Something needs to change next season
- Thread starter CliffyG
- Start date
Season has been a good season and im happy with what we have achieved despite winning nothing.
People easily forget that not long ago we were top of the premier league something we had held pretty much since day one, were in the semi final of the carling cup and on the way to the quarter finals of the champions league.
All despite losing one of the best forwards the premiership has seen and not signing a proven goalscoring replacement. People said we would struggle to be in the top 5 and where the hell were the goals going to come from.
We draw a few games and lose a few and all of a sudden peeople say arsenal are in big trouble and wengers lost the plot etc etc. Well from my perspective we havent at all and wenger is STILL doing a great job at the club.
Walcott hasnt been a regular but wenger has brought him into games at just the right moment when the opposition are getting tired and on a lot of occasions he has sparked us into life and created important goals for us.
I agree eboue isnt made for the right wing BUT i would like to see him kept as cover for sagna.
Senderos has his moments but he is still a solid defender imo, hes still very young and has time to mature, id also like to see him kept, hes never going to command a regular starting spot but is more than adequote at providing cover.
Hoyte - I feel really sorry for the guy he used to play with composure a few seasons ago in the carling cup but this season hes hardly ever got a run out and i really believe his poor form is down to lack of self belief and confidence.
RvP - I'd like to see him given one more season to ascertain whether hes a stretcher boy or just had 2 seasons of bad luck, he has bags of talent and potential, if he doesnt cut it next season and spends a lot of time on the sidelines then Wenger should sell him
Big Ade - Cant believe people are knocking him, up until the birmingham game he led the line brilliantly, held the ball up well and brought others into play, i also think he always puts in 110%. Hes gone off the boil since birmingham game but then the whole team is suffering from lack of confidence etc imo so its no surprise. he must be kept.
Almunia - Happy with him being kept as our number one, hes a brilliant shot stopper and not bad at pens either.
Rosicky - Sell him, not just becuse of his injury problems but i really dont rate his team play.
Hleb - Should replace eboue as right winger again but should be given free roam to drift back inside in support of whoevers up front
Bendtner - Sell him or put him back on loan for another season, hes scored one or two important goal this season but he misses far too many for an up and coming CF imo
Signings over the coming summer - We need another CM and let gilberto leave, hes lost his edge and obviously wants 1st team football regularly. I also think a fox in the box is needed, eduardo was edgeing towards being that for us but i still question whether he will be anything like his former self when he returns. Finally i think we need a left footed winger to replace rosicky, weve been linked with ben arfa but i dont think he's good enough
People easily forget that not long ago we were top of the premier league something we had held pretty much since day one, were in the semi final of the carling cup and on the way to the quarter finals of the champions league.
All despite losing one of the best forwards the premiership has seen and not signing a proven goalscoring replacement. People said we would struggle to be in the top 5 and where the hell were the goals going to come from.
We draw a few games and lose a few and all of a sudden peeople say arsenal are in big trouble and wengers lost the plot etc etc. Well from my perspective we havent at all and wenger is STILL doing a great job at the club.
Walcott hasnt been a regular but wenger has brought him into games at just the right moment when the opposition are getting tired and on a lot of occasions he has sparked us into life and created important goals for us.
I agree eboue isnt made for the right wing BUT i would like to see him kept as cover for sagna.
Senderos has his moments but he is still a solid defender imo, hes still very young and has time to mature, id also like to see him kept, hes never going to command a regular starting spot but is more than adequote at providing cover.
Hoyte - I feel really sorry for the guy he used to play with composure a few seasons ago in the carling cup but this season hes hardly ever got a run out and i really believe his poor form is down to lack of self belief and confidence.
RvP - I'd like to see him given one more season to ascertain whether hes a stretcher boy or just had 2 seasons of bad luck, he has bags of talent and potential, if he doesnt cut it next season and spends a lot of time on the sidelines then Wenger should sell him
Big Ade - Cant believe people are knocking him, up until the birmingham game he led the line brilliantly, held the ball up well and brought others into play, i also think he always puts in 110%. Hes gone off the boil since birmingham game but then the whole team is suffering from lack of confidence etc imo so its no surprise. he must be kept.
Almunia - Happy with him being kept as our number one, hes a brilliant shot stopper and not bad at pens either.
Rosicky - Sell him, not just becuse of his injury problems but i really dont rate his team play.
Hleb - Should replace eboue as right winger again but should be given free roam to drift back inside in support of whoevers up front
Bendtner - Sell him or put him back on loan for another season, hes scored one or two important goal this season but he misses far too many for an up and coming CF imo
Signings over the coming summer - We need another CM and let gilberto leave, hes lost his edge and obviously wants 1st team football regularly. I also think a fox in the box is needed, eduardo was edgeing towards being that for us but i still question whether he will be anything like his former self when he returns. Finally i think we need a left footed winger to replace rosicky, weve been linked with ben arfa but i dont think he's good enough
I don't think Arsenal's lack of quality cover is the main reason your season fell away. Ive said before that it's all good and well when you play your great football as you'll take even the top teams apart but when you're not on form, imo, you lack the individual match winners.
We have Torres and Gerrard to save us when we're not playing well, Utd have Ronaldo and Rooney and Chelsea have Lampard and Drogba who'll pop up with important goals. Although Adebayor's had a great season im not convinced he's up to the standard of the other top strikers around and a great player Fabregas is but i don't think you can rely on him for goals.
You used to be able to rely on Ljungberg, Pires, Bergkamp and Henry, i don't think Hleb, Rosicky (recently Eboue), RvP and Adebayor stand up to the previous 4 and if i was Wenger i'd be after more goals from midfield.
We have Torres and Gerrard to save us when we're not playing well, Utd have Ronaldo and Rooney and Chelsea have Lampard and Drogba who'll pop up with important goals. Although Adebayor's had a great season im not convinced he's up to the standard of the other top strikers around and a great player Fabregas is but i don't think you can rely on him for goals.
You used to be able to rely on Ljungberg, Pires, Bergkamp and Henry, i don't think Hleb, Rosicky (recently Eboue), RvP and Adebayor stand up to the previous 4 and if i was Wenger i'd be after more goals from midfield.
Like i said goals from midfield is not a problem we've scored more goals this season than chelsea and liverpool and are not far behind man utd
the pires and ljungberg goalscoring is rubbish too, 2006 last season pires had at arsenal he scored 7 league goals and in the same period ljungberg scored 1 and last season ljungberg never scored at all in the league for us
your argument is rubbish
the pires and ljungberg goalscoring is rubbish too, 2006 last season pires had at arsenal he scored 7 league goals and in the same period ljungberg scored 1 and last season ljungberg never scored at all in the league for us
your argument is rubbish
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My arguement is perfectly reasonable. You can look at Pires and Ljungberg's season when they were both coming to the end of their careers if you like but that doesn't change the fact that when they were at their best and when you won your last 2 league titles those 2 contributed with many more goals that your current midfield.
And if you read my first post i said it's all good and well you beating teams 3 or 4-0 when you're on fire but who do you look to when you're not playing well? IIRC Ljungberg came up with a lot of important goals for you when you won the league in 01/02 in close games.
And if you read my first post i said it's all good and well you beating teams 3 or 4-0 when you're on fire but who do you look to when you're not playing well? IIRC Ljungberg came up with a lot of important goals for you when you won the league in 01/02 in close games.
We have performed better that a lot of people, myself included had thought possible before the season started.
Adebayor isn't a world class player, but his goals played a big part in getting us where we were, but he's lacked a decent partner for the majority of the season. RvP is consistently injured and can't be relied upon, Eduardo could be out for quite a while, Bendtner and Walcott have potential, but aren't good enough yet to start every game, so I think we need someone to take the pressure off Adebayor, no wonder he's been lacking lately, he's been running his socks off for the majority of the season.
At the back, I'm well happy, providing everyone is fit, they're as good as there is in the PL.
In midfield, Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas are automatic starters, but I'm rather concerned about Rosicky, apart from his injuries, I'm still not convinced he's the answer and certainly not providing the goals we were all hoping for.
So overall, I'd like a couple of squad player, one quality player in midfield and a class striker, not a couple of £5m signings, but people who are capable from day one, not Arsene's way I know, so I don't expect any more than squad players over the Summer.
Adebayor isn't a world class player, but his goals played a big part in getting us where we were, but he's lacked a decent partner for the majority of the season. RvP is consistently injured and can't be relied upon, Eduardo could be out for quite a while, Bendtner and Walcott have potential, but aren't good enough yet to start every game, so I think we need someone to take the pressure off Adebayor, no wonder he's been lacking lately, he's been running his socks off for the majority of the season.
At the back, I'm well happy, providing everyone is fit, they're as good as there is in the PL.
In midfield, Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas are automatic starters, but I'm rather concerned about Rosicky, apart from his injuries, I'm still not convinced he's the answer and certainly not providing the goals we were all hoping for.
So overall, I'd like a couple of squad player, one quality player in midfield and a class striker, not a couple of £5m signings, but people who are capable from day one, not Arsene's way I know, so I don't expect any more than squad players over the Summer.
Does anyone know what has happened to Denilson? Seems to have vanished after being in the squad at Milan. I feel he would have been much better suited to coming on yesterday rather than Gilberto. We missed Flamini's urgency after he went on, Denilson could have provided that.
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Soldato
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Denilson injured himself against Spurs in the League Cup didn't he?
I think Diaby will be Gilberto's replacement as he is sure to leave this summer. I think Diaby has a lot of potential but its not really possible for him to show it on the left wing when he is one of the most one footed players on the planet!
I'm unsure as to whether Eduardo will fully recover so perhaps a top striker would be required and definitely a centre back. Eboue can cover at right back with hopefully Walcott or another proven winger like Queresma could come in. I think Queresma would be superb there.
Senderos has to go though. He's not just cost them goals in the last match, hes been a liability since last season. He started off with such promise but ever since Drogba annihilated him a few seasons ago, he lost his bottle. Every time the ball is around him I panic. He is not good enough or intelligent enough.
A goalkeeper wouldn't be such a bad move either. Almunia is ok but when you look at Cech and Reina he doesn't really compare in my eyes.
With Vela likely to get a few chances next season though I don't think much needs to be changed. The players have moved on from last season brilliantly learning important lessons and have learnt even more this season. I don't think its necessary to make too many changes, just to provide more experienced players in the squad who can step into important games.
I think Diaby will be Gilberto's replacement as he is sure to leave this summer. I think Diaby has a lot of potential but its not really possible for him to show it on the left wing when he is one of the most one footed players on the planet!
I'm unsure as to whether Eduardo will fully recover so perhaps a top striker would be required and definitely a centre back. Eboue can cover at right back with hopefully Walcott or another proven winger like Queresma could come in. I think Queresma would be superb there.
Senderos has to go though. He's not just cost them goals in the last match, hes been a liability since last season. He started off with such promise but ever since Drogba annihilated him a few seasons ago, he lost his bottle. Every time the ball is around him I panic. He is not good enough or intelligent enough.
A goalkeeper wouldn't be such a bad move either. Almunia is ok but when you look at Cech and Reina he doesn't really compare in my eyes.
With Vela likely to get a few chances next season though I don't think much needs to be changed. The players have moved on from last season brilliantly learning important lessons and have learnt even more this season. I don't think its necessary to make too many changes, just to provide more experienced players in the squad who can step into important games.
At the start of the season I highlighted three positions I felt needed addressing:
-A new quality CB to replace Sendross (I suggested Woodgate), he lacks the consistency required at the top level
-Another player capable of playing left wing (I suggested Quaresma), don't think that is really Diaby's best position.
-A replacement for Lehmann.
Situation now is fairly similar, I'm fairly happy with Aluminium for now but still want a CB and LW.
In terms of sales I think Sendross, Lemon and one of J.Hoyte/Eboue need to go. The latter is a prize pillock.
Worth noting that I read in the paper the other day that since Benitez took over at Anfield, Arsenal have made a net profit on transfers of £18m. Compared to the other big 3 with huge net spends.
-A new quality CB to replace Sendross (I suggested Woodgate), he lacks the consistency required at the top level
-Another player capable of playing left wing (I suggested Quaresma), don't think that is really Diaby's best position.
-A replacement for Lehmann.
Situation now is fairly similar, I'm fairly happy with Aluminium for now but still want a CB and LW.
In terms of sales I think Sendross, Lemon and one of J.Hoyte/Eboue need to go. The latter is a prize pillock.
Worth noting that I read in the paper the other day that since Benitez took over at Anfield, Arsenal have made a net profit on transfers of £18m. Compared to the other big 3 with huge net spends.
It's been a funny old season.....
I love Wenger but for some reason we've always had a dodgy CB, Stephenos/Cygan/Senderos.
Senderos has to go, everytime I go to a game I get nervous whenever he's near the ball. In his career to date he's been fallible sooo many times and he just looks clueless on so many occaisons. I don't think Djourou is up to much either.
Unlike others here I quite like Adebayor and when Hleb plays just off him it generally seems to work really well.
One thing that has been really poor this season is we've been sooo narrow, we've relied too much on the LB/RB getting forward and this in itself presents further problems Clichy is fantastic but he can't cross to save his life.
Wenger also needs to know that Eboue cannot play right wing.
Lets take the team from Wednesday. Why was Eboue not right back, Gallas and Toure could then have played CB's and Walcott should have started on the right wing?? I think Walcott needs to play a lot more, only then can we see if he's ready or not.
We need another Worldclass CB - was gutted we missed out on Woodgate as I think he's a class act.
For me it's probably a year too early for Merida or Vela.
I love Wenger but for some reason we've always had a dodgy CB, Stephenos/Cygan/Senderos.
Senderos has to go, everytime I go to a game I get nervous whenever he's near the ball. In his career to date he's been fallible sooo many times and he just looks clueless on so many occaisons. I don't think Djourou is up to much either.
Unlike others here I quite like Adebayor and when Hleb plays just off him it generally seems to work really well.
One thing that has been really poor this season is we've been sooo narrow, we've relied too much on the LB/RB getting forward and this in itself presents further problems Clichy is fantastic but he can't cross to save his life.
Wenger also needs to know that Eboue cannot play right wing.
Lets take the team from Wednesday. Why was Eboue not right back, Gallas and Toure could then have played CB's and Walcott should have started on the right wing?? I think Walcott needs to play a lot more, only then can we see if he's ready or not.
We need another Worldclass CB - was gutted we missed out on Woodgate as I think he's a class act.
For me it's probably a year too early for Merida or Vela.
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Arsenal needs 3 things
1 - a Striker that can get them goals no matter what. In the ilk of Henry and Drogba. If only they had nick a goal here and there in the 4 games they drawn in the last 2 months they would still be on top of the league. They play brilliant football but there isn't anyone who can finish everywhere inside the box. Adebayor is good, he has improved 10 fold since last season, but he is still just that little bit short of becoming the complete striker, he still misses more chances than i like. RVP gets injuried every other weekend and Bentdner is a liability at times.
2 - They need someone who can control the midfield, Flamini is doing a good job, solid job but still missing something. He just doesn't dominate the midfield, especially when the tide is going against Arsenal, plus his shooting could be a lot better. I've seen him getting into good shooting positions just outside the box a lot and they always go wide/over, he needs to work on that.
3 - A good center back, Senderos is a liability. Period.
1 - a Striker that can get them goals no matter what. In the ilk of Henry and Drogba. If only they had nick a goal here and there in the 4 games they drawn in the last 2 months they would still be on top of the league. They play brilliant football but there isn't anyone who can finish everywhere inside the box. Adebayor is good, he has improved 10 fold since last season, but he is still just that little bit short of becoming the complete striker, he still misses more chances than i like. RVP gets injuried every other weekend and Bentdner is a liability at times.
2 - They need someone who can control the midfield, Flamini is doing a good job, solid job but still missing something. He just doesn't dominate the midfield, especially when the tide is going against Arsenal, plus his shooting could be a lot better. I've seen him getting into good shooting positions just outside the box a lot and they always go wide/over, he needs to work on that.
3 - A good center back, Senderos is a liability. Period.
I think quite the opposite, any Arsenal fan will tell you Flamini (along with Sagna) is the best and most consistent and important player all season long. He doesn't NEED to score, Mascherano doesn't score many does he!
I think Flamini is of a rare breed, runs more than anyone else in the EPL, gets stuck in but he can pass well and make intelligent runs which is where Mascherano falls short, this is why I believe Flamini is the better player, he tackles and tracks back as well as Mascherano but his distribution is just a lot better, and all around play on the ball is better.
If I am honest I don't think you have had that bad a season, as someone else pointed out you were expected to finish 4th or 5th in a battle with Spurs (but we all know what happened to their season), as it is, your 3rd, still mathematically in with a shout at winning the league and have only just lost ground on the front two, and we are 5 games from the end.
Personally, you lack strength in depth. If you look at Man United and Chelsea they are full of World Class players, United can leave Rooney and Ronaldo out of a Champions League tie and still win the game, and when they do leave them out they still look really good. Chelsea have a vast array of talent (but we all know they had to buy it). I don't see that with Arsenal. If you leave your two best players out (this season Adebayor and Fabregas) you cant see an ideal replacement and thats the problem, oh, coupled with the fact you always try to score the perfect goal.
I agree, since the Birmingham incident you have quite been the same, and that incident is enough to knock players, but that excuse cannot run forever, and the players should be able to put that behind them. However, more recently its fatigue thats costing you, due to your injuries and lack of squad depth you are unable to rest players and thats showing, you have been heavy legged come the end of all the Liverpool games.
Its ok saying you have all these young players, but are they the answer? I don't think so, they lack experience in the league. You can argue that the Carling Cup has given them first team experience, but after the 5-1 drubbing by Spurs not many have featured since, and those that have don't appear to have recovered.
Now, the first team. Gallas isn't as good as its being made out. On SSN last night when they were evaluating the Arsenal performance, it was Gallas they were singling out, and it wasn't his only bad show. He was run ragged at WHL in that drubbing, pulled apart by Chelsea at the Bridge and thats just two recent examples. And then there is Senderos, don't think I need to comment on him really.
Up front you lack support for Adebayor, who to be honest has surprised me this season. I didn't think he was a 20 goal a season striker, lets see if its a one off or not.
Basically, you need to strengthen in the summer in a lot of areas and not seek to rely on the youth products, yes they may be class, and could do a job, but until they do, they arent going to be the solution.
*Now, I am a Spurs fan, so hopefully you will see this as friendly criticism and not as a dig. Whilst personally I like the fact we have won more than you for a change I am a football fan as well.
Personally, you lack strength in depth. If you look at Man United and Chelsea they are full of World Class players, United can leave Rooney and Ronaldo out of a Champions League tie and still win the game, and when they do leave them out they still look really good. Chelsea have a vast array of talent (but we all know they had to buy it). I don't see that with Arsenal. If you leave your two best players out (this season Adebayor and Fabregas) you cant see an ideal replacement and thats the problem, oh, coupled with the fact you always try to score the perfect goal.
I agree, since the Birmingham incident you have quite been the same, and that incident is enough to knock players, but that excuse cannot run forever, and the players should be able to put that behind them. However, more recently its fatigue thats costing you, due to your injuries and lack of squad depth you are unable to rest players and thats showing, you have been heavy legged come the end of all the Liverpool games.
Its ok saying you have all these young players, but are they the answer? I don't think so, they lack experience in the league. You can argue that the Carling Cup has given them first team experience, but after the 5-1 drubbing by Spurs not many have featured since, and those that have don't appear to have recovered.
Now, the first team. Gallas isn't as good as its being made out. On SSN last night when they were evaluating the Arsenal performance, it was Gallas they were singling out, and it wasn't his only bad show. He was run ragged at WHL in that drubbing, pulled apart by Chelsea at the Bridge and thats just two recent examples. And then there is Senderos, don't think I need to comment on him really.
Up front you lack support for Adebayor, who to be honest has surprised me this season. I didn't think he was a 20 goal a season striker, lets see if its a one off or not.
Basically, you need to strengthen in the summer in a lot of areas and not seek to rely on the youth products, yes they may be class, and could do a job, but until they do, they arent going to be the solution.
*Now, I am a Spurs fan, so hopefully you will see this as friendly criticism and not as a dig. Whilst personally I like the fact we have won more than you for a change I am a football fan as well.
We won a spot in the Champs League next year, imho thats more important than the Carling Cup.
