Arsenal

[Steve007]

Despite what the club say, I don't think there's much for Wenger to spend. We've incurred MASSIVE extra costs in the building of the stadium and all the other expensive extras the club has to pay for as part of the relocation deal which is why Wenger is pretty much forced to pay peanuts for these alleged wonder kids.

I predict another season of mediocrity and woe. Spurs, Villa and maybe another team will be snapping at our heels for 4th place so we cannot afford to drop so many points at home next season. Wenger needs to toughen some of these kids up as they are too soft. There's not enough grit to go to some ground up north and grind out a win when the rain is pissing down and decisions are not going our way (think Sheffield United, Everton etc).

The players have it too cushy, everything is done for them bar the wiping of their arses. Too many players are in a comfortable bubble and they need to wake up and show some fight next year as I'm sick and tired of watching them plod through game with no urgency. When we are losing a game next year and when we are in the final few mins I do not expect to see us passing the ball back and forth waiting for an opportunity to score to create itself out of nothing. We have to be more ruthless and have an end product. Pretty football doesn't win you games - scoring goals does!

I'm also getting a bit concerned at the lack of English players in the squad. I know that football is an international game these days but every side needs some home grown players in the squad, we only have Walcott & Hoyte! Hardly world beaters.

For the record, Freddie needs to be shown the door as he's long past it. He's been one of our best players in the Wenger era but he hasn't been the same since the injuries he had in 2002. He's an embarrassment these days as he offers so little and he's always falling over! He can't last anywhere near 90 mins anymore so there's little reason to hang on to him. I'm sure the £70k a week we are paying him can be better spent.

[Steve007]

Ribery plus a fit and fighting Theo would be bloody magic tbh

Theo went off the boil after Xmas and the crowd was starting to get on his back. Wenger still doesn't know his best position either which doesn't help. It's obvious Wenger sees him as the eventual successor to Henry but he doesn't have the goalscoring instincts that a player is born with. You can't teach a Fowler or an Owen how to finish, it's all natural to them but with Walcott all I see is someone with raw talent who is a long, long way from being a world class player. The fact that he couldn't even finish his dinner makes me question how anyone thinks he's going to get lots of goals any time soon.

[Dude Ranch]

I'm also getting a bit concerned at the lack of English players in the squad. I know that football is an international game these days but every side needs some home grown players in the squad, we only have Walcott & Hoyte! Hardly world beaters.

I say the same about English players, but who would you buy? If they're not coming through the ranks at Arsenal then that's another matter. But who would you buy tomorrow? Reo-Coker? Would you rather have him than Diaby who was half the price? I wouldn't. Wright-Phillips you might possibly get? What price though? Nolan, Barton? Journeymen, not Arsenal players. There's no better English left back than Clichy, who cost fuck all. Where's the English Denilson or Cesc? Anyone English even approaching their quality is either untouchable or £20 million. You might be able to buy Bent, possibly Crouch, take a chance on Owen or Nugent. Where does that get you, does it improve us? I don't think so.

I agree, we need some toughness but the English market is fucked, there's little technical quality and the young Baby Bentley attitude isn't Arsene's cup of tea and I don't blame him. That's why we don't buy English.

EDIT: And I like Theo and Hoyte .

[Steve007]

I agree, we need some toughness but the English market is fucked, there's little technical quality and the young Baby Bentley attitude isn't Arsene's cup of tea and I don't blame him. That's why we don't buy English.

EDIT: And I like Theo and Hoyte .

We all knew Bentley was quality. Wenger made a colossal mistake in letting him go. He was always going to be a ready made replacement for Freddie or Pires. Wenger decided to hang on to has-been Freddie, tells Pires to get on his bike as his 15 goals a season were not wanted and flogs Bentley on the cheap to Blackburn. What a mug.

[Dude Ranch]

We all knew Bentley was quality. Wenger made a colossal mistake in letting him go. He was always going to be a ready made replacement for Freddie or Pires. Wenger decides to hang on to has-been Freddie, tells Pires to get on his bike as his 15 goals a season were not wanted and flogs Bentley on the cheap to Blackburn. What a mug.

Sorry, I knew that would cause confusion. The Baby Bentley refers to the young English playboy players who drive Bentleys and act like Billy Big Bollocks .

But yes, David Bentley was good but probably needed to go, like Pennant, cos he was a cocky little shit coasting along. He's a different player now, I don't think he'd have progressed the same with us. Pires was a huge mistake, I don't like to think about that .

[hercules]

Theo went off the boil after Xmas and the crowd was starting to get on his back. Wenger still doesn't know his best position either which doesn't help. It's obvious Wenger sees him as the eventual successor to Henry but he doesn't have the goalscoring instincts that a player is born with. You can't teach a Fowler or an Owen how to finish, it's all natural to them but with Walcott all I see is someone with raw talent who is a long, long way from being a world class player. The fact that he couldn't even finish his dinner makes me question how anyone thinks he's going to get lots of goals any time soon.

If you look at some of Walcott's goals you will see that the boy is a natural finisher. He will keep growing and improving you just need to learn to give players time. Walcott is the future and he mhas a very bright one infront of him.

Reo-coker is available now but i don't think we need him as we signed denilson in the summer and he's been great. Micah richards is player i'd love to see in an arsenal shirt next season.

Not botherted about Ribery, Hleb isn't a proper winger he's the same as Rosicky but when the team is playing well we don't look like we have a dis-jointed midfield, everything seems to click.

[Lucky]

Micah Richards and Ribery would both be superb signings, throw in Babel for the reported 6mill or so, that'll be about 35 mill well spent I'd say.

[Dude Ranch]

Richards feels unlikely to me, partly due to the cost and partly cos Eboue and Hoyte both signed new deals recently. Mi ideal scenario for right back is that Hoyte moves up a level and makes himself first choice, TBH.

Babel and Ribery would be nice but I'll believe any signing when I see it .

[Lucky]

Richards is unlikely tbh, we're not exactly crying out for a RB, plus he'll cost loads and the money would be better spent on an offensive player.

I'm convinced we're gonna sign Ribery, even for 15mill.

He's a Wenger signing if ever there was one, surely.

[Mars]

I've got a lot of faith in Theo, and also the club he's at. He'll get the support he needs and some great players to work with to boot. I can't see anyone getting cocky (a la Richardson, Pennant, etc) with Henry in training. He's shown a lot of maturity and great desire to learn and improve. I won't wheel out the story about Henry when he first arrived, we all know it. At his age I'll wait a while to be proven wrong.

[hercules]

well eboue and toure will go to african cup of nations so richards would def play some part of the season, would give him time to settle aswell

[Mars]

We've got Hoyte to fill in

[Dude Ranch]

We've got Hoyte to fill in

Don't forget Hoyte!

[Mars]

[Lucky]

To buy a player like Richards, especially for the money being quoted, you'd expect more from him than just to fill in while Ebou's away at the Africn cup of Nations.

I think he would expect more too.

[Dude Ranch]

OK chaps. Assuming we won't sign anyone what would your starting XI be for next season? And assuming we sign Ribery how would that change the side you'd pick?

I'll go for

Jens

Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Clichy

Ribery (if signed, otherwise Hleb), Cesc, Diaby, Rosicky

Henry and the van Persmeister

I think that team can beat anyone personally .

[hercules]

I like Hoyte, i'm thinking more that we'll have a cb spot to fill and Richards would do better than senderos and djourou

[Lucky]

Mine would be;

Jens

Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy

Ribery, Gilberto, Cesc, Rosicky

Henry, RVP

[Lucky]

Assume we buy Ribery and no one else, we're gonna play 4-5-1 away in Europe.

What's your starting 11?

[hercules]

Jens(for now)

Eboue,Toure,Gallas,Clichy

Gilberto/Diaby/Denilson

Ribery,Fabregas,Hleb,Rosicky

Henry

[Lucky]

Jens(for now)

Eboue,Toure,Gallas,Clichy

Gilberto/Diaby/Denilson

Ribery,Fabregas,Hleb,Rosicky

Henry

No RVP?

It's tricky but pick 2 out of your 3

[Dude Ranch]

Assume we buy Ribery and no one else, we're gonna play 4-5-1 away in Europe.

What's your starting 11?

Jens

Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Clichy

Ribery, Cesc, Diaby, Rosicky, van Persie

Henry

Same personnel but with Rosicky behind Henry, more like a 4-4-1-1. Ribery and van Persie switching sides when appropriate. Hoyte again cos he's a better defender than Eboue.

[Lucky]

Jens

Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy

Gilberto

Ribery, Cesc, Rosicky, RVP

Henry

Superb or suicide?

[Lucky]

I've just realised that I've stuck with the same 11 in a 4-5-1 as a 4-4-2. Interesting that.

Only difference is that gilberto would sit in front of the back 4, like he did on route to Paris, move Rosicky in a bit and put RVP more to the left.

Actually looking at it again that's a fucking hell of a team.

Answering my own question, that's not suicide it's superb!! even if I say so myself.

Cesc would have so many options, Henry would have so much support, (RVP, Ribery and Rosicky) and the defence looks pretty sound with Gilberto in front of them.

What an easy job Wenger's got.

[g wings]

What an easy job Wenger's got.

LOL...like it.

[hercules]

No RVP?

It's tricky but pick 2 out of your 3

there are so many different team you could put out. I'd like to see diaby play more and as i said before i'd like to have Rosicky playing off the front man so for preferably i'd have

Jens

Eboue,Toure,Gallas,Clichy

Diaby

Ribery,Cesc,Rosicky,RVP

Henry

[Lucky]

I like Diaby, I think he'll be big for us next season, but Gilberto is key to this formation.

[hercules]

I think its about time Diaby got a chance to prove himself, plus Denilson looks like he could do the job

[Dude Ranch]

Just read this..

Arsenal close to deal with West Ham midfielder

Tottenham was favourites to sign West Ham's Nigel Reo Coker, but today rumours are that the former MK Dons player will join Arsenal.

Probably a rumour or a guess, but I wouldn't be in favour. I think it would see off Gilberto too.

[Lucas]

Denilson is still just a kid. The same as Walcott.

I have been impressed by them both this season, but they are still at least 3 or 4 seasons away from being anywhere near their prime. To say they will make a big difference next year is ridiculous.

Have you seen Chelski or Man Utd steamroller everyone else this last few years relying on a bunch of 18 or 19 year olds - No matter how much "potential" they have?

Young players have become an increasingly common occurence in the Arsenal side, the fielding of the said youths coinciding with Arsenal's decline in success.

do you really think Denilson could boss midfield against Ballack or Scholes or Lampard or Carrick even?

Anyway, my team:

GK: Jens

RB: Toure

CM: Senderos

CM: Gallas

LB: Hoyte

DMF: Gilberto

CMF: Fabregas

CMF: Rosicky

LMF: Van persie

RMF: Eboue

CF: Henry

A sort of 4-1-4-1

Ok, I kow Eboue isnt a midfielder, but he cant defend to save his life. He can, however, get up and down the byline bloody quick and put in a good cross. Move him forward, and put Toure at RB where he has looked good and can defend.

This season has shown Toure/Gallas doesnt really work as a partnership. I reckon Senderos might be a better bet.

LMF is very tricky as I think Rosicky is wasted there, as V. Persie probably would be. We need a left winger, I have decided.