Football The 2012 / 2013 Season Thread

[cHodAX]

Wishful thinking. They have a weak squad as it is, add a couple of injuries and they are buggered.

We will be fine, only need Valencia or Nani to find some kind of form and the goal supply will open up, especially the way Kagawa has started. Defence will be sorted shortly.

 

[Moriath]

cant see chelski coming above man u after their defensive frailties they showed today tbh, one jones et al are back i think man u will have a stronger defence than chelski

 

[cHodAX]

The only thing that worries me is the new system we are looking to play, I am not convinced that Mike Phelan is the man to coach it, getting Quieroz in would have been more effective.

 

[Embattle]

Undoubtedly but it's a big ask for Essien's knees as he hasn't played consistently since his most recent comeback, I'm more amazed that Malouda has somehow remained with us.

I believe we've still got some stinkers in our team.

 

[Vladamir]

Malouda aside, there isn't really anyone left in the squad that I'd say I would be groaning if I saw them starting, you just can't hate on Paulo

 

[soze]

Every team around them has strengthened.

I am not sure I would say we have strengthened Santi is certainly a step up in the creative midfield role. But it is too early to tell if Podolski and Giroud can step up and replace RVP in terms of goals. The defensive or holding midfield role is now weaker either Arteta drops back or we start to play Coquelin or Frimpong (when he is fit). And in defense we have the same group of players that left us dangerously short at the back last season when injuries hit us. Admittedly we have changed the coaching which could well be a step up. But a couple of injuries (like we get every season) and we are dangerously exposed here again.

And for a team that has such a rigid wage structure keeping players like Squillaci, Djourou, Arshavin, Bendtner, Park and Denilson on our books seems counterproductive. Even out on loan the wages we pay these guys often mean we are left footing the bill and covering wages. And some of them are just not good enough for a team that has stated ambitions of winning the league. This year we have made another profit on transfers because we can not bring in too many players as we do not have the wages to cover them. Some of these players have no future with us so why not give them free transfers or buy out the contracts? Spend the transfer money that we cant spend because we have no spare capacity in the wage budget on getting rid of dead wood?

I am still very loyal to Arsenal and in Arsen we trust but this is another season where we have sat still rather than improved in my honest opinion.

 

[Ch3tan]

Raven is clearly on crack.

 

[cHodAX]

Arsenal should have taken Berbatov, he is worth £4 million of anyones money.

 

[caLLous]

Shit I would've taken him back at Spurs for that kind of money, I still think scoring goals is going to be our biggest problem.

 

[megadave]

Arsenal should have taken Berbatov, he is worth £4 million of anyones money.

I think you would be happier selling to a club like Fulham though.

 

[Vladamir]

Go on big Andy

 

[megadave]

The commentators in this match are retarded, praising Andy Carroll for doing nothing. They actually praised him for a goal someone else scored in which he had no part, wtf?

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Arsenal should have taken Berbatov, he is worth £4 million of anyones money.

Wouldn't fit into the formation or style of football we play. We can't afford to carry a lone striker who doesn't work very hard.

Poor Fulham

 

[megadave]

lol the bbc are at it as well, GET OFF HIS DICK PLEASE

fulham look shit without dembele in midfield

 

[Wazzerphuk]

And for a team that has such a rigid wage structure keeping players like Squillaci, Djourou, Arshavin, Bendtner, Park and Denilson on our books seems counterproductive.

Djourou is a very good 4th choice DC.
Bendtner, Park and Denilson are on loan and having their wages paid by other clubs.
Arshavin will be backup to Cazorla, don't see an issue with that.
Squid we couldn't offload, which is a shame.

Not sure that that complaint is particularly valid currently.

 

[megadave]

Be surprised if all of their wages are covered, especially Denilson. It's less than ideal having players you dont want anymore on loan rather than being able to sell them.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

There's a lot of money in Brazil these days, it's not a poor footballing nation in terms of pay.

 

[Vladamir]

AVB lulz

 

[Vladamir]

Fucking lol it gets better, herp derp drawing at home so lets take a striker off for a defensive mid and then get him sent off too.

 

[Sydrik]

Defoe came off before Norwich scored and everyone has said it wasnt a red card.

Don't let actual facts get in the way of your post though.

 

[megadave]

AVB team in giving away points at the death shocker

zing!

 

[Vladamir]

Just call me nostradamus

 

[Vladamir]

Big rumours that Anelka and Drogba have been released by Shanghai Shenua as they're unable to play their wages.

COME HOME DIDI

 

[caLLous]

Anelka was running the joint wasn't he?

 

[caLLous]

People are way too quick to jump all over QPR, they've had all of 45 minutes and are practically a new team.

They are wank, mind.

 

[Lethul]

Just saw the Chelsea-Atheltico highlights. If an english team ever will get Falcao they will walk the league

 

[soze]

Djourou is a very good 4th choice DC.
Bendtner, Park and Denilson are on loan and having their wages paid by other clubs.
Arshavin will be backup to Cazorla, don't see an issue with that.
Squid we couldn't offload, which is a shame.

Not sure that that complaint is particularly valid currently.

Djourou has cost us enough games now to warrant being replaced. It is the same defence that were weak last season if we want to improve we need better quality in depth. Denilson is getting about £15k of his wages covered. We are paying him to pay for another club. I would not be surprised if the same is true for everyone else. Arshavin has not cared or tried for over a year he should be gone.

 

[Gwadien]

Makes me enjoy football more when I go to my first game of the season and win 5-1!

 

[caLLous]

Opta Joe on Twitter: "It took Arsenal 211 minutes to score in the Premier League this season, 14 minutes quicker than in 2011-12. Patience."

I guess that answers my question from a few pages back, then.

 

[Deebs]

Who is this team in red losing 2 nil to Arseanel? lol