It's got to the stage where I think a review of our team is in order. The team of 8-2 is now 5-3 and call it a one off if you will, because it is, it's still a watershed. This is more a snapshot for the future. By looking at the squad now we can look back say in March and see how things change. Szczesny A great goalkeeper no doubt. But what is it with his sudden tendency to rush out like a mad man? Did Jens Lehmann teach him that over the summer? He needs to reign it in. Fabianski I'm happy with him in goal. I'm happy with him as back up. He's solid nowadays and better than 95% of reserve goal keepers. Also he waved at me at the Emirates Cup once. That makes him superman. Sagna I'm a huge fan of his but I think he didn't have a great start to the season. He seemed more sloppy than last season. His injury was coming as he seemed overplayed. Jenkinson You've done too much, much too young. A good anthem for the kid. I still think, from watching preseason, he has all the ingredients to make a world class fullback in the future. He lacks a little positional awareness and experience. Such things will come. Koscielny He's a good defender with an exceptional tackling ability and decent aerial ability. Perfect for European games and improving on his league ones too. Mertesacker Doing well. His "calming influence" is actually understated. He's improving game by game and nobody was surprised to see him take a while to adapt to the rigours of the league. He'll get there. Consider that last season we bought Squillaci. Vermaelen Looks the leader we so desperately want. It's almost a shame we don't play 3 in CB because the three of these guys compliment each other perfectly. Santos Is a Brazilian. In ever single aspect of his being. Loves going forward and balls to defense. He's fun, a little overweight and skillful on the ball. Not the best fullback ever but I think his contribution this season has already been significant in a couple of games. Gibbs Always injured. However, he's fast, offers more than Clichy in attack and not much less in defense. Considering that he is at this stage already, he could mature into a fantastic fullback. Djourou Out of position, isn't great. However, he's doing what he did at this stage last season. Shockingly poor first half, much improved second. Maybe in a month or two he'll be looking solid. Though that's a little optimistic. Doesn't look to have the speed or natural attributes for a fullback. Song Very very good. Sometimes his ability on the ball defies his position. Like the way he set up Santos yesterday. Still a little naive and still a little careless in his passing. But he's back on track after a lacklustre season last time around. Frimpong A bull. Red card magnet. Passionate. Yet to see enough technical ability. Coquelin More cultured. Less of a fighter perhaps but exceptional passing ability and composure. Wilshere Been injured all season so far. I wasn't his biggest fan last season. He never looked able to change a game, only be a cog in a great performance. However, in preseason I saw a very marked step up and I was gutted to see him come of injured. He genuinely was looking twice the player. Ramsey Still improving and recovering. And becoming a very useful midfielder. He doesn't have the composure of Cesc or the ability, as of yet. But name a midfielder on the planet, his side of 25, who does. I'm enjoying his movement, his simple yet effective through balls and his occasional trickery. Arteta He's no replacement for Cesc. He just isn't. What he is, however, is a very decent player whose experience and drive will see us through many games where artistry isn't enough. He's very useful. Will take a shot from the edge of a box, will take a great free kick. Not a bad buy by any stretch. Rosicky Undergoing a quiet renaissance that isn't going completely unnoticed. He's a solid, handy squad player. He's versatile and all that's missing from the old little Mozart is the goals. His experience is useful. Benayoun I respect him. He gives 100% to every club he has ever played for. Handy to have on loan and he is useful off the bench. He's made things happen more than once as a substitute. Arshavin PLAY HIM IN THE MIDDLE. He's great for Russia there and he's great for us there (in the CC). On the wing he no longer has the pace to be devastating but his ability in the middle is useful. I think he's now got a lot of desire to perform also. Walcott Yesterday aside, he's been relatively poor. He has had little influence in games and he fades very early. Maybe he'll improve from now on. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain A lot of hype after ripping up Shrewsbury, scoring in the Champions League and being unbelievable for England's U-21s. However, mucked up against Bolton in the CC. That's normal. He's young. Some are calling for Theo to be dropped for the kid but that's clearly the wrong thing to do. Very, very talented. Gervinho Since we got him, it's been a mantra. "Once he sorts out the final ball he'll be lethal". His partnership with Van Persie is fruitful and he makes things happen. But wasteful in front of goal. Chamakh It's not just confidence. He has a responsibility to sort himself out because his game adds nothing. With Park snapping at his heels he appears clunky, unwilling to shoot and everything but a striker. Still a nice guy though. Park Chu Young Many of us were wondering why we bought him. Two appearances in the Carling Cup are all that he has. However, Wenger said he is now ready for the league after a Henry-esque goal against Bolton in the Carling Cup. Robin Van Persie Is Robin Van Persie. Any questions? Like I say, this is more a snapshot of our team as it stands. Like drawing your child's height against a wall. If you disagree with some evaluations please feel free to comment.
I think you've added stuff which says no different to me at times. As for Gervinho you only need to look at his miss after the beautiful Walcott cross to see what I mean. However, he IS already improving his final ball and it won't be long until he's one of the best wingers on the planet. And Szczesny has done it more often than twice. He got lucky twice v Spurs at their place last season. I did enjoy the way he flattened Bale twice but even so, it's something to keep an eye on.
Agree with most of your thread, particularly Arshavin - played down the centre i think he can still make a huge contribution to the team. Walcott has gone from being very overated as a teenage to very underated as a young adult. He is a fantastic player and should not get the stick he does - he is far more consistent than people make out he is. Wilshere is a legend - great young player always improving and didn't look out of place in the game against Barca. Sagna has been overused but is a beast - still one of the best RB's in the world. I'd defo like to see more of Park. Sczezney i like. Even his crazy streak - yeh it may be wrong sometimes but i love that he commits himself - he makes a decision and goes for it. He did this well against spurs last season - owning bale. Another thing is that he is confident in his ability and his control of the defence - he was moving the defenders with his hands to where he wanted them lol Special mention to Kosc who ha been one of our best players this season along with Gervinho and RVP. I have repeatedly said that Kosc is an amazing player and will keep improving as well and alot of fans have given him stick - but he really is a top quality defender. Fantastic move from AW to get him in. I'm actually alot happier with our defence at the moment than i have been in a while. TV, Kosc and Mert (although still adapting) are great CB's. Sagna is one of the best in the world with Jenkinson a good back-up. Santos and Gibbs to fight for the LB spot is better than having Clichy play there constantly imo. Santos is an intersting one but i love his Brazilin style of play. Overall i'm very happy with the team and happy with the signings we made during the summer. It may be nice to add something to the team in January but overall things are not nearly as bad as it had been made out. I am very, very confident we will make top 4 this season. 100%.