Morning Gooners,
This article may seem might misleading considering the title, but anyway. Cracking win yesterday, and one which gives us a feel good factor going into Wednesday. Last season, we went into this same fixture on the back of being kicked out the cup by Blackburn on our own back yard... Will that make the difference this time? Probably not in terms of the result of the tie, but I expect a better performance at home.
Secondly, good on Yaya Sanogo. Ridiculed by other teams fans in the summer; ridiculed by our own this season for not being fit and available. Yes he looks raw. But he has the physical attributes of strength and pace, and from what I read, he is supposed to be a 'technical striker'. Give him a few more matches to get into full shape and we will see really what he has to offer.
Striker is obviously where we glaringly lack. Giroud is a good to very good striker. Bendtner is a good striker (he would have been more than that had he made better decisions and had better fitness in his career). Sanogo, and Akpom, are promising young strikers. However none are GREAT strikers. This team needs an Ian Wright to take us on.
But actually, I think where we really miss a player is in central midfield.
As I have read on here before, Arteta and Flamini are both very good players in this position. But both lack what the other one has. Mould them into one player they are very good. Disappointingly, they have not looked a particularly good partnership this year, bar the Napoli home game (incidentally the only game I've attended this year). But we need another player in this position.
Whether or not we can sign a monster in this position is another thing. Players I like in this sort of ilk are the two at West Brom, Mulumbu and Yacob. Perhaps neither at the sort of calibre we need, but the types who would do well next to a Wilshere or Rambo in the engine room.
The Colombian we will probably sign, Perez, is essentially Arteta mark two. He won't completely solve this problem.
I actually think Coquelin, if he returns, could add something. And with Frimpong finally shown the door, perhaps Alfred Mugabo can come in and be that young prospect in that defensive minded position. Admittedly, I do not know how well these two have done this season, so I guess you guys can point that out.
I am not suggesting we actually rely on a younger player. I would love a Pogba. A Matuidi.
But if the right player in that position does not become available, I think we need to look to blood in a younger guy, like a Coquelin, under the tutelage of a Flamini or Arteta.
The two positions holding us back
posted on 17/2/14
Striker
Central mid
Winger/wide forward
Back-up CB
Those are positions that must be filled in the summer. The first 2 have to be experienced, marquee signings.
posted on 17/2/14
For me there are 3: defensive midfield, left wing and striker.
Flamini has steadied the ship and I love his organising of the defence, but we can definetly improve upon him in the summer. Lars Bender would be a great option. Physically would be well suited, reasonably tall, strong and got a great engine, but he's also good technically, more so than his brother. Would be the perfect fit alongside Ramsey, which would be a very, very solid CM pairing next season.
On the left, we really need pace to get the best out of ozil. In big matches away from home i understand playing a midfielder on the left to maintain possession etc. but in general someone on the left who can get past his man, cross and has a good shot on him. Griezmann looks like a good option who we are interested in. A pacey dribbler with good finishing and takes a mean set piece. Wouldn't be too expensive either. However, if wenger were to play the Ox on the left the need to improve this position may be lessened.
Up top, I really do rate girouds work rate and physicality, and it cannot be appreciated fully on the tv at home, seeing him live is impressive with regards to how busy he is, but we can't get away from the fact that he is not the best finisher. Utd on Wednesday was evidence for that with 2 or 3 golden chances spurned. We cannot afford for that to happen if we are to really challenge. The links with Balotelli are interesting, has bags of talent and reminds me of a Thierry Henry in playing style. Would happily have him here. However, if we put pace on the left could we play with a false 9, or a 9.5, if so Draxler could and should be that player!
posted on 17/2/14
Hows Miquel been at Leicester? Can he come back and do a job as 4th Cb?
posted on 17/2/14
comment by Wengerite (U6219)
posted 5 minutes ago
How's Hayden looking? The fact he can play in midfield and defence should surely hold him in good stead.
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Just signed a contract until 2017.
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Hows Miquel been at Leicester? Can he come back and do a job as 4th Cb?
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Not played a great deal. Got a small run of games, but has had a calf injury.
posted on 17/2/14
Is Hayden good enough to actually make it with us even as a squad player or will he end up beimg sent on multiple loans and eventually be sold to a lower league team like Eastmond/yennaris/lamsbury etc.?
posted on 17/2/14
Only time will tell.
posted on 17/2/14
We need:
ST
DM
Winger
2 CB's (1 of them being a promising young defender)
Backup GK
posted on 17/2/14
I really like Yacob. I think he could step up under the right management/system.
Not even gonna get carried away with big names and transfer nonsense this summer though. Ive been far too disappointed over the years.
posted on 17/2/14
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 2 hours, 14 minutes ago
Striker
Central mid
Winger/wide forward
Back-up CB
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posted on 17/2/14
In order of what we need more -
1st - Striker - Diego Costa/Jackson Martinez/Draxler??
2nd - DM - Lars Bender would be ideal.
3rd - Fast Winger -
4th CB - Verm is gone in the summer imo.
I cant see us signing 3 top players but i can see us signing 2.