They already got Welbeck and Coquelin.
Arsenal's squad next season 2015/2016
- Thread starter Wumminator
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
I'm not so amazed that we passed up on Schneiderlin because of the price tag. Plus the Coq is actually pretty good. Just because we didn't buy him for big money doesn't mean he's not good.
We have a pretty settled squad and ended the season on a high. That's why no one is feeling negative. We have two good players in almost every position. Now that Flamini appears to be on his way out, I think one midfielder is coming in. As for the striker, I am not sure if we'll be signing someone this window. The Higuain ship has sailed. If we can get Benzema we will but if not I can't see us settling for an average forward.
Cool, thanks.
He's a good prospect but he really isnt at the level where he is a mainstay in the side, I think because you've lacked a proper defensive midfielder for so long he's seemed better than he actually is. Schneiderlin is a more accomplished defensive midfielder in pretty much every way at the moment and wouldve made a big difference to your side. In today's market £25mil really isn't extortionate for a class midfielder.
I thought Wanyama was the more defensive of the two in Southampton's midfield. Had we signed Schneiderlin, he'd have played further ahead of Coq I think, not as the player shielding the back four. Given that you lot were interested in him as well, the price would have gone up quite a bit had we been bidding too. "Big difference" I am not sure about, given that we have Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere - who are better than Schneiderlin and all fighting for the same two spots in midfield. You basically didn't have a midfield when Carrick was injured, so your team needed him a lot more than us.
Coquelin can add more to his game sure, but for now I don't think the need for another DM is as big as people seem to suggest. Unless he gets injured of course. We'd be much better off adding goals to our team than another defensive player. That, I think, is a more pressing issue.
I'm not really sure why everyone thinks Arsenal have a greater chance than any other season in all fairness. They had a player in the form of his absolute life carry them through half of last season and still only managed their standard 3rd place. I don't see how signing a better goalkeeper is going to win them more than a couple of extra points.
They still have a weak midfield defensively; they still have a weak central defensive unit; they still don't have a striker who can score more than 15-16 a season. They've addressed one of 4 key weaknesses in their squad. The only chance they compete for the title in my opinion is if: Sanchez has another incredible season; their 5-6 crocks stay fit; both defenders have a great season; Coquelin stays fit and doesn't go through a poor spell.
The chance of all those stars aligning is incredibly small.
They still have a weak midfield defensively; they still have a weak central defensive unit; they still don't have a striker who can score more than 15-16 a season. They've addressed one of 4 key weaknesses in their squad. The only chance they compete for the title in my opinion is if: Sanchez has another incredible season; their 5-6 crocks stay fit; both defenders have a great season; Coquelin stays fit and doesn't go through a poor spell.
The chance of all those stars aligning is incredibly small.
As things stand currently, they're the 4th best team in the league, in my opinion. That said, I do think they could and will challenge for the title, as the difference in quality between those 4 sides is marginal. Of course, there's plenty of time still and things could (probably will) change quite a bit.
I like their squad quite a lot but I'm not as impressed by Cech's signing as most seem to be. He's an improvement to the team but he's not going to solve all of their problems. They still have to address the CDM position (like every season in the past 10 years). To be honest, I think Coquelin is a quality player that has improved a lot recently and is good enough to be a starter. That said, they've only got Arteta to cover for him and he's too injury prone and doesn't have the athleticism or defensive prowess to be the second choice for the CDM role. What happens if Coquelin gets injured? I think someone like Wanyama would be a good option for them to have. I've got some doubts over the ST position but, to be honest, I think Giroud has improved a lot recently and is good enough. I could honestly see him score 20-25 goals if he stays fit and has a good start (he's a bit too reliant on confidence). Welbeck is also a great player to have in the squad and could bring something different to Giroud, when needed. Now, two strikers are not enough, in my opinion, and Wenger doesn't seem to trust Campbell. That's why I think they could use another signing in that department, even if it's not of Benzema's quality. That said, they've got Sanchez and Walcott who could play upfront, so the CDM should definitely be a priority.
Having said all that, I don't think they'll ever win the league (or the CL) with Wenger in charge, even if they address all of those things mentioned and don't have half of their squad injured throughout the entire season.
I like their squad quite a lot but I'm not as impressed by Cech's signing as most seem to be. He's an improvement to the team but he's not going to solve all of their problems. They still have to address the CDM position (like every season in the past 10 years). To be honest, I think Coquelin is a quality player that has improved a lot recently and is good enough to be a starter. That said, they've only got Arteta to cover for him and he's too injury prone and doesn't have the athleticism or defensive prowess to be the second choice for the CDM role. What happens if Coquelin gets injured? I think someone like Wanyama would be a good option for them to have. I've got some doubts over the ST position but, to be honest, I think Giroud has improved a lot recently and is good enough. I could honestly see him score 20-25 goals if he stays fit and has a good start (he's a bit too reliant on confidence). Welbeck is also a great player to have in the squad and could bring something different to Giroud, when needed. Now, two strikers are not enough, in my opinion, and Wenger doesn't seem to trust Campbell. That's why I think they could use another signing in that department, even if it's not of Benzema's quality. That said, they've got Sanchez and Walcott who could play upfront, so the CDM should definitely be a priority.
Having said all that, I don't think they'll ever win the league (or the CL) with Wenger in charge, even if they address all of those things mentioned and don't have half of their squad injured throughout the entire season.
I think they are still a bit limited at centre forward tbh to mount a title challenge.
Chelsea have Costa, City have Aguero, we have Rooney and they have Giroud.
Although he has got a reasonable number of goals, he is a very limited player in my opinion. If they really wanted to be serious about winning the league again they need a top class centre forward. Benzema would be perfect.
Chelsea have Costa, City have Aguero, we have Rooney and they have Giroud.
Although he has got a reasonable number of goals, he is a very limited player in my opinion. If they really wanted to be serious about winning the league again they need a top class centre forward. Benzema would be perfect.
If Walcott stays fit then he can provide 15 goals or so to supplement Giroud. If thry get off to a good start then can see Arsenal leading till their inevitable post-Christmas collapse.
I'm confident we'll finish above United next season. You might have had a good transfer window but too many are overlooking the fact that half of your starting XI has never played a competetive game together. I reckon Chelsea and City will finish in the top 2 again although we'll be closer to them than last season
I'm not that confident. I think we can finish above City as they have quite a few underperforming players. Don't think we'll finish above United or Chelsea. Anyway let the transfer business conclude and then we'll know which squad is best poised to challenge the holders.
I don't have an opinion on United, it's impossible to tell this early. This time last year they'd signed a top midfielder, the Dutch league's best player, a talented full back and an ageing superstar and this year they've signed a top midfielder, the Dutch league's best player and err...you get the idea.
This is the strongest Arsenal squad i have seen in a long long time. If they don't win the title then it should be considered a big disappointment. The last time they won the title was when Valencia won La Liga.
This. If they don't win this season I think they have yet again missed the boat. They have had a very good foundation for the last couple of years with only minor, but important tweaks. If Walcott can stay fit for the majority of the season, they will be strong challengers. Over last few years they have started to not lose to the weaker sides, so seem to have got over certain psychological issues. Just needs Wenger to stop being a puss in the big games, always changes the way they play.
Arsenal are quite comfortably 2nd favorites going into the season. If they don't put up a proper title fight, then it'll be a massive failure.
Do you think that they're better than City ? I'm not sure. City finished second last year remember.
Arsenal has the best team between us and Shitteh, but not the best players.
They're certainly not 2nd favourites. Even with City's collapse last year and Aguero being out for 6 weeks, Touré being useless in large parts, Kompany and Mangala failing to perform and a collapse which almost led to their manager being sacked they still managed to finish above Arsenal. Obviously that's looking at it from a negative perspective but Arsenal haven't majorly improved on last season whilst City have gone out and bought Sterling who's a massive improvement on Navas and it looks like they'll go and sign De Bruyne who'll be immense for them whilst they still seem to be in the market for more players whereas it's quite conceivable that Arsenal are finished for the summer. Cech's a fantastic keeper and he'll earn them more points but you need more than that to win the league. I see Arsenal having similar chances as us to winning the league and I don't think we have much chance at all. As well as that I don't think Wenger's the same manager he once was and I'd be stunned if Arsenal won or even put up a proper challenge for the league/CL whilst he remains in charge of them.
Very few midfielders available that are better than Schneiderlin.
Let me guess, he's world class now.
Yeah, that's exactly what I said. Which midfielders on the market are better than him? There are very few available who are.
Wenger knows who.
Witsel should interest Wenger
Oh yeah, cos Americans are renowned for only eating healthy and good foods. No obesity problems in the country are there?
London is considered by a lot of chefs to be the gastronomy capital of the world now, which pisses off the French to no end.
Who?!
Worth pointing out just how terrible we were until November last season, because of issues that are now mostly sorted. I don't think we're favourites for the league or anything, but the current squad is on track to get 75-85 points IMO, meaning a real challenge. The form of Gabriel, Ramsey, Theo and Giroud would then decide if we can do any better than challenge.
But this discussion is silly, Benzema's coming next month. All of this will be redundant then.
But this discussion is silly, Benzema's coming next month. All of this will be redundant then.
Somebody mentioned in another thread your early form last season pretty much cost you the title, going into the season as you are could very easily rectify that which is clever from Wenger really as any title contenders need to be on their toes from the get go with Chelsea. You'll be starting the season with a settled team, with two FA cups in two years maybe it is the year Arsenal fans have been waiting for.Worth pointing out just how terrible we were until November last season, because of issues that are now mostly sorted. I don't think we're favourites for the league or anything, but the current squad is on track to get 75-85 points IMO, meaning a real challenge. The form of Gabriel, Ramsey, Theo and Giroud would then decide if we can do any better than challenge.
But this discussion is silly, Benzema's coming next month. All of this will be redundant then.
Feck me, you're right.
I never thought about this.I feel a lot less optimistic now
They still have so much flair in midfield, if they can get a top class centre forward they will be a force to reckon with. Hard to see them finishing outside top 4.
Unless we can improve and put ourselves in the mix.
Unless we can improve and put ourselves in the mix.
So top 4 for United then.
The feck? Who said anything about healthy? I'm talking about stuff that tastes good.
If Giroud can stay fit I bet he could get 20 a season to be honest.
A meat pie doesn't taste good? Get your head checked mate.
You could also add a good CM too.As it stands same top 4 probably, same order I don't know. That said we have surprised people before, have to aim for top 4 nevertheless.
Hello Grin!
Perhaps you will, I do think Wenger has a surprise up his sleeve before the window shuts though.
The Cech move was completely overblown in my opinion. He hasn't been at his best for a few years, hence being replaced eventually. Courtois is obviously one of the top goalkeepers, but it was never in doubt that he would surpass Cech. Personally don't think he will make that much of a difference for them. They still have a brilliant midfield, and a fantastic bunch of creative flair players which will no doubt win them a lot of games. Think it's consistency that will hurt them and the defence.
Surely an upgrade on Mertesacker is on the cards at some point?
I'd expect Gabby Pallister to be competing for his place from the off this season.
How is Welbeck an upgrade over Giroud? He's like a level below.
The scouts/ management are very excited about Gabriel, though he plays far more like Koscielny than Per. This season probably decides if we need a Mertesacker replacement (i.e. a defensive leader), or if Kos/Gab and a high line are going to be the defensive tactics for the next few years.