LU Arsenal Brigade II

[ByRd]

Agreed, yes its not as good as Fabregas and Nasri being here but we addressed areas we needed and have greater depth. We also have players you have not listed such as:

- Gibbs
- Rosicky
- Chamakh
- Frimpong

And the rest of the young kids that provide good depth, i was frustrated a few days ago but these signings have made me feel a little better.

 

[CC_Eagle]

On paper, our defence is the best it's been since Sagna/Gallas/Toure/Clichy. Not including Woj, who is the best Arsenal keeper since Jens...in the early days.

Our front three is the best in years - I strongly believe that as a wide player, Gervinho is a lot better than Nasri.

The midfield is a tad weaker, but it doesn't worry me. Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Song, Frimpong, Benayoun, Diaby and Rosicky - Plenty of depth and enough quality to qualify in the top four, if not push for the title.

 

[saint_marto88]

On paper, our defence is the best it's been since Sagna/Gallas/Toure/Clichy. Not including Woj, who is the best Arsenal keeper since Jens...in the early days.

Our front three is the best in years - I strongly believe that as a wide player, Gervinho is a lot better than Nasri.

The midfield is a tad weaker, but it doesn't worry me. Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Song, Frimpong, Benayoun, Diaby and Rosicky - Plenty of depth and enough quality to qualify in the top four, if not push for the title.

I think you're being a tad optimistic there. But at least you've made it a 5 team race for the top 4. I've ruled Tottenham out.

 

[Twizzle]

The Bundesliga lacks "name" players not quality as evidence by the amount of players who move on to "bigger clubs" but I digress my original point was that I'm 99% certain that Tommy Smith is a Sheffield Wednesday supporter.

he is

 

[Stonecutter]

Jeez, some people are hard to please. 'Arsenal don't sign enough experience', yet when we do it isn't good enough. 'Arsenal have signed players that are over the hill', yet the same critics cry murder when Arsene buys a player under the age of 25.

Don't forget we also have Wilshere and Diaby to return as well. Benayoun is only on loan, so I'd hardly see him as a "Nasri replacement". I expect the club to invest heavily before next season as well. Mertesacker is precisely what Gooners and pundits have been screaming for, and despite being relatively uknown, Ju is still a better option than Bendtner, Ryo or AOC.

Also, Cahill had agreed to personal terms, but despite being in 93m pounds of debt, Bolton said no. See you in January Gary.


Chezzy

Sagna - Vermaelen - Mertesacker - Santos

Song

Wilshere - Arteta

Gerinvho - RvP - Walcott

----------------
Fabianksi
Ramsey
Benayoun
Koscielny
Arshavin
Park
Diaby.


Strong at the back, quick on the flanks, a good mix of experience and youth in the middle and a world class striker at the front.

I personally am very, very happy.

I still feel we lack stricker depth considering the inevitable half a season long injury to RVP.

 

[Stonecutter]

Apparently Lille agreed to the fee for Hazard, however they felt they didn't have enough time left to find a replacement. So the January window is the go for him and it'll hooefully be a quick deal. This is why Benayoun is on a loan and not a permanent deal as Hazard is seen as the man to replace Nasri.

 

[CC_Eagle]

I still feel we lack stricker depth considering the inevitable half a season long injury to RVP.

Theo is more and more becoming more comfortable in a strikers role - his finishing this year has vastly improved. I wouldn't hesitate playing him as a striker if RvP was out.

We also have : Chamakh, Park, Arshavin, Gervinho and Afobe all able to play there too.

 

[Stonecutter]

Ahh yes I forgot about Chamakh. He really needs to step up this year.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Agreed.

He started off well last year, but hasn't done anything since 2010. Here's hoping that the competition with Park is the kick up the backside he needs.

 

[AusKnightRKO]

if we can be around the 4 come january theres a few players out there that could really help our season, If we can get Hazard in january along with a short term loan deal for a DM and Winger for the departing Gervinho and Song

 

[BunniesMan]

if we can be around the 4 come january theres a few players out there that could really help our season, If we can get Hazard in january along with a short term loan deal for a DM and Winger for the departing Gervinho and Song

If Arteta can hold the fort until January and drag us into the top 4, I think we'll be signing Hazard in the first week of January. And Cahill will be available super cheap as it'll be just months until he can get out of Bolton for free.

So if we can stay ahead of Liverpool with the current squad and in touch with the top 3, I think with the help of quality reinforcements we can make a serious challenge for the title.

As for replacements for those playing in Africa in January, Frimpong can do the job for Song if he keeps up his positive start to the season, and wingers behind Gervinho is the one place we have depth. It could give playing time to the likes of Miyaichi and Chamberlain (who was very impressive for England u21s this week).

 

[Nevcost]

Not if we sign Hazzard first, Liverpool have first option refusal what ever it is called

 

[Twizzle]

problem with Arteta is keeping him fit, he seems to be injured alot

great player though, would love him at Spurs

 

[BunniesMan]

Not if we sign Hazzard first, Liverpool have first option refusal what ever it is called

I think that was just one of many false rumours spread in the last days of the window:

They agreed to pay 60% of Cole's wages during his season at Lille in an attempt to obtain first refusal on the Belgium international, Eden Hazard, should the French club elect to sell their coveted midfielder. That request was rejected by Lille,

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/31/liverpool-joe-cole-craig-bellamy

What I've heard is that Arsenal, Lille and Hazard himself had agreed on both a fee and wages and the only reason it didn't go ahead is because Lille didn't have time to find a replacement. It's tipped to be one of the first deals to happen in the next window...as long as we can stay in contention for top 4, he's not going to come if we don't look like playing Champions league next season.

 

[CC_Eagle]

If Arteta can hold the fort until January and drag us into the top 4, I think we'll be signing Hazard in the first week of January. And Cahill will be available super cheap as it'll be just months until he can get out of Bolton for free.

So if we can stay ahead of Liverpool with the current squad and in touch with the top 3, I think with the help of quality reinforcements we can make a serious challenge for the title.

As for replacements for those playing in Africa in January, Frimpong can do the job for Song if he keeps up his positive start to the season, and wingers behind Gervinho is the one place we have depth. It could give playing time to the likes of Miyaichi and Chamberlain (who was very impressive for England u21s this week).

Frimpong may be called up by Ghana though. He's played junior football for England, but has recently made noises about how he'd consider playing for Ghana if they came knocking. Which isn't a bad thing at all - the lad was born in Ghana. I just hope it doesn't happen in January.

 

[andrew057]

Not sounding good with Wilsheres injury.

 

[BunniesMan]

Sadly not surprising, I think that's the reason Wenger went for both Arteta and Benayoun instead of just one of them, if Wilshere's injury is long term we wouldn't have had the midfield depth to last until January and Hazard's possible signing.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Sadly not surprising, I think that's the reason Wenger went for both Arteta and Benayoun instead of just one of them, if Wilshere's injury is long term we wouldn't have had the midfield depth to last until January and Hazard's possible signing.

Agreed.

This just helps justify my theory on how clubs shouldn't over-play youngsters.

I hope that Jack doesn't turn out like Cesc.

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Frimpong may be called up by Ghana though. He's played junior football for England, but has recently made noises about how he'd consider playing for Ghana if they came knocking. Which isn't a bad thing at all - the lad was born in Ghana. I just hope it doesn't happen in January.

this is what iw as going to say, Frimpong has said a few months ago that he would prefer to play for ghana, and with Essien gone till atleast Feb, he may well be a huge chance to play

 

[Cliffhanger]

Pretty sure both United and Liverpool run at a profit.

Wrong! But because their owners are so rich, they don't care about running at a loss.