[cson]

Originally Posted by meriwether

But our attack consists of one of the best players in the world, and 2 really really bad ones.

That's too harsh on Walcott. He's not going to be world class but his assist and goal ratios for the past couple of seasons (taking into account time he's missed through injury) are comparable to similar players at the big clubs.

[amiable]

Originally Posted by meriwether

You've seen a bot of him then, I take it?

He certainly sounds good.

I've seen quite a bit of him.
Best way to describe him is he can tackle and break up play like Vieira but he's better on the ball.

[Frisbee]

Gervinho has put in one, maybe two, performances for us that were above average. The rest have been 'mah' or downright poison.

Yes it was his first season and he needs to adapt. But he doesn't look in any way like a footballer, he's a clogger of the highest order imo. All he had going for him was the ability to stand his man up and go past him from a standing start and then have zero end product.

Since the ACON he hasn't even been able to do that. He's not good enough to start for us, and the longer we persist with him the longer we'll suffer for it tbh. Actually tbf to him he puts in a good defensive shift too.

Him pulling out of that free header the other night because he was afraid Begovic was going to challenge him summed him up tbh.

[meriwether]

Originally Posted by cson

That's too harsh on Walcott. He's not going to be world class but his assist and goal ratios for the past couple of seasons (taking into account time he's missed through injury) are comparable to similar players at the big clubs.

I was more talking Park and Chamakh, i.e. the strikers, as opposed to Walcott.

When we had Freddie and Pires (too excellent attacking wingers) we also had Henry/Berg, plus, at various times, Kanu, Wiltord, Wreh, Boa Morte, Reyes, Suker (and, um, Franny Jeffers and Kaba Diawara).

That was a serious squad(s) with serious options and competition.

[meriwether]

Originally Posted by amiable

I've seen quite a bit of him.
Best way to describe him is he can tackle and break up play like Vieira but he's better on the ball.

He must be awesome then.

Arsene, sign him up!

[tayto lover]

Originally Posted by cson

That's too harsh on Walcott. He's not going to be world class but his assist and goal ratios for the past couple of seasons (taking into account time he's missed through injury) are comparable to similar players at the big clubs.

With the supply he had his percentages must be very low.

[tayto lover]

Originally Posted by Frisbee

Gervinho has put in one, maybe two, performances for us that were above average. The rest have been 'mah' or downright poison.

Yes it was his first season and he needs to adapt. But he doesn't look in any way like a footballer, he's a clogger of the highest order imo. All he had going for him was the ability to stand his man up and go past him from a standing start and then have zero end product.

Since the ACON he hasn't even been able to do that. He's not good enough to start for us, and the longer we persist with him the longer we'll suffer for it tbh. Actually tbf to him he puts in a good defensive shift too.

Him pulling out of that free header the other night because he was afraid Begovic was going to challenge him summed him up tbh.

Yes indeed. That and Gibbs pulling out of the 50/50 in their area really summed up some of our players.

[ImpossibleDuck]

Robben apparently refusing to sign a new contract, what say ye?

Any hope in the world?

Also, bloody delighted at the Poldi confirmation! In response to the central vs winger discussion, i think it'll be a mixture of both. If we're playing a considerably weaker team we can afford to drop a man from midfield and play two up front; It would definitely help when we can't break down teams who park the bus.

While I'm sceptical about signing M'vila, he does seem to be our only chance to sign a 'world class' player. Maybe we should just take a punt, as good as Song is, he's shaky at DM. And we could do with a good defensive anchor for when (if) Wilshere comes back.

Podolski + M'vila + consistent half-decent RB cover: doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

If we really want to show we mean business I'd say add a quality attacking midfielder to that too.

[Redzer7]

Originally Posted by ImpossibleDuck

Robben apparently refusing to sign a new contract, what say ye?

Any hope in the world?

Also, bloody delighted at the Poldi confirmation! In response to the central vs winger discussion, i think it'll be a mixture of both. If we're playing a considerably weaker team we can afford to drop a man from midfield and play two up front; It would definitely help when we can't break down teams who park the bus.

While I'm sceptical about signing M'vila, he does seem to be our only chance to sign a 'world class' player. Maybe we should just take a punt, as good as Song is, he's shaky at DM. And we could do with a good defensive anchor for when (if) Wilshere comes back.

Podolski + M'vila + consistent half-decent RB cover: doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

If we really want to show we mean business I'd say add a quality attacking midfielder to that too.

Imagine that...

Robben - Van Persie - Podolski
M'Villa - Song
Gibbs - Koscieiny - Vermaelen - Sagna
Chesney

Some team that'd be!

[Oranage2]

Great new about Podolski but I think he's play slightly wide.

We have so many players who can play central midfield that i think it will be hard for Wenger not to play the 4-5-1 (4-3-3) formation.

Arteta, Rosicky, Diaby, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere and young players like Coq, Fringpong plus some I'm forgetting.

As for Gervinho I think he's a donkey. Decent at beating players from a stop start but that's it, I dont know how many times i've seen him fluff at the ball inside the box.

Not sure if we need M'villa, I havent watched much of him and I cant remember Wenger ever splashing the cash on a defensive mid, too much hype anyway for him to come.

[nuxxx]

If ye can hold onto RVP and get Wilshere fit I think Arsenal will be strong title contenders next season without doubt, Podolski is a excellent player and will make your attacking play much more efficient. You also got really solid defenders, Vermalean, Kos, Mert, Sagna and Gibbs if he can keep fit will be excellent. He's been very solid lately. I agree with whats been said about Gervinho never looked like a proper player Luckily you have a little gem in the Ox!

[Mr Blobby]

Originally Posted by Redzer7

Imagine that...

Robben - Van Persie - Podolski
M'Villa - Song
Gibbs - Koscieiny - Vermaelen - Sagna
Chesney

Some team that'd be!

Not really....... your missing a player

I think this would help.

Podolski - Van Persie - Robben
- Wilshire -
M'Villa - Song
Gibbs - Koscieiny - Vermaelen - Sagna
Chesney

[Redzer7]

Originally Posted by blobby360

Not really....... your missing a player

I think this would help.

Podolski - Van Persie - Robben
- Wilshire -
M'Villa - Song
Gibbs - Koscieiny - Vermaelen - Sagna
Chesney

That was my original idea
Knew it was missing something .

[tipp_Gunner]

Originally Posted by cson

Did you see Gervinho on Saturday? Worst player on the pitch.

Initially I was all for giving the guy a chance but the more I see him the more I'm coming around to Frisbee's line of thinking. The guy isn't cut out for EPL. He's a Fifa Street footballer is the best you could say about him.

Give him time i reckon. he has more or less played on the wing and seems to be good at holding the ball up. just needs to work on the final delivery. Hleb needed a year or so owing to the physicality of the EPL

[ImpossibleDuck]

Not sure we can afford to be giving Gervihno time, he's showed, in my opinion, that he's not cut out for the Premier League.