Official Arsenal FC Thread

BC_ · Post #221 » by **BC_** » Wed May 11, 2011 4:18 pm

I'm sure City would pay for him.

IronChef · Post #222 » by **IronChef** » Wed May 11, 2011 4:29 pm

Still doubt we get full value, plus we're not going to win a title by selling our best players. Van Persie has been our best player since January and up there with Wilshere as our best of the season. I don't see a reason to sell him at all.

jerrod · Post #223 » by **jerrod** » Wed May 11, 2011 4:39 pm

i've always wanted to see walcott given a shot at cf, but we can't sell van persie. i think that would crush us next year.

IronChef · Post #224 » by **IronChef** » Wed May 11, 2011 4:41 pm

Yeah, we give Walcott a shot, but when Van Persie needs a rest, or is hurt. But, we can't rely on Walcott, Chamakh, and Bendtner as our options at CF.

BC_ · Post #225 » by **BC_** » Thu May 12, 2011 6:03 am

My point was more that a hold-up CF may be counter-productive to our formation, rather than saying Theo should be #1.
Rather than sell Cesc, unleash him.

Ong_dynasty · Post #226 » by **Ong_dynasty** » Sun May 15, 2011 7:15 pm

For the fans, what do you guys want to see changed next season?
I really do believe if you look at starting 11. there is not alot that we need to change.
The only 2 positions which I argue is LB and GK.
I am getting annoyed with the mental lapses of clichy, he is good. but I think we can find someone better. is it gibbs?
and GK, I know schenzny(sp?) has so much potential, but I do not know if he is ready next year. I actually liked fabianski when he was playing this year. but is that enough? i would not my a scwarzer or a buffon (please!). who can possibly take the role for a year or 2 before the 2 are really ready.
I know people always talk about CB, but do not forget we were missing vermalean most of the season. I actualy think kos and djorou were good just lacked the leader in the back and experience so I expect big things next year.
I actually would not mind parker if it is for a decent price. I think we need that type of player for a few years.
I also think there is something wrong with the attack. I just dont know what. I am thinking we lack pace down the middle. I would actually consider playing a 442 / 4411 again with arshavin (back to his natural position) and walcott playing through the middle.
we may need lmf and rmf's though. to partner with nasri on the other side.
anyways, thats just my 2 cents.

Post #227 » by **J.Kim** » Sun May 15, 2011 9:53 pm

manchild wrote:
J.Kim wrote:That front-line is hugely lacking in size and height.

Works for Barca.

The freedom and fast tempo we've seen with Jack-Aaron-RVP recently could occur equally well with Jack-Cesc and no hold-up CF. With both Cesc and RVP in there maybe there's too much playmaking and not enough freedom.

It works for Barca because they can retain possession and the front three are really adept at finding holes. As much as I like Walcott and Nasri, they haven't shown nearly enough of this ability to warrant a switch to a ground game, IMO.

Post #228 » by **J.Kim** » Sun May 15, 2011 9:58 pm

Ong_dynasty wrote:For the fans, what do you guys want to see changed next season?
I really do believe if you look at starting 11. there is not alot that we need to change.
The only 2 positions which I argue is LB and GK.
I am getting annoyed with the mental lapses of clichy, he is good. but I think we can find someone better. is it gibbs?
and GK, I know schenzny(sp?) has so much potential, but I do not know if he is ready next year. I actually liked fabianski when he was playing this year. but is that enough? i would not my a scwarzer or a buffon (please!). who can possibly take the role for a year or 2 before the 2 are really ready.
I know people always talk about CB, but do not forget we were missing vermalean most of the season. I actualy think kos and djorou were good just lacked the leader in the back and experience so I expect big things next year.
I actually would not mind parker if it is for a decent price. I think we need that type of player for a few years.
I also think there is something wrong with the attack. I just dont know what. I am thinking we lack pace down the middle. I would actually consider playing a 442 / 4411 again with arshavin (back to his natural position) and walcott playing through the middle.
we may need lmf and rmf's though. to partner with nasri on the other side.
anyways, thats just my 2 cents.

Szczezny is alright. I think he's a good GK capable of being great. And he's shown flashes of leadership and has repeatedly shown positional awareness. Bring in someone else would only impede his development, IMO.

As for the attack. I kind of agree, there is something wrong with it. Even though Arsenal tries to play a Barca brand, they're not nearly good enough at it. Players are particularly wasteful of possession, making a run prematurely or trying to thread a low probability pass. Some of the personnel just don't fit this style of play and it'd be great if Wenger can purge some of them and find the right players if that really is the way he wants Arsenal to play.

Ong_dynasty · Post #229 » by **Ong_dynasty** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:39 pm

J.Kim wrote:
manchild wrote:
J.Kim wrote:That front-line is hugely lacking in size and height.

Works for Barca.

The freedom and fast tempo we've seen with Jack-Aaron-RVP recently could occur equally well with Jack-Cesc and no hold-up CF. With both Cesc and RVP in there maybe there's too much playmaking and not enough freedom.

It works for Barca because they can retain possession and the front three are really adept at finding holes. As much as I like Walcott and Nasri, they haven't shown nearly enough of this ability to warrant a switch to a ground game, IMO.

Barca also play in the spanish league. where brute force is not as tolerated as it is in england.

Ong_dynasty · Post #230 » by **Ong_dynasty** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:41 pm

I disagree with sneezy. I think he has shown his inexperience in the last few months of the season. I do agree that he has world class talent. but if we are looking to win next year, can you trust him? I am unsure. But I do also agree about hindering his development. it is quite tough, and why GK is always hard to place.

jerrod · Post #231 » by **jerrod** » Mon May 16, 2011 3:13 am

i'd be fine with szczesny as the #1 next year. he'll make more mistakes than a really good veteran keeper would but i'd rather have that while he continues to gain experience

Ong_dynasty · Post #232 » by **Ong_dynasty** » Mon May 16, 2011 9:54 am

I would normally agree with you guys, but i really do believe that this team needs to win a trophy next season if not, I do not think this team will ever fulfill its potential. and if it requires a veteran keeper in the next few years, then so be it.

BC_ · Post #233 » by **BC_** » Mon May 16, 2011 1:04 pm

I'm fine with szczesny.

Numbers of goals scored and conceded by EPL champions:
2004-05 - 72-15
2005-06 - 72-22
2006-07 - 83-27
2007-08 - 80-22
2008-09 - 68-24
2009-10 - 103-32
Our record this season: 70-41 so far. I'd wager our defense is the bigger issue.

Set pieces are obviously the issue which could be exclusively a coaching problem.

J.Kim wrote:It works for Barca because they can retain possession and the front three are really adept at finding holes. As much as I like Walcott and Nasri, they haven't shown nearly enough of this ability to warrant a switch to a ground game, IMO.

Our possession retention is very good, usually let down by Clichy, Song and Walcott. If Clichy goes that's one down, Walcott as a forward-focused CF wouldn't be asked to pass as much. Our aerial game sucks; let's play to our strengths.

jerrod · Post #234 » by **jerrod** » Mon May 16, 2011 4:11 pm

since i'm new to the arsenal world, was our defense this season indicative of how it's been in the last 5 or so years or was it markedly worse?

IronChef · Post #235 » by **IronChef** » Mon May 16, 2011 4:22 pm

It was more prone to errors and set-pieces then usual. But, goals from open play was pretty low.

Ong_dynasty · Post #236 » by **Ong_dynasty** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:45 pm

^^but set pieces has always been a weakness..
its the old cliche with arsenal.

IronChef · Post #237 » by **IronChef** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:54 pm

Well, for the past 6 years or so yes (not always), but not as much as this year. We let in the least goals from open play of any team in the EPL and still let in 9 more goals than Chelsea this year. It is a major issue.

IronChef · Post #238 » by **IronChef** » Tue May 17, 2011 4:28 am

Ong_dynasty wrote:I would normally agree with you guys, but i really do believe that this team needs to win a trophy next season if not, I do not think this team will ever fulfill its potential. and if it requires a veteran keeper in the next few years, then so be it.

I'm against replacing Sneezy. It just doesn't seem like a wise investment to me.

Sneezy is now a good keeper, and he's getting better and better. He has the talent and attitude to be the best. The money we would need to get a keeper that is an upgrade (Reina, Lloris, Buffon etc) is 20-30 mill that would be far better spent on another aspect of the team. If we sign one of the above, even the older ones like Buffon, or Frey, to a four year deal we are killing Sneezys Arsenal career, he will not wait around as a back-up.

I'd much rather spend that money on an upgrade, and depth, at winger, striker, midfield, or centerback.

BC_ · Post #239 » by **BC_** » Tue May 17, 2011 8:08 am

If I had the choice of bringing back exactly the same team, but with a different culture (no nonsense, laziness not good enough, self-belief but no arrogance) or all the changes we want but the same culture, I'm taking the first option straight away.
The culture may change with personnel changes or it may not.

BC_ · Post #240 » by **BC_** » Tue May 17, 2011 8:21 am

I think you posted this jerrod:
Arsenal should adapt the NBA model.
Wenger as GM
Ex-player as coach