Two Quality Players Away From Winning Trophies? Yes and No.

TotalArsenal

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Ooh dear, ooh dear, there were a lot of unhappy Gooners out there, fuming at Arsene, Kroenke and Gazidis for not buying anymore players in the last week of the transfer window. We had no strength in depth and are only a few injuries away from disaster, according to those doomers. Arsene had lost the plot and was, just like Kroenke, only in it for the profit.

The other one regularly heard was/is: ‘we are fine in defence and midfield, but we don’t have enough strikers and that will bite us in the arse sooner or later’.

Well let’s have a look at the squad then, shall we? Over the last 24 months our squad has made a total change over. We bought new players and/or developed young players into PL-ready professionals for every single position.

Of all the players we have lost over the last few years, we only felt considerable pain from the loss of Fabregas, and this was probably mainly to do with the fact that both JW and Abou Diaby remained injured throughout last season.

It is still too early to say whether we are feeling the loss of Song and/or brave sir robin (bsr from now on), but the initial signs are that we miss Song more than bsr.

I had hoped for a bruiser of a traditional DM to join the club this summer, but Wenger clearly chose not to recruit one. The reason for this might well lay in the fact that he is now playing with a more compact midfield – 4-3-3 often compacting into 4-5-1 – and a more risk-averse and disciplined defence.

Arsenal now plays with two deeper laying midfielders with all-round midfield qualities. We have plenty of footballers who can play in that sort of deeper laying central midfield role. Arteta, Diaby, JW, Ramsey, Coquelin, Rosicky can all play there, so we have plenty of cover. Furtermore, there are also some youngsters who are knocking on the door strongly for these positions at the moment: Frimpong, Yenaris and Aneke.

The key thing is that these roles are played with discipline and get proper back-up from our defence and more attack-minded players. I reckon Bould and Wenger have been working on this in the last five months, but I still have some concerns with regards to not having available a DM heavyweight who can help us to regain control in certain games. For example, we needed one in the second half against Montpellier, against Chelsea at home, and also against West Ham on Saturday. At times, we are not able to dominate our midfield enough and protect adequately our defence.

My money is still on Arsene buying a beast of a traditional, experienced DM in the next transfer window in order to make us more robust in certain games.

With regards to our attacking midfielder position we have now plenty of cover as well. The wonderful Cazorla is clearly nr 1 at the moment, but his position can be covered by JW, Rosicky or even Diaby, Arshavin and Arteta.

Looking at defence, I have no concerns whatsoever. We have got two good LB’s and two good RB’s, and five decent to very good CB’s. The only remaining doubt is in Santos as adequate-to-good cover for Gibbs, but I can live with that risk, at least for now.

The goal keeper position, however, is a more fragile area. Mannone is getting a proper chance at the moment and he is, RELATIVELY, doing well: relatively, as in taking into account his age and lack of experience. But we already have a young goal keeper in Szczesny who is also not the finished article yet, although significantly ahead of Mannone.

I reckon, Arsene needs to be ruthless here and bring in an experienced mid-thirties back-up goal keeper in January, who can push Szczesny all the way and be a good stand-in in case of injury, a period of lack of confidence, or suspension by the Pole in goal. Failing to do so could well be a very costly mistake this season.

Up-front, we are doing well enough at the moment, and there is every reason to believe we will further improve as the season goes on.

Clearly, the departure of bsr, the traitor, has left Arsenal with a period of necessary adjustment, in terms of scoring enough goals again. But Gervinho has been in fine goal scoring form and has already scored more goals in the last seven games (all competitions) than in all of his 37 games last season (all competitions). Gervinho and Podolski have scored as many PL goals as bsr has for the Mancs until now, and there are strong signs that Giroud will find the net more regularly from now on as well.

In all competitions, Gervinho scored 5 (1 assist), Giroud scored 2 (4 assists), Theo scored 4 (1 assist) and the Pod scored 4 (2 assists). On top of that Cazorla scored 2 and had three assists, and although Arsenal needs to improve further in the goal scoring department, there is every reason to be confident that we will do well again in this area. I really like the fact that our goals and assists are more evenly shared between the attacking players in our team compared to last season, and with these players gelling better and better over the next few months, there is every reason to believe we will be fine and possibly score more goals this season than we did in 2011-2012.

For me there is absolutely no need to buy an additional, top quality striker at the moment, but if we manage to lay-off the now obviously out of favour Chamakh, then I would hope we could bring in a promising early-twenties striker who can grow into a top striker and push the likes of Giroud and Podolski for first team action. Of course, we have Campbell still to come and play for Arsenal at some point in the (hopefully near) future.

I cannot see Arsenal selling Chamakh any time soon though, but also feel we have enough cover in attack (and also believe that too many decent-to-good strikers in one team can work contra-productive: see Citeh for example).

So, are we two quality players away from wining trophies? I reckon an experienced, classical defensive midfielder and an experienced mid-thirties goal keeper will get us very far this season. But we also need to keep Theo or replace him adequately if we cannot entice him to a new contract. My two proposed acquisitions are not too difficult to find and are very likely to be affordable to Arsenal as well.

If these signings are regarded as so called ‘quality acquisitions’ than the answer to my post’s question is ‘yes’. But I reckon that a considerable number of fellow Gooners have different views on what constitutes ‘quality’.

However, I believe we are very close to having the complete squad, and there is every reason to be upbeat about this season’s chances for silverware.

Total Arsenal.

51 thoughts on “Two Quality Players Away From Winning Trophies? Yes and No.”

  • Hi Total, I enjoyed reading your Post. It’s been a recurring theme since the move, always just that little bit short.
    I was surprised Mr Wenger didn’t bid for Hugo Lloris, and most of us believed Yann M’Vila was on his way too. Those two players could have made the difference, and there aren’t too many good goalkeepers available.
    As well as those two positions you mention, I would have liked to have seen a natural wide-man/winger arrive, but within the way we set up, your call is probably about right. Maybe the M’Vila deal can be revived.
    I hope we don’t bring Thierry Henry back in January. A pal of mine is convinced Henry will be Arsenal’s next manager!

  • Henrychan wrote:

    “Indonesia is okay.. nice as usual..
    except rainy season is not coming yet.. A little bit hot nowaday..
    Yes it a great new to hear Rosicky is coming soon..
    We owe him last season for being third place.. He did verywell last season..
    Hope he and also Wilshere will back stronger.. like Diaby and Ramsey did..

    I heard some rumour said that we are chasing for Falcao..??
    I don’t really see it to be true.. 35-50 million euro is really out of our range..
    Yes.. Falcao is very dangerous striker.. Top scores for this week..
    But are we really willing to spend that big..??

    The bad news is.. City is seriously chasing a new striker for repleace Baloteli and also Dzeko..
    Mancini is really upset for not getting RvP.. And they can’t stand any longer for Baloteli..
    With their ambition to win Champion and EPL.. they have to faced that Chelsea and us is getting stronger.. and them unfortunately is getting weaker..
    Only grazy and selfish club like City, Chelsea and PSG.. can afford a 50 million deal..
    Chelsea I think will go for Neymar.. another 50 million deal..
    PSG will slow down a little bit after a crazy buying..

    The good news is.. they will be too many strikers in City squad..
    And I hope Dzeko will be off.. and sell cheap..
    And we can bring him in.. He is good.. And Wenger will make him a star..

    After the last game again westham..I do think Wenger is right to put Walcott as a right winger..
    Walcott have speed and verygood in that possition.. Giroud is better for striker than Walcott..
    But If he insist to play as a striker.. and for some reason just do not match with Wenger vision..
    And if he really want to go.. that I hope not.. we must sign Isco..
    He is a good tandem for Cozorla.. they used to work together as a team is Malaga..

    Any opinion..??”

    Henry:

    Good to hear you are doing fine and just remember the girls are prettier, and a bit more loose, when it is hot! 😆

    I will never believe such rumours (Falcao) as long as Arsene is in charge: totally not the sort of player/pricetag he would go for.

    I would not mind Dzeko at Arsenal Henry, but cannot see it happen now that we bought Giroud. But who knows…

    Theo would be a different sort of central striker than Giroud and they could both give us an opportunity to vary our attacking play this season.

  • Hi Herb 🙂

    Good call on M’Vila. I reckon he was on his way but something happened in the French national team camp that made Wenger change his mind. Wenger said he was still looking for a defensively minded midfielder in the last week of the transfer window, so fingers crossed.

    I guess the problem with Lloris is that Wenger would have had to play him, as per the problems at Tottenham at the moment. I reckon we need somebody older, who is happy to compete with Szczesny without feeling too hard done by if he is (temporarily) losing out. Schwarzer or Friedel are good examples of what would work at Arsenal (PL experience would be a big plus).

    I agree with you on the desirability of another natural winger. I would like to see how the Ox and Myachi develop during this year as they have an opportunity to claim a wing position.

    Henry in management? I cannot see it myself: what do you think?

  • Hi Total 🙂
    Fine post. The strength indepth is looking quite good and the prospect of Santi and Jack is mouthwatering, but, and it`s a big but,……… Beyonce,…….she`s got a big but ! . hahaha
    I think no signing would have been needed had BSR been MADE to stay, I dont give a toss about the money we recieved, he has already won points on his own for Manscum and I think he will come back to haunt us. He would have made the difference to us with challenging for the title, instead of challenging for top four !. The thing is ( please Dennis ), Manscum might not win a thing this season, but he could have had a better chance with us !.
    Will we buy anyone in Jan` TW ? The board have said, “the monies there” !. Gerv looks like being away for ACN, do we replace ?. I have a gut feeling Theo will stay, so who knows ?.

  • Now that is a big, sumptuous but GLiC! 😳

    We just could not keep ‘de verrader’ after his announcement: he pushed the self-destruct button and we had to cash in. The Pod and Giroud were paid with that money and this might still prove to be good business this season.

    Hope your gut feeling re Theo is right!

    Did your company get the Harrods’ contract or does it remain a pie in the sky for now? 😀

  • My pal is convinced, but personally I hope not. When Mr Wenger has had enough, if he were available, I would like to see David Moyes. I still think Paul Lambert is going to become a really good manager, though successful British managers are a rare breed.
    Hi GliC, are you the proud father of a baby GliC?

  • Very interesting Post, TA, raising some interesting points.

    For myself, I doubt we will bring in anymore players in January for the pragmatic reason that the clubs who own good players will not let them go, and we have no need of more ‘squad’ players who might be available.

    I would not have said ‘no’ to M’Vila if that deal had gone ahead, or someone similar, but with Le Coq trying to become a regular and with PingPong almost back, I just don’t see any point in upsetting the squad we have.

    I have great confidence in Ollie Giroud at CF, and with Theo also wanting to play centrally (perhaps as a No.10 a la Dennis B) I again can see no benefit in disturbing the team morale more that half way thru the season.

    [Of Course if we got Falcao, I would change my mind pretty damn quick!] 🙂

    Thank you for putting the date, at the top of the screen, with the month first, it makes a Yank feel right at home!! 🙂

  • Yes Total , our pies are for sale in Harrods, but ( no big buts again hahaha ) their going by different transport means ! 😳
    Hi Herb 🙂
    Grandad again. My Grandson was born 10 weeks premature, but, touch wood he`s going great guns !. 🙂

  • As for managers, Herb, I think Arsenal, when that day arrives, will want a manger with a lot of top flight European experience. My own preference would be Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund, who seems to be another young and vibrant Arsene Wenger.

    We will see, but it is unlikely for a few years yet IMO.

  • Hi Herb,

    They are both good and promising managers. What would make my day, and I am sure many Gooners will agree, is Bergkamp making the switch to Arsenal: first as assistant and then take over. Just imagine Wenger on the Bench with Bouldy on the right and Dennis on the left: simply football management heaven! 🙂

  • Hi Glicster, 🙂 or should I say Secret Pastie?

    You have again made some intuitive comments that I think are very perceptive, particularly about BSR and the benefits he is accruing for Manure.

    But from a business point of view, holding onto him at the cost of £30m, for one final (sulky?) year it did not stand a chance of being acceptable. [loss of £24m sale to Yoonited + cost of 1 year’s salary (say) £5m].

  • Hi RA 🙂

    Great to be of service re the date situation! 🙂

    The problem with le Coq et the Pong is they are just too inexperienced to make that role really work against the big teams/ in the big games. They are the future though. I reckon a lot of teams need the money of player sales and might consider letting a player go if the price is right and the player wants to leave. But it is true, it is usually quiet difficult to get a good player in January. 😦

  • GLiC, you have got to tell them that buns are best served in your hands! 🙂

    RA: good shout on Klopp and don’t forget Gardiola! 🙂

  • Hi Redders, good call on Jurgen Klopp, and good call Total on Dennis Bergkamp. As Redders suggests, it might not be for a while yet, especially as there’s the option of a new contract when the existing one ends in two years.
    Congratulations GliC, and good health to the baby.

  • Yes Redders, I understand the accountants view ( not aswell as you though hahaha ), Beyonce ( hahaha) , and I`m guessing on the future now, what if we were to have won the league by keeping BSR, would that have not evened out the ” lost sale money”, by prize money etc`, if you know what I mean ?.
    Thanks Herb 🙂

  • I agree with you and RA about Klop..
    Guardiola seem to be Milan’s soon.. hehe.. (wild guest)..
    But it is still long way to go for Wenger replacement.. at least 2 more years..
    18 is a good number.. hehe..

  • Secret Pastie,

    And let that be a lesson to you!!

    OK, so you others could not read that, but when Glic, aka the Secret Pastie and I communicate on delicate matters we write to each other in invisible type.

    We never fall out because we cannot read what we type either! 🙂

  • My current trend of thinking with ref` to a future manager is, any from Dennis, Guardiola and Klopp ( what a great comical name ! ), Beyonce, there`s still life in the old dog yet !.

    14:23pm

  • My last comment was for Redders eyes only and was the rudist joke ever !. hahaha
    Dont ask me what it was, as I cant see it or remember it !.

    14:29pm

  • Incidentally, TA, I hope you are working like a beaver to fix the date/time issue.

    I am having to stay awake all night watching the screen otherwise I cannot tell when someone posted a comment to me! 🙂

  • I cant remember it, Redders cant read it and only Total`s laughing, for f**k sake Total tell us the joke ! hahaha
    Right off to pick up Grandaughter !.

    14:37pm

  • Interesting post TA.

    I personaly wouldnt buy anybody, ever. I hate the transfer market. Its full of cads indulging ungentelmenly behaviour. Its also an excuse for those twats on sky sports news to cream themselves because Bobby Zamora has signed for QPR.

    I feel we have the internal resources to chalange this year. I am happy with the midfield and goalkeeping situations, but of course, time will tell if we are short in those areas.

    My bug bear is this. Lets keep this current squad together. No unwanted departures for the next couple of years is not to much to ask for is it?

  • Hi Terry 🙂

    I think, sadly, your last paragraph is not going to happen any more, at least not for a while. As long as players can earn significantly more at another club, we are very likely to lose them. 😦

    I can see your point re internal resources but we lack experience in the two areas I have identified, and I cannot see us win something without addressing them.

  • Have faith my Dutch friend. I am sure the Club will address any weakneses when they feel it nessacary.

    Anyways, i have consulted the Oracle, no, not the one at Delphi, the Bounds Green version and all is well. We have been promised football delights so exquisite that its mere thought makes me shudder.

    It must be the Champions League??

  • I may have to change my ” gut feeling Theo will stay “, why you ask ?, well, since my ” gut feeling”, Arsene has said, ” I think Theo will stay “!.
    These are some of the former Gooners Arsene thought would also stay : Cesc, Na$ri, Beef van Curtains !.
    This begs the question. Would you rather my gut feeling or Arsene`s ?. hahaha
    Oh and dont feel too bad in telling Arsene to ,” shut the f**k up and keep your opimions to yourself “! hahaha

    5:45pm

  • Sh*t, I may be on to something here !.
    Doesn`t Arsene usually say, ” I think we are going to win a trophy this year ! “. He does, doesn`t he !………………Shut the f**k up ! hahaha

  • Again, Glicster, your intuition has taken you to a new insightful understanding of out great leaders cerebrum.

    So that’s Theo gone then — just as he is getting his doo dahs together!! 🙂

  • Yes Redders, I am one of the great philosphers of Arse world !. hahaha

    I think Arsenes celebral hemispheres will have Theo`s celibate semisphere`s in the nutcrackers,………..Tears ! hahaha

  • Really enjoyed your post Total.
    I have been banging the drum for the past few years about the fact we are two quality players short of a trophy capable side.

    Apart from a proven goalscorer, I feel we are ok with this current squad, and in fact I may have to eat my hat with regards to Giroud. I have been critical of him early doors but he may just be the answer to our main goalscorer.

    Herb……your shout on M,Vila……..think it’s the first time I can recall disagreeing with you Sir. I have watched him several times now and fail to see what he has got that our current defensive players haven’t.

    GLiC…..so pleased to hear the good news regards to your Grand Son.

  • glIc 🙂

    Hi VCC 🙂

    How are things at the moment? I reckon we got two proven goal scorers in Podolski and Giroud, but it just takes a bit of time to adjust to the PL and get going again. Ideally strikers have top PL experience, but they would be well outside our price bracket at the moment, and other than Torres I don’t know anybody who could be regarded as worthy to wear to the mighty shirt.

  • GLiC….my suppliers of tickets have dried up lately, plus when I go I need two, as I like going with my Son. The QPR game would normally be a game Id try and go to, for obvious reasons. I must be careful also as I have recently been made redundant, and as my government are not terribly benevolent I have to watch the pennies now.

  • VCC
    I promised myself that whilst living down here, I would only work part – time and at something I enjoy doing. I had 20 years of shift patterns and enough was enough. I haven`t got an expensive life style, infact coming up to the Emirates is my one expense, hence it`s only a couple of times a year.
    What I do have here is the feeling that I`m on holiday all the time, I dont fly, so I`m not going to any other country, so as far as it goes, living down here is as good as it gets in Britain. Walking, running, down the beach, like the air, is free !. I know some love the dizzy City lights, but for me, moving to the countryside was the best thing we did. I dont even know what I`m trying to say here, but we run a tight ship here. A lot of good stuff is free.
    I hope the job hunt goes well and it`s a shame your not going to the QPR game as we could have met for a pint. Best of luck mate !.

  • GLiC….don’t get me wrong, I can’t complain, I have been relatively careful over the years and have made some provisions in case I fell into the very position I am in now. We won’t starve or go cold. I could keep you here all night. Your worries lately are far greater than my problems, and I’m so please you have had good news.

    Like you, I prefer the countryside, living where we do is fine as we are near enough to all amenities, ideally situated.

    I will keep my feelers out for tickets as together with a few AA,errs, I would love to put faces to the names and have a beer with you. You seem my kind of guy as your up for a laugh most of the time and don’t take things too seriously. I have already had the pleasure in meeting Total,Peaches,Rasp,Harry,26May and all nice people, oh and chas was there too.

    Would also like to get tickets for when Rocky comes over too.

  • Hi VCC, would be nice to meet up again. I have a contact who can provide me with away tickets (mainly) and I am planning to go to one between mid-November to mid-December. If you are interested, we can go and watch a game together. I should be able to get hold of more tickets, so you could take your son along as well. 🙂

  • We’re in pretty good shape squad wise. Its amazing how good a side we are still putting put out in spite of the injury list growing.

    We have a strong bench, with some very good players not even getting that close !!

  • Hi RA, it is now 22.03 🙂

    I have found out that if I change the theme, comments will show indeed up with the time and date, but then I will have to change the blog lay-out etc again also. That sounds easier than it is, but I will have a go at it soon, as I agree with you and others that it is good to know when people have posted their comments.

  • Total……we would love it. Would have to be a Saturday game though, he could not make a week game because of work commitments.

  • Hi VCC, sorry for taking so long getting back to you. I can’t recall actually seeing him play, so I’m not advocating that he should have signed, it’s just that there were so many headline stories linking M’Vila with Arsenal, I thought it was a done deal. I think Mr DidIt said he’d be an ideal signing, and with Total wanting a DM, I assumed that was the solution. Based on your scouting report, clearly we have to look at other options.

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