For the Arsenal Fans

[Jon 0]

I found this earlier and thought it was a pretty full and accurate analysis of the Arsenal squad, so you can read and see what you all think.

 

Big questions hang over Wenger's young squad

8 September 2008, Lenny Antonelli

With the dust having just settled from the lack of purchases during the final days of the transfer window, and the squad now static until January at the earliest, now is an ideal time to examine its chances of success. Clearly, many fans are irate at the failure to add more players ââ?¬â?? a sentiment that appears to extend well beyond the usual group of doomsayers. At the same time, Arsene Wenger has continued to reaffirm his faith in his young team. Is he deluded or can they genuinely deliver big prizes this season? Letââ?¬â?¢s take a look at the squad:

 

Goalkeepers

 

Manuel Almunia proved himself a steady hand last season, and to have wholly replaced him this summer might have been unduly cruel. Nevertheless, he has yet to prove himself to be a world-class goalkeeper - something many fans believe to be a key ingredient in any title-winning side. Wenger appears to have high hopes for Lukasz Fabianski, who was quite solid during pre-season, and many will be hoping that he can emerge as our long-term number one. The lack of an experienced back up isn�t ideal, but it will probably allow Fabianski to develop faster.

 

Verdict: Solid but not spectacular ââ?¬â?? both Almunia and Fabianski have to prove they are worthy of a place in a team with Champions League ambitions.

 

Defence

 

Despite the protest that greeted Phillip Senderosââ?¬â?¢ departure, the squad is strong defensively. At centre-back, the key isnââ?¬â?¢t to add more players, but to get the best from the players weââ?¬â?¢ve got. Iââ?¬â?¢ve never bought the argument that Toure and Gallas are incompatible ââ?¬â?? they may have similar playing styles, but itââ?¬â?¢s up to them and the coaching staff to be aware of this, and to differentiate their roles and organise themselves appropriately, something that shouldnââ?¬â?¢t be difficult for players of their calibre. Both have something to prove following some disappointing form last season, and Gallas has to yet to justify his possession of the captainââ?¬â?¢s armband.

 

Mikael Silvestre was a wise addition to the squad, and, if he stays fit he could challenge for a starting place - as could Johann Djorou, who has looked solid so far this season and remains one of our most promising youngsters. Appearing more capable in defence than midfield, Alex Song is as good a fifth choice centre-half as any club could hope for.

 

At right back, Bacary Sagna is now arguably the best right back in the country, while Emmanuel Eboue offers decent cover. On the left, Gael Clichy completes what is arguably the best full back pairing in the league. Silvestre, Gallas and Toure are also decent, if not spectacular, full-back options too.

 

Verdict: Strong in the centre in theory, but Toure and Gallas need to be at their best, while Silvestre, Djorou and Song all have something to prove. Superb first choice options at full back, with decent back-up.

 

Midfield

 

Letââ?¬â?¢s start on the wings ââ?¬â?? I canââ?¬â?¢t face the centre yet. As quite a few of our wingers seem able to switch from side to side, Iââ?¬â?¢ll analyse them all in one. Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott, Vela ââ?¬â?? a very talented list, but key questions remain. Is Rosicky really over his injury problems like the doctors say? Can Theo overcome the frustrating habits that plague his game? Can Nasri keep up his early promise? And can Vela deliver in his first season? Affirmative answers to at least some of these questions are essential to a successful season. So far, so good: Nasri appears to be forming an effective understanding with Clichy, Walcott has showed moments of great form, and Vela has looked promising.

 

Things are different in the middle of course, where the squad is perilously thin. Many fans are angry at the lack of signings in this area, and rightly so, but it does at least appear that Wenger made genuine attempts to sign players (Inler and Alonso principally). There�s no need devote much attention to Cesc Fabregas here, except to say that if he were to suffer a long-term injury it would probably finish our season.

 

So who should be Cescââ?¬â?¢s partner? Iââ?¬â?¢m convinced Denilson is the man for the job ââ?¬â?? his form has been mixed so far this season, but heââ?¬â?¢s hugely talented, and has an intelligence and awareness that Abou Diaby doesnââ?¬â?¢t. Possessing both defensive and creative abilities, he can now make the step up and become a top class all-round central midfielder. Some fans might see Cesc and Denilson as incompatible, but I canââ?¬â?¢t agree. Firstly, Denilson is capable of playing a more protective role. And Wenger might not be looking to play a traditional holding player beside Cesc anyway, as Seasider suggested on our forum:

 

 

 

Maybe Wenger wants four predominantly attack-minded midfielders to let them press and press and put opponents on the back foot. The old adage, 'attack is the best form of defence', and all that. With the insurance of a more defensive player (Song? Eboue?) to start in games where a midfield battle is more inherent to the outcome of the game.

 

He (Wenger) is convinced that we do not need a midfield anchor man (and let's face it, there is a good chance that he could have signed such a player if he'd really wanted to) then this is a very bold and, thus far, very risky move.

 

But if it bears fruit, and we dominate teams more because of the extra attacking ability, then we will all reap the benefit - other teams included, if they dare to follow. We might just see the holding midfielder become as one-dimensional and undesirable at the top level as the full-back who isn't pacy and can't break forward. Cole and Clichy are now the standard that the modern game demands but would both have been an alien concept (or wingers!) twenty years ago.

 

 

After Cesc and Denilson, the cracks start to show. Diaby seems wonderfully adept at getting the ball out of tight situations but unable to act as an effective anchorman or distributor of the ball. This is will be a defining season for him ââ?¬â?? letââ?¬â?¢s hope he can step up to the plate. Song seems more comfortable in defence now, though with his improved form and confidence it will be interesting to see if his effectiveness in midfield has improved too.

 

On our forum, Tubzinho took an interesting view of Wenger�s lack of midfield signings:

 

 

 

He is literally saying to Denilson and Diaby now is your time�and is giving them the chance to shine. He is also learning from last year when he did a similar thing with Flamini, he was skeptical so signed Diarra to replace Flamini only to find that Flamini did rise to the challenge and Diarra got annoyed he wasn't playing and caused fuss. I think Wenger doesn't want to make the same mistake again and so is giving players a chance and then if they don't perform, will then make acquisitions.

 

 

I wonââ?¬â?¢t devote much space to Emmanuel Eboue here ââ?¬â?? I consider him primarily a defender and not a midfielder ââ?¬â?? but considering his decent form so far this season, itââ?¬â?¢s not an impossibility that he might turn into a decent utility player. Donââ?¬â?¢t hold your breath though.

 

Verdict: Pray for no injuries in central midfield, while the wings could be extremely productive if Nasri, Rosicky & co. can stay fit and in form.

 

Strikers

 

Fans calling for Wenger to buy a striker during the summer were wide of the mark. Van Persie appears to be getting into his stride, and if he can stay fit he can deliver at least 25 goals this season. Add that to Adebayor ââ?¬â?? who scored more than that last season, and to Eduardo, who looks quite capable of scoring regularly, and any extra signings could easily have spoiled the broth. Nicklas Bendtner is a player with something to prove this season, with his decent goalscoring record just masking what appears to be an on-the-pitch-laziness. Barring injuries Walcott will probably spend most of his time on the wings this season.

 

Verdict: A very strong line-up, but the biggest question marks will be over Van Persie and Eduardo�s fitness.

 

Conclusion

 

Clearly the squad is short ââ?¬â?? a central midfielder should have been added at the very least, but not ignoring the possibility of a freebie like Stephen Appiah arriving, it will now remain static until January. No doubt Wenger wanted to add more to the squad during the summer, but when the right players werenââ?¬â?¢t available at the right prices, he stepped back, taking a massive gamble in doing so ââ?¬â?? one surmised very eloquently by James Lawton here.

 

Could it pay off? That will depend on how the many questions hanging over the team are answered. For some players (Van Persie, Rosicky, Eduardo) the questions relate to fitness. For others (Gallas, Toure) they relate to form. But for the largest group (Djorou, Song, Denilson, Diaby, Walcott, Vela, Bendtner) the question is whether they can now take a big step forward in their development. Perhaps the most important question of all, though, is whether a thin squad will finally get the luck it�s been denied in recent seasons and stay relatively injury-free.

 

My head says that we donââ?¬â?¢t have enough ââ?¬â?? that Chelsea and United, particularly the former, have stronger squads. But there is so much to be admired in Wengerââ?¬â?¢s vision of developing a group of young players to maturity and immersing them in the culture of the club. And there is inherent nobility in his steadfastness in refusing to engage in the monstrosity that has become the upper echelons of the transfer market. While a Premier League or Champions League title might seem beyond reach to many fans, I believe that Wengerââ?¬â?¢s unique vision will be rewarded eventually. And I believe his beautiful, stubborn and principled ideology could bear fruition sooner rather than later. And if you canââ?¬â?¢t believe that, whatââ?¬â?¢s the point of watching?

[Gribz 919]

Excellent read and spot on.

 

It will all be about players staying fit for Arsenal. If they get there near strongest team out every week they are in with a chance of the title IMO.

 

They need to learn how to defend leads against the big teams. Last season they were the better side at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford but when 1-0 up they lost it.

 

Wenger has to be admired...imagine how good his teams could be if he actually bought big name players!!! He produces a top team on a very low spending amount.

[Jon 0]

See Im not all anti Arsenal posts. Agree though, I thought it was a really good read and pretty much spot on. Would love to see something similar come out for the other top 3....

[juffery 0]

The big gamble is Van Persie's fitness. Like the post says, if he can stay fit, he'll get goals. If they lose him, they are kinda snookered.