There is no question that the club's 1st X1 is a solid unit and possibly can beat most other teams in EPL on a good day.
What we have seen sofar is that our team now works defensively much harder than in previous seasons. Despite absence of Szczesny, Sagna and Koscielny we were far more solid and I am sure that is down to Bould.
We have improved also in midfield with the arrival of Cazorla and the fact
that Diaby has returned and is playing quite well. Wilshire when fit will create more competition and Ramsey is in my view playing better than last season based on what I saw at London Olympics.
I have still reservations about our firepower. Podolski is a class player, but
whether Giroud will make the grade remains to be seen. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a real talent, but I am not sure that he is ready yet to start
in most games. My concern is that Walcott and Gervinho are players lacking in consistency and are in reality 'luxury' ie players better suited to
come off bench rather than play 90 minutes.
Obviously the departure of Van Persie has created a big hole. We saw his
impact yesterday. Man Utd who are in my view a very average team now got out of gaol against Southampton due entirely to his performance. With
him in our team we could have challenged for EPL Title this season.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF SQUAD
posted on 3/9/12
Good sumup. We will buy some in Jan
posted on 3/9/12
We are a Striker short, i like Poddy as a LWF but if giroud gets injured we are in trouble unless Wenger wants to Play Walnut up front.
posted on 3/9/12
"Losing RVP might turn out to be a blessing. With no one man that all our play goes through we can play a bit more as a team and not just rely on RVP to score all our goals. Giroud will come good, his workrate is good, he's just trying a little too hard!"
Yes it could be a blessing but as he showed yesterday he can almost win games on his own, there is nobody in our squad who can come up with what he does.
posted on 3/9/12
I think the reason u have defended well in the last 3 matches is not just the defensive players but the whole team defending as a unit.
Also as good as Song was, he was awfull positionally.
Sure this defensive solidity will take something out of ur attacking game but with a solid base, u would surely have more chances to win trophies than not.
posted on 3/9/12
I have no concern about our first 11. I have concerns about our depths in the team. If all stay fit all is good.
posted on 3/9/12
I think that when teams park the bus at Emirates, u guys will have some trouble scoring goals.
posted on 3/9/12
^Agree
posted on 3/9/12
Valencia_Smile agreed e.g. Sunderland
posted on 3/9/12
Actually the key is if we continue to gain confidence on defensive side. That will take the pressure of the strikers which will actually mean that we start to score.
Thats how Mourinho won the league.
However it all depends on Giroud finding his shooting boots. The problem is that he doesn't technically see the easier pass when he doesn't have the opportunity to score himself. For example Giroud could have laid the pass to Gibbs for the opportunity he missed. The chance was very similar to the Pele to Carlos Alberto goal in 1972 world cup final. (see it on youtube) but on the opposite wing.
An alternative to Giroud would have been good in case he doesn't find his boots or if there is an injury. But we kept Chamakh. I would personally try to sign Drogba as that backup and we could win the league. We could release Squillaci to make room in the squad. or find a buyer in Russia for Chamakh.
posted on 3/9/12
I wish we had Niang or kept Campbell/Afobe. We have too little striking depth and I think we will either recall a loan or sign someone new in January. Having said that I'm still confident in Giroud.