How well will Arsenal do this upcoming season?

I think he gave Diaby a new contract because Diaby is a massive talent and had faith in him like he did with van Persie, while Song was just a player who you can replace quite easily... besides Song wanted to move as soon as Barcelona knocked on the door.

Raptorgunner wrote:Last year when Song and Arteta were playing I dont remember losing a game, why change that?

Are you serious? Both played together all season and Song was proved to be a liability defensively, just look how much better we were when Diaby and Arteta were playing in the beginning of this season and compare it with Song last season.

Song can be replaced... my only problem is giving Diaby too much faith but I don't mind keeping him as long as we get someone else who can play there instead of him, and that's not Wilshere IMO. Arsenalfaithful gave another example who we can get there's Wanyama aswell, but I'm not completely sold on him yet.

Last year we turn it around when we demolished Spuds at home, I just hope this year we can do the same.

Our season starts this week.

The only reason we're struggling without Song is that he had those game changing assists in him, his overall game was pretty flawed though.

The thing is, we never replaced that creativity within the team.

We saw that in the last games that with Walcott back in the mix, we don't look lost in offense, but our defensive side has really underperformed.

The thing is finding the right balance between the two, that should be Wenger's job.

Wenger has to change is substitution time, tired of waiting for the 77/88 min subs.

If a player is not playing well in the first half 10m in to second half he should be replaced.

If Wenger did make subs early we could have turn few results our way.

I am just sick of coming up with excuses as to why our team is not performing. As the cliche goes, I want my Arsenal back. But I have a feeling we will have a block buster deal this winter.

Rev wrote:The only reason we're struggling without Song is that he had those game changing assists in him, his overall game was pretty flawed though.

The thing is, we never replaced that creativity within the team.

We saw that in the last games that with Walcott back in the mix, we don't look lost in offense, but our defensive side has really underperformed.

The thing is finding the right balance between the two, that should be Wenger's job.

no we miss Song badly.. His physical strength more than his assists.. Our current midfield is getting bullied by even Norwich and West Ham.. Arteta, Cazorla, Wilshere and Coquelin.. Too lightweight.. Difficult to win balls or hold possession against physical team/players.. And last season we didnt need to create many chances.. Any chance created, RVP puts it in the net.. We need a physical presence in midfield.. A strong defensive midfielder or b2b like Diaby will do..

Raptorgunner wrote:Last year we turn it around when we demolished Spuds at home, I just hope this year we can do the same.

Our season starts this week.

yes.. Sczeny back should improve the defence.. Doubt whether Sczenys injury can be pointed out as a reason for our poor defensive performances.. Sczeny will organise the defence better and will come forward to catch the ball which would make things easier than defence.. With Mannone even though he makes good saves, how often we see corners and crosses getting punched out ?
And Gibbs and even Rosicky may be back.. So we are ready to start..
If Rosicky is fit i would certainly start him.. I feel Cazorla is not a player who takes on players and he often drifts wide reducing our play through the centre in the final third.. So play Rosicky centrally and move Cazorla to right or left..

Szczesny's confident presence just makes me feel more secure even though he allowed some screamers last year. His sharp reflexes show his potential though, (double save in Kuyt's penalty, Wolves header save). He just needs maturity.

I think we've learned that Mannone just doesn't have what it takes to be Arsenal's number one. He could be a decent keeper for a midtable club but you can't concede a 12 yard header.