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Ben91 wrote:
One problem you could have though is the depth of the Arsenal squad. To build a squad you really need to keep the players who are key and then add to them. It's fine if they're replaceable but i don't really think the first team was the problem this year, but more the fact that they were worn out come the end and injuries couldn't be coped with as easily as would happen with other sides - highlighted by the fact that the title was lost in the final few months.

Sure Wenger will acquire players to fill Flamini and Hleb's shoes, but, unless the fringe-players make a real improvement, then don't you think you'll struggle to win the league? I am assuming Wenger won't make too many signings here, in the region of 5 or so established players (including the replacements for Flamini/Hleb) for example.


5 extra players (signings) will be plenty. Especially with 2 extra players in Vela and Merida coming back which will then make 7.

The injury problems we had this year were great. I don't think any other team battling for top position in the EPL had as many issues as we did. At one point seemed like half of the squad was on the injury list.

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J-Axe wrote:
Quaresma is a bit of a ball hogger though. As much as Hleb likes to get the ball tight and dribble it, he uses it more wisely.

Quaresma is similar to Ronaldo in terms of build. But his ego also lets him down on so many accounts I reckon.

That Valencia guy Silva is good. Not as powerful, but enough in his technique to muster.



At least he isn't afraid to put his foot through the ball.

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quaresma is agreat player and will prove it when he eventually makes the step up... not to Arsenal though then i would have to dislike him which i dont want to do.... as well he would cost in the region of 18 miliion and i dont think wenger would pay that...

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papa5murf wrote:
Ben91 wrote:
One problem you could have though is the depth of the Arsenal squad. To build a squad you really need to keep the players who are key and then add to them. It's fine if they're replaceable but i don't really think the first team was the problem this year, but more the fact that they were worn out come the end and injuries couldn't be coped with as easily as would happen with other sides - highlighted by the fact that the title was lost in the final few months.

Sure Wenger will acquire players to fill Flamini and Hleb's shoes, but, unless the fringe-players make a real improvement, then don't you think you'll struggle to win the league? I am assuming Wenger won't make too many signings here, in the region of 5 or so established players (including the replacements for Flamini/Hleb) for example.


5 extra players (signings) will be plenty. Especially with 2 extra players in Vela and Merida coming back which will then make 7.

The injury problems we had this year were great. I don't think any other team battling for top position in the EPL had as many issues as we did. At one point seemed like half of the squad was on the injury list.


Yeah i know 5 would be enough to create a strong squad, my point was more that i'm not sure whether Wenger will bring in that many. Didn't he say he was only going to bring in one established player? Obviously departures may alter his plans, but i still don't think 1 player on top of the squad that ended last season would provide enough depth, regardless of the fact that there will be a few more youngsters added into the mix (how much will Vela and Merida actually play anyhow?).

I think Chelsea could possibly rival your injuries this season, but then Chelsea have a squad such that they are unaffected by them. A nice advantage to have over your rivals...

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torres99 wrote:
quaresma is agreat player and will prove it when he eventually makes the step up... not to Arsenal though then i would have to dislike him which i dont want to do.... as well he would cost in the region of 18 miliion and i dont think wenger would pay that...


I wouldn't be so sure. Didn't Wenger pay £17m for Antonio Reyes?

I've heard Quaresma is on his way to Madrid anyway, who're offering a hefty cash sum as well as their young striker Roberto Soldado, which pretty much rules other teams out unless they want to well over-spend. Dunno how much truth their is in it though.

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J-Axe wrote:
Quaresma is a bit of a ball hogger though. As much as Hleb likes to get the ball tight and dribble it, he uses it more wisely.

Quaresma is similar to Ronaldo in terms of build. But his ego also lets him down on so many accounts I reckon.

That Valencia guy Silva is good. Not as powerful, but enough in his technique to muster.


This season ive watched a fair bit of Portuguese football on Setanta and Quaresma is very lazy player when he dosnt have the ball. Dosnt do a much of tracking the ball backwards or charging players down. When he has the ball thought like already been said likes to dribble coming inwards and passes very well. Cant see him coming to England tho.

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Yeah spot on G_Man, ive been watching him a lot too and his lazyness struck me, especially in the games against Benfica and Sporting where hes meant to be fully pumped up and giving his all. I dont think its enough to be good going forward in the premiership these day, he would need to obtain more of a team mentality for him to be a success in England.

But Alberto Aquilani would be a great signing for Arsenal, very good player from what ive seen of him over the past few years.

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Ben91 wrote:

Yeah i know 5 would be enough to create a strong squad, my point was more that i'm not sure whether Wenger will bring in that many. Didn't he say he was only going to bring in one established player? Obviously departures may alter his plans, but i still don't think 1 player on top of the squad that ended last season would provide enough depth, regardless of the fact that there will be a few more youngsters added into the mix (how much will Vela and Merida actually play anyhow?).

I think Chelsea could possibly rival your injuries this season, but then Chelsea have a squad such that they are unaffected by them. A nice advantage to have over your rivals...


Wenger said he'd bring in 1 established player at first, then he changed his tune a bit and said 1 or 2 established players. But then again, this was all with the assumption that Flamini and Hleb were staying.

Vela and Merida probably won't play much, they will definitely headline the Carling Cup squad. I could see Vela playing more with the first squad in league matches than Merida. Vela is quality, I've seen him play with the Mexican senior squad a couple of times and have been quite impressed. He's naturally a striker but he has played on the left wing for Mexico. That being said, he would actually stay outside instead of continuing to come back inside like many non natural wingers.

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G_Man wrote:
J-Axe wrote:
Quaresma is a bit of a ball hogger though. As much as Hleb likes to get the ball tight and dribble it, he uses it more wisely.

Quaresma is similar to Ronaldo in terms of build. But his ego also lets him down on so many accounts I reckon.

That Valencia guy Silva is good. Not as powerful, but enough in his technique to muster.


This season ive watched a fair bit of Portuguese football on Setanta and Quaresma is very lazy player when he dosnt have the ball. Dosnt do a much of tracking the ball backwards or charging players down. When he has the ball thought like already been said likes to dribble coming inwards and passes very well. Cant see him coming to England tho.


Yeah, I'd agree to a degree. As I said, his ego lets him down.

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Wenger has also agreed a £16m deal to land Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa, beating Liverpool and Manchester United to his signature.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has rekindled his interest in Hamburg's £15m-rated Belgian centre back Vincent Kompany.


If both of these statements are true and we get both of them that be 2 great signing espically kompany soon to be 1 of best defenders in the world

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where did you hear about these?

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Jackpot_Jac wrote:
where did you hear about these?


they're both off the BBC gossip column. i saw them this morning

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Jackpot_Jac wrote:
where did you hear about these?



BBC sport and papers mate but whose knows with them two but if true would be great

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i cant see them happening, I didnt think Wenger would spend this much on one player never mind two. If they do then they will be good signings for Arsenal.

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Jackpot_Jac wrote:
i cant see them happening, I didnt think Wenger would spend this much on one player never mind two. If they do then they will be good signings for Arsenal.


you never no will flamini gone now and maybe hleb on his way and maybe he now feels that he needs to spend the money to acctually get someone good now or your bid will always be overtaken and its not just about the money its the relationship you also have with the other club

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It will be interesting if he does splash the cash this summer. I have always thought that he should have in the past but maybe he has realised he has to now. Will he have much to spend though?

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Jackpot_Jac wrote:
It will be interesting if he does splash the cash this summer. I have always thought that he should have in the past but maybe he has realised he has to now. Will he have much to spend though?


if he wants to stay with the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd he has to spend money look at the amount they spend every summer 50-70 millions and he must of been saving or something knowing mr wenger to have 1 big summer transfer kitty

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Jackpot_Jac wrote:
specnur wrote:
Jackpot_Jac wrote:
Oba Martins will not be going to Arsenal in the summer. First of all he loves Newcastle and the fans love him. Secondly i dont think Wenger will make a 15m bid when there are much better strikers around.
If you do sign Oba you will soon find out that he doesnt have a footballing brain. I have lost count how many times he picks the wrong option and his passing is poor. No one with poor passing is gonna be a target of Arsenal. However, Martins does qualities that will appeal to Wenger. The main two are his speed and shot power. I do think martins needs some proper coaching to get the most out of his talent. Since Keegan has been there and since we have been playing 4-3-3 he has been a better player. I personally love Martins. When he plays you can tell just how much it means for him to play for the club. He never stops trying and always does his best.
I cant see him going to Arsenal but if he does there will be many gutted Newcastle fans. We all love lil Oba!


Let me destroy the above.

First off who's a better striker than him right that's available/
Doesn't have a footballing brain,that's a mighty strange comment.That man is pure footballing desire.
First of all he won't be played out of position like he is at Newcastle ,he is a pure front man make no mistake.Just look at the goals he's scored ,basically drogbaesque,he makes something from nothing.I can't remember when he even got an assist from that garbage Newcastle call a midfield.That's the role Wenger would use him,along side Adebayor or Van pirsie.

You say you personally love Martins ,but i doubt that very much ,because if that were the case ,were was the outrage when Owen couldn't buy a goal ,martins was top scorer and keegan kept him on the bench.
That was unforgiveable and Martins should leave based on that alone.I know that the majority of Newcastle fans love that player and so they should,but are they willing to put him on the filed ahead of Owen?Because he's a better player hands down.

There isn't a person on the planet but Oba himself that can convince me that the only reason Martins is playing is because he would leave the club in the Summer.And just imagine Owen get's injured again early in next season and martins is forced to pay for another team.Te very fact that Wenger eyed Martins in the past should tell you that there is nothing wrong with Martins Footballing brain.


Destroy? Laughing

You havnt watched many Newcastle games. I can tell. You should stick to NFL mate.
The reason he was on the bench for a few weeks is because he had a knee injury. I could name about 10 stikers that are available to a team like Arsenal that are better then him (want names?). As i said before he doesnt have a footballing brain (im not the only one on here that has that opinion). I see him play every week, i guess you dont. I dont just watch the highlights. In highlights of games you dont see the amount of times he gives the ball away. However, he is much better under keegan, and i cant see him leaving the club in the summer. If he does then we will have to replace him. Im sure we could find a much more clinical striker then Oba. But as you have pointed out (i think) he also offers the team alot with his workrate. Thats why he is loved, not because he scores all them goals.
I find it very funny how you dont think there is a problem with how Martins reads the game. Over the last 2 years i have watched him play more then you. I have also stated that im a big Oba fan, so why would i make something up like that?? Doesnt make sense.
Under Wenger there is no doubt that Oba could be an amazing player, but that wont happen straight away. I would be gutted if he left but your opinion of him is a lil bit high.
I think i know your problem mate. Your in love with Oba. Awwwwwww


Here's a fact for you my friend .I watch entire Newcastle games.Don't know if you read my other posts ,but i stated that Newcastle for a long time was one of the teams i watched religiously along with Portsmouth.I can say without any doubt that you do not watch more Premiership football than me.I have every game of the season in their entirety at my disposal from my satellite provider and the 40gig digital hard drive they provide.One more fact for you.The only NFL game i have watched since my 20 yrs on these shores was the last super bowl and that was in between watching real football.Now i will concede i am not physically at the Newcastle games ,but that can be an advantage to a degree as i am not influenced by my surroundings and opinions and therefore have a more honest view of events so to speak.

Now back to the issue at hand.You talk about these ten players better than Oba currently available to Arsenal yet you don't provide names.At least when i say something like that i back it up in the same passage with those facts.maybe you need time to provide such info,how 's 2 months for you?Because that's how long it will take before you realize that you are talking out of your *ss.

I don't know how anyone can question wengers interest in any player with his track record,you have to be out of your mind to question him in that area.Oba was the best striker on Newcastle from he day he got there and his goal tally from the lack of service he get's is testament to that.In comparison you look at owen's performance for the majority of the season and he was garbage.He even had to fall into mid field in an attempt to deflect the attention from comparisons in the two players success rate.So i don't give two sh*ts about what you and your beer buddies think ,it means nothing to me.
I watched a game the other day and i didn't hear Owens name mentioned until the 70th minute of the game,i was flabbergasted.I couldn't believe that he had played the entire game nad a never even knew he was on the pitch until the 70th minute ,that is outrageous.That sounds like a player that should be starting behind N'zogbia not in front of,you can't justify that to me in any way whatsoever.

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papa5murf wrote:
specnur wrote:
papa5murf wrote:
Sad

I was always afraid he would leave for the money, even back in January when the squad was firing on all cylinders. Loyalty is one of those things that has gone from the world of sports. Sad

Look for bids for Jean II Makoun and/or Michael Johnson soon.


I second that.
Very disappointed with Flamini's decision indeed.I mean how could he leave for a club that Arsenal are superior to.Of course it was for the money but how much more were they offering?
I am really gutted to hear that news,he had a fantastic season and a big piece of his play was what Arsenal needed.Diarra leaving is even more sad now,because he would have slotted right into that position and would be even better than Flamini . Michael johnson has no way of playing for Arsenal , he doesn't have the qualities for that team. Don't know much about Makoun to be honest. Wenger has proven that he always picks the right players,but what is troubling to me is that it seems players are loosing faith in the system after Wenger has made them stars.Arsenal need to do something about there salary cap and bring it in line with the other top clubs.What i fear happening is that Arsenal becomes a farm team for the likes of Barcelona ,ac milan and real madrid.They lost Henry ,Vieira and reyes and now Flamini.Make no mistake about it , based on that It's obvious that these super teams know that Arsenal are a supreme team ,but their weakness is not having the funds to keep their best players.


I think you've been reading some of my older posts. Razz I was adamant that Diarra was the perfect 'replacement' for Flamini. Same type of player, great worth ethic, a force in the middle as a holding midfielder with a bit of vision of going forward when needed. We had a player that could slot in and take Fabregas' spot in-case he got injured (Hleb); but when Diarra left, we lost that player that could slot in and take Flamini's spot.

I'm sure that is why Wenger brought Diarra in in the first place, knowing that Flamini's contract was up and there was no guarantee he would resign. Unfortunately for us and Diarra as well, is that Diarra wasn't willing to take that risk and wait a year, and wait for Flamini to potentially leave to get his playing time. Right now with Flamini gone, we all know that if Diarra stuck around, he'd be starting next year next to Fabregas.

Losing/selling Henry, Vieira and Reyes was all strategic. Wenger knows exactly when he needs to sell an older player. Vieira hasn't been the same since leaving, Henry hasn't been the same, Reyes was a bit of a bust here and he wanted to go back to Spain.



You ae probably 100% correct in why Wenger brought in Diarra in the first place ie. Flamini's contract.Which makes it even more painful for me to stomache.I understand the decision with Vieira with his age and such it made sense ,same with Henry but still both leaving was very painful and in hindsight more so vieira ,as he has the type of leadership and stature that was missed by Arsenal.The players respected him and even if he can't do what he had done physically in games ,that leadership quality would have made Arsenal a different team.

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[quote="papa5murf"][quote="Big Jono"]

Hleb can be easily replaced. Not sure how many Arsenal games you actually watch (I would assume zero unless they are playing the Spurs). But if you've actually watched a lot of Arsenal games, you'd realise that Hleb can be replaced.

The Pro's of Hleb are:
- Dribbling skills (arguably the best in the world right now)
- Holds/keeps possession of the ball
- Tracks back and defends/makes tackles
- Creative with the ball at his feet

You need to name a player that can fill that void my man and play as effective as he is.
There is no other player on the planet that i have seen currently hat can do so with his consistency.You can't replace him it's really that simple.I wish he was replaceable then i wouldn't be going through so much mental torture right now.

gattuso no way in hell is he going to Arsenal ,maybe 4 years ago but not now.

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gooner4life92 wrote:
Wenger has also agreed a £16m deal to land Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa, beating Liverpool and Manchester United to his signature.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has rekindled his interest in Hamburg's £15m-rated Belgian centre back Vincent Kompany.


If both of these statements are true and we get both of them that be 2 great signing espically kompany soon to be 1 of best defenders in the world


i would not sign Ben arfa.If you watched that kid play this season then you would understand that his jealousy for Benzema makes him very unprofessional and not in the spirit of team play which is the biggest part of Arsenals make up.He's not even that good ,he's decent but get's a lot of attention because he's on the same team as the best young player in the world today.I think zidan of hamburg, who never sees playing time on the german side but was questionably the best player for egypt in the acn,is more effective than Ben Arfa.

If Hleb leaves then he first player i would go for is Mamadou Diarra of real Madrid.Real were never the same when Makelele left so it is no coincidence that once they put Diarra in that position they are champions again.IMo he is currently on of the best midfielders in the world,different from hleb but much needed for Arsenal now that flaimini is gone.

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specnur wrote:

Here's a fact for you my friend .I watch entire Newcastle games.Don't know if you read my other posts ,but i stated that Newcastle for a long time was one of the teams i watched religiously along with Portsmouth.I can say without any doubt that you do not watch more Premiership football than me.I have every game of the season in their entirety at my disposal from my satellite provider and the 40gig digital hard drive they provide.One more fact for you.The only NFL game i have watched since my 20 yrs on these shores was the last super bowl and that was in between watching real football.Now i will concede i am not physically at the Newcastle games ,but that can be an advantage to a degree as i am not influenced by my surroundings and opinions and therefore have a more honest view of events so to speak.

Now back to the issue at hand.You talk about these ten players better than Oba currently available to Arsenal yet you don't provide names.At least when i say something like that i back it up in the same passage with those facts.maybe you need time to provide such info,how 's 2 months for you?Because that's how long it will take before you realize that you are talking out of your *ss.

I don't know how anyone can question wengers interest in any player with his track record,you have to be out of your mind to question him in that area.Oba was the best striker on Newcastle from he day he got there and his goal tally from the lack of service he get's is testament to that.In comparison you look at owen's performance for the majority of the season and he was garbage.He even had to fall into mid field in an attempt to deflect the attention from comparisons in the two players success rate.So i don't give two sh*ts about what you and your beer buddies think ,it means nothing to me.
I watched a game the other day and i didn't hear Owens name mentioned until the 70th minute of the game,i was flabbergasted.I couldn't believe that he had played the entire game nad a never even knew he was on the pitch until the 70th minute ,that is outrageous.That sounds like a player that should be starting behind N'zogbia not in front of,you can't justify that to me in any way whatsoever.


Laughing

You really do make me laugh. If you have watched everyone of Newcastles last 10 games, and i mean every minute and you dont think Owen should be in the team, you need help. He scored six in six games, better the oba Wink (in the last 10 games that is). Anyways, why are we talking about Owen. It is clear you dont like him so its better if we leave him out of this.
If you could read you would see me ask if you want names. Look up the page and you will see Smile .
You see it? Ok heres my 10 better strikers then Oba:

van nistelrooy
Henry
santa cruz
Villa
Gudjohnsen
berbatov (Spurs would never sell him to Arsenal, but hes so much better)
klose
defoe
Eto'o
Crouch

(could have included others like torres and messi but that would be stupid)

Ok, theres 10 off the top of my head. Im sure you will come back saying that these are not as good as Oba but i would take any of these on a swap deal.
Im not gonna say that Oba is crap, and i have never ever said that. I have said that he has potential and loads of it. If anyone could get this out of him it would be Wenger. By the way i have said this in my last few posts but you seem to have the idea that im talking out my ass, which is a little unfair but thats your opinion. I dont care what you think of me and what i say. Im best placed to give a judgement on Oba and thats fact. Im happy that Oba has got some fans, he has been great for this club and i would be gutted to see him leave.

I really dont know why you think im talking out my ass. Laughing

edit: so how much is Oba worth?

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gooner4life92 wrote:
Wenger has also agreed a £16m deal to land Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa, beating Liverpool and Manchester United to his signature.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has rekindled his interest in Hamburg's £15m-rated Belgian centre back Vincent Kompany.


If both of these statements are true and we get both of them that be 2 great signing espically kompany soon to be 1 of best defenders in the world


I would love to have Kompany over at Arsenal. I thought he was off the market though? I remember Wenger put in a bid for him awhile back before he chose to go to Hamburg instead of Arsenal. I love the way he plays, with power and pace. And he's pretty goo