Scratch beneath the surface and there really isn’t much at all; this has to be the weakest Arsenal squad that I can remember. The sad thing is, its not just weak in terms of the lack of experience, there is a lack of quality too.
Potential is vital in any squad, you always need young players you have high hopes for – it has to be balanced though, there is a severe lack of that balance in this Arsenal squad. Wenger’s judgement can’t have deteriorated so much that he is willing to go through until next May with this squad, I just refuse to believe it. Rumours are kicking around all over the place that Arsenal have approached xx team about xx player, the thing is, I don’t really believe any of them.
When you look at the importance of yesterdays game, then look at the team that was on the pitch, it just didn’t seem to match the occasion. It was the sort of eleven we would put out if we had already qualified from the group stages and had a couple of dead rubbers. It just didn’t have the big team feel to it, if you catch what I mean.
Here are a few observations from the game yesterday – I’m being harsh because that is what is needed, expect the worst, hope for the best:
- Szczesny is the commanding personality we need in goal, keep him happy and this club will have a fine goalkeeper for the next 15 years
- The center-back partnership of Vermaelen and Koscielny is potentially very strong, however, they will always have problems when coming up against blisteringly quick forwards – they are hardly sprinters…
- Ramsey isn’t ready yet to take over from Cesc, whilst he has the talent it would be too much to ask for him to develop the consistency needed at this stage of his career.
- Rosicky isn’t good enough to be a regular, a squad player at best.
- Theo Walcott isn’t a 4-3-3 player. We will never see the best of him in this formation.
- It would only be human to have doubts after weakening considerably over the summer, does this squad of players really believe?
Importantly we didn’t concede and we go to Italy with a one goal advantage, we will need a much better performance over there though against what is a very dangerous looking team. We move onto the game against Liverpool at the weekend, due to the events last weekend the squad will be considerably weaker yet again.
Something needs to be done, and quick.
Arsenal News 24/7
i’m very afraid.
“however, they will always have problems when coming up against blisteringly quick forwards – they are hardly sprinters…”
Really? There aren’t many quicker CB pairings that I’ve seen. Certainly there are much slower defenders who can cope with pace well. That might lead one to question their positioning, but I think the problem is more to do with the system we play and the protection they get. Song had to bust a gut and sprint back to help out the defence many times yesterday.
Even last season we conceded very few goals from open play on the ground. Penalties and headed goals seemed to be our major problem, although we did look too open to counter-attacking teams (which again has to be due to the system we play, particularly in midfield), and unfortunately we don’t seem to have found a way to prevent that yet, although I think we have improved.
Again, our biggest problem looks like it’s going to be keeping the players not only free from injury, but fit enough to last the season.
Slow day, so I’ll comment. AW and an inflated transfer market just don’t mesh. Clubs above us have way more dosh than us, clubs below us won’t sell for what a player is worth to us. UK regulations means other nations get the hot young prospects from south america (or they go on loan for 3-4 years!). The Arse have to sit tight and hope to wrangle a deal, and/or hope that one of their young European-born players comes good like Henry did. Shame the last generation didn’t come good alongside Cesc – Bendtner, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, the usual suspects. I really can’t see another manager out there who could achieve so much given the constraints our club face.
Surely missing the first choice striker and midfielder warrants a mention? No? Suppose it doesn’t really help your moan does it.
This team needs serious strengthening. At least 3 quality players if Nasri stays. As it is, the team cannot go anywhere, I’m afraid.
A few observations here:
1) Not a bad blog but some errors slipped in,
2)Kos & Vermaelen ARE among the fastest,hardest pairing Arsenal have had in years…far faster than Gallas and Traore ever were.
3)Ramsey is still building confidence and strength but needs more experience and support from a senior midfielder,
4)Walcott and RVP are a different tandem when they are available so its not the formation so much as the partnership.Walcott also is superb with Gervinho.
5)I saw a lot of belief and extra work rate yesterday against a very good counter-attacking team. Szcesny and Handanovich kept their respective teams in the game!
I would love to hear which top four team actually has noticeably faster centrebacks than Vermalen + Kos. There really arent any.
In fact I struggle to think of centre backs with eyepopping speed on any top four team in the past five years. You’d have to go back to the prime years of Gallas at Chelsea and Toure at Arsenal to find this.
Micah Richards could be one, but he is almost never fielded at centre back.
The likes of Phil Jones, Jagielka, Cahill, Samba Smalling and so on? No threat to Walcott or Nani in a sprint. Yet we hear the inane calls for Arsenal to sign these types of players.
I think people just like to complain for no good reason.
Do not agree one bit with your views on Verm and Koz, they are pretty quick for CB`s
I have to agree with the others, we have the two fastest CB’s in the league they are exceptional at one on ones and defeating pace. They’re weakness is standing toe-to-toe with big burly forwards trying to win headers from set pieces, but that’s no longer a problem since we introduced the zonal blitz style of set piece defending. Koz and Verm are the best defensive combo in the league, seeing as we now finally know how to use them. With chezzer behind them, sagna and gibbs covering the flanks and the option of playing both frimpong and song at the same time we are finally a solid team well able to absorb pressure and only really in danger from our own mistakes.
If Wenger does not buy at least 3 quality players, one of which is a creative player, then he is too stubborn for the team’s own good. That was a Carling Cup squad out there. Djourou, Jenkinson, and Frimpong were out subs, really? There was a time last year even when we brought on Arshavin, Nasri, and Theo, now we pin our hopes on Rosicky (who no one wants), Theo (inconsistent at best), and Chamakh (no form whatsoever)? We are The Arsenal right? If so, can someone please explain that to Wenger, pronto?
Someone on ja606 posted a comment saying ‘half our first team were out’ – now they were obviously looking for positives, but i think it says it all when a look at the team we fielded yesterday looks 50% under strength to some people.
And in reality, we were only missing van persie and wilshere. – so not quite half the team.
The fact that our bench consists of mostly teenagers is frightening! Frimpong and jenkinson have been our most used subs!
Ros is simply no good – what does he offer that is different from what we lampooned denilson for? Occasionally passing forward is about as good as he gets – i would have sold him on and i have a sneaking suspicion that if cesc and nasri stayed wenger may have been inclined to let him go.
Chamakh – my god, we moan at nasri for only having half a good season … this guy is no striker and thats what we were desperately calling for when he was bought – he does not want to shoot and spends all his time in the midfield
So we need 4 new players – and i would seriously consider selling these two, well not chamakh – that would be abit harsh, but ros has had his chance and time
Forget about Udinese, do you guys remember that today is Henry’s birthday. It’s nowhere been mentioned.
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2292/editorials/2011/08/17/2623488/goalcom-special-happy-birthday-thierry-henry
Cheers
Kratik
I think the main point we need to take from this is we have a lack of depth and quality in our squad as it stands.Rosicky and Chamakh were worse than bad.I thought Walcott was dangerous,Ramsey isn’t ready to be flung in there,we need cover at left back because to be honest Gibbs is always injured or close to injured.An experienced prem striker is needed as backup to RVP.Get a centre half and a midfielder.That’s at least 4 I think we need and that may secure us top 4.I dont think we have a chance in the league looking at the United and City squads but we need Champions League.
Tbh, I’d much rather see Bendtner or even the new kid Campbell get a run out than Chamakh. I’ve defended him for too long now, he’s simply ineffective. Arsenal can’t possibly hope to rely on him. At least Bendtner can occasionally burst through the defence or score from outside the box. Also, Campbell looks like a very exciting prospect, wouldn’t be surprised if he could be a star already.
I’ve been a fan of Rosicky since 2002, but as sad as it is to say, he just doesn’t have it anymore.
Nasri is on his way and thats us well fucked now.Arsene should go now with him for the sake of his own health and ours,he looks very old and thin lately and under his leadership we are all suffering.Yann mvilla would be a super buy if we could snap him up,he is a great prospect with great defensive midfield qualities which we so badly require.This club has struck an iceburg and is on its way down as we look fatally wounded,i was horrified with what i witnessed last evening.Happy birthday theirry henry the legend who is 34 today,im 34 2morrow.Still there is more important things than Arsenal although i struggle at times with that thought.I lost a dear 31 year old cousin yesterday morning as a result of alcohol and the dangers it presents.God bless you sweet heart,RIP Sarah Mckee.
Wenger asked a very strong, interesting and mockery question recently and i quote: If we are weak and inexperienced team why do the likes of ManU,ManC,Chelsea and Berca and others the so called the big teams come to us to buy.
I a agree with him, Teams in England if not in Europe have established their market in Emirates, Wenger developed Henry, Hleb and Fab Berca came for them, not as cover ups but full first team players; Kolo, Adebayor were unknown names they were refined at Highbury/Emirates.
Press be fair since referees have refused to do their jobs for arsenal- a team that also contributes towards their salaries.
Back on the topic- link of Verm and Kosc is one of the best in this seasons CBs – watch the TV if not this page. Members, Due to risks of injuries and suspensions, please ask for reinforcement but not an outright replacement-for who?
This is how bad things are getting,we are tired watching same old crap and it now looks like the fans are that disheartened that they cant even be bothered posting their complaints about the team.Truth is i know how they feel as ive mentioned my discontent on numerous occasions.Its getting boring beyond believe.Its very sad and upsetting but in truth our club is away to the dogs.We have massive fanbase,resources and should be extremely competitive but we arent at the moment.Liverpool were nothing but half decent yesterday and coasted to victory thats the scary bit.Arsene you deluded muppet dont try to fool us,you said after the game we only lost because of bad luck,well i dont buy that bullcrap as we have won about 3 or 4 of our last 15 league games.Is that all bad luck arsene or could it possibly be just maybe bad ability?.
I like the pairing of Song and Frimpong covering the defence. It’s an outstanding formation – we just need Frimpong to learn now.
After having said this, watch Frimpong now go on loan to a team in the Championship and watch how Song is injured until the miraculous recovery prior to the African Nations Cup.
Hows that for cynical?
I’ll always be Arsenal though. Always have been.