's shock 3-1 loss at home to Aston Villa on the opening day of the Premier League season on Saturday, but were able to train on Tuesday morning. Arsenal will hope to have all five players at their disposal when they visit Turkish side Fenerbahce for the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday. Some good news!
That is a bigger relief. WE know that Gibbs is a little injury prone so having Nacho bacl will give us that much needed cover. We all know the trip to Turkey will be a physical one!
The only worrying thing about Monreal is that he's had no pre-season so he's not going to be match fit
Would any Arsenal fans here take a 1-0 loss? No away goal but still very much recoverable with a good home performance.
Despite a part of me wanting to see you not make the CL proper (means it will be harder to attract the much needed signings and therefore giving us a better chance of finishing above you), I always like the English sides to do well so good luck in this game lads
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8880301? Not as bad as the original reports of him being out for 6 months, I suppose. Also bear in mind that there is an international break coming up, so he should not miss too many games, if he recovers in six weeks.
Not sure. With the latest injury news I am a bit more optimistic. Granted, our midfield is weak as ****, but the defence is good and in attack we are also pretty good. Let's not forget the run this team went on last season, and if they can get it tactically right, just like they did in the final of part of last season, we should be good enough to get a result in Turkey.
I'm more worried by the fact that we struggle against physical strikers (see Benteke on Saturday as proof), Fenerbahce have Moussa Sow AND Emmanuel Emenike. We can't deal with 1 striker, we're going to have fun against these 2. Or is fun the wrong word?
