Our Rivals Squad next year - Arsenal

Wumminator

The Qatar Pounder
Joined
May 8, 2008
Messages
23,249
Location
Obertans #1 fan.
Here they are again. Perennial fourth place Arsenal are back with a superstar signing and many of their young players looking to step up. They couldn't.... could they?

These are the players who have to be registered next year

1. Wojciech Szczesny
2. Kieran Gibbs
3. Per Mertesacker
4. Thomas Vermaelen
5. Laurent Koschielny
6. Tomas Rosicky
7. Mikel Arteta
8. Mesut Ozil
9. Jack Wilshere
10. Lukas Podolski
11. Olivier Giroud
12. Theo Walcott
13. Aaron Ramsey
14. Alexis Sanchez
15. Nacho Monreal
16. Santi Carzola
17. Mathieu Flamini
18. Abou Diaby
19. Carl Jenkinson
20. Rio Miyachi
21. Francis Coquelin
22. Joel Campbell

Notable under 21 players are Alex Oxade Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo and Serge Gnabry

The first thing I notice there is how small Arsenal's squad is compared to the other teams we've done. Seems like every other club is going to have to sell to hit the 25 squad limit but these are fine for more signings. Debuchy will be added soon I supose.

Questions.
1. Who in that squad isn't good enough?
2. What areas are they most likely to improve?
3. Do they have too many attacking midfielders?
4. Aaron Ramsey to repeat last season?
5. Can they finally challenge for the title?
 
BarneyLFC said:
You can get great odds on them winning the title at the moment.
Click to expand...

It's tempting. If Sanchez is to play as the no.9 and hits the ground running and the squad have better luck with injuries they could go close. Still fancy Mourinho's lot right now though.
 
With the signing of Sanchez, I think they'll compete for the title more but will still finish third. Chelsea are a club with no obvious weaknesses for now and if they sign a good central midfielder, then they look like title favorites. Don't really think City will be good this season, with Yaya's mutterings and he'll go to AFCON this season. \

We'll surprise a few people this season. Many due to the Moyes effect have underestimated our squad.
 
Top 4 will be the same teams, though maybe a different order. It's so hard to predict at the moment.

Arsenal will be stronger not just because of Sanchez but they will have their injured players back which is a plus point, their attacking midfield options are very good.
 
johnny boy said:
Top 4 will be the same teams, though maybe a different order. It's so hard to predict at the moment.

Arsenal will be stronger not just because of Sanchez but they will have their injured players back which is a plus point, their attacking midfield options are very good.
Click to expand...

Heh.
 
They'll probably be top at Christmas and everyone will say 'this years different' again, only the long time arsenal fans will remain cautious... and then in all likelihood they will struggle with the schedule in January onwards
 
Crashoutcassius said:
They'll probably be top at Christmas and everyone will say 'this years different' again, only the long time arsenal fans will remain cautious... and then in all likelihood they will struggle with the schedule in January onwards
Click to expand...
If by everyone you mean even other club fans, last year there were loads of us on here saying that they wouldn't hold up until the end of the season and would collapse at some point. Just needed to look at their February and March fixtures to understand that.
 
Croque-monsieur said:
If by everyone you mean even other club fans, last year there were loads of us on here saying that they wouldn't hold up until the end of the season and would collapse at some point. Just needed to look at their February and March fixtures to understand that.
Click to expand...
Too many said that 'Ozil was the catalyst' and other such random narratives to explain their good start
 
Crashoutcassius said:
Too many said that 'Ozil was the catalyst' and other such random narratives to explain their good start
Click to expand...
It's possible, I don't really read much English media or other fan forums, I only know what goes on here. If you look at the 'Arsenal's title credentials' thread, you'll see there was a large amount of posters that remained very adamant that Arsenal wouldn't win it - moreso that ones believing they might actually go the distance.
 
I can see Arsenal putting in a serious challenge for the title this season but I could also see them finishing outside the top 4, they're an unusual bunch!
 
They will finish top 4 for sure. Might challenge for the 3rd position, but I still fancy City and Chelsea having the better squad and will definitely finish above them, and also feel confident with Van Gaal leading us to challenge for the title and finish top 3 at least.
 
Ozil has had his year to settle in, so could make an impact. Saying that he should be under prepared cos of the WC. Sanchez, much like Suarez and Aguero, will need one season to hit peak. Leaves them with relying on Walcott, and we know how that usually ends.

4th deffo. 3rd at a squeeze. Whether Lfc are in the top 4 at all remains to be seen.
 
If they get Khedira/Bender they'll be challengers but likely end up finishing 3rd/4th.
 
Dumbstar said:
Ozil has had his year to settle in, so could make an impact. Saying that he should be under prepared cos of the WC. Sanchez, much like Suarez and Aguero, will need one season to hit peak. Leaves them with relying on Walcott, and we know how that usually ends.
Click to expand...
Aguero's best season in the Prem was his first, just like Torres, and to a lesser extent, Cazorla.

One positive about this season is we don't have all our difficult games bunched up together, so a similar collapse to last season shouldn't be the case. We'll challenge for the title, and if Ramsey, Koscielny and Mertesacker stay fit for the whole season we've got a decent chance. Considering betting a big figure on us to win the league now (8.4 @ Betfair), and cashing out around Christmas. Would have made a fortune last season.
 
Twigginater said:
Here they are again. Perennial fourth place Arsenal are back with a superstar signing and many of their young players looking to step up. They couldn't.... could they?

These are the players who have to be registered next year

1. Wojciech Szczesny -- Doesn't inspire confidence as the other keepers in the league. Was responsible for some goals last year.
2. Kieran Gibbs - Was good last year, needs a good backup. Has to perform better in big games.
3. Per Mertesacker - Was found out for pace against good teams. A year older as well. So question marks.
4. Thomas Vermaelen - Looks like he is leaving. Need to find a replacement.
5. Laurent Koschielny - Good partnership with Mertesacker. But really needs a quality back up option.
6. Tomas Rosicky - Squad player. Could make an effect coming off the bench. Surplus for requirement.
7. Mikel Arteta - Finished. Main reason for heavy losses.
8. Mesut Ozil - Had an average season. Question marks over how good he is actually. Expecting him to come good.
9. Jack Wilshere - Injury prone. Like Scholes said, hasn't really improved for nearly three years.
10. Lukas Podolski- Surplus to requirement. Looks like he is leaving.
11. Olivier Giroud - Not world class. Needs a backup.
12. Theo Walcott - Injury prone. He is good. But I think he is overrated amongst Arsenal fans.
13. Aaron Ramsey - Brilliant last year. His form will be crucial to Arsenal's success this year.
14. Alexis Sanchez - Will take time to settle, but will be a good signing and will come good.
15. Nacho Monreal - Good backup option.
16. Santi Carzola - Is he going to be happy being on the bench?
17. Mathieu Flamini- Was good in the early parts of the season. Looked tired and was found out as the season progressed.
18. Abou Diaby - Put him down already.
19. Carl Jenkinson - I guess will be a back up option to Debuchy.
20. Rio Miyachi - Haven't seen enough of him.
21. Francis Coquelin - Same as above.
22. Joel Campbell - Think should be loaned out some PL club for more experience.

Notable under 21 players are Alex Oxade Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo and Serge Gnabry

Will be used in the cups and mostly as impact subs in the league.

The first thing I notice there is how small Arsenal's squad is compared to the other teams we've done. Seems like every other club is going to have to sell to hit the 25 squad limit but these are fine for more signings. Debuchy will be added soon I supose.

Questions.
1. Who in that squad isn't good enough?
2. What areas are they most likely to improve?
3. Do they have too many attacking midfielders?
4. Aaron Ramsey to repeat last season?
5. Can they finally challenge for the title?
Click to expand...


I think Vermalen, and one of Podolski or Rosicky will be leaving. Sagna has already left. Looks like Debuchy is going to be the RB option with Jenkinson as back up. If Vermalen leaves, they need at least two CB's unless Wenger is planning on bringing academy players through. Arteta on his last legs and needs a replacement and also a back up striker. Names being linked with are Khedira, Bender, Remy. I am not sure whether they are being linked with any CB.

Arsenal were really good against the mid and bottom table teams last year. But it was there performance in big games that cost them last year. It is the main reason why opposition fans don't rate them as title contenders. Their record against the big teams over the last few years is horrendus and I think it was worse than Moyes' at Everton. Yes they do have won the FA cup and showed character to win it, but if I remember correctly, even at 2-0 most on here were predicting them to win it.

They have to perform against big sides for them to be taken seriously as title contenders. I am expecting a season for them to be similar to last.
 
So is Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal golden boy going to be content with being on the bench far more often than not should Arsenal bring in Khedira or any other new midfielder?

He seems like the kind of player who needs to be playing week in and week out to start realizing that potential and I don't see how he does that that now. Yes, I know they'll be competing on numerous fronts but Jack comes off as sort of "Mr. Arsenal" to me who'll want to play in the big games rather than the lesser cup competitions.
 
I have them down as third. Fourth minimum. They get found wanting in the big games, but do enough against the minnows.

Heck, they may even win another cup.
 
Orc said:
So is Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal golden boy going to be content with being on the bench far more often than not should Arsenal bring in Khedira or any other new midfielder?

He seems like the kind of player who needs to be playing week in and week out to start realizing that potential and I don't see how he does that that now. Yes, I know they'll be competing on numerous fronts but Jack comes off as sort of "Mr. Arsenal" to me who'll want to play in the big games rather than the lesser cup competitions.
Click to expand...
He's recently come out and said he knows he has to do better. He also took time to listen to advice from Scholes earlier in the year. Has a lot of work to do to establish himself but has his head screwed on properly.
 
Archie Leach said:
He's recently come out and said he knows he has to do better. He also took time to listen to advice from Scholes earlier in the year. Has a lot of work to do to establish himself but has his head screwed on properly.
Click to expand...
If it wasn't for his injuries he would be a better player than he is now. His progress has been stalled quite a bit by them and has halted his development.
 
Archie Leach said:
He's recently come out and said he knows he has to do better. He also took time to listen to advice from Scholes earlier in the year. Has a lot of work to do to establish himself but has his head screwed on properly.
Click to expand...
How's he going to improve and establish himself if he's not playing regularly, though?

Ramsey will be one of the first names on the team sheet and Khedira isn't going to Arsenal to sit on the bench. Then you have 3-4 players that play further up the pitch in midfield that are better than he is.
 
They won't win the league without a world class striker. If Walcott/Ramsey/Ox/Wilshere can all stay fit, then they have a fantastic team but you always feel their is something miss from the Arsenal sides but you would expect them to definitely get a top 4 spot again.
 
Orc said:
How's he going to improve and establish himself if he's not playing regularly, though?

Ramsey will be one of the first names on the team sheet and Khedira isn't going to Arsenal to sit on the bench. Then you have 3-4 players that play further up the pitch in midfield that are better than he is.
Click to expand...

By playing well when he does play.
 
The only thing Wilshere should be concentrating on right now is staying consistently fit.
 
Top squad they are building there, but I still believe its not the best in the league (between us and City).

Can see them finishing 3rd though, Liverpool dropping to 4th or lower.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.