I completely agree - there are lots of areas that can be improved, but if we're on a relatively limited budget, then I think a DM and a direct wideman (preferably left-sided) is key.
A lack of pace, width, and directness has really cost us in recent times, IMO.
It's so frustrating watching the ball get switched to our full-backs, seeing them look down the line, and then ultimately watch them have to come back inside and play a square ball because they don't have any options ahead of them down the flank.
Obviously, our strikers, midfielders etc could have performed better, but I think having another player who can stretch teams and take 1-2 players out of the game with a run could really create more time and space for others, and in doing so, allow the rest of the team to flourish.
Honestly don't get this Coquelin logic.
If we'd signed him for £30m from Porto or Lyon people would be calling him an immense signing.
We need a striker. Apart from that and any replacements for leavers in the summer we are OK.
World class GK
World class CM to partner Coq
World class Striker
World class Winger who isn't injury prone
Striker and a keeper would be the priority for me.
If any money left, then a DM.
I don't think we will get a wide man. This year we have been just unlucky in that area but truth is we have Welbeck, Ox, Gnabry and Walcott who can play there. Can't see anyone else coming.
World class GK
World class CM to partner Coq
World class Striker
World class Winger who isn't injury prone
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree with first 3, not so bothered about getting a wide man. Ox is the man to play there I reckon, plus with other choices as Sanogo mentioned above I can't see Wenger going for one.
A United fan said yesterday on ArsenalFanTV that he thinks we need physicalness in midfield. I think I agree with it.
We need a proper DM, a Patrick Viera type of player to support/replace Coquelin. That should be our priority.
Scoring goals is not our main problem. We can score goals from everywhere. But if we can the fox in the box and these kind of players are rare in the market or not available who can finish then yes....go for it. Please not another wannabe world class striker who cost millions of pounds and can't finish when it matters.
Classy, mobile striker and a top class productive winger would be my primary targets and those would transform our team. Our squad is far better than made out and talk of an "overhaul" would be ridiculous. We really don't need a CM considering we would have Coq, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere and Santi battling for 2 positions. There are weaker areas in the team.
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 23 minutes ago
Honestly don't get this Coquelin logic.
If we'd signed him for £30m from Porto or Lyon people would be calling him an immense signing.
We need a striker. Apart from that and any replacements for leavers in the summer we are OK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I had only skim-read the article when I made my comment, but I agree regarding Coquelin.
That being said, my concern is that if he gets injured, we don't have anyone that is anywhere near as good in that role as him.
Ideally, I'd like us to sign a DM capable of either replacing (if Coquelin gets injured) or playing alongside Coquelin in games where we need a bit more defensive resilience.
Coquelin's passing is the only thing that lets him down atm, so a slightly better ball-playing DM - in the Alonso mould, for example - would be ideal.
comment by Al - #WengerOUT (U2758)
posted 32 seconds ago
Replace Coquelin?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you really think, Coquelin can play the whole long season without injury, suspension or dip in form? . Competition is good for the team as well. So first think than write.
Chamberlain and Sanchez are two great options in the wide-positions, but if Walcott leaves at the end of the season, then we only have these two players to fill those roles.
Gnabry's a talented player, but he's spent pretty much the entire season on the sidelines, I'm wary about relying on him, and Welbeck can fill in, but I really don't like the idea of having him play in an unnatural position for large portions of the season if either Chamberlain or Sanchez pick up a major injury.
As good as Sanchez has been down the left, his natural inclination to come inside can congest our play, and if our opponents defend compactly, he can easily be crowded out.
Someone in the mould of Sterling - or even Konoplyanka, who has looked fantastic every time I've seen him - would be ideal.
"Classy, mobile striker and a top class productive winger would be my primary targets and those would transform our team."
We will definitely get a striker in the summer, without a shadow of a doubt.
I think Wenger will see Walcott returning to sharpness and fitness as enough for the wide options. Would give us Walcott, Ox, Sanchez and Welbeck for the 4 wide slots, without mentioning the other options we have.
"Scoring goals is not our main problem. We can score goals from everywhere."
People vastly overrate our attack this season. We're averaging less than 2 goals a game. That isn't a title-winning attack. We have a no.10 in Ozil who doesn't shoot, an atrocious Welbeck, Ox who has just 1 goal in the league as regular players. Santi has just one goal from open play this season. So has Jack who has never been prolific. Our attack is really not nearly as good as people make out. It's not a patch on City's.
Do you really think, Coquelin can play the whole long season without injury, suspension or dip in form? . Competition is good for the team as well. So first think than write.
--------------------------
You said replace. He needs a partner not facking replacing.
We have cover in that position already.
Do we not think that Wenger will come out and say Walcott can play wide and central so we don't need a striker?
Can see Wenger going for a DM and maybe a defender, but attacking wise I don't think he'll do much.
Obviously if Walcott goes it's a different story but I highly doubt he'll be going anywhere.
"Can see Wenger going for a DM and maybe a defender, but attacking wise I don't think he'll do much."
Honestly, I don't get this at all. He's said it's likely Arteta will stay, do you honestly see Wenger adding a third DM into the squad to compete for one position?
As for a defender, we have 4 CBs, 3 RBs (when Jenks returns)and 2 LBs. Do you honestly see Wenger adding another?
Honestly, I don't get this at all. He's said it's likely Arteta will stay, do you honestly see Wenger adding a third DM into the squad to compete for one position?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair point, forgot Arteta existed if I'm honest
And Lord help us if Alexis' frankly rotten form for much of this calendar year continues into next season. Especially as he'd be returning from the facking Copa America. We'll need someone to do a Ramsey and pop up with consistent goals.
comment by Al - #WengerOUT (U2758)
posted 9 minutes ago
Do you really think, Coquelin can play the whole long season without injury, suspension or dip in form? . Competition is good for the team as well. So first think than write.
--------------------------
You said replace. He needs a partner not facking replacing.
We have cover in that position already.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know what I said. Replace him when he is injured or he is not in form!
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 11 minutes ago
"Scoring goals is not our main problem. We can score goals from everywhere."
People vastly overrate our attack this season. We're averaging less than 2 goals a game. That isn't a title-winning attack. We have a no.10 in Ozil who doesn't shoot, an atrocious Welbeck, Ox who has just 1 goal in the league as regular players. Santi has just one goal from open play this season. So has Jack who has never been prolific. Our attack is really not nearly as good as people make out. It's not a patch on City's.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Last year Liverpool scored about the same amount than we did now. That nearly lead to the title.
As I said...scoring from every position is not our main problem.
I promise you Wenger wont go for a new striker this season unless someone in the mould of Suarez comes along our way. Benzema, Cavani, Higuain.....dream on. He wont spend on that dross millions of pounds.
"Last year Liverpool scored about the same amount than we did now. That nearly lead to the title."
What the fack? Liverpool scored 101 goals last season.
We scored 67 in 36 so far. Just need a measly 34 goals in our last two games to match them
Can see Wenger reverting to a more possession friendly deep lying midfielder and dropping Coquelin over the summer. Would surprise me if he signed another combative midfielder.
We need a striker. Absolutely disgraceful that we have only one first team squad striker and if he isn't available we have to play wide men like Welbeck, Walcott and Alexis. Akpom and Sanogo haven't shown they are ready while on loan either. He probably won't buy though.
Keepers are well stocked, so are defenders. Probably will buy an attacking midfielder though.
A GK and a striker/forward.
You can bookmark this if you want.
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 4 minutes ago
"Last year Liverpool scored about the same amount than we did now. That nearly lead to the title."
What the fack? Liverpool scored 101 goals last season.
We scored 67 in 36 so far. Just need a measly 34 goals in our last two games to match them
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What the fack
Sign in if you want to comment
A couple of players missing or an overhaul
Page 1 of 2
posted on 18/5/15
I completely agree - there are lots of areas that can be improved, but if we're on a relatively limited budget, then I think a DM and a direct wideman (preferably left-sided) is key.
A lack of pace, width, and directness has really cost us in recent times, IMO.
It's so frustrating watching the ball get switched to our full-backs, seeing them look down the line, and then ultimately watch them have to come back inside and play a square ball because they don't have any options ahead of them down the flank.
Obviously, our strikers, midfielders etc could have performed better, but I think having another player who can stretch teams and take 1-2 players out of the game with a run could really create more time and space for others, and in doing so, allow the rest of the team to flourish.
posted on 18/5/15
Honestly don't get this Coquelin logic.
If we'd signed him for £30m from Porto or Lyon people would be calling him an immense signing.
We need a striker. Apart from that and any replacements for leavers in the summer we are OK.
posted on 18/5/15
World class GK
World class CM to partner Coq
World class Striker
World class Winger who isn't injury prone
posted on 18/5/15
Striker and a keeper would be the priority for me.
If any money left, then a DM.
I don't think we will get a wide man. This year we have been just unlucky in that area but truth is we have Welbeck, Ox, Gnabry and Walcott who can play there. Can't see anyone else coming.
posted on 18/5/15
World class GK
World class CM to partner Coq
World class Striker
World class Winger who isn't injury prone
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree with first 3, not so bothered about getting a wide man. Ox is the man to play there I reckon, plus with other choices as Sanogo mentioned above I can't see Wenger going for one.
posted on 18/5/15
A United fan said yesterday on ArsenalFanTV that he thinks we need physicalness in midfield. I think I agree with it.
We need a proper DM, a Patrick Viera type of player to support/replace Coquelin. That should be our priority.
Scoring goals is not our main problem. We can score goals from everywhere. But if we can the fox in the box and these kind of players are rare in the market or not available who can finish then yes....go for it. Please not another wannabe world class striker who cost millions of pounds and can't finish when it matters.
posted on 18/5/15
Replace Coquelin?!
posted on 18/5/15
Classy, mobile striker and a top class productive winger would be my primary targets and those would transform our team. Our squad is far better than made out and talk of an "overhaul" would be ridiculous. We really don't need a CM considering we would have Coq, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere and Santi battling for 2 positions. There are weaker areas in the team.
posted on 18/5/15
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 23 minutes ago
Honestly don't get this Coquelin logic.
If we'd signed him for £30m from Porto or Lyon people would be calling him an immense signing.
We need a striker. Apart from that and any replacements for leavers in the summer we are OK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I had only skim-read the article when I made my comment, but I agree regarding Coquelin.
That being said, my concern is that if he gets injured, we don't have anyone that is anywhere near as good in that role as him.
Ideally, I'd like us to sign a DM capable of either replacing (if Coquelin gets injured) or playing alongside Coquelin in games where we need a bit more defensive resilience.
Coquelin's passing is the only thing that lets him down atm, so a slightly better ball-playing DM - in the Alonso mould, for example - would be ideal.
posted on 18/5/15
comment by Al - #WengerOUT (U2758)
posted 32 seconds ago
Replace Coquelin?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you really think, Coquelin can play the whole long season without injury, suspension or dip in form? . Competition is good for the team as well. So first think than write.
posted on 18/5/15
Chamberlain and Sanchez are two great options in the wide-positions, but if Walcott leaves at the end of the season, then we only have these two players to fill those roles.
Gnabry's a talented player, but he's spent pretty much the entire season on the sidelines, I'm wary about relying on him, and Welbeck can fill in, but I really don't like the idea of having him play in an unnatural position for large portions of the season if either Chamberlain or Sanchez pick up a major injury.
As good as Sanchez has been down the left, his natural inclination to come inside can congest our play, and if our opponents defend compactly, he can easily be crowded out.
Someone in the mould of Sterling - or even Konoplyanka, who has looked fantastic every time I've seen him - would be ideal.
posted on 18/5/15
"Classy, mobile striker and a top class productive winger would be my primary targets and those would transform our team."
We will definitely get a striker in the summer, without a shadow of a doubt.
I think Wenger will see Walcott returning to sharpness and fitness as enough for the wide options. Would give us Walcott, Ox, Sanchez and Welbeck for the 4 wide slots, without mentioning the other options we have.
posted on 18/5/15
"Scoring goals is not our main problem. We can score goals from everywhere."
People vastly overrate our attack this season. We're averaging less than 2 goals a game. That isn't a title-winning attack. We have a no.10 in Ozil who doesn't shoot, an atrocious Welbeck, Ox who has just 1 goal in the league as regular players. Santi has just one goal from open play this season. So has Jack who has never been prolific. Our attack is really not nearly as good as people make out. It's not a patch on City's.
posted on 18/5/15
Do you really think, Coquelin can play the whole long season without injury, suspension or dip in form? . Competition is good for the team as well. So first think than write.
--------------------------
You said replace. He needs a partner not facking replacing.
We have cover in that position already.
posted on 18/5/15
Do we not think that Wenger will come out and say Walcott can play wide and central so we don't need a striker?
Can see Wenger going for a DM and maybe a defender, but attacking wise I don't think he'll do much.
Obviously if Walcott goes it's a different story but I highly doubt he'll be going anywhere.
posted on 18/5/15
"Can see Wenger going for a DM and maybe a defender, but attacking wise I don't think he'll do much."
Honestly, I don't get this at all. He's said it's likely Arteta will stay, do you honestly see Wenger adding a third DM into the squad to compete for one position?
As for a defender, we have 4 CBs, 3 RBs (when Jenks returns)and 2 LBs. Do you honestly see Wenger adding another?
posted on 18/5/15
Honestly, I don't get this at all. He's said it's likely Arteta will stay, do you honestly see Wenger adding a third DM into the squad to compete for one position?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair point, forgot Arteta existed if I'm honest
posted on 18/5/15
And Lord help us if Alexis' frankly rotten form for much of this calendar year continues into next season. Especially as he'd be returning from the facking Copa America. We'll need someone to do a Ramsey and pop up with consistent goals.
posted on 18/5/15
comment by Al - #WengerOUT (U2758)
posted 9 minutes ago
Do you really think, Coquelin can play the whole long season without injury, suspension or dip in form? . Competition is good for the team as well. So first think than write.
--------------------------
You said replace. He needs a partner not facking replacing.
We have cover in that position already.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know what I said. Replace him when he is injured or he is not in form!
posted on 18/5/15
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 11 minutes ago
"Scoring goals is not our main problem. We can score goals from everywhere."
People vastly overrate our attack this season. We're averaging less than 2 goals a game. That isn't a title-winning attack. We have a no.10 in Ozil who doesn't shoot, an atrocious Welbeck, Ox who has just 1 goal in the league as regular players. Santi has just one goal from open play this season. So has Jack who has never been prolific. Our attack is really not nearly as good as people make out. It's not a patch on City's.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Last year Liverpool scored about the same amount than we did now. That nearly lead to the title.
As I said...scoring from every position is not our main problem.
posted on 18/5/15
I promise you Wenger wont go for a new striker this season unless someone in the mould of Suarez comes along our way. Benzema, Cavani, Higuain.....dream on. He wont spend on that dross millions of pounds.
posted on 18/5/15
"Last year Liverpool scored about the same amount than we did now. That nearly lead to the title."
What the fack? Liverpool scored 101 goals last season.
We scored 67 in 36 so far. Just need a measly 34 goals in our last two games to match them
posted on 18/5/15
Can see Wenger reverting to a more possession friendly deep lying midfielder and dropping Coquelin over the summer. Would surprise me if he signed another combative midfielder.
We need a striker. Absolutely disgraceful that we have only one first team squad striker and if he isn't available we have to play wide men like Welbeck, Walcott and Alexis. Akpom and Sanogo haven't shown they are ready while on loan either. He probably won't buy though.
Keepers are well stocked, so are defenders. Probably will buy an attacking midfielder though.
posted on 18/5/15
A GK and a striker/forward.
You can bookmark this if you want.
posted on 18/5/15
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 4 minutes ago
"Last year Liverpool scored about the same amount than we did now. That nearly lead to the title."
What the fack? Liverpool scored 101 goals last season.
We scored 67 in 36 so far. Just need a measly 34 goals in our last two games to match them
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What the fack
Page 1 of 2