Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2011/2012

tayto lover · 03-08-2012 11:12am

meriwether wrote: »

Song is poor defensively.

His attacking attributes are now no longer needed with Santa, Arteta, a returnign Wilshere (fingers crossed) and Ramsey and Ox emerging at a rate of knots.

Cash in and replace with a proper DM if available. M'Vila, I suppose, if he's as good as he's made out to be.

Song and Walcott would, if sold, sell for more than they are worth.

Song has the best engine on the team and covers more ground than anyone. If he has any defensive frailties then it's caused by constantly having to cover up for the mistakes/laziness of others.

03-08-2012 11:15am

tayto lover wrote: »

Song has the best engine on the team and covers more ground than anyone. If he has any defensive frailties then it's caused by constantly having to cover up for the mistakes/laziness of others.

Agreed, he can do the JOB of a DMC, it's just he tends to get sucked into attack mode more often then can't really protect the back four when a break is on.
With Cazorla coming in, you would hope that means he's told to stay and cover.

meriwether · 03-08-2012 11:18am

tayto lover wrote: »

Song has the best engine on the team and covers more ground than anyone. If he has any defensive frailties then it's caused by constantly having to cover up for the mistakes/laziness of others.

Look at Norwich last season. For the third goal we conceded, he was jogging back into position while Norwich broke and scored.

Its not good enough.
His Hollywood passes to RVP is all well and good - thats not his job. His job is DM, and he doesn't do his primary responsibility effectively enough.

We need another Bertie Silva.

meriwether · 03-08-2012 11:19am

RVP 11 wrote: »

Agreed, he can do the JOB of a DMC, it's just he tends to get sucked into attack mode more often then can't really protect the back four when a break is on.
With Cazorla coming in, you would hope that means he's told to stay and cover.

Valid point.

Soups123 · 03-08-2012 11:21am

Song really doesnt get the credit he deserves in here. When he is asked to play the DM role he breaks up play superbly, his engine is great and he can distribute, last year I think he was asked to play more advanced at times especially when Arteta plays. You have to realise when you have the formation we have he is 1 of only 6 players thats defends outside of the back 5. Thats a lot of ground.

I'd be fairly pissed if he goes

03-08-2012 11:23am

meriwether wrote: »

Look at Norwich last season. For the third goal we conceded, he was jogging back into position while Norwich broke and scored.

Its not good enough.
His Hollywood passes to RVP is all well and good - thats not his job. His job is DM, and he doesn't do his primary responsibility effectively enough.

We need another Bertie Silva.

I agree totally with you, it's not good enough.
Unfortunately though it must be good enough for Wenger, which has always baffled me.
But as we just agreed on, Carzorla (hopefully) will change all that.
And if Song does hold the DMC position and do it properly, he will get all the credit he deserves.

tayto lover · 03-08-2012 11:27am

meriwether wrote: »

Look at Norwich last season. For the third goal we conceded, he was jogging back into position while Norwich broke and scored.

Its not good enough.
His Hollywood passes to RVP is all well and good - thats not his job. His job is DM, and he doesn't do his primary responsibility effectively enough.

We need another Bertie Silva.

If only we knew what instructions he got from Wenger !!!
I've seen Theo, Rosicky, Arteta and even RVP fail to track back after losing the ball but each time Song covered for all of them. Maybe on the occasions you mentioned he was completely fcuked doing it and could have done with help. I think he is very strong and whole-hearted, a trait/character you could not attribute to many over the last number of years.

03-08-2012 11:30am

tayto lover wrote: »

If only we knew what instructions he got from Wenger !!!
I've seen Theo, Rosicky, Arteta and even RVP fail to track back after losing the ball but each time Song covered for all of them. Maybe on the occasions you mentioned he was completely fcuked doing it and could have done with help. I think he is very strong and whole-hearted, a trait/character you could not attribute to many over the last number of years.

That's the thing, nearly all of them are guilty of it at some stage, but that's even more of a reason to tell your bullish midfielder to hang back as it happens a lot.
It must be an acceptable risk to Wenger, but hey as long as it works, no complaints.:)

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 11:35am

meriwether wrote: »

His job is DM

Says who?

Song plays a box to box role for us. We don't play with a DM, and if anything Arteta plays the deepest of our midfield trio.

03-08-2012 11:42am

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

We don't play with a DM.

Which is why we concede on the counter so often.

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 11:46am

Nah, don't agree. Teams utilising specialist DMs aren't very common these days.

03-08-2012 11:58am

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Nah, don't agree. Teams utilising specialist DMs aren't very common these days.

But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be more effective in our setup to have one.

Redzer7 · 03-08-2012 11:59am

Hopefully we get the Cazorla and Sahin, makes Fifa 13 career mode even better

Mickeroo · 03-08-2012 12:06pm

Couple of positive articles on f365, one about Cazorla and the other about the squad in general.

"We have a couple of signings, more players who can score goals," said an excited Wojciech Szczesny (whose comments about Steve Bould's work with the Gunners defence should perhaps raise the biggest cheer). If Robin van Persie is still miraculously at Arsenal when the Premier League season begins in less than three weeks' time, he will be joined by Giroud, Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Miyaichi, Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh as attacking options, as well as Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta who can all play further up the pitch. Add possible signing Santi Cazorla into the mix and this looks like a very different Arsenal squad than the one that started 2011/12.

Those who still complain about Arsenal's lack of ambition need only look at that list - comfortably among the Premier League's top four squads along with the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea. While just down the road, Tottenham have one senior striker in Jermain Defoe, Gooners should look at their own embarrassment of attacking riches with more than a little smugness.

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 12:08pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be more effective in our setup to have one.
The fact that we were linked to M'Vila shows Wenger recognises the need for having one.

Being linked doesn't necessarily mean anything; I doubt we have any interest in M'Vila now, although maybe that'll change if Song goes.

An M'Vila heatmap (don't know which game): http://thinkfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MV-heat.png

A Song heatmap (1-0 win over Man City): http://thinkfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Song-heat.png

Having a dedicated DM might stop us shipping so many goals but it'd certainly reduce the number of goals we scored too.

If you look at last season's F & A columns, there isn't really any difference in the gap between us and City/United offensively or defensively: we scored 15 less than United and 19 less than City, while we conceded 16 more than United and 20 more than City.

No dfference really, especially when you consider that the signings of Arteta and Mertesacker in particular contributed to us gradually improving defensively throughout the course of the season, so I don't see any need to make a marked tactical shift in our attack/defence emphasis.

03-08-2012 12:53pm

Apparently City have offered to pay 70k a week to Adebayor on top of Spurs offer of 100k a week and now Adebayor has said he wants the transfer fee of £4m or £5m now aswell.:pac:
City have threatened to put him in reserves if he stops the move.

Marty McFly · 03-08-2012 1:05pm

Caen president confirms we have made another offer for Niang, but also say theres two clubs in England and one in Italy who are interested in him and could be two weeks before its resolved.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1129419/arsenal--table-offer-for-caen-forward-m%27baye-niang?cc=5739

Along with Mourinho confirming Sahin can leave, with rumours of an option to buy on the loan being agreed at 17 million on twitter well wait and see.

http://aggbot.com/Arsenal-News/77/article/17483156

emergingstar · 03-08-2012 1:10pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Apparently City have offered to pay 70k a week to Adebayor on top of Spurs offer of 100k a week and now Adebayor has said he wants the transfer fee of £4m or £5m now aswell.:pac:
City have threatened to put him in reserves if he stops the move.

Hope they stuck him in the reserved

I seen today medria who was been groomed for big things with us until he forced a move out is on trial with a Spanish second division

Grass ain't always greener

03-08-2012 1:14pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Apparently City have offered to pay 70k a week to Adebayor on top of Spurs offer of 100k a week and now Adebayor has said he wants the transfer fee of £4m or £5m now aswell.:pac:
City have threatened to put him in reserves if he stops the move.

His greed never ceases to amaze me. Wenger has brought some terrific players to the premier league but i have to say while he is a good judge of player i have to wonder about some of the characters he brought to the league. That said id say Ada is a smiling assassin. Full of bull and false promises until he has 1 year of his contract left.

Seems as if Santi Caz is coming to town but it would appear he could possibly be a replacement for Song. In fairness to Song he hasnt whinged or cribbed or looked for a huge payrise once in the 7 years he has been at Arsenal. He has played anywhere he was asked to play and took alot of criticism from pundits and fans alike. It would be some blow if he left.

Marty McFly · 03-08-2012 1:16pm

emergingstar wrote: »

Hope they stuck him in the reserved

I seen today medria who was been groomed for big things with us until he forced a move out is on trial with a Spanish second division

Grass ain't always greener

Yeh read that earlier aswell, Athletico have released him. Such a wasted talent really I remember big things were expected of him when he first arrived at Arsenal. Wenger saw him on a par with Fabregas.

Mickeroo · 03-08-2012 1:26pm

Marty McFly wrote: »

Yeh read that earlier aswell, Athletico have released him. Such a wasted talent really I remember big things were expected of him when he first arrived at Arsenal. Wenger saw him on a par with Fabregas.

He was immense if football manager too

Mr Blobby · 03-08-2012 1:27pm

Deleted User wrote: »

His greed never ceases to amaze me. Wenger has brought some terrific players to the premier league but i have to say while he is a good judge of player i have to wonder about some of the characters he brought to the league. That said id say Ada is a smiling assassin. Full of bull and false promises until he has 1 year of his contract left.

Seems as if Santi Caz is coming to town but it would appear he could possibly be a replacement for Song. In fairness to Song he hasnt whinged or cribbed or looked for a huge payrise once in the 7 years he has been at Arsenal. He has played anywhere he was asked to play and took alot of criticism from pundits and fans alike. It would be some blow if he left.

I doubt that Cazorla is a replacement for Song, since they both play in different positions.
If anything i'd say if we do loan Nuri Sahin then that'll be his replacement.

tayto lover · 03-08-2012 1:30pm

blobby360 wrote: »

I doubt that Cazorla is a replacement for Song, since they both play in different positions.
If anything i'd say if we do loan Nuri Sahin then that'll be his replacement.

Why would Wenger sell Song?
He is one of our best players and has not asked to leave. He was probably the first name on the team sheet last season. His strength and ball retention are second to nobody else.

Marty McFly · 03-08-2012 1:32pm

Reports saying the delay in the Cazorla transfer is that Malaga are in such a mess no ones quite sure who has to sign off on the transfer. Find that hard to believe but you never know with the way that the club seems to be going.

Mickeroo · 03-08-2012 1:32pm

blobby360 wrote: »

I doubt that Cazorla is a replacement for Song, since they both play in different positions.
If anything i'd say if we do loan Nuri Sahin then that'll be his replacement.

Wouldn't say replacement, more back-up/competition which can only be a good thing imo.

03-08-2012 2:19pm

tayto lover wrote: »

Why would Wenger sell Song?
He is one of our best players and has not asked to leave. He was probably the first name on the team sheet last season. His strength and ball retention are second to nobody else.

I can't see Wenger selling him, but that might change if Barca offered £20m or so.

03-08-2012 2:21pm

emergingstar wrote: »

Grass ain't always greener

In relation to Arsenal, the grass is NEVER greener.:D

Reekwind · 03-08-2012 2:41pm

tayto lover wrote: »

Why would Wenger sell Song?
He is one of our best players and has not asked to leave

I imagine that that will change if Barca make a bid

Mr Blobby · 03-08-2012 3:01pm

Personally I'd prefer Song to stay and instead get a back up for Sagna.

He's had two serious injuries already in last season alone.

If we got a back up for him we'd be set, because Jenkinson isn't ready and Id
prefer Coquelin to become better suited in midfield rather than having to play RB

jank · 03-08-2012 3:09pm

tayto lover wrote: »

If only we knew what instructions he got from Wenger !!!
I've seen Theo, Rosicky, Arteta and even RVP fail to track back after losing the ball but each time Song covered for all of them. Maybe on the occasions you mentioned he was completely fcuked doing it and could have done with help. I think he is very strong and whole-hearted, a trait/character you could not attribute to many over the last number of years.

Why would RVP be tracking back, he is the main forward threat, no use if he is in our half.

tayto lover · 03-08-2012 3:13pm

jank wrote: »

Why would RVP be tracking back, he is the main forward threat, no use if he is in our half.

He should make some effort to get possession back. He doesn't have to go into our half to do that just chase the player and force him to get rid of it and he might give it back to us in his haste.
Remember Jack -- "put them under pressure".

jank · 03-08-2012 3:31pm

tayto lover wrote: »

He should make some effort to get possession back. He doesn't have to go into our half to do that just chase the player and force him to get rid of it and he might give it back to us in his haste.
Remember Jack -- "put them under pressure".

So you want Arsenal to play football from the 80's? Pump it long and all that.

tayto lover · 03-08-2012 3:34pm

jank wrote: »

So you want Arsenal to play football from the 80's? Pump it long and all that.

No. Just to try and retrieve the lost possession. It could prevent goals against us which is the object of keeping possession. Don't the Spaniards and Barca give themselves 5 secs to get possession back and it works for them.

03-08-2012 3:34pm

jank wrote: »

So you want Arsenal to play football from the 80's? Pump it long and all that.

LOL.
Its ok for Song to leave huge gaps in the midfield, but it's unforgivable for our only attacking threat not to chase back.:D

gosplan · 03-08-2012 3:44pm

Reekwind wrote: »

I imagine that that will change if Barca make a bid

I don't buy any of this Song to Barca stuff tbh.

Why would Wenger go and implement his best off season ever just then to turn around and sell Song leaving to Barca leaving us with Coq(young and unproven), Wilshire(currently seriously injured), Rosicky(perma injured) and Arteta(prone to injuries) to fill two positions. We'd actually be forced to start the season with Cow and Arteta and no-one else for those two positions, thereby making a mockery of all the good work done in the transfer market with regard to the more forward positions.

Of course, the options would be stronger if we got Sahin or M'Vila but I thin Wenger's been burned a few times in teh last couple of seasons with regard to transfers relying on other transfers and at the very least there'll be no negotiations for Song until we're stronger in CMF. F

Realistically though, I'd say it's just Barca mouthing off. Song's got a few years on his Arsenal contract and he's still very young. Added to that he won't make the Barca first team in the next couple of years.

Galvasean · 03-08-2012 4:30pm

Carzola, Niang, Sahin....

Mr Blobby · 03-08-2012 4:36pm

Looks like Carzola is here.

@Arinse_Uade:

Good to see Santi Carzola at the training ground today #afc

Arinse Uade is a youth player for Arsenal and is in the U17 Nigeria team.

I think everyone can now believe that he's here....

HazDanz · 03-08-2012 4:41pm

blobby360 wrote: »

Looks like Carzola is here.

@Arinse_Uade:

Good to see Santi Carzola at the training ground today #afc

Arinse Uade is a youth player for Arsenal and is in the U17 Nigeria team.

I think everyone can now believe that he's here....

Lol I still won't believe it until I see him in an Arsenal Jersey!

Galvasean · 03-08-2012 4:48pm

Deleted User wrote: »

His greed never ceases to amaze me. Wenger has brought some terrific players to the premier league but i have to say while he is a good judge of player i have to wonder about some of the characters he brought to the league.

I honestly think Adebayor was corrupted by money. He used to be such a fun loving and wacky character. Once he got rich and famous he turned into an egotistical narcissist.

blobby360 wrote: »

Looks like Carzola is here.

@Arinse_Uade:

Good to see Santi Carzola at the training ground today #afc

Arinse Uade is a youth player for Arsenal and is in the U17 Nigeria team.

I think everyone can now believe that he's here....

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 5:16pm

van Persie (and also Bendtner) refused to have his photo taken for the website for the new season.

Nice one, 'Captain'.

shano_88 · 03-08-2012 5:20pm

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

van Persie (and also Bendtner) refused to have his photo taken for the website for the new season.

Nice one, 'Captain'.

Where did you hear that?

Disgraceful if true.

HazDanz · 03-08-2012 5:22pm

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

van Persie (and also Bendtner) refused to have his photo taken for the website for the new season.

Nice one, 'Captain'.

Fcuk it, we'll Photoshop in two troll faces to accommodate the lads.

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 5:23pm

shano_88 wrote: »

Where did you hear that?

Disgraceful if true.

Friend of mine; if you look at the new photos on gettyimages you can clearly see that both van Persie and Bendtner's headshots from last season have been photoshopped onto Mertesacker's body.

Galvasean · 03-08-2012 5:40pm

Why Per though, because he's a tank?

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 5:41pm

Tall, skinny white boys all.

shano_88 · 03-08-2012 5:45pm

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Friend of mine; if you look at the new photos on gettyimages you can clearly see that both van Persie and Bendtner's headshots from last season have been photoshopped onto Mertesacker's body.

Couldn't find the photos but as I said if its true it's horribly unprofessional.

Also, I see United are linked with Sahin now as well. Would be a great signing for either team but probably would improve United more than us.

Pepe LeFrits · 03-08-2012 5:49pm

I think the opposite, we need him badly; he's class and it'll be Ramsey/Diaby otherwise.

shano_88 · 03-08-2012 5:56pm

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

I think the opposite, we need him badly; he's class and it'll be Ramsey/Diaby otherwise.

Tbh, I haven't seen much of him play. From what I've heard he sounds class. Looks like a great tackler from some of his YouTube videos.

I just think Uniteds midfield is weaker than ours currently and he would improve them more than us. If he does come to Arsenal we are gonna have serious strength and depth in that department next year.

03-08-2012 6:20pm

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/7959200/Diaby-hails-Arteta

Diaby relishing playing with Arteta
Hope the make a good partnership

Marty McFly · 03-08-2012 6:27pm

Just watched this video and it depressed the **** out of me

, cant wait to see him back in an Arsenal shirt. My favorite player of the current crop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKHyma9Dp7w

Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2011/2012

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