Re: 2016 Winter Transfer Rumours Mk. I

by Sri Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:09 pm

Curtinho wrote:
srigooner wrote:I really struggle with Curtinho's views sometimes. He seems to be such a strong believer in his own views that it is better not to get into a debate - only because the debates would never have an end, partly because Curtinho will refuse to budge.

Also, while I admire how much he appreciates/defends players associated with the club he loves, sometimes, he reaaaaalllly begins to stretch things.

I can definitely see where you are coming from with this. I tend to be a bit stubborn and bullish on my opinion and points that I am defending, especially when it comes to Liverpool or the Dutch. It's not intentional and when a rational discussion can be had without name calling or personal attacks I like to think if a reasonable argument is made that I will listen to it and take it into account. I just find very often these things break down pretty quickly on the forums as soon as you disagree with someone.

I have changed my mind in some cases though, and I will admit when I am wrong (as I already have in the past). I hope you didn't take my posts above to say that Aubameyang isn't having a great year or that he wouldn't be a great player for Arsenal, because he probably would and he definitely is playing great. I just meant realistically it seems like Arsenal need more help in other areas rather than blowing 60m on another striker.

Nah, was just a general observation over a few months. Especially after I also became regular-ish in the Liverpool section.

by Curtinho Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:11 pm

jibers wrote:Yes he is faster than Walcott has ever been. Auba is the fastest player I have ever seen. Walcott might have looked quicker because he is smaller but Auba is faster from what I've seen. Pre or post ACL injury

I'd love to see Auba, Robben, Bale and Walcott have a race. I think it depends too what we're measuring because ultimately acceleration is more important than actual speed (and speed with the ball at your feet). I think it might be splitting hairs either way between these guys when you're talking about pace though.

Can't imagine Aubameyang was even considered for this stuff:

http://www.totalsportek.com/list/fastest-footballers/
http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/top-ten-fastest-footballers/2

by Curtinho Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:13 pm

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

Yeah true enough, they have a very strong team, but I think their midfield and centreback situation is more important to address than their striker one. That's all.

But then if there aren't any real clear 'elite' players available at those positions they may as well buy a striker (I still think someone in the mold of Higuain or maybe even Lacazette would be better suited to them).

Cheers.

by Sri Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:13 pm

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

Bollocks.

We have a much better squad than we've had since 2007/08 or something. But there are weaknesses. Just that they aren't blatantly obvious holes anymore.

by Sri Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:14 pm

Curtinho wrote:
jibers wrote:Yes he is faster than Walcott has ever been. Auba is the fastest player I have ever seen. Walcott might have looked quicker because he is smaller but Auba is faster from what I've seen. Pre or post ACL injury

I'd love to see Auba, Robben, Bale and Walcott have a race. I think it depends too what we're measuring because ultimately acceleration is more important than actual speed (and speed with the ball at your feet). I think it might be splitting hairs either way between these guys when you're talking about pace though.

Can't imagine Aubameyang was even considered for this stuff:

http://www.totalsportek.com/list/fastest-footballers/
http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/top-ten-fastest-footballers/2

Bellerin already beat Theo's best pace records in training. Just saying.

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:22 pm

srigooner wrote:
Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

Bollocks.

We have a much better squad than we've had since 2007/08 or something. But there are weaknesses. Just that they aren't blatantly obvious holes anymore.

I wouldn't call Ozil, Ramsey, Sanchez, Cazorla, Monreal, Cech, Koscielny, Mertesacker and Bellerin weaknesses. hmm

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:25 pm

Curtinho wrote:
Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

Yeah true enough, they have a very strong team, but I think their midfield and centreback situation is more important to address than their striker one. That's all.

But then if there aren't any real clear 'elite' players available at those positions they may as well buy a striker (I still think someone in the mold of Higuain or maybe even Lacazette would be better suited to them).

Cheers.

Agree on midfield because there's less depth there overall and thus when there's an injury it's more noticable.

I think their defense is fine though.

by jibers Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:35 pm

Curtinho wrote:
jibers wrote:Yes he is faster than Walcott has ever been. Auba is the fastest player I have ever seen. Walcott might have looked quicker because he is smaller but Auba is faster from what I've seen. Pre or post ACL injury

I'd love to see Auba, Robben, Bale and Walcott have a race. I think it depends too what we're measuring because ultimately acceleration is more important than actual speed (and speed with the ball at your feet). I think it might be splitting hairs either way between these guys when you're talking about pace though.

Can't imagine Aubameyang was even considered for this stuff:

http://www.totalsportek.com/list/fastest-footballers/
http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/top-ten-fastest-footballers/2

Once I saw Rooney in the second link I closed it.

by Sri Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:38 pm

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:
srigooner wrote:
Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

Bollocks.

We have a much better squad than we've had since 2007/08 or something. But there are weaknesses. Just that they aren't blatantly obvious holes anymore.

I wouldn't call Ozil, Ramsey, Sanchez, Cazorla, Monreal, Cech, Koscielny, Mertesacker and Bellerin weaknesses.

We aren't exactly running away with the league Mole, in fact we barely scraped past our CL group Razz

Like I said, this is a good squad - more so to be able to cope with half the starters being injured. However, it's not a world beating squad - that means there are positions which can be strengthened.

Oh and midfield: we happen to have Arteta, Coquelin, Cazorla, Rosicky, and Wilshere injured. Ramsey was moved back to midfield to partner Flamini because there was nobody left to play.

We do have depth - that's how we've been coping with this injury list.

by Sri Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:40 pm

Could still do with some midfield reinforcements though.

Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky are out of contract and most likely moving on.

Santi isn't getting any younger.

Chambers is far from ready to play in a DM role. I'd rather have him as a CB anyway.

by El Gunner Thu Jan 07, 2016 7:50 pm

srigooner wrote:He's been our best finisher for a couple of years now, after RvP. That says a lot.

And that is mostly down to his decent efficiency rate as I've mentioned. But then again, like you even said, it says a lot.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

I'd agree with that if Mertesacker wasn't a drag so many few times Laughing

Now Per is good and smart, and has had nothing but a good impact overall on our defense since he joined, but we all know his weaknesses, and I think Gabriel, from what I've seen so far, can come in and do better than him. It's just a matter of when Wenger finally decides to drop Per for him.

by Sri Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:39 pm

El Gunner wrote:
Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:They don't have many weaknesses IMO outside of a top class striker, maybe a DM but that's about it.

I'd agree with that if Mertesacker wasn't a drag so many few times

Now Per is good and smart, and has had nothing but a good impact overall on our defense since he joined, but we all know his weaknesses, and I think Gabriel, from what I've seen so far, can come in and do better than him. It's just a matter of when Wenger finally decides to drop Per for him.

Will be a transition. Nothing overnight.

by McAgger Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:51 am

So is Lacazette really available for 22m?

I never understand why big clubs don't look to sign good players on the back of underwhelming seasons. They'd rather overpay for players who are coming on the back of their best season ever whose stocks are through the roof.

Would be perfect for us. Sturridge is always injured and he's the similar mold a striker we need, not Benteke. I'd gladly sell Benteke today for whoever would pay us 20m+ and jump at Lacazette.

by Mr Nick09 Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:41 am

because big clubs want to limit risk as much as they can, and there have been more players that have had a good season, then disappeared behind it that it's not worth the risk.

Lacazette is caught between a rock and a hard place. He would love to move (better in the summer) but he is so average now that only midtable clubs come for him now, not european elite; But at the same time he wants to play the euros so he needs to play.

by McAgger Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:57 am

Well signing players on the back of good seasons doesn't take away the risk that the player could flop and turn into a one season wonder. I would say the risks are about the same. It's just that clubs pay much less for the former players rather than the latter.

As far as Lacazette, it's not like this guy has turned into a scrub. He's coming on the back of 22-goal and 31-goal seasons. He's obviously having issues with his current club which are outside of football and his current form could be attributed mainly to that.

It's worth the risk imo. And I would be really displeased if Liverpool didn't show interest. Klopp obviously doesn't favor Benteke whose being benched by the likes of Origi (when fit) and Firmino (who ain't a striker).

by Sri Fri Jan 08, 2016 7:25 am

Clubs generally don't sign only on the basis of form though.

Whether we like it or not, sport analytics is a big booming field right now, only rivaled by sport medicine. And this is not purely academic - clubs work together with start-ups, universities and industry leaders alike in the space.

by Art Morte Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:21 am

I see that ~~Mole~~ some desperate Newcastle fan has edited Lacazette's wiki page to say his current club is Newcastle.

by Sri Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:27 am

by free_cat Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:31 am

It would be a good gamble to sell BentLOGke and buy Lacazette.

On Aubameyang, I really don't see why you guys rate him so much. Ok, he is scoring buckloads, but he is being mostly the Bacca of this season. 50% of his goals are tap ins. He is better than Giroud and Walcott as striker, but I wouldn't try to sign him if I was Arsenal.