Well fellow Gooners, we've just had the Emirates Cup and it has confirmed what we already knew.
A new CB is a priority. We need a LB too, IMO, but we could just about get away with Gibbs/Traore if that meant we would focus our energy/money into sorting a CB ASAP. It's clear, in a similar way to Senderos, that Djourou won't fulfil his promise. Martin Keown said as much in his post-match commentary after the Boca game.
Cesc is going to go. I just wish it would happen quickly as then we can use the money on improving the squad. I don't think there is much point in getting a like-for-like replacement as a) there aren't many out there and b) we have other players who can fulfil that role.
Which brings us to the Nasri situation. It's a real dilemma as the guy is going to leave on a free next season if we don't cash in now. I can see AW's problem - what message does it send out losing two of our best players in one summer? - but it is £25m we are talking about here. I suppose Wenger's hoping that we'll win something this season and Nasri will change his mind, but if we look at the evidence of pre-season the same old problems are there so I would cash in and spend the money elsewhere.
No amount of money, however, will fix the mental frailty rot that has set in over the last few seasons. I don't know what the answer is but something needs to change to stop this self-defeating, self-fulfilling prophecy of throwing leads away. Surely the buck has to stop with the manager.
Watching the pre-Red Bull interview with Szczenzy about our defence I was getting hopeful but zonal marking does not seem to be the answer to our set piece frailties on the evidence so far.
Sorry for being so pessimistic so early in the season but I think I am being realistic.
Wenger's dilemmas
posted on 1/8/11
On the plus side, Afobe is looks good and he's flipping massive! I'd like to see Stoke trying to push HIM around on a cold wet afternoon etc...
posted on 1/8/11
I see you guys are still adept at throwing away leads.
I know Wenger is hampered by the stadium and everything else but you guys have the most expensive tickets in the league. It's going up by another 6% and the squad isn't improving and will be weakened for the season.
Isn't it time the manager addresses the problems in the team? Or perhaps it's time for him to go?
posted on 1/8/11
I' don't think we should right off Djorou just yet. The only time he's played so far is with Squillaci, and while he has been utter crud, that could be down to the poor partner and lack of confidence in his ability causing him to make mistakes trying to cover for Squillaci
He probably is just crud, but we can't be sure yet
Plus Afobe does look good. Would like to see him get a couple more games soon please
posted on 1/8/11
Yes, let's look at some of the positives:
- Afobe did look good
- So did Frimpong (but early days for both)
- We have two excellent midfielders in Ramsey and Wilshere
- Although it'll cost us we have Nasri too for another season
- Gervinho looks the real deal
- Arshavin can't be as bad as last season again
- And there should be some signings before the transfer window shuts
Still, I think we are looking at a top four scrap rather than a title battle.
posted on 1/8/11
We are unbeaten in pre season
That is a positive
posted on 1/8/11
You have every right to be pessimistic. When you concede 43 goals in a 38 Premier League campaign and are meant to be title contenders, it's self-explanatory as to what you need to acquire to sort that problem out. And what does our manager do? He brings in a winger and an inexperienced right back.
He's not engrossed into sorting out the defensive frailties and he hasn't concentrated on our set-piece issue (as you say, zonal marking isn't the best solution).
I'm really starting to lose my patience here.
In Wenger I trust.....but I'm starting to lose the faith.
posted on 1/8/11
Isn't it time the manager addresses the problems in the team? Or perhaps it's time for him to go?
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Why do people like to regurgitate the same old things, 'we know' it's been stated 1000s times already!!!
Next!!
posted on 1/8/11
comment by Passionpower1212 (U8398)
posted 4 minutes ago
Isn't it time the manager addresses the problems in the team? Or perhaps it's time for him to go?
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Why do people like to regurgitate the same old things, 'we know' it's been stated 1000s times already!!!
Next!!
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We regurgitate the same old things because the manager fails to solve the same old problems.
I'm pretty sure this will be talked about when you fail in all competitions this season.
I wonder whether you will be as dismissive then. 7 years since you last won a league title. 6+ years since you won a trophy because of the exact same problem.
Burying your head in the sand will not make it go away