ONLY IF WE KEEP VAN PERSIE! Pod and Vert should be coming. Vertonghen apparently appeard on Dutch MOTD and when they mentioned Arsenal he kept dropping hints - Good, good signs Goetze has been linked for ages and I have a funny feeling that, with the other clubs seemingly fighting over Hazard, we might get him. But unless we keep Van Persie this will all go to waste. I think he'll sign on if we finish close to the Manchester Clubs (Within 6 or so Points of both, just about achievable I reckon). I would also give a huge bonus for winning a trophy to every player as an extra incentive, sign Sol Campbell up as a defensive coach, and, if Pat Rice is retiring, give the assistant manager's job to someone like Steve Bould.
Podolski - most probably Vertonghen - most improbably Goetze - no chance in hell So in my book - if we sign Poldi and keep RVP = successful summer
It would be good to ensure we keep RvP, find a backup for him and beef up the midfield so we can play any game we like regardless of the opposition. This assuming we get a defensive strategy in place. With the right players on board we could finally bring home silverware next year. Then it will be opposition, what opposition?
If we signed Podolski, Gotze and Vertonghen and RVP signs a new contract it will be an amazing summer. We would add depth to all areas of our squad and be bringing in really good quality players. Podolski i think we will sign. RVP i think will re-sign provided Podolski isn't the only good signing and we get top 4. Gotze and Vertonghen i'd like but no idea if there is any substance to the rumours.
don't actually feel we need goetze. the team would have to revert back to last years style of play to make him work effectively, with him instead of fabregas as the focal point for everything. i honestly would prefer someone about his age but more like rosicky, who works his socks off in attacking midfield to get goals, rather than a player who only looks for the killer pass. not sure if goetze is that player, he might be, but i haven't seen him enough.
Podolski and Vertonghen would be enough for me. Podloski can play behind Van Persie, on the left or as a CF. Vertonghen can play as a Centreback or a defensive midfielder. Both are top class and both would be very useful given how we normally fair with injuries. Wilshere is such a great talent and will surely be our main creative force, Chamberlain looks extremely promising down the middle also. Alongside Arteta, Song, Ramsey and a newly revived Rosicky I'm not sure we really need to add.
--------------------Sczezney--------------------- Sagna---Vertonghen------Vermaelen---Santos ------------Song------------Wilshere------------- Walcott-----------Chamberlain----------Podolski --------------------VanPersie-------------------- with a strong bench: Koscielney, Gervinho, Ramsey, Rosicky, Campbell, Arteta, Almunia.
I feel very sorry for Ramsey if we do get Gotze. I can't get over the feeling that we don't really need another CM... with Rosicky's new found form and Wilshere returning from inury as well Arteta who is a decent player I'm not sure we need to break the bank to get Gotze anymore. Podolski and Vertonghen would be very good acquisitions.
Rosicky's found some form, but let's not forget that he's 31 now. Goetze isn't just for next season, he'd be an investment in the future.
I would be happy if we signed the likes of Goetze but i dont think we 'need' him. Wilshere is already TOP CLASS and Chamberlain is not far away. Rosicky, Arteta, Diaby and Ramsey are great backup and arguably rival anything united/chelsea have in reserve. Songs a very good DM/CM, Arteta, Frimpong and Wilshere can both play there also. Also Song plays every game regardless who's fit. He's alot more than just a 'squad player'. Diarra, Flamini and Muamba were all let go because Song was the more talented player. I would'nt argue if Wenger bought a more traditional 'holding' player though.(such as M'villa) Arsenal fans have always cried out for a new 'midfield general' ever since Vieira left the club. The truth is Vieira is a one of a kind and we will never find another player just like him. (The nearest today would currently be Yaya Toure but even he is not on Viera's level.) Who do you think we should get to be our 'midfield general?' because my bet is that whoever you say statistically Song would match them for interceptions, distance covered and successful passes. I cant agree with you there either Vertonghen is 6'3 strong and quick. He's good enough to get picked ahead of Kompany in the Belgian national team. It's all just personal opinion you may not be wrong. I'm just fed up with fans crying out for a 'new Vieira' type player when in reality. They dont exist.
Please don't get taken in by the hype. Wilshere is not top class yet and is a couple of years away from getting into that bracket. He has missed a whole season which has impacted on his development and we don't know how he'll come back. I think you are overhyping a lot of our players. Yes they are good but they fall short of the top bracket. Only RVP and Sagna would get into the top echelon of teams, the rest have potential and only time will tell if they'll make it.....
I'm generally sceptical about over-hyping young players. We have had too many youngsters that got hyped up only to not make it. However Wilshere is different. He's head and shoulders above anyone who's come through since Fabregas. His performances against United, Barcelona and Chelsea just show how good he really is. He can tackle, run with the ball and take players on and has one of the best first touches i've ever seen in an English player.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqBGCc2vSr8 Providing he's not held back by injuries. Wilshere will be the best English player since Paul Scholes.(who I have always rated very very highly)
The problem is, there is no one to compare him with in the English game, because there really isn't much talent coming through the ranks. The technical level of English players is lower than that of Spain, France, Holland etc so someone like Wilshere will understandably standout. He is a quality player but i rather wait until he's proven it consistently, against top opposition. Yes he performed well against Barca, but the rest of our squad was poor in comparison. One thing i agree with Pep on regarding Wilshere, he is a good player, but they have many Wilshere type players playing in their team (reserve/B team). Why do you think we continually poach Barca players?
Vertonghen would be a really good signing imo. He can play LB, CB and DM and if the last few years have taught us anything, it's that we need versatility in defence. Too often we've had to shoe horn players into positions at the back and play them out of position. We need a player who can play in several defensive positions. So for that reason, I don't think he would come as a 4th choice CB to warm the bench, he would undoubtedly play lots of games.
Vertonghen depends on Bartley & Miguel IMO. If they're ready to step it up, then he isn't needed. Miguel I think should have a season on loan, Bartley has been out a lot and needs to be either promoted or cut loose. If Vertonghen comes in, Djourou can go. Kos, Verm & Merts are good, add Vertonghen & that's 4 quality CB's - a match for any other team really.
I've always thought that every top team needs 4 top quality CBs. Two first choice and two equally as good for cover. There are more than enough games in a season and with injuries, for all four to get adequate playing time.
Very interesting from John Cross @ The Mirror on Arsenal: "They are overhauling contracts to make them more "efficient." Some fans got annoyed that Johan Djourou got a new deal until 2015. The truth is that was extended after he activated an option in his favour by playing a set number of first team games. Djourou was a good squad member and is a popular figure in the dressing room. But other squad players - like Abou Diaby - are on £60,000-a-week. Diaby was available for transfer last summer."
