A lack of rotation, and quality in the rest of the squad. The First Team is almost set in stone: Chesney Sagna Vermaelen Merts Santos Song Arteta Ramsey Theo RvP Gervinho The only debate is if Koscielny plays. The only player who might break in is Wilshere. Off the bench, the only player who has impressed me is Rosicky. Literally everyone else has been poor in my opinion. There seems a severe lack of Match Fitness and Practise (as evidenced by Arshavin's astonishingly poor cameo yesterday). Trailing by a goal after a fantastic performance, to only have Chamakh & Arshavin to bring on is leaving Arsenal very threadbare and as the wear and tear takes its toll on the First Team, there is nothing coming in to replace them. There is no competition for places in the team right now, the First Team picks itself, and no-one else seriously has a look in. More quality is needed, competition for places is needed, as it means the matchday team is unpredictable and makes it harder for the opposition to set up to play against the team. The team are playing fantastic, and I'm so happy with the way they've progressed so far, but I'm a touch worried about what will happen now that the games are stacking up and there's no cover.
Spot on, the only thing I disagree with is the idea that Wilshere 'might' break into the first team, in my eyes he's a shoo-in with Ramsey covering. I agree with the main principle, when we need to change a game, all of our subs never fail to disappoint. Arshavin and Chamack have been dwelling in the Last Chance Saloon for too long now, time for new blood.
we don't have any proper super subs. United can always bring on Hernandez/Welbeck/Berbatov in attack depending on who isn't starting and Young/Valencia/Nani again depending on who isn't starting. Chelsea have Torres/Anelka/Malouda/Kalou and they're not bad players. Even Liverpool have Bellamy/Kuyt or a donkey. An impact player off the bench needs to have speed, as they come on to destroy a tired defence. Walcott would be perfect, except there is no one good enough to replace him in the starting XI. We need another pacy winger on the left (Miyaichi injured)
Not to mention 4 out of those 5 are defensive players. I think Oxo could be decent off the bench but we really do need better squad players. As well as getting rid of others who'll just never make it at Arsenal.
Frimpong and Oxo are good. Coquelin as well, but he's too similar to other players that are better than him (Ramsey, Arteta, Rosicky and Wilshere). Frimpong will get more games because Song is our only true holding midfielder ahead of him. With the ACON coming up this is a real cause for concern. If I were Wenger I would make lots of bargain basement signings that would be good cover, with a couple of decent ones. Proven Premier League Experience! Then a Podolski or a Goetze in the Summer. Demba Ba looks a real beast this season, lets sign him up if we can't get Podolski. He just gets goals, something we need. A striker who can finish the chances the others create, apart from Van Persie. I'd say we need better cover than Fabianski. Let's sign Sorensen, he'd be cheap and he's on the bench for Stoke anyway. He's getting some games now but he'd jump at the choice to join Arsenal, right? I would say a move for Cudicini from Spurs wouldn't be that wrong either... he's still a top keeper. If Cahill is out of contract in the summer and Bolton could be relegated, a sneaky bid for him would be all right. He would replace Squillaci, and would get games too. Just a few signings could give us a much stronger bench. That's what we need to compete at the moment.
With regards to Podolski, or anyone else, the only question is "Is he better than either Chamakh or Arshavin?" If yes, he's a good buy. Better players are required, players who will compete for places, not just pick up paycheques. Oxo can't even get on the bench, that tells you all you need to know about him at the moment. He's looked great against other under21 players, that's all so far. My judgement is reserved. Not saying he won't be great, but that he's not pushing Theo right now.
Both Koscielny and Wilshere are cert starters when everyone is fit. Even more so, i am sure Wenger will be building our game around Wilshere, which is his strategic task.
This reliance on RVP is like the reliance we had on Henry during his last seasons. We need better personnel and a plan B and C if necessary. When do we ever counter at pace ? This is why Walcott should be pushed further forward to play as the "off the shoulder striker". But the downside to that is .. who would supply the ammunition now Cesc is not here ? Cesc would look up and ping a pass other's didn't see until the ball reached the recipient. Maybe someone would step up into that role. We are simply too obvious at the moment with this sodding 4-3-3 Wenger plays every frikkin match - I want to see Walcott doing damage where it matters - right down the middle of the park .. not out wide. Wilshere is a guaranteed starter by the way, that boy could play in any league in the world, such is his technical level.
If we can't get podolski then we should definitely go for sow, he has already expressed and interest in joining us and also gotze would be a top signing for us, players like arshavin chamakh and squillaci should be shown the door and i think that wilshere will come in for arteta instead of ramsey because ramsey is the only midfielder that seems to be supporting rvp, arteta plays far too deep.
IMO Bendy doesn't want to come back, so he can go. Denilson, Chamakh, Arshavin, Squillaci can also go. I'd expect that would free up a large amount of wages, and bring a few million in ready for new players. Next season Bartley will be back, and pushing for a place in the squad. Miguel is improving, and experience at Left Back will only benefit him. I'm not sure how the other Loanee's are doing, I haven't heard rave reviews of any so I assume none of them look likely to step it up for next season? Afobe was the one I was hoping for. The team will be short for the rest of the season if a couple of players don't come in in January.
