Since they sold clichy to city, nasri likely to make the same move and fabregas going "home" to barcelona, arsenal have just lost 3 of their possibly best players. Whats worse is they have been (apart from nasri) at the clubs since teenagers and finally reaching a respectable age.

I hope for Arsenal´s sake that wenger actually buy players thats not under 20 to replace them, because then the "young team" cycle is starting all over again

Gervinho was a good acquisition so they are already on a good foot. But they definitely need a major purchase to remain contenders.

Even if they sell Nasri and we "officially" get cesc (or we get THE biggest falling through of a deal ever) they still have Wilshere and RVP, who I guess its worth mentioning gave us the most trouble last year in the CL. More than Madrid, and Man U. Cesc actually helped us, lol.

We are going through a transition phase yet again, no doubt. But it would be very unwise of any team to underestimate our squad and the quality of the players in it, not just Wilshere or RvP.

I wonder what the current AFC players think. Arguably their best player and captain in Cesc, and Nasri/Clichy gone... they're going to be asking Arsene questions.

Arsenal should go back to 4-4-2.

Szczęsny

Sagna-----Djouru---------Vermaelen----- Gibbs


-------------Wilshere-----Song----------------
Walcott-----------------------------Gervinho
-------------------Ramsey--------------------

---------------Robin Van Persie---------------

Anyone think this will work?

I'd personally switch Wilshere and Ramsey. Look's good though.

kiranr wrote:Arsenal should go back to 4-4-2.

Szczęsny

Sagna-----Djouru---------Vermaelen----- Gibbs


-------------Wilshere-----Song----------------
Walcott-----------------------------Gervinho
-------------------Ramsey--------------------

---------------Robin Van Persie---------------

Anyone think this will work?

Its the same, just that you have pushed the wingers into midfield..

4-4-2 would be more like:

Szczesny/Fabianski

Sagna--Koscielny/Djourou--Vermaelen--Gibbs

Ramsey--Wilshere--Song--Lansbury

--Walcott/Gervinho/Arshavin--RvP--

With RvP a little higher up than the SS..

ynwa wrote:I'd personally switch Wilshere and Ramsey. Look's good though.

Wilshere, to me, seems to be more of a fighter than Ramsey. That is why i have him deeper than Ramsey.

Isn't this basically the same as a 4-2-3-1 ? O.o

Yeah, it's basically a 4231/4411. :geek:

srigooner wrote:

kiranr wrote:Arsenal should go back to 4-4-2.

Szczęsny

Sagna-----Djouru---------Vermaelen----- Gibbs


-------------Wilshere-----Song----------------
Walcott-----------------------------Gervinho
-------------------Ramsey--------------------

---------------Robin Van Persie---------------

Anyone think this will work?

Its the same, just that you have pushed the wingers into midfield..

4-4-2 would be more like:

Szczesny/Fabianski

Sagna--Koscielny/Djourou--Vermaelen--Gibbs

Ramsey--Wilshere--Song--Lansbury

--Walcott/Gervinho/Arshavin--RvP--

With RvP a little higher up than the SS..

Ramsey in the wings? Has he played there?

I have not seen Lansbury, so i do not know about him to comment on that.

Walcott and Gervinho does not seem to have ball control like Ramsey. Plus his eye for the final pass is very good. That is why i put him in SS and Walcott and Gervinho on the wings.

Arshavin would do well in the SS position.

Basically, i want Wenger to switch back to his counter-attacking style he had in the Bergkamp days. That would solve a lot of the issues with the defense. Walcott's and Gervinho's speed would be perfect for the counter attacking setup.

This was my idea for the line-up.

Iceman wrote:Isn't this basically the same as a 4-2-3-1 ? O.o

Look above. I basically want Walcott and Gervinho to stay a little deeper, which will draw the opponents out and they will have space to run into...

If Wenger doesn't buy quality players with the cash he gets from Nasri and Cesc, he should be sacked. Ever since David Dein left in 2007, Arsenal have been shite on the transfer market.

But this already happens naturally. Wingers track back and so, by default, end up dropping deeper which gives them space for their runs. Whenever we're defending or counter-attacking, you'll notice that Walcott starts behind the half-way line. It doesn't matter where you place them in your diagram haha

Iceman wrote:But this already happens naturally. Wingers track back and so, by default, end up dropping deeper which gives them space for their runs. Whenever we're defending or counter-attacking, you'll notice that Walcott starts behind the half-way line. It doesn't matter where you place them in your diagram haha

Of course, it does not matter.

The wingers is just one aspect really. I would like Wilshere and Song to stay back a litte too. None of the Song or Wilshere joining in the attack and when attacking, they should move the ball vertically and quickly....

kiranr wrote:

Iceman wrote:But this already happens naturally. Wingers track back and so, by default, end up dropping deeper which gives them space for their runs. Whenever we're defending or counter-attacking, you'll notice that Walcott starts behind the half-way line. It doesn't matter where you place them in your diagram haha

Of course, it does not matter.

The wingers is just one aspect really. I would like Wilshere and Song to stay back a litte too. None of the Song or Wilshere joining in the attack and when attacking, they should move the ball vertically and quickly....

Move the ball vertically?? You mean into the air and back?

Its true that a lot of gunners would like to see Song just stay back, but I have to admit that his productivity and use up-front is very underrated amongst us all.

Iceman wrote:Its true that a lot of gunners would like to see Song just stay back, but I have to admit that his productivity and use up-front is very underrated amongst us all.

You lose a lot defensively.

The change in strategy is to get Arsenal playing like before when Bergkamp was around. I feel you have the players for that now...

Iceman wrote:Its true that a lot of gunners would like to see Song just stay back, but I have to admit that his productivity and use up-front is very underrated amongst us all.

Which is why i would buy a DM that just protects the back 4 and move song to a b2b mid, ok it means Wilshere or Ramsey wont play.

But i think in the long run it will be better for Arsenal, as i consider the protection the midfield gives thier back 4 one of thier biggest issues.

I wouldn't trust Gibbs tbh although if he is the first choice, this season could be a good learning curve for him and hopefully he'll improve ten fold so he'll be a good backup for Cash in the Euros

I understand this wil result in players as ramsey, gibbs etc will get more playing time, but is it really a good idea for arsenal to rely on that?

IMO if arsenal want to get a UCL spot they need a quality left back and a quality CM wich is above 20. They cant afford a rebuilding process with the likes of city having the squad they have and tottenham pushing for more UCL football. Not to mention the rejuvenated liverpool of dalglish

Arsenal need a backup CB. a better LB than Gibbs, and a backup ST to be ready for the next season

Immaculate_Mole wrote:

Iceman wrote:Its true that a lot of gunners would like to see Song just stay back, but I have to admit that his productivity and use up-front is very underrated amongst us all.

Which is why i would buy a DM that just protects the back 4 and move song to a b2b mid, ok it means Wilshere or Ramsey wont play.

But i think in the long run it will be better for Arsenal, as i consider the protection the midfield gives thier back 4 one of thier biggest issues.

I actually find myself agreeing with you here. I think it would be better if Song moves to a B2B role but he doesn't offer as much as Ramsey or Wilshere going forward.

This new beginning should have happened last summer.

Cesc was never himself since barca players gave him a blow job in WC.

Now, we have to strengthen in defense and a pure striker.

We have enough wingers, central midfielders, etc.