It is more than a little concerning that there are only seven days left before the competitive start to the season. We have a big problem in the goalkeeping position, Fabianski is not good enough, Almunia has not been playing and is Szczesny ready for a game as big as Anfield?
We are desperately short at the back both in terms of centre back numbers, but the Legia game has also shown that our defense is not yet an organised unit, obviously it will take time for the centre backs to build their partnership up. The fact that the midfield of Rosicky, Wilshere and Frimpong was overrun so easily is also a big concern, this also left the back four rather vulnerable to attacks. Nasri, Chamakh, Eboue, Gibbs, JET and Szczesny are the only players who can come out of the game with much credit.
I agree with Gunnerblog's overall assessment and with just a week to go, this is not just a pre season game that can be brushed under the carpet, we need to learn some big lessons fast. Walcott was so peripheral and so casual with possession, surely Eboue has done enough to displace Theo from the team next week. Then there are so many players missing including Song, RVP, Cesc, Diaby, Arshavin and Denilson; few of these lads are going to be fit enough for Anfield.
Goodplaya reads into a few of Cesc's quotes and makes a really good point for me, is our current squad good enough to make a genuine challenge for the title? I think the answer to that even without yesterday's game is a No, with yesterday's game it becomes a more resounding No.
We still badly need a goalkeeper and a commanding central defender. At the moment the team for Anfield is looking something like: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy; Wilshere, Frimpong, Gibbs, Nasri; Eboue, Chamakh, Nasri. Am I wrong to be more than a little concerned?
ps I notice the club have left these comments from Bacary Sagna on the club's website. Personally I am not impressed, the player Bacary talks of is not an Arsenal player and is under contract at Montpellier. The club should not be releasing this kind of statement in my opinion, it is all very smelly given what Barcelona did regarding Cesc.
No need to make the picture darker than it already is. Song and arshavin should be back for Anfield, it seems like, maybe even Diaby and Denilson.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, we should worry. Almunia will start. He is not a bad goalkeeper, he is just not number one material for a team of Arsenal's ambitions. Too early to judge Kos and also too early to put that responsability of his shoulder that he should be coming in as the new TV5. So, we buy an experienced (expensive seems to be a criterion) CB but how long will it take to get him to gel with TV5 and the rest of hte back four? Yes, we should worry and Wenger will have to swllow is pride and pay the price for players or this season may well be his last. The WC didn't help him in the market but that can be no excuse.
We need another CB for the squad. Maybe someone over 30 who has 2/3 years left and who would happily play 20 games/season.
ReplyDeleteI know Nasri has been our best player this pre season, but we don't have enough time to clone him and put him in our team twice for Anfield :)
ReplyDeleteWoah, talk about a gloomy post!
ReplyDeleteGoing overboard after a pre=season kickabout is a joke mate! I am still hopeful of a new keeper and CB to come in and if that happens then I think we are in really good shape and a title challenge is a definite.
Goodplaya is a domm mongering hate filled twat.
I propose that Arsenal fans World wide post letters once a week for the next four weeks to UEFA & FIFA complaining about Barcelona FC's 'tapping up' of Cesc Fabregas. Also post a letter just once to Arsenal FC requesting that they formally complain to UEFA & FIFA. I have drawn up 3 template letters that I will email to willing participants. All you need to do is type in your own Name & Address before printing off & posting. Momentum will be boosted by you forwarding the email to every one of your Arsenal FC fan family & friends, encouraging them to participate.
ReplyDeletePlease see .... http://www.goonerettesonline.co.uk/452/other/an-overview-of-the-cesc-saga-time-for-the-fans-to-bite-back/#more-452
The aim of repetitive letters is to create an Admin headache for UEFA & FIFA with thousands of letters received from all over the world & display the strength of feeling from Arsenal FC fans. The purpose of the single letter to Arsenal FC is again to display the strength of feeling from us fans.
My email address for this campaign from where I will email you the letter templates is …….. ArsenalFansHateBarcelonaFC@gmail.com
Arsenal will definitely Make it this time! Even last time they ended up third, so this time with some new players, They will ace it :D Go arsenal go :D
ReplyDelete1979 I commend you for sticking to your principles with the whole Cesc-gate thing and the chat from Barca but don't let it affect your thoughts. All Sagna is saying is that Spahic is good enough for Arsenal. He isn't saying 'he'll definitely come to Arsenal' he's just saying that he's a good player and that he'd do a good job at Arsenal if he were to come. If he were to say it every day for the next couple of months then fair enough, be unhappy. However, for now...chill.
ReplyDeleteBarca were excessive but don't let it mean that any time anyone has anything to say about a player at another club that it is poor form.
I think it's poor form for the official club website to have comments like that on it.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
ReplyDeleteYou have gone OTT with this now.
Is it wrong to compliment another footballer nowadays?
Fergie was asked the other day what he thought of Ozil and he said that he was a great young player. hardly crime of the century!