Apologies for the long read.
If these 3 players return in a month, and thats a big IF then I think our prospects look brighter than most people realise. Without wanting to jinx the first 2 players but since December I have always felt that if we had a fit Welbeck or Wilshere on the bench we would win most of the games we struggled in.
If you consider the injury crisis that hit us in the month of November(Cant remember too many good November's as an arsenal fan) we actually did okay in December. We came out of the busy Christmas period with more points than I thought we would and we had lost Sanchez in that month to an injury that first seemed innocuous and eventually sidelined him long term. This obviously must have been a nightmare for Wenger from a planning point of view and managing the squad.
The wheels fell off in January but the good thing is although we lost a lot of momentum we did not find ourselves 5 or more points behind City. Now I am not discounting Leicester, because we are 5 points behind them and to be honest at this stage of the season I am convinced Leicester can win as many games if not more than their challengers.No point trying to predict them to fall away. However the point is we have an opportunity to reduce that gap to 2 points on Sunday and cut into their goal difference which is also important.
When we sit 2 points behind then we can hopefully try to navigate the remaining games hoping that Leicester can lose another one or 2 games.
Now the general consensus is Arsenal have a hard run in with a lot of games that we cant possibly win.But In my opinion that is an Arsenal side with injuries, unfit players who are not in form.
But if we can start 12 march within 2 points of the leaders and have a Bench of
Theo, Wilshere, Welbeck, Ox, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Ospina
That is a very good bench that could see us over the line.Yes it contains quite a number of english crocks but the energy and inventiveness they will bring will mean we outlast most teams.I can see Welbeck start on the right for us in place of Ramsey in some of the games if he hits the ground running.
We may then be able to implement our pressing game more effectively and start on the front foot. The players listed above had a huge role in our run at the end of last season and I believe a fresh Wilshere and Welbeck will make a huge difference.
Leicester will depend on the same players, like Spurs and only City have the depth to match us.
Lets face it, We desperately need to score first to win games. As a team we aren't good enough to come back against the better teams even the average ones.This is far from the greatest Arsenal side and we are taking advantage of poor competition this year but it can be done.
Wenger says All 3 players are running around so if you give them a month to gain fitness than these are the games they will be available for.
12/03/16 Arsenal vs West Bromwich
19/03/16 Everton vs Arsenal
02/04/16 Arsenal vs Watford
09/04/16 West Ham United vs Arsenal
16/04/16 Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
23/04/16 Sunderland vs Arsenal
30/04/16 Arsenal vs Norwich City
07/05/16 Manchester City vs Arsenal
15/05/16 Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Those 9 games will be easier to manage with these players back. I can only see us struggle at City only if they are still in the title race.
The impact of Welbeck, Wilshere and Santi
posted on 12/2/16
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 13 minutes ago
And some of the posts on here credit Santi with being the reason our team performed better, but Santi always had Coq next to him except the Norwich game which we drew.
And Santi is also key for being creative and finding our forwards no matter who is playing upfront. Why cant you just get it for once?
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We have a difference of opinion. Just accept it. In our last 5 league games we have got 6 points. The only one we didn't see the high pressure tactics we won and in the games where they did use these tactics we got 3 points out of an available 12. And remind me again when Giroud last scored.
posted on 12/2/16
comment by 50P for Walcott (U1147)
posted 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
But all three of these are coming back from long term. Other the Cazorla, who I'm optimistic about, none will make a good enough impact
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Aye? Cazorla is the most worrying given his age and poor physicality.
Wilshere is actually the best at coming back like he's never been away, the only worry is seeing him re-injured due to returning too soon.
Welbeck we shall see, he's been out almost a year so it's the biggest test of his career and as an explosive player it may take a while to recapture that explosiveness but he's young enough to adapt
Wilshere is the most important returnee he can help solve our ball retaining need from our right but also solve this issue of build up play centrally when Coquelin returns.
Think AW actually had big plans for Jack this season. Welbeck is also vital for an impact role but also when starting at CF he suits Alexis a lot who we desperately need back in form at this stage.
posted on 12/2/16
comment by I am gooner now (U16927)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 13 minutes ago
And some of the posts on here credit Santi with being the reason our team performed better, but Santi always had Coq next to him except the Norwich game which we drew.
And Santi is also key for being creative and finding our forwards no matter who is playing upfront. Why cant you just get it for once?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We have a difference of opinion. Just accept it. In our last 5 league games we have got 6 points. The only one we didn't see the high pressure tactics we won and in the games where they did use these tactics we got 3 points out of an available 12. And remind me again when Giroud last scored.
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I talked of the general situation upfront. How do you think the way we are playing in midfield would find Theo?
posted on 12/2/16
"I am gooner now" misses the whole point about how we outplayed united at the emirates.
We did not beat united because Theo was unplayable and dribble 3 players and thumped the ball into the net, we beat united because we shifted the ball faster in the middle of the park through Santi and Coq.
Both players are important as Coq knows how to position himself defensively and immediately give the ball to Santi who launches those quick breaks.
Coq is not the one who provides the passes to Theo
posted on 12/2/16
comment by jebbush (U20649)
posted 48 minutes ago
"I am gooner now" misses the whole point about how we outplayed united at the emirates.
We did not beat united because Theo was unplayable and dribble 3 players and thumped the ball into the net, we beat united because we shifted the ball faster in the middle of the park through Santi and Coq.
Both players are important as Coq knows how to position himself defensively and immediately give the ball to Santi who launches those quick breaks.
Coq is not the one who provides the passes to Theo
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posted on 12/2/16
comment by I am gooner now (U16927)
posted 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 13 minutes ago
And some of the posts on here credit Santi with being the reason our team performed better, but Santi always had Coq next to him except the Norwich game which we drew.
And Santi is also key for being creative and finding our forwards no matter who is playing upfront. Why cant you just get it for once?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We have a difference of opinion. Just accept it. In our last 5 league games we have got 6 points. The only one we didn't see the high pressure tactics we won and in the games where they did use these tactics we got 3 points out of an available 12. And remind me again when Giroud last scored.
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Says GT is the one obsessed with giroud
Talks about Giroud when GT doesn't
posted on 12/2/16
Theo would have been the wrong choice for the last few games, the reason we have played like crap is as our midfield let the other team control the pace of the game. its just resulted in anything we do have upfront being scrappy fights for the ball something which theo just can't do
posted on 12/2/16
as for them coming back, santi will of course make a difference, welbeck is theo but with strength and height and (on paper) is exactly what we need when giroud is struggling upfront, if he can deliver is a different matter and Wilshere could put us well back on track if he can play like he does for england but similarly to welbeck its only on paper
posted on 12/2/16
comment by Sir Digby (U6039)
posted 30 minutes ago
Theo would have been the wrong choice for the last few games, the reason we have played like crap is as our midfield let the other team control the pace of the game. its just resulted in anything we do have upfront being scrappy fights for the ball something which theo just can't do
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You got it Digby.
posted on 13/2/16
comment by jebbush (U20649)
posted 22 hours, 18 minutes ago
"I am gooner now" misses the whole point about how we outplayed united at the emirates.
We did not beat united because Theo was unplayable and dribble 3 players and thumped the ball into the net, we beat united because we shifted the ball faster in the middle of the park through Santi and Coq.
Both players are important as Coq knows how to position himself defensively and immediately give the ball to Santi who launches those quick breaks.
Coq is not the one who provides the passes to Theo
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That game is a prime example of why I think I'm right. having Theo up front puts more pressure on the CBs to sit deeper and allows more room in midfield for our players to exploit. With Giroud up front their CBs push up high, compressing midfield and putting more pressure on our players. And in that game we had Coq at DM providing cover for the defence and allowing the attacking players freedom too go forward as they dont have to put in as much effort defensively.
This game perfectly proves my point, yet are cant see that so accuse me of missing the point. Its not just about what the players do, but how they affect the game as well.