He’s regarded among Gooners worldwide as a respected commenter and his forays into the Arsenal blogging scene have been highly successful. Now, former journalist and avid fan Mike Urbanski has joined the Young Guns team to offer his analytical inside into all things Arsenal Reserves and Youth. Known among many as SKA Gooner, his Sunday column – SKA Sunday – continues today.
Before we start – Note to self: Remember to check the grocery store BEFORE Saturday evening to make sure they’re well stocked with Carlsberg. Writing a blog article in the company of Stella Artois puts me in an irritable mood. And trust me, you do NOT want me hanging out at the local for a couple hours pre-blog because the grocery store was out of Carlsberg. God knows what kind of Arsenal-related literary train wreck that would lead to.
Right. Lets away, shall we? Tonight’s SKA Sunday music selection is the Bad Manners radio station on Pandora.
As we revisit the issue of available first team opportunities for the current loan and reserve players, I’d like to reiterate my main point from the first article in this series. Arsenal have, undoubtedly, the best youth and reserve system in all of England. Arsenal also have, in their starting XI and extended first team roster a VERY young squad. These two critical parts of the Arsenal whole, I think, are going to start butting up against one another shortly in terms of playing time opportunities. Thus – the double edged sword of Arsenal’s youth policy – talented youth and reserve players sitting behind a currently very young team.
This week I’d like to talk about the midfield. Being a bit of a formations and tactics junkie, I’m constantly thinking about all manner of devilish ways Arsene Wenger can manipulate the side for effectiveness. 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-5-1 – who goes where, what are the player options, etc. It’s madness, really.
We can’t really begin a discussion about what opportunities might present themselves in the midfield without looking at who’s already there. Cesc. Diaby. Song. Rosicky. Ramsey. Nasri. Theo (depending on formation). Arshavin (depending on formation). Denilson. It’s…ummm…well, rather full up at the moment to say the least. And that’s not even counting Jack Wilshere, who’s off learning the physical side of the game up at Bolton right now but will probably figure in the regular first team next season. Beyond the fullness of the staff though is the issue of age – Cesc is 22, Diaby 23, Alex Song in at 22, the geezer Rosicky 29, Aaron at 19, Samir only 22, Theo just turned 21, Shava waddles in at 28, Denilson just 22 and 18 for young Jack. At present I’ll leave out Fran Merida because it looks like we’ll lose him on a free this summer. Beyond that, I’m not even considering everyone’s favorite dancer, Eboue, who I think does more for the side playing at right back. Any rational assessment says that this is not a midfield, save for injuries or outright departures (and no, I do not think Cesc will leave this summer, no matter what tosh Barca tells the Spanish press), that’s going to see many openings for playing time in the short term, I’m afraid.
Right. So, we’ve got a stacked midfield of players whose average age is 22.5 years, the bulk of whom still have room for a lot of growth on the pitch. And as far as potential transfers into the first team go, Arsenal have been linked with every footballer who looks good on FIFA10 it seems. I won’t bother with speculation on that because the permutations are just too mind numbing to consider. Given all this though, what’s a loan or reserve midfielder to do?
I mentioned formations a bit earlier, and I think any consideration regarding reserve or loan players in midfield must be looked at with formations in mind. Cesc is a staple. If he’s fit, he starts. Period. Regardless of formation. Song is at the point where he’s a lock. But, depending on formation, we could potentially have as many as 3 or as few as 1 remaining midfield spots open to opportunity.
In a standard 4-3-3 we’re looking at Cesc in central midfield and Song at the back. Depending on the needs of the match, Diaby and Denilson have both worked the partner role with Cesc. Aaron Ramsey was gaining time as well before the injury. If Arsene continues with the 4-3-3 as the base formation for the first team next season, Carling Cup and early FA Cup matches will be the only opportunity available for any of the current loan or reserve players who are attacking mids. At the back though, we could see something develop if no cover for Alex Song is brought in through transfer this summer. Craig Eastmond has already had some minutes this year and showed himself to be productive. Francis Coquelin or Henri Lansbury could see at least bench call ups should they comport themselves well in their Carling Cup and FA outings.
The 4-4-2 formation gives us something different. With the anticipated arrival of Marouane Chamakh this summer, Arsene might well be tempted to revert to this as he’d have three tall and powerful strikers to take advantage of in Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Chamakh. This would see Arshavin and Theo, Nasri, Rosicky or Eduardo move back to the midfield as wingers or attacking mids partnering with Cesc, and Song at the back. But the 4-4-2 also gives the opportunity, depending on the opponent, to have Cesc and 1 winger, plus a holding midfielder and a defensive mid in the formation. Think Cesc-Shava-Diaby/Denilson-Song. This really creates a logjam at attacking mid though and if it’s in Arsene’s mind to go this route, instead of talking about playing opportunities for reserve or loan players we might well be talking about some regular first teamers taking a loan spell (Eduardo comes to mind here) or getting sold. The back of the midfield, again, is where the openings for playing time will exist. The ability to utilize both a holding mid and defensive mid in this formation could give Eastmond, Coquelin, Lansbury or someone like Oguzhan Ozyakup an outside chance to at least see the bench and get some late match minutes on occasion.
Arsenal’s standard European formation has been 4-5-1 for quite some time. We didn’t use it this season though simply because we didn’t have the players available because of injury. But looking forward, the 4-5-1, in the Champions League group stage, might see some sunlight peek through for an opportunity. Indeed, even this season Arsene ran out a decidedly Carling Cup-esque side against Olympiakos with Fran Merida, Aaron Ramsey starting in midfield and Kyle Bartley partnering Kerrea Gilbert and Thomas Cruise along the defense. The 4-5-1 then, with 3 attacking mids, a holding mid and a defensive mid, might be the Full Monty of opportunities for the current loan and reserve players at midfield.
So, there we have it. In real estate, they say it’s all about “location, location, location”. In Arsenal football, it’s all about “formation, formation, formation” as far as midfield playing time opportunities go for the reserve and loan players getting into the first team. Of course we can always count on some insane injury crisis as well, but who really wants to dwell on that? Or lets say Arsene goes on a bender, downs a gallon of port in one sitting while watching Top Gear, and drunk dials a deal for Felipe Melo, Gokhan Inler (red top favorite two seasons ago) or Eden Hazard. Guess what – no playing time at defensive mid for anyone not named Song, Melo or Inler and one less opportunity for the reserve or loan attacking mids. All kidding aside, the Arsenal midfield might be the most clogged situation possible with so many young and talented players already ahead of the reserve and loan guys. It’s like a fat guy eating cheese – nothing is going to move through without some kind of drastic event. As I mentioned when discussing goal keepers and defenders, this summer is likely to see some very hard decisions made as to who stays with Arsenal and who is allowed to pursue their footballing dreams elsewhere. For us as supporters though, that’s not all bad as the best of the best will remain and continue their progress through to the first team when the chance comes. And the chances will come at some point.
no mention of JET?
following two impressive loan spells he will be in contention next year and must be ahead of ozyakup and coquelin in the pecking order……..also expect a better season from frimpong and the rise of yennaris…….
Jet had a 3 month loan at Blackpool and now a 4-5 month loan at Donacaster.
HE still hasn’t played an entire season with anyone so I doubt he will play any significant part for us next season
Ozzie is 17, same for yennaris
The main reason of excessive clogging in midfield slots is that we have produced a similar batch of youth team players whose playing positions are identical to those for which we already have young players in the first team.
In the youth setup, we have no dearth of slightly attacking central midfielders who can play in a no.10 if required like JET, Wilshere, Ramsey, Merida, Lansbury. For these positions we already have Nasri, Fabregas , Diaby, and Denilson, all of whom are really young. When you add to that players like Arshavin and Rosicky who’ll stay for about 2 years, you know why playing time has been has been hard to garner for the youngguns.
If we had some decent natural winger coming out of the setup, i am sure that he would have been in the first team a lot more than those mentioned. There are no proper wide players in the first team or the reserves (whatever Coyle thinks, wilshere is not a winger, neither is walcott or Barazite.)
This may prompt Arsene Wenger to give a not-so-drunk call to Eden Hazard :)
We signed Wellington SIlva didn’t we, Barazite is a wide player and so is walcott
Arshavin is having a bad year by his standards and Wenger likes player who can play 2-3 positions.
Doesn’t say anything that couldn’t have been said with half the words. Maybe it was the hyping up of the author beforehand but this was more of a good fora post than an article.
The problem is the young players, Lansbury, JET and Wilshere have been playing first team football. Just Like bentley a few years ago they may want more playing time and with the midfield as it is I cannot see how they will get it. So they will need to go out on loan for the season or for at least half a season, they need to play to get better. Vela is a prime example of just sitting on the bench getting no playing time and getting no better. But for the first team to win a trophy we need some more experience not youth. So unless Wenger sells some young players to raise cash to keep the academy going, because we will buy more young players during the summer to add to the academy, I do not see how any of the current crop getting much playing time at all. Even Eastmond may end up going out on loan. Injuries seems to be a big problem at the moment tot he first team and this may be the only avenue open.
The difference between these three and Bentley is that DB was from the north and did not have Arsenal in his blood.
He was more motivated by personal fame and money.
These three young lads are all from a closer distance from the club, and have been with the club since a very young age.
dude these young players are not stupid they now they are playing for arsenal one of the biggest clubs in europe so they knew what they were getting into
yes some players will leave from time to time but most of them will stay. We got Fabregas because of this exact reason didnt we and now we might lose Merida because of this exact reason you have to except this and move on
The big thing is that a big chunk of players will be home grown and this will save us money and also make sure they are more team orianted.
I think we are forgetting ramsey wont be back playing regurly til 2011, he will be buildign fitness in bit parts for the start of next season til after december so i wouldnt really count him and that means one or two injuries and we are light on numbers so i see eastmond if he doesnt get loaned out as well as lansbury getting plenty of playing time if we dont sign another midfeilder
I doubt Ramsey will play at all next season just look at Eduardo or Diaby even after he was fit he had minor injuries that just kept flaring up. I think Ramsey will come back into his own in 2011-2012 sesaon. Its a shame isnt it
I get the feeling we will see Lansbury get some match time next season. His loan spell at Watford has gone really well, and with Ramsey out long-term and Merida looking to be on his way out there’s definitely room for him on the bench. Lansbury’s hard-working, technically sound, and he’s big and strong yet mobile. He can fill Song’s role at DM, or be the box-to-box player that Diaby currently is, or even go further forward. That versatility should make him very useful.
Of all the reserve and youth team midfielders, I think Lansbury is the best placed to step up to first team duties nest year. JET has talent but he’s a rough diamond and still finding his best position, while Eastmond really needs a loan spell in order to play regular football above reserve level. Coquelin has moved to the RB position and isn’t having a brilliant season by his standards.
I see Lansbury as similar to Denilson. He’s a mature guy with a good attitude, a good all-rounder who makes up for not having obvious gifts with graft and fitness. And you need those guys in your squad alongside magicians like Cesc, Arshavin, etc.
Lansbury I am sure will go on loan again maybe to a PL club again or to a top champonship side
I agree that Ramsey won’t be back playing at his best for at least 18months and I think fran will go but the thing I always wonder is what is wrong with letting the likes of jet and Lansbury stay out on loan for say another 2-3 seasons then bring them back when they are proper 1st team
players and have learnt their trade and are fully grown men at say 22yrs old? We seem to be the only club who throw so many 18/19yr olds in and at the same time. I would love that to happen and for arsene to buy an experienced 27/28 yr old in the meantime to supplement diaby and song… And I don’t think denilson is really good enough to warrant starting 30+ games for us anyway.
22-23 is too old for me to bring into first team
I think 21 is the prime age. 2 years loan spell is probably the best way to know if someone is good enough or not
Strike me dead if we currently play 4-3-3 and not 4-5-1.
What I can never understand is why all our promising youngsters leave if they dont get first team football. Look at Man U Fletcher or O’shea didnt play for years yet they never moaned or asked for a transfer. How comes ours dont have that attitude
they moaned like our players do but SAF refused to sell them
none of them really have come to bite us in the past
First of all, 4-4-2 is not an option. It is dead in European football because it’s too easy to break down. The only real option to play all of these players is something like a 4-2-3-1 which we’ve used a few times this season to mixed success. Either way, this article seems somewhat pointless.
4-5-1, 4-2-3-1, and 4-3-3 are all variations or versions of the same 1 striker, 4 defenders, system.
Depending on how far the attacking mids play up the field.
I think we are fine for mids atm and our real problems are in the centre of defence, strikers (we need a fast , tall strong one, hopefully Chamakh) and GK.
overmars!!! are u marc overmars or just his fan?
he’s my favourite player, i don’t think the real guy would be commenting on a blogsite. I think he played in the eridivisie last season! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Overmars
Go Ahead Eagles was where Marc Overmars started as a player.
Apparently sturmz graz are after havard nordvteit. JS whats the latest with him. I remeber wenger saying he will spend one year in the bundesliga and will be ready next season. He rates him highly so do i but he just doesnt look physically stronger and hes been playing in midfield
a lot of players have talent and most of our players are extremely talented but that doesnt mean they make it
I think next season 4-4-2 might be a better formation, should chamakh sign. As Him and bendtner could compete for the role of main striker and have van persie/arshavin supporting as a second striker, which for me is van persie and arshavins best position.. van persie revelled playin off adebayor when he was at his best, and arshavin has always been best as a second striker, when playin in russia.
That will leave a compact midfield with song holding, covering the ground for fabregas to work his magic much as he did when he had flamini doing his work for him! for me He still misses him a bit. Denilson, diaby and ramsey when fit will be the two in cover when either first teamers need a rest or are suspended. However, should he stay as a 4 – 3- 3, its likely to be song diaby and fab, with denna and ramsey competing for playing time. Diaby just needs to do it more often, as song has done this season and he will be world class IMO.
The room for progression here will be more than likely in 2-3 years time, in the form of eastmond and lansbury. They will gain 1 or 2 years experience on loan/carling cup, and then a year of the bench/ coming on/starting a couple of games, with the view to taking over from denilson/diaby if they arent cutting the mustard after a couple of years. They both dont grace every game as they should to be considered top top quality.
As for the ‘wide men’/ playmakers next season nasri, arshavin, theo and wilshere will rotate depending on the opposition and injuries.
As for progression JET for me will come in as a wideman after another spell on loan next season, hopefully in a prem team, unless he changes his mind and wants to utilise his height and strength as an adebayor type of player. And you may see barazite next season or the season after with a view to taking over from arshavin in the wide area’s, driving infield as he does.
the one thing is with wenger you know if they have the quality he’ll make the room for them, and we may see in the not too near future the likes of aneke, freeman and afobe coming in for diaby/denilson/bendtner depending upon how they progress in the coming 2-3 years. No matter how well these player have done some of the time the time will come for them to do it every game or get rreplaced!
likelihood is though the 15 loan players out this season will be more like 20 next year!
It will be intresting to see who plays centre half for us. Cause i think gallas, silvestre, campbell will all go.
Kyle bartley, Luke ayling, havard Nordvteit might get thier chances. Cause i can see wenger going for one more centre back to compensate with djourou and vermaelen. Just wonder who it could be
Norvedit might get his chance next season he’s had too loan spells already but other than that nah Bartley and Ayling are just too young.
“double edged sword”
this wont happen with us because of one thing and thats the amount of injuries we suffer. United and chelsea have a bigger squad and they suffer half the injuries we suffer
WE play 1 game every 3 days and this is where squad rotation will come into effect as well so I think we need atleast 3 players covering every position for us just like United have and so does Chelsea
We really play 4-5-1
Fabregas position – Ramsey (injured till 2011), Nasri, Rosicky
Arshavin position – Nasri, Vela, Rosicky
Diaby position – Denilson, Ramsey (injured till 2011)
Song position – Denilson
Rosicky position – Walcott, Eboue
this shows how much we need to strengthen our squad and with the addition of Lansbury, Wilshere, Merida( who I think will stay), JET, Coquellin and Eastmond in the future. we will have a bigger squad in the future and also a more stable squad
From the under 18s we have Chuks Aneke (16), Oqzzie (17), Henerson (17-18) who look like they will make it in the first team (for midfield) but all of them have 5-6 years before they become regulars (22-23 of years age) so dont worry about the double edged sword.
These young players are squad players early in their career, they fill in and when they reach 22-23 they become regulars.
Next year I think Lansbury will go back on loan, same for JET, Merida too will go on loan (after he signs a new long rerm contract) and Wilshere will stay till ramsey is injurued but will probably go on loan aswell in the closing stages of the campaign (for six months maybe, maybe not) , Barazite will move into the first team and will become a squad player, Eastmond too will go out on loan to a championship side. Coquelin is the one I dont know about they are trying to turn him in a RB even though he’s a better DM than Eastmond still time will tell
Our midfield in the futute
Fabregas position – Ramsey, Wilshere
Daiby position – Merida, Lasnbury
Song position – Denilson, Eastmond or coquellin if he doesn’t become a RB
Arshavin posiition – Nasri, Wellington SIlva
Rosicky position – Walcott, Barazite
JET is the person who can play in any position from the midfield to attack so who knows where he will play.
The reson we havent been worried about increasing the squad of our midfield is because we haven’t suffered to many injuried this season in their except for Ramsey injury (hate shawcross that fu#ker)
when RvP is back with Cesc, oooh, remember how well they linked before RvPs injury.. RvP would have been way ahead of rooney if fit, along with arsenal way ahead of everybody in the title challenge and CL.. dreaming :)
but i see wilshere playing more next season for the first team, along with a loan spell for eduardo, if not sold. arshavin seems to be dreaming on the pitch lately, but he’s still quality and a def keeper. rosicky is still class, but his lengthy injury has put him behind where he used to be, don’t know how much longer he is needed, although i hope he stays out his career here.
traore could easily play winger, and on the left side along with clichy that would be a fast ass duo. he’s clumsy at times, but he crosses way better than clichy, who will be challenged by gibbs. dunno
don’t see anyone threatening song or diaby, both are fucking brilliant, and song is one of the main reasons messi didn’t score at the emirates.
and david bentley got his own head so far up his own ass. yes please david, give our youth career advice, i hear your headed for the nice crisp mornings up in tyneside
did wenger make a bid for chritian zapata last year ?
Code:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/video-evidence-arsenal-target-cristian-zapata/52574/
any idea how good he is I haven’t even heard about him
RVP has always been one of the best players in world football but his weakness has always beent aht he’s very very injury prone. Its the same for players like Robben who is also an incredible player
Traore is already dreaming on PSG and since he’s surplus to requirments I wont mind selling him. If we sign Zapata then wiki says that he can play both right and left back so he can cover for Clichy, Gibbs
That is not entirely true, there was an article on Arsenal.com with Traore saying that he loves PSG but his aim is to stay at Arsenal and challenge Clichy for the #1 left back slot.
he clearly isn’t better than Gibbs so I doubt he can do challenge Clichy
Yeah I agree, that was exactly what I was thinking of when I read the article. Nevertheless, you cannot question his committment and attitude though.
did wenger make a bid for chritian zapata last year ?
http://www.101greatgoals.com/video-evidence-arsenal-target-cristian-zapata/52574/
any idea how good he is I haven’t even heard about him
we are interested in christian zapata anyone even heard about him.
he plays for udinese and we supposedly made a bid for him last summer but was rejected now with gallas, silvestre and sendros leaving we are going for him again.
I cant put the source because then the post doesn’t show up.
If we do sign him then our CB’s will be
Vermaelen, Djourou, Zapata, Sol, Norvedit/Stefan Savic (maybe both)
check it out!! Welington silva is in a nike ad!! http://www.youtube.com/user/nikefootball#p/u/1/l6YE1sJKEBM
somebody already posted it
It’s amazing how many fantastic box2box and/or AM’s we have at every age group and how few DMs we have. Wenger has gone after Inler, Veloso and Melo in the last 3 offseasons so he is well aware it’s an area that we need to strengthen, unfortunately we’ve just been unlucky because players/clubs have been asking for too much money.
For me Denilson just isn’t good enough as a DM. With the injury to Aaron I see us keeping him for another season and then possibly selling him to fund (and make room from a salary perspective) for a DM.
I would love to get a tall DM who can also play CB. Someone in the Metzelder mould (who is a free agent this summer but has played very little). I don’t hold out much hope for Nortveildt (sp?) filling this role mainly because he has struggled in both Spain and Germany with poor teams.
I get the feeling Wenger’s first midfield attack is: Song; Diaby, Cesc; Nasri, Arshavin; RVP. I honestly don’t see us going back to a 4-4-2. I certainly don’t want us to *ever* go back to playing Diaby as a LM/LW. Song and Diaby have been fantastic this season and shown real improvement to the point where I think our midfield trio can be the best in the World in a season or two (Gerrard/Lampard/Xavi will all be past their best).
I agree that Fran is as good as gone. I think Ramsey will be back to form around the end of the calendar year. That leaves a spot for Lansbury and/or JET to prove themselves in the first team as a rotation player.
Our depth in midfield will look ridiculously good when the likes of Frimpong, Coquelin, Ozy, Aneke etc all come along in 2 or 3 years. I’m less excited with our winger stocks. I think we are lucky to have young wingers close to our first-team in Walcott and Wilshere. Beyond them tho Sunu might make it as a squad player but really that’s it. For me Barazite should be played as a CF instead of RW. He might have a good cross but he’s never going to be quick enough at the top level. His height and first-touch make me think he would be a much better CF in a RVP mold.
“I would love to get a tall DM who can also play CB” – isnt that Song
“Nortveildt (sp?) filling this role mainly because he has struggled in both Spain and Germany with poor teams.” – I have to agree he really hasn’t done anything to make us excited about his arrival next season. i think he will either be released or sold
I am dead sure wenger will try to sign Melo again he might offer them the same he offered to Florientina or maybe less. Blaise Matudi is another but I doubt we will sign him
———— Song
Fabregas —— Melo
looks like such a sweet patnership
felipe melo is terrible, in the fulham matches he did absolutely nothing and he shows nothing forward, he’s not quick enough to be a DM and is no better than denlson. THe fact he has played for brazil is not much if you look at all the players in the last 3-4 years that brazil has picked.
did you see his performance in the ireland he was good he was very good
I have seen him play for Florientina and I know how good he really is.
This player is a worker he’s a DM player but he’s more a disturber he wont protect the back four, he will stay between DM and AM and just break up, foul players and then provide pass for the AM that’s why wenger was ready to pay 15-18 million for him.
Now I think we can get him for 12-15 million euros. Juve is a sinking ship and if Diego looks bad playing for them then anybody will look bad
sorry was suppose to sy he’s not a DM player but a disturber
if arsenal wants to buy a winger they should buy 18 year old scott robinsons from hearts
I haven’t heard any mention of Randall… seems he’s the forgotten man. I don’t think he will make it with us now and the same could be said for a few other young players who have been on the first team scene for 3/4 years such as Barazite and Gilbert. You could assume that Wenger hopes that they make a name for themselves whilst on loan to increase their transfer fees.
Barazite is best scorer in our reserves team in the last games!! I think he can make it!!
Campbell has been offered a 1 year deal and will sign it, Gallas and Silvestre have turned theirs down and will both leave along with Merida, Senderos and Gilbert. If anyone comes in for the following they will also be allowed to leave Fabianski, Eduardo, Arshavin, Denilson, Vela, Randall, Hoyte, Nordveit, Traore, and Simpson.
Only my opinion but with the exception of Arshavin & Denilson no real surprises and no great losses as long as they are replaced in the squad.
Of the players that played this season i expect
Gallas will be replaced by Djourou (no game time this season)
Silvestre by Bartley or a new Centre Half
Fabianski by a new keeper
Eduardo by Chamakh
Arshavin by Remy
Denilson by Hazard
Merida by Wilshere or Lansbury or JET
Traore by Botelho
Vela by Barazite
I think in addittion to this we will sign a new DM
You will replace Arshavin with Remy and Denilson with Hazard have you lost it.
Also Weneger will not buy more than 3 first team players since he thinks it disturbs the fludity of the team
I can bet you 100 pounds that Denilson, Vela, Fabainski will not be sold, Traore might be sold since he publicly said he wanted a PSG move in the future
As for Merida and Gallas I dont know what will happen its 50/50 and wenegr will proabably look into at the end of the season or when we are not going to win the EPL not now.
As for Eduardo I do think that he should be sold not only for us but also for him. He needs to move away from england to a country somewhere where they dont have a habit of breaking legs maybe spain or italy. HE is still the same old predator but I think ihis recent slip off form is caused by the mental block he’s suffering.
The only people sure to leave in the sumemr are Silvestre, Sendros and Gilbert
I have not lost it. i just have an opinion my friend. I cannot take your bet either, gambling is for mugs.
You would prefer Arshavin and Denilson to Hazard and Remy, would like to see how much support you get on that one.
And i agree with you that
Good stuff guys. Excellent debate on players, formations and so forth. Keep it up. :)
@ JD – Just for you, mate: Arsenal stacked at midfield. Few opportunities for reserve/loan players to move up the pecking order in the near future. End of.
(continued) Wenger does not usually buy more than 3 players, but we do need a new keeper, DM and a centre half agreed? I think the striker situaution is glaringly obvious too with the players and injuries we have and the way we play we need more “fi srikes. Hence i think we will buy Chamaakh and Remy and promote Barazite to the 1st team. I strongly believe rshavin, Eduardo, Simpson and Vela will be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in.
How about Mascherano for the defensive midfield position if Liverpool don’t take 4th??? He might be too expensive though and he takes a boatload of suspensions :S But he could be helpfull. He’s top class when he isn’t breaking ankles haha.
Did you think that barazite would be first team pleyer the next year? and lansbury? I think JET will go on loan.
Barazite is surely going to be in our first team next season
mate dont take this personally or anything but please try and decrease the length of your articles…they are just wayyy too long..and are the references to carlsberg that necessary??
football wise..the best will make it through..that’s pretty simple..its just up to the youngsters to have the passion to make it and apply themselves, the ones who do this the best will be in the team no matter what, because wenger is not an idiot..he’s one of the best at nurturing talent and he ultimately will figure out who’s ready..people like eastmond, who was considered average at best last season playing at righback, and now is a hot prospect playing centre mid is a prime example of how application, hardwork and ability is required to make it..
ps. it’s a bit ignorant to say our youth systems the best..considering clubs like west ham and man city have consistently produced excellent players..and the best we’ve offered in the past ten years are sidwell, bentley and pennant…who are all basically benchwarmers for their respective teams..while ashley cole fucked off like a prick…fabregas and djourou joined us at 16 and thus can’t be considered our own youth products despite them having succeeded in making the first team. until we see quality young players..like onuoha,richards,johnson,hart,sturridge,ireland or collision,tomkins,stanislas,carrick,joe cole,noble,hines,sears who have all played in the premiership already, we cannot truly consider ourselves superior..as its sorta pompous..a club like ours is defined by its class and humility and therefore should refrain from stuff like..we’r the best and shit..
we are the best side of pushing through youngsters at the moment.. the fact that quality players aren’t born in north london does not make city’s stats anymore impressive.. what have they achieved? and now they are a pure moneybag team with no soul left..
we can all see sometimes wenger creating a random player into a star, a couple of examples are flamini, adebayor, kolo toure, song, sagna, eduardo etc etc.. and this is all within just a few years.
and arsenal is renowned for playing the youngest side for a while now, and its no shame in taking pride in it.
the only thing people seem to miss, is when a star leaves arsenal, his career usually turns to shit.. atleast for a while, because wenger perfects the game of the players as a unity even though the team is mixed up by some of the most technical suited players out there.
give nordtveit a chance, he is still young, and if there is one man who can perfect him, its IAAWT!
Why would anyone sell Arsharvin and Denilson and buy Remy and Hazard? Surley there are other spots in our team that should have higher priorities than those two. Like a new keeper and a decend DM(so Song does not have to play a million matches a year :p)
I very much doubt he will even contemplate selling denilson or arshavin, denilsons stats are extremely impressive ( even though i personally wouldnt play him) and wenger is extremely big on stats. By stats i mean pass completion, balls won, etc. and not fifa stats =]. And as for arshavin its clear for everyone to see how highly wenger rates him, even though he loves to spout his mouth off and consistently refuses to pass.
As for signings though remy and matuidi are outside bets. Its pretty nailed on chamakh will sign, so i doubt he’ll sign remy aswell, just for spendings sake, as he will pretty much be a back-up player.
Matuidi on the other hand could be a good squad player competing with song and diaby, and apparently wenger had a very firnm interest in him in the summer but couldnt agree nothing.
As for barazite I think he’ll take the prem by storm next year, I’m very pro barazite i must say, but given chances the guy impresses, as long as he stays injury free!
Couldn’t be more impressed with this website and the great content. Please keep up the good work. Good, informative sites are getting harder and harder to find.
good job arsenal lets do it!!!!