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It's a bit early yet surely? Still plenty of discussion to be had on transfers.
*Transfer Window 2014/15 Season Rumours/Signings *AKA Man U fans listing every player under the Sun
- Thread starter Robert1986
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I actually think you'd be better off with Rooney off the front rather than Mata, especially in the bigger games. With Di Maria in midfield you're going to need somebody dropping back and doing a defensive shift from time to time and Mata can't/won't do that.
And has there been any signal from LvG that he's going to shift from a 3-5-2/3-4-3?
And has there been any signal from LvG that he's going to shift from a 3-5-2/3-4-3?
Caporegime
I just don't see how we can play 3-5-2. It doesn't fit the players we've bought at all. Players like Januzaj just wouldn't play at all and there is still a lack of quality out wide.
We'll have to wait and see I suppose but the defensive signings make you think they've been signed with that system in mind.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Mata drop out and one of Rooney, RvP or Falcao out the side too, with Di Maria playing off the front.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Mata drop out and one of Rooney, RvP or Falcao out the side too, with Di Maria playing off the front.
Caporegime
Doubt LVG has any plans to drop Rooney anytime soon, he's just made him captain.
Man of Honour
Lol he's on a third of that at the moment
Not so much drop him (or either the other 2) but rest/rotate and history suggests RvP and Rooney will miss their fair share of games through injury.
I'm not sure how I feel about Welbeck tbh. He is pretty strong, has some pace, has boundless energy - All of which are things Arsenal are lacking in some way. And I really don't think it matters at Arsenal if he doesn't score a bunch, I'd imagine he is there for link up play, and to chip in with goals if/when. Not overly excited by it, but I can see how he may do well. It's a risk I wouldn't have taken personally, but then I'm not a football manager 
Soldato
I thought that Arsenal needed a striker he was going to score goals, Welbeck isn't that.
Caporegime
Where are we going to discuss Uniteds new formations and players endlessly for the next 2-3 weeks till the season starts up again?
Caporegime
Thing is if we forget trying to build a formation to accommodate Mata we will do much better
Don
Soldato
I'm not sure how I feel about Welbeck tbh. He is pretty strong, has some pace, has boundless energy - All of which are things Arsenal are lacking in some way. And I really don't think it matters at Arsenal if he doesn't score a bunch, I'd imagine he is there for link up play, and to chip in with goals if/when. Not overly excited by it, but I can see how he may do well. It's a risk I wouldn't have taken personally, but then I'm not a football manager
I thought you needed goals. you have creative talent in abundance.
Alexis, Ozil, Cazorla, Ramsey, Walcott, Campbell, Ox, Rosicky, Podolski.
You needed a player who's going to dominate that box, be a presence, get on the end of things, take the ball, turn and smash it in the top corner. Welbeck is not that man, and no better than the level of Walcott.
Poor buy IMO, but what is Arsenal's loss, is United's gain
Soldato
Caporegime
The only formation that we would use that doesn't have a place for a Mata type role is a fairly basic 4-4-2 with 2 wingers. Unless we stuck Januzaj out on the right I doubt we have the players for that. I know you really don't rate Mata but you are ignoring the issues with the squad entirely.
He hasn't created much in the first few games because we haven't played to his strengths. We have done one of the following things 90% of the time.
a. Given it to Valencia who dithers on the ball for a while until the defence has regrouped then checks back on himself and strokes the ball to Fletcher.
b. Given it to Valencia who hits a cross into the first man in front of him / overhits the cross.
c. Fletcher dithers on the ball and allows the opposition to retreat and get most of the team behind the ball.
d. Fletcher loses the ball in front of our box and the opposition are on the attack again.
e. Fletcher and co. pass back to the defence and the defence either pass it back to De Gea under pressure or we muck about with it until (usually Blackett) players a 50+ yard ball up towards the forwards.
f. We finally get it to Mata but by that time the opposition are well positioned and most of the team is back and often we have had so little of the ball at their end of the pitch that Rooney has dropped back to the same level as Mata and we don't have much to go on.
Mata is a top player and with quality around him and faster transitioning between defence and attack he is awesome. Almost all the problems we are having so far this season are stemming from **** wing backs, poor CBs and a dire defensive midfield pairing.
Once we have Herrera, Rojo, Blind, Flacao, Shaw and Rafael back we will be a completely different side. Di Maria will have had a bit longer to settle as well. I fully expect us to be 10x better after the international break.
Caporegime
Are you serious?!
Soldato
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