Arsenal FC Thread

[DBond5]

Originally Posted by Nixo10

You honestly think Diarra could replace Sagna?

He didn't say that, but Diarra coulda replaced Toure for the RB position this year, as Wenger didn't bother pushing Eboue back to his natural position.

[DBond5]

And I agree with everyone that Yaya would be a dream signing, but again, I can't see him leaving without a big cash fund.

[DBond5]

Wenger - Why Eboue's critics are wide of the mark

Arsène Wenger has leapt to the defence of Emmanuel Eboue amid criticism of the Ivorian's performances this season.


The 24-year-old has operated in a new position this term, moving forward from right back to right wing since the arrival of Bacary Sagna. Eboue's failure to find the net has prompted unfavourable comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, who eclipsed the 40-goal mark for Manchester United from a midfield role.


However, Wenger believes that Eboue's critics are wide of the mark. Speaking at a Q&A with shareholders last week the Frenchman insisted that, although Eboue's qualities are less eye-catching, they are no less important to his Arsenal side.
"If you look at the number of goals we scored you will see we are near the top of the League," said Wenger. "A team is first of all a balance, that's why I am not a fan of going into any individual case.


"You don't always play a player because he scores goals, you play him because he gives you a balance to the team. We play in a very attacking style and Eboue gives us defensive balance."


The Arsenal manager did make a comparison of his own - between Eboue and one of his illustrious predecessors on the right side of midfield.
"Ray Parlour did not score many goals on the right side of midfield," pointed out Wenger. "You look at the numbers and you will be surprised but for me he was a great player for Arsenal Football Club.


"You can not only go on the goals and assists, you must look at the efficiency of the whole team. That's why Ray Parlour was a great player for us and why Eboue helps us too.


"What counts is how many goals a team scores as a unit and how many changes we create. On that front we can compete with everybody in the League."

How can he possibly compare Eboue to Ray Parlour.

[AriseForLife]

Originally Posted by DBond5

How can he possibly compare Eboue to Ray Parlour.

Because Eboue is a good player regardless of your personal hatred of him.

[RevolutionMikE5]

He's good at RB, not RM though.

[AriseForLife]

Originally Posted by DBond5

And it's people like you who haven't been watching Gilberto this year. When he was given the oppotunity to shine and prove what he had, he became clumsy in a Titus Bramble sort of way. His passing has gone slighty down hill, and yes, his best years are behind him.

Automatic choice? Leave it out, he wasn't our automatic choice at the start of the season, neither will he be next year.

So someone who has basically been on the bench for much of the year is just supposed to come on the field and perform without missing a beat? Man please, you are being unrealistic to the nth degree.

You can't compare Gilberto this season to 2006/2007 because for one its not 2006/2007 and the team and circumstances were completely different then.

He wasn't the automatic choice at the start of the season BECAUSE HE WAS IN BRAZIL, kind of of hard to be automatic choice when you are in another country because of an extended holiday. Unlike some other midfielders he actually did play in the World Cup while Flamini stayed home and rested for the coming season.

The likelihood of Gilberto being the starter is probably 50/50 at best but if given the chance to start I would love to see him repartner Cesc in the midfield because he allows Cesc to play more freely than with Flamini.

[AriseForLife]

Originally Posted by LeoMessi19

He's good at RB, not RM though.

Why are you posting on the Arsenal boards? Don't tell me you all of a sudden support Arsenal.

He is fine at RM, and too many people are expecting him to just be world class right out of the gate and that is unrealistic. He will shine at RB once we sign an actual RM/RWM like Ben Arfa or pray that Tomas "Fragile" Rosicky becomes healthy for once in his life.

[RevolutionMikE5]

Why do Liverpool fans post on the Manc thread? Why do Arsenal fans post on the Chelsea thread?

And No, I'm not.

[AriseForLife]

Originally Posted by LeoMessi19

Why do Liverpool fans post on the Manc thread? Why do Arsenal fans post on the Chelsea thread?

And No, I'm not.

The difference is that some of those people actually know what they are talking about, you on the other hand do not. You know nothing about Arsenal other than what you read on the internet and yet you make posts as though you know about the club. I would make a safe bet that you have probably never even watched an Arsenal game have you?

[DBond5]

Originally Posted by AriseForLife

So someone who has basically been on the bench for much of the year is just supposed to come on the field and perform without missing a beat? Man please, you are being unrealistic to the nth degree.

You can't compare Gilberto this season to 2006/2007 because for one its not 2006/2007 and the team and circumstances were completely different then.

He wasn't the automatic choice at the start of the season BECAUSE HE WAS IN BRAZIL, kind of of hard to be automatic choice when you are in another country because of an extended holiday. Unlike some other midfielders he actually did play in the World Cup while Flamini stayed home and rested for the coming season.

The likelihood of Gilberto being the starter is probably 50/50 at best but if given the chance to start I would love to see him repartner Cesc in the midfield because he allows Cesc to play more freely than with Flamini.

Basically, all I'm saying is that when he has been put on to replace someone he hasn't shone in anyway possible other than showing his leadership qualities. I'll admit he's amazing at keeping the team together and is x10 the leader Gallas will ever be, but to be honest, even when he played throughout the Carling Cup he was still coming through with clumsy passing and tackling, not to mention his pace has decreased dramatically. But of course, he did make up for this a bit last Sunday against Sunderland to put Theo in.

He's 31 now and is being used as a utility man thoughout the centre of midfield and centre back. We need someone with as much energy as Flamini did, because he never stopped running and I don't remember a match where he didn't run the most meterage.

[DBond5]

Originally Posted by AriseForLife

Why are you posting on the Arsenal boards? Don't tell me you all of a sudden support Arsenal.

He is fine at RM, and too many people are expecting him to just be world class right out of the gate and that is unrealistic. He will shine at RB once we sign an actual RM/RWM like Ben Arfa or pray that Tomas "Fragile" Rosicky becomes healthy for once in his life.

You have to admit, he did perform well at right back and he it does look a more natural position for him. With Eboue's strength just behind Theo's pace they can cause damage together, and not once were they played together this season.

[DBond5]

Originally Posted by LeoMessi19

He's good at RB, not RM though.

He has performed fairly well at right mid because his crosses and pace are decent, can you actually disagree after putting Mr. VP through for that amazing shin strike?, but I'd rather have Theo's pace down the wing with Eboue at right back to back him up with his strength.

[Nixo10]

Flamini provied pace for Arsenal? You do know he played more of a defensive role right..?

Anyways about Eboue comming back to RB. If we get Arfa next season, it will be interesting how the Eboue or Sagna clears out. I personally would choose Sagna because he's been the best RB in the EPL this season hands down. Eboue is class, but i dont think he'l perform like he did 2 years ago because of the switch from RM to RB to RM to RB, it can really damage your style of play (speaking of personally experience, and yeah I am a RB). Eboue will be a sub IMO next season, thats what i would do if i was AW. I agree with Arise, Cesc + Gilberto would be a much better partnership than Cesc + Flamini when Gilberto gets his form back. Just wait for next season. FIRST OF ALL We have to see whether Yaya will be joining and im keen on him signing because he's argubly been the best CDM in Europe this season. If Yaya comes it will give Cesc more oppertunity to come forward where he can be fatal.


Our midfield for next season (I hope)

Walcott--Fabregas--Yaya/Gilberto--Ben Arfa

If Yaya doesnt come, Gilberto will be the perfect replacement. Ben Arfa is not guaranteed but if he doesnt come then we have to go back from where we started. If Teams stay as how they are right now:

--Walcott----Fabregas----Gilberto----Eboue---

Thats all i have to say for our midfield before next season.

[Scuba Steve]

I still think that bar injuries, Wenger's starting wingers would be Rosicky and Eboue. And I think thats how its going to be at the beginning of the season next year, until Rosicky gets hurt. And then Diaby will be out there in his place.

Anyways, is it bad that we are writing Hleb out of our midfield plans for next year? I mean, he is still at the club, and the gaffer seems to think he will still be there. So why don't we include him in the starting midfield. Do you guys think he is definitely gone?

[Thade2532]

Originally Posted by AriseForLife

So then why did they do better last season without him than this season with him? On paper the Barca defense was better this season, but they performed much worse this season than they did last season. If he is so good!

since Torres played for Liverpool they finish lower and didnt get as far as they did in the following season he still world class like Yaya Toure

[Superkavo_CFC]

arsenal stink

[Superkavo_CFC]

walcott stinks

[Superkavo_CFC]

adeobyor stinks

[Superkavo_CFC]

fabregas stinks

[Superkavo_CFC]

john terry rules

[Superkavo_CFC]

hleb is so bad

[Superkavo_CFC]

joe cole is so good

[thisone326]

superkavo....there is no need for your ignorance here...

i think our midfield next year will be

walcott-cesc-gil-rosicky/hleb

rosicky and hleb add a lot to the passing game, and thats what arsene goes for, so i can't see him replacing both of them unless a pick up over the summer really shines

[jpthornton66]

Originally Posted by AriseForLife

I think we need more than just a squad ST because Eduardo isn't going ot be part of this coming season and if he is it will be towards the middle for a full recovery. I don't want him rushed back at all.

Fragile Van Injury can't stay healthy to save his soul and I know that Wenger will not take a chance on Eduardo until he is 100% ready. Adebayor and Bendtner will be our only ST so we need to pray that this Gomez signing goes through because Walcott isn't ready to be a out and out ST and Ben Arfa if he comes won't be there either until he adjusts.

I dont think we are fine at RB/LB because Sagna and Clichy and Eboue are the only ones we have and Clichy is the only LB we have. Don't mention Traore to me or Djourou or any of those because I am sick of youth, we need experienced proven talent and none of those three are proven talent. I hope we are actually in the market for Albiol, Marchena, and Kompany because those three players give us unprecedented depth since they can all play numerous positions except for Albiol because he is strictly a CB.

I'm with you there Arise...we definitely need more than a squad ST.

AW just announced that Vela's work permit application was submitted, and his intention to include Vela in the 1st team next season. However, he'll probably need a couple years before he's ready for the big games. I personally don't know much about this Mario Gomez from Stuttgart...but he's got a great scoring record in the bundesliga. Whoever AW signs...I'd really like to see him break the bank one of these times. Why continue to think so small? Arsenal is a big big club...I don't see why we can't sign the occasional big name player the likes of an Eto'o, Tevez or Torres. While AW's youth policy is a breath of fresh air, and commendable...the same questions have been asked every year since the "Invincibles" went their separate ways... Is this team really deep enough? Do they have enough experience? We want to believe, "Yes they sure are"...

Heres hoping we can out bid the Manure's & Chelski's of the world for a change

[Thade2532]

if Hleb decides to call it a day with us then aswell as getting Ben Arfa we should try for Andrei Arshavin, hes a decent player almost like Hleb but with better end quality