Arsenal Thread 2013/14

[Castiel]

No need for that Balti. Seems the gooner is just getting used to the forum, give him a chance. We could do with more Tarquins here, I'm fed up of the spuds thread!

But what about meeee?

We do need a goon in our rival community. Some contrast to the Spuds anyway.

 

[Bilboblue]

No need for that Balti. Seems the gooner is just getting used to the forum, give him a chance. We could do with more Tarquins here, I'm fed up of the spuds thread!

But what about meeee?

We do need a goon in our rival community. Some contrast to the Spuds anyway.

You're a decent chap too Castiel, have said it previously pal.

I think the fact your side as with ours, has been inconsistent so far has limited interaction, hence the spuds and Arse threads getting more attention.

 

[jlc09]

Tough to go from finishing 4th to winning the title in one season but even if we fall away, the signs going forward look positive in terms of us challenging for the next few years. Might need another summer window to really push the squad up a notch. But Chelsea blew the league apart in 04/05 without a top striker(drogba wasnt very good at the time) so its possible.All about consistency, putting winning runs together.

Most positive thing for me has been our ability to find a way to win stretching back to March after Spurs beat us. Far more conscious effort to defend in numbers......actually we've reverted to counter-attack against good sides and are happy to surrender possession in those games. Swansea had almost 60% at the weekend but had few chances...same with Spurs at our place, they created little or nothing.

Only blip was Villa home where we went with Ramsey and Wilshere as the central midfield base with Rosicky in front. Not strong enough. Ramsey paired with Flamini or Arteta is far better defensively. And the ref was abysmal that day too.

League or no league, its great to be up around there at least. Someone has an opportunity this year. City have the best squad and i think should go on and do it, but some issues away from home early on. I dont think Chelsea are any better than the sides around the top now. I see some issues at striker, centre-mid and some defenders are ageing. Hopefully Jose keeps plugging away with Oscar in Mata's place, thats great news for the rest of us.

 

[GunnerGer]

[
No need for that Balti. Seems the gooner is just getting used to the forum, give him a chance. We could do with more Tarquins here, I'm fed up of the spuds thread!

Not quite sure how you've derived anything hypocritical from that post.

OTT and out of order.

Cheers guys, didn't think I could have said anything that could be construed that way.

I know how rival fans on a forum can act, so I appreciate the reservations and the banter. I was just having a browse and thought that I could genuinely add some information to one of your guys questions that were asked about Arsenal.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

Cheers guys, didn't think I could have said anything that could be construed that way.

I know how rival fans on a forum can act, so I appreciate the reservations and the banter. I was just having a browse and thought that I could genuinely add some information to one of your guys questions that were asked about Arsenal.

It's like drinking in an away pub...some good natured banter and the occasional nutter.

 

[Ducado]

Cheers guys, didn't think I could have said anything that could be construed that way.

I know how rival fans on a forum can act, so I appreciate the reservations and the banter. I was just having a browse and thought that I could genuinely add some information to one of your guys questions that were asked about Arsenal.

It's like drinking in an away pub...some good natured banter and the occasional nutter.

Glad you lot have joined, it's always good to get a new perspective however do remember that it is a City forum and like all fans we see things through the perspective of the team we support

 

[GunnerGer]

Cheers guys, didn't think I could have said anything that could be construed that way.

I know how rival fans on a forum can act, so I appreciate the reservations and the banter. I was just having a browse and thought that I could genuinely add some information to one of your guys questions that were asked about Arsenal.

It's like drinking in an away pub...some good natured banter and the occasional nutter.

Lol, I can handle that. And I've not even once mentioned the actual team yet, just the club lol!

 

[GunnerGer]

Cheers guys, didn't think I could have said anything that could be construed that way.

I know how rival fans on a forum can act, so I appreciate the reservations and the banter. I was just having a browse and thought that I could genuinely add some information to one of your guys questions that were asked about Arsenal.

It's like drinking in an away pub...some good natured banter and the occasional nutter.

Glad you lot have joined, it's always good to get a new perspective however do remember that it is a City forum and like all fans we see things through the perspective of the team we support

That's not a problem with me mate, I didn't join for a wind up or to start arguments, and I like to think that I can watch the EPL and comment not just through Red Tinted glasses, maybe because I'm a Scottish Rangers fan first and foremost so I'm not as enveloped in what's happening down there. I'm all for reasoned discussion and debate as most seem very happy to do here.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

That's not a problem with me mate, I didn't join for a wind up or to start arguments, and I like to think that I can watch the EPL and comment not just through Red Tinted glasses, maybe because I'm a Scottish Rangers fan first and foremost so I'm not as enveloped in what's happening down there. I'm all for reasoned discussion and debate as most seem very happy to do here.

Title chances Gunnerger? Think you've got enough to capture the league? If you do will it be Wengers swansong?

I'd worry about your squad, outside the first 11 - couple of injuries and it could get tricky but I don't know much about any proteges on the way through...like that Striker that scored at the weekend...will this be an issue?

 

[GHoddle]

This is so true.

One more Striker and a top class Keeper and I really believe they would steal it.

Out of all the players listed, I think that Jack Wilshire is massively overrated - he certainly isn't another Gazza; and how Jenkinson has an England cap is beyond me - but apart from that, its a great squad.

I am almost certain that I am the only "Bluemooner" that rates Bedtner, ( a little bit of Mario about him) as a top class player, and in Arsene; - despite the whinging, the moaning and "the I didn't see the incident"; they have the best Manager in the World. Even better than Jose,Pep,Jurgen Klopp and Mr Mancini.

If we finish above them I think we will win the Title.

A bunch of sneaky Bastards as well. They have been shit for the last three seasons and none of us have seen it coming.

I think you could definitely argue that Wenger is the best coach in the world. Though he does have some weaknesses I think purely as a coach he's the best there is. Been treated incredibly unfairly by a section of Arsenal fans like Piers Morgan (who suggested Martin O'Neill to replace him). They need to sort themselves out in the transfer market though imo.

If they had spent more money on a GK (like Begovic), a top class central defender, and a top class striker they would have walked the league this season.

 

[afc16]

That's not a problem with me mate, I didn't join for a wind up or to start arguments, and I like to think that I can watch the EPL and comment not just through Red Tinted glasses, maybe because I'm a Scottish Rangers fan first and foremost so I'm not as enveloped in what's happening down there. I'm all for reasoned discussion and debate as most seem very happy to do here.

Title chances Gunnerger? Think you've got enough to capture the league? If you do will it be Wengers swansong?

I'd worry about your squad, outside the first 11 - couple of injuries and it could get tricky but I don't know much about any proteges on the way through...like that Striker that scored at the weekend...will this be an issue?

you'd worry about our squad outside the first 11 if we get any injuries?

you mean apart from the injuries we've already got with cazorla podolski arteta rosicky ox walcott and diaby??

yeah your right it could get tricky, we've only managed to win our last 5 league games with all them injuries.

but like all rival fans that don't have a clue, you carry on with the old "they don't have squad depth, if they get 1 or 2 injuries they'll come unstuck" cliched line.....

seriously, i don't know how many more of our players need to get injured and for us to keep carrying on picking up points for people to realise that we actually do have a lot of strength in depth in most positions......

 

[GunnerGer]

That's not a problem with me mate, I didn't join for a wind up or to start arguments, and I like to think that I can watch the EPL and comment not just through Red Tinted glasses, maybe because I'm a Scottish Rangers fan first and foremost so I'm not as enveloped in what's happening down there. I'm all for reasoned discussion and debate as most seem very happy to do here.

Title chances Gunnerger? Think you've got enough to capture the league? If you do will it be Wengers swansong?

I'd worry about your squad, outside the first 11 - couple of injuries and it could get tricky but I don't know much about any proteges on the way through...like that Striker that scored at the weekend...will this be an issue?

I'd love to think that they could, but like most on here I think they are 1 or 2 players short.

My hope and expectation for Arsenal this season was to try and at least be in contention somewhat in March, instead of being out it by November, so hopefully this still happens.

The main weakness for me is the big man Giroud, who I like and I think has improved greatly, but for me lacks that bit of pace and also misses too many chances at important times, that would make him a much better striker.

It also depends on what Arsenal team turns up for the big games. For instance, will it be the one that played so well at The Etihad and in Finland against City, or will it will be the one that was totally overwhelmed by them at The Emirates.
Or the one that was so competitive against Utd at The Emirates, but put in a totally meek performance at Old Trafford.
If you remember last season, they were 2 down to Utd, to Chelsea twice, to City, to Bayern, Spurs and Liverpool before they actually started to get a grip of those games, which was too late in most cases. Get the mentality right in those games and they might get close to the top.

I agree with the Arsenal fans assessment on here that Arsenal are still being a bit underrated by opposing fans mind you. For me, it's not about just about having the best player for each position, especially for Arsenal, its also about familiarity, tactics, pattern of play and players on form etc, with a good mix of youth, players entering their prime and experience.

I'm not just saying this because I'm on a City board, but I said they were my favourites when the transfer window business was done and I've not changed my mind. The spine of Kompany, Toure and Aguerro is still the best in the league easily, and if they get some consistency away from home, they'll be the team to beat.

Chelsea I think we all overestimated the Jose effect, Utd look average under Moyes, Spurs will improve when they gel but I've not been totally impressed with their attacking play yet, and Liverpool have improved greatly but I think it's too much of a jump to expect them to challenge.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

People keep talking about a lack of depth but it's not really the case. Bar the striker position where we need another body

GK: Szczesny, Fabianski, Viviano

RB: Sagna, Jenkinson
CB: Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Sagna covers as 4th option.
LB: Gibbs, Monreal

CM: Ramsey, Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere(and he can play AM, LW)
AM: Ozil, Rosicky

RW: Walcott, Chamberlain, now Gnabry
LW: Cazorla(also AM), Podolski

ST: Giroud..........Walcott/Podolski would fill in, then Bendtner.

Need another 2 quality signings to really push us on. For the most part we have two players for every position, just horrible luck with injuries so far.

Everyone has bodies to fullfil roles, that's why the Premier League squad is a 25 man one. It's the quality of those options, and their relative abilities in those roles, that matters.

Szczesny is an ok keeper, but not of the same quality as the keepers at the other top clubs. I'd chose Hart, Cech, Lloris, De Gea and probably Mignolet ahead of him.

At Centre Back they are short a body, and the overall quality of the 3 main options isn't great.

In midfield they ahve a plethora of talented options, but they have a plethora of very, very similar options. Where's the quality ball winner? Flamini is the nearest option to this (given Diaby complete inability to stay fit for more than 5 minutes) and he's not exactly exceptional. Wilshere, Ramsey, Arteta, Ozil, Cazorla and Rosicky are very similar styles of player, short in stature, great ball players, skillful, typical Arsenal midfielders. They don't have any size, or strength, or natural defensive qualities in there. Yaya Toure would walk through that midfield brushing them off like gnats, it's just not solid enough defensively.

The one area pretty much everyone agrees is short on numbers is upfront. Giroud is a front line striker, but the other options, like Walcott and Podolski (and this Sanogo bloke) are more your support striker role. Striker is the most prominent position on the pitch, strikers tend to be the most difficult players to find, a good goalscorer is an expensive and valuable possession, to say this is Arsenal's "only" area where depth is lacking is to ignore that this is the one area where you simply can't afford to be lacking in depth. There's a reason why City has Aguero, Dzeko, Negredo and Jovetic and why United have RVP, Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez. There's also a reason why people have identified Chelsea's and Spur's forward line as their achilles heal too, a lack of quality depth.

Yes, for the most part Arsenal have 2 players for every position, but are they 2 quality players, or just 2 bodies that can fill a shirt?

im still constantly amazed as I've said in a previous post at the amount of lazy cliches and the same re-gurgitated media rubbish that comes out of some people in regards to arsenal.

firstly, regarding our defence:

everyone seems to keep making the same mistake over and over of looking at names and reputations rather then the actual player and their form. if you go by the former, then yes kompany vidic rio evra etc are better defenders. if you go by current performances/ability/form then stretching right back to the beginning of 2013 our defence has played better then anyones apart city.

you talk about us not having strength in depth yet you loose kompany and your entire defence turns to shite as witnessed this season (and also as admitted by a number of city fans on here as well). ONE player, thats all it takes. if you really had this strength in depth that everyone keeps banging on about (that arsenal supposedly don't have), then loosing just one player would not effect your team so much.

so to answer your question '2 quality players or just 2 bodies' -

left back - gibbs is one of the most in form left back in the league at the moment and monreal is a spanish international. so 2 quality players.

right back - sagna is a excellent right back and jenkinson is a very good young prospect thats played well there every time hes come into the team so certainly not just a body.

centre backs - vermalin mertesacker kos. 2 excellent right now and 1 potentially excellent if he gets his form back. seriously, how many of the top teams REALLY have 4/5 excellent centre backs?? none in my opinion. most have 1-2 excellent ones then maybe 1 or 2 very good back ups. arsenal no different in this regard. we've also got sagna whos very good as back there.

and for those that bang on about mertesacker, remember he has almost 100 caps for germany, probably the 2nd best team after spain. obviously those silly coaches just haven't realised that he's not very good, even after 100 caps.....doh.

midfield

this doesn't need any defending by me, its probably the best midfield in the league at the moment. and not many teams can stop someone like yaya, such is his power. but we have flamini/arteta/ramsey who are very strong and very switched on defensively, and good enough to deal with most players apart from the odd freaks like yaya. do chelsea or utd or spurs really have any player that can compare to or stop yaya? we are not alone in
that regard. \

in previous meetings, one area where we've almost always outclassed you is midfield, despite you having yaya. and our midfield is even stronger now then it was before.

to summarise yes we do have 2 quality players for almost every position apart from striker which i do realise is one of the most important.

BUT, when your whole team is scoring goals, you are much less reliant on a striker. again, simple facts - we are one of the highest goal scorers this season and also were last season - without having a world class striker like rvp or augero.

THE BOTTOM LINE is that no arsenal fan is saying we'll definitely win the league or that we're even the best team in the league. all we are saying is please look at our team, don't just read what the papers say. as a city fan said above, we have silently been building the foundations of a excellent team, and its slowly coming together. remember, this isn't just based on a few games or a blip of good form, this is going back over a long period.

Im sorry, I cannot take anything you lot say seriously. You change your minds quicker than the weather. Wasn't that long ago
you were booing the team off after defeat by Villa. Now you say (like you knew all along) we have silently been building the foundations of a excellent team, and its slowly coming together. remember, this isn't just based on a few games or a blip of good form, this is going back over a long period

Ooh I just want to give you ******* so much abuse, but I don't want to get banned.

 

[NoahCity]

Ever since I first started watching Ozil in 2010, I have been amazed at how someone can be so one footed and be so good. I don't think I have ever seen someone so one footed, at any level.

 

[bleed.blue]

you'd worry about our squad outside the first 11 if we get any injuries?
you mean apart from the injuries we've already got with cazorla podolski arteta rosicky ox walcott and diaby??
yeah your right it could get tricky, we've only managed to win our last 5 league games with all them injuries.

but like all rival fans that don't have a clue, you carry on with the old "they don't have squad depth, if they get 1 or 2 injuries they'll come unstuck" cliched line.....
seriously, i don't know how many more of our players need to get injured and for us to keep carrying on picking up points for people to realise that we actually do have a lot of strength in depth in most positions......

The question is how many of those 5 injured that you listed will make it into your first choice starting XI?
Are they better than Ozil, Giroud, Wilshere, Ramsey, Flamini?
Will you be able to cope with injuries to Giroud? Ozil? Ramsey? Wilshere

 

[GunnerGer]

you'd worry about our squad outside the first 11 if we get any injuries?
you mean apart from the injuries we've already got with cazorla podolski arteta rosicky ox walcott and diaby??
yeah your right it could get tricky, we've only managed to win our last 5 league games with all them injuries.

but like all rival fans that don't have a clue, you carry on with the old "they don't have squad depth, if they get 1 or 2 injuries they'll come unstuck" cliched line.....
seriously, i don't know how many more of our players need to get injured and for us to keep carrying on picking up points for people to realise that we actually do have a lot of strength in depth in most positions......

The question is how many of those 5 injured that you listed will make it into your first choice starting XI?
Are they better than Ozil, Giroud, Wilshere, Ramsey, Flamini?
Will you be able to cope with injuries to Giroud? Ozil? Ramsey? Wilshere

Its a strange question, because most of the time the 2nd choice players arent as good as the first XI, thats why they are 2nd choice.

Going through the players he mentioned, Arteta was Arsenal's most important midfielder last season, Cazorla their most important creative player and Walcott their top scorer. So thats 3 that could that would probably start. The 3 mentioned after that (Podolski, Rosicky & Ox Chamberlain) would be seen as their back ups probably, (im not including Diaby as he's non existant).

They'd probably struggle with an injury to Giroud, but i think they'd have decent cover for the rest of the positions, or would be able to shuffle the team about accordingly. Bear in mind that Giroud wasnt first pick in a lot of games last season as well.

 

[adrianr]

Ever since I first started watching Ozil in 2010, I have been amazed at how someone can be so one footed and be so good. I don't think I have ever seen someone so one footed, at any level.

David Silva?

 

[jlc09]

Messi is ridiculously one-footed. Alot of lefties tend to be. Doesnt really make a blind bit of difference.

I do think some Arsenal fans are going a bit over the top.........usually younguns who have not seen what it takes to go on and win a title. 6 games is nothing in a season. I'd usually say minimum 10 games gives a fair idea about who will challenge but i remember chelsea starting like a train a few years back before an epic collapse over the winter months.

 

[Proelia]

Ever since I first started watching Ozil in 2010, I have been amazed at how someone can be so one footed and be so good. I don't think I have ever seen someone so one footed, at any level.

Messi, mata , robben and even our own kolorov

 

[jlc09]

Anyway, big game tonight against a strong Napoli side. We need to find a way to get the win which would put us halfway home to qualifying.

I think a draw is likely.