Excellent signing! Was a little perplexed when you passed up the option on Fabregas due to him bringing winning mentality and passion to the side; I dare say Sanchez will bring even more than Fab? Things are shaping up nicely, and with Ozil added recently and the vast attacking array you now have, goals are not something you should struggle to score! I do wonder though if Sanchez actually gets you closer to the Title? Assuming of course Wenger does not play him through the middle; apart from another match winner, you are still needing the same areas addressed as you did. Chelsea have already seemingly addressed their own weak areas, Liverpool unfortunately will be going backwards without Suarez and the increase in games this season. Arsenal still require some steel and a real backbone and leadership to win the Prem; you will as ever beat most sides; but its the big games that the last few years you have struggled in, often getting overpowered. Mascherano, Khediera or Vidal would be a massive leap, I also feel you need a strong leader in the CB position; although it is not an area that is a priority. I really hope you guys can do it though, I can't see Liverpool getting anywhere close this season.
ShanksHateManks - I know what you mean, all our other competitors (with the exception of Liverpool are improving). But I think this signing could be just what we need. One major problem - and probably our biggest, even over and above a lack of a 30+ goal striker, was our lack of pace when we lost Walcott/Oxo/Ramsey, as we had Ozil who loved threading balls through to players making runs, and Giroud who was great at holding the ball up and flicking passes to players running beyond him - but neither running much, surrounded by Cazorla, Arteta, Rosicky and Wilshere - none of whom have great pace, and all like to come towards the ball. This made us easy to defend against, and didn't offer much variety, or stretch defences. With Sanchez and Walcott we'll have loads of pace, offer a big threat on the counter, have players running beyond Giroud (or if Sanchez is playing upfront on his own), offer a fast outlet for Ozil to aim at. Plus gives us another great goal threat to add to our 20+ Giroud, 15+ Walcott & Ramsey. As long as we strengthen our defence (RB Priority but also a back up CB) and get a back up Striker (to enable proper rotation), and look to replace Arteta this window or next year then everything is rosy and all our concerns will be met
There are only a handful of players I'd rather have. 35 million is really cheap. As a Chile fan, I may just know what I'm talking about.
Scholes said after the Shaw transfer that "for 30+ million I'm expecting a forward who gets 25 goals a season" or something of the like. Obviously creative players who do something special can also justify the price tag. While I doubt he'll get us 25 goals a season soon, I think Sanchez can manage a combined 30 goals + assists even in his first season. (I'm just glad that we aren't likely to have Podolski and Cazorla both on the wings at the same time anymore. We had no width with that combo.)
Sanchez has a lot of the same attributes as henry and RVP, so i think he is planning doing the same thing with sanchez as he did with those two, wouldn't surprise me if thats what convinced him to join, as wenger has a good track record with these things.
Yeah it does seem so; when you hear that Wenger had followed Sanchez for most of his career and explained where he saw him playing and maturing, it does seem like putting 2+2 together, he may play through the middle. Could be as good as Henry?
I hear you! What I meant though is that; improving the forward line, whilst great from an aesthetic point of view and adding goals, movement, options etc... does it actually help you get closer to winning the title? The Prem is always lost in the big games; last season losing 6-3 City, 6-0 Chelsea, 5-1 Liverpool, and finishing bottom of the top 4 'mini-League'. Admittedly you not only conceded bags of goals in those games (18), but scored the fewest (7); however, a huge part of that was the goals you conceded to the other 3 that make their figures look better. I don't doubt Sanchez 'may' help you win the games like the home games vs Chelsea (0-0), and City (1-1), but for me the failure to win the League is nothing to do with failing to score goals, it is that you concede far too easily against the top sides and are often over-powered. I also feel you lack leadership across the pitch; as opposed to the great Arsenal Invincibles, the Fergie Utd, and even Chelsea and the current City side, you lack a real backbone to compliment the fantastic talent you have. I say all this by declaring again I am an Arsenal fan, although Liverpool are my first team (and Halifax Town...who?), if I hadn't supported Liverpool when I was a kid, I would certainly be an Arsenal fan. I see Arsenal not being too far off, but the areas that need addressing for me are; 1) adding some steel and backbone, the likes of a Kompany or Mascherano/Khedeira type players, possibly two or even three players, a CB, DM, Commanding GK 2) I don't know Bould at all, but adding to the coaching staff. Possibly some continental experience or a Bergkamp type appointment. 3) Adding winning mentality, much like number 1, adding the likes of Khediera/Masch will do that anyway.
The Spuds have been reduced to hoping that Sanchez turns out to be another Soldado. Sad on so many levels
Alexis Sanchez has made a big mistake by rejecting Liverpool to complete a move to Arsenal, according to Reds legend Phil Thompson. Sanchez completed his £30million switch to the Gunners yesterday after previously turning down a move to Liverpool, who were keen to sign him. But Thompson says the Chilean is making an error in choosing to move to the Emirates Stadium over Anfield. ‘Sanchez doesn’t know what he’s missing by not joining Liverpool,’ he told Sky Sports News. ‘The passion, power and worldwide recognition of Liverpool is strong.’ Maybe he read this before he signed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20974695 ** Better win % for the last 20 years ** Better average attendance by more than 33% ** Global fanbase almost 60% higher
Think he is just embarrassed after saying Sanchez had signed for Liverpool a few weeks ago! Perhaps before Suarez was sold, I could see him choosing Liverpool over you guys, but sadly I think we will be well off the pace this season.
I hope so Piskie, as long as it is not at Liverpool's expense (unlikely this season). However, even with Debuchy, I do wonder if you will be able to take the points needed of the big teams to win the Prem? Scoring goals is only one part of that; dominating midfield and being difficult to break down are the bigger issues that are plaguing you in that regard.
I honestly doubt it mate; the added games will on their own make it very unlikely. I also think that Suarez was to Liverpool, what Cantona was to Utd, crazy, but a genuius that lifted others to new levels. Even during his bad games, he was creating space for others through the fear he had over defenders. Suarez for me was putting us in a false position really, much like Bale did at Spurs and Van Persie for you a couple of seasons ago. Massive loss!
