***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

If Wenger can't get this guy an international cap with Spain, nobody can!

It really is a shame he hasn't had one yet, but I don't think he will ever get one to be honest. That Spain midfield is just too damn loaded. I mean you got Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Xabi, Cesc, Silva, and now you have Mata, Thiago, and Javi Martinez coming through. I just don't see how he gets a call barring some serious injuries.

[EWRMETS]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think anyone saying we won't contend for Top 4 is too negative. The two games we have lost have been to two top teams with half our lineup missing. We may not have signed the big money exciting player but Arsene did what he needed to do to add depth and class to our squad.

Last year, Arsenal had a very real chance of winning the entire league until the collapse after losing the Carling Cup. Now, Arsenal is much better defensively with a proven goalie and a better back line (all of whom didn't play against Man U). Losing Cesc sucks, but he missed a lot of games last year and we still won. We need to stop thinking that Arsene was going to buy a Cesc replacement when he believes he already has one in Wilshere.

They still have the money from the Cesc/Nasri sales so it's very possible we make a move on Hazard or M'Villa in the January window. Clubs new Arsenal were desperate since they waited so long to sell and then buy, so I'm sure the prices were heavily inflated. In the mean time, we now have players that will allow us to be competitive.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think anyone saying we won't contend for Top 4 is too negative. The two games we have lost have been to two top teams with half our lineup missing. We may not have signed the big money exciting player but Arsene did what he needed to do to add depth and class to our squad.

Last year, Arsenal had a very real chance of winning the entire league until the collapse after losing the Carling Cup. Now, Arsenal is much better defensively with a proven goalie and a better back line (all of whom didn't play against Man U). Losing Cesc sucks, but he missed a lot of games last year and we still won. We need to stop thinking that Arsene was going to buy a Cesc replacement when he believes he already has one in Wilshere.

They still have the money from the Cesc/Nasri sales so it's very possible we make a move on Hazard or M'Villa in the January window. Clubs new Arsenal were desperate since they waited so long to sell and then buy, so I'm sure the prices were heavily inflated. In the mean time, we now have players that will allow us to be competitive.

Too negative? Have you seen our recent form from the end of last season until now? That my friend isn't a top 4 team. I think we have a small shot at the top 4 but we are in no way the front runners for that spot. I think we finish 6th this season.

I don't think I'm being negative at all...just realistic. We have too much deadweight and inexperience, I personally feel like we just aren't that good. Will be happy to eat crow if I'm wrong because I think missing the CL will be catastrophic for this club.

[darweezee]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I'm quite satisfied with our last minute transfers on defense. Wish we kept Bendtner [I'm surprised I'm even saying this], since we're lacking attacking depth. The midfield would definitely be hard to replace quality with quality, but I think that's all the Gunners can manage after such little time from Champions League qualification and the end of the transfer window.

Wish we could have gotten Eden Hazard now instead of trying in January before he became cup-tied. I'm guessing Lille are confident enough to fight for a knockout round spot. However, I predict Eden Hazard will be an Arsenal player next season.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Liverpool supposedly has first refusal now on Hazard as part of the Joe Cole deal.

[Acid]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

If everyone is healthy and we continue to play our current formation:

GK SZCZ
LB Santos
CB TV5
CB Mertesacker
RB Sagna
MF Song
MF Arteta
CAM Wilshere
LW Benayoun
ST RVP
RW Gervinho

Theo would rotate with Benayoun, as until I see where he fits into the formation, I'm not sure where I'd like to see him.

I'd swap Jack and Arteta with this one.

[Krebstar]

Too negative? Have you seen our recent form from the end of last season until now? That my friend isn't a top 4 team. I think we have a small shot at the top 4 but we are in no way the front runners for that spot. I think we finish 6th this season.

I don't think I'm being negative at all...just realistic. We have too much deadweight and inexperience, I personally feel like we just aren't that good. Will be happy to eat crow if I'm wrong because I think missing the CL will be catastrophic for this club.

I actually think we finish in 4th. It's going to be one he'll of a fight, but I think we make it. I could be crazy, though.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I actually think we finish in 4th. It's going to be one he'll of a fight, but I think we make it. I could be crazy, though.

I hope your right, but I just don't see it.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I actually think we finish in 4th. It's going to be one he'll of a fight, but I think we make it. I could be crazy, though.

I agree IF we stay healthy, because we're still lacking in depth. I do like the idea of Walcott or Benayoun coming off the bench to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Especially Walcott when it's the second half and the other team is running on tired legs.

But Walcott likely thinks he should be starting every match, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the possibility of rotating.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I agree IF we stay healthy, because we're still lacking in depth. I do like the idea of Walcott or Benayoun coming off the bench to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Especially Walcott when it's the second half and the other team is running on tired legs.

But Walcott likely thinks he should be starting every match, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the possibility of rotating.

I think you need to start Theo. Can't afford to piss him off with one year left on his contract especially for an older player that we got on loan that is on about the same level as him.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think you need to start Theo. Can't afford to piss him off with one year left on his contract especially for an older player that we got on loan that is on about the same level as him.

I agree 100%. But I saw people post lineups that had Walcott off the bench and I could see Wenger going this route. I think it would be a mistake, so I hope Theo starts.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I agree 100%. But I saw people post lineups that had Walcott off the bench and I could see Wenger going this route. I think it would be a mistake, so I hope Theo starts.

Well, in some weird way it seems that recently, he's more effective when he starts games. I wouldn't be opposed to him starting, but I wish he'd stay further out wide sometimes.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Well, in some weird way it seems that recently, he's more effective when he starts games. I wouldn't be opposed to him starting, but I wish he'd stay further out wide sometimes.

Me too. Him and Yossi are completely different players so it should be a good combo either way Wenger goes. They both bring something completely different to the table.

[southernbelle]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think you need to start Theo. Can't afford to piss him off with one year left on his contract especially for an older player that we got on loan that is on about the same level as him.

should we be concerned about pissing theo off? not sure we will be that upset if he leaves.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

should we be concerned about pissing theo off? not sure we will be that upset if he leaves.

I think he'd be a big loss, unless AOC proves to be just as good, if not better. Either way, losing any pace would not be good and as much as Theo infuriates many of us at times, he's finally starting to finish. It's taken awhile, but I think he's slowly getting there. I think he's set to have a pretty good season.