Look on the bright side. The english clubs getting knocked out of the European Cup early, means our top players will be much fresher going into the european championships - just like the last World Cup!
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Look on the bright side. The english clubs getting knocked out of the European Cup early, means our top players will be much fresher going into the european championships - just like the last World Cup!
The Arsenal were utterly useless last night. Another bad night for us Gooners. I can see us losing at Sunderland now.....
How long is this myth going to be peddled? They were a young team but Wenger's been using that excuse for about 5 years now - Walcott, Song etc they've had quite a few seasons now. The only one of the Arsenal team that might make the Man U or Man C starting line up is Van Persie.
The back four is a disaster.
Up front other than VP (and the on-loan youngster Henry) they are toothless.
Wilshere has great potential as does Ramsey - but without them there's nothing in Midfield.
But a young squad? Artete, Rosicky, Arshevin, Mertesacker..
Age has little to do with it anyway. I'd have Cleverley, Welbeck, Wilshere, Jones in the England starting line up without any problem at all if fit.
Agree with most of this, Arsenal young has been peddled for too long now.
Goalie keep,
Sagna good spare
Vermalen keep, Koscielny good 'spare' as is Mertesacker, neither 1st choice
Gibbs I'd keep as I like his playing
Jenkinson looked good earlier in the season and I'd like him back straight in.
Midfield,
Arteta got shown up, good spare
Ramsey, keep but needs break, he was poor last night.
Rosicky, happily sell but I thought he at least played with bit of pride yesterday and was trying
Arshavin, give him a free transfer please.
Alex Song, keep, think he is class
Walcott, improving still more consistent but was poor last night has played better this year
RVP, please DON'T go but I wouldn't blame him if he does
Alex O-C please stay
Gervinho, thought he was a forward but he seems quite naff
Chamakh give him a free and cut your losses
Think lots of good players at Arsenal but few VERY good ones and only 1 near world class. Compare it to Man U, few good players but more VERY good ones and more at world class, they might not be playing well for them but someone will pick it up and boss the game given a chance.
I think you'll being generous to Walcott Biara. I don't think he's improved at all this season....He's got Aston Villa written all over him IMO.
RVPs going at the end of the season - he no spring chicken and wants a final pay day I expect. I just worry we'll lose Song and Alex O-C too, I can see bids coming in for Alex OC this summer after the Euros.......
Never been impressed with Song. He always looks like a Red Card waiting to happen. His concentration levels seem low as well. I'm just not sure what he brings to the team = perhaps that Arsenal fans see him as class underlines the poor quality elsewhere in the squad.
I think DD you are right about Walcott - and it applies to most of the Arsenal Team. They are too lightweight and have little affect on the game. They do not look like players that fit the top end of the PREM.
As quality players have left Arsenal over that last 5 years, they have been replaced by "potential" that has never quite developed.
They are no different to players like Obertan - see how quickly Ferguson moved him on and cut his losses.
Our squad isn't quite as abject as you make out WP - it's not far off though.
Song is the destructive midfielder we were crying out for years ago, only our midfield is no where near the technical level it was a few years ago....He's not flashy, but he does a good job winning the ball and breaking things down. I think Frimpong will be a better player in the future though, it's a real shame he got injured. A year on loan could've set the lad up.
I think Songs presence is worthwhile, if you see the games when he is not there, the defence is more exposed. Song is someone who appears quite anonymous until he is not playing. Yes, he is a hard plaer, too many bookings but at least he added some steel to the side. Agree that without him the team can be lightweight. Arsenal were after Yaya Toure, if only!!!
Re Walcott, I'd stick with him, I think that his end product (crosses) are improving, I wouldn't want him sold. Yes, he needs to be more consistent but him on one side and Alex O-C on the other with a decent centre forward in the middle, wilshire and ramsey pulling the strings in midfield would be the start of something good.
Two great results for the Manchester clubs tonight away in Europe. :thumbup: