The Arsenal FC thread

[Chaplin]

Fox Sports Channel used to do a show where they would have the game on, but the commentators would be one Arsenal fan and one fan of the other team, and they go at each other all game--it was highly entertaining. Just fans, not professional commentators.

 

[Mathew81]

Fox Sports Channel used to do a show where they would have the game on, but the commentators would be one Arsenal fan and one fan of the other team, and they go at each other all game--it was highly entertaining. Just fans, not professional commentators.

I remember that. Think it was called fanzone.

 

[slinslin]

Arsenal is not a top team in Europe, they are going down the same road as Liverpool.

Look at the players they bought.. all of them 2nd tier players like Podolski, Mertesacker, Gervinho, Giroud, Chamakh.. Those players would not get off the bench for top teams.

 

[Chaplin]

Arsenal is not a top team in Europe, they are going down the same road as Liverpool.

Look at the players they bought.. all of them 2nd tier players like Podolski, Mertesacker, Gervinho, Giroud, Chamakh.. Those players would not get off the bench for top teams.

Giroud and Mertesacker would, but certainly not the others. Podolski used to be a top-tier player, but not anymore.

The fans aren't going to let the team go the way of Liverpool, that's for sure.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I think Liverpool will be on a comeback in a year or two. I like their rebuilding plan personally.

 

[slinslin]

Giroud and Mertesacker would, but certainly not the others. Podolski used to be a top-tier player, but not anymore.

The fans aren't going to let the team go the way of Liverpool, that's for sure.

which top team would Mertesacker or Giroud play on? On many they would not even have a spot on the bench and both went to Arsenal because it was their only option.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I think Chelsea would swap Torres for Giroud in a New York minute.

 

[slinslin]

I think Chelsea would swap Torres for Giroud in a New York minute.

1. They would not.
2. Chelsea is not a top tier team.

and before you ask : Barca, Bayern, Real, Dortmund, United, (Juventus) in that order.

Maybe you could make a case that Giroud/Mertesacker could theoretically be rotation players for Juventus.

They would not even be bench players for Barca, Bayern or Real though. Maybe Mertesacker could be a 4th stringer and take van Buyten's place for Bayern but Giroud would be a 4th stringer for 1 striker spot.

Arsenal simply lacks matured talent to compete with the big teams, I don't see it on their team. Wilshere is probably the only one that would be seriously coveted by top teams.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

1. They would not.
2. Chelsea is not a top tier team.

and before you ask : Barca, Bayern, Real, Dortmund, United, (Juventus) in that order.

Maybe you could make a case that Giroud/Mertesacker could theoretically be rotation players for Juventus.

They would not even be bench players for Barca, Bayern or Real though. Maybe Mertesacker could be a 4th stringer and take van Buyten's place for Bayern but Giroud would be a 4th stringer for 1 striker spot.

Arsenal simply lacks matured talent to compete with the big teams, I don't see it on their team. Wilshere is probably the only one that would be seriously coveted by top teams.

I think that Cazorla, and Sagna would be coveted by big teams. Wilshire and Oxlade Chamberlin to a smaller extent.

 

[Dr. Jones]

1. They would not.
2. Chelsea is not a top tier team.

and before you ask : Barca, Bayern, Real, Dortmund, United, (Juventus) in that order.

Maybe you could make a case that Giroud/Mertesacker could theoretically be rotation players for Juventus.

They would not even be bench players for Barca, Bayern or Real though. Maybe Mertesacker could be a 4th stringer and take van Buyten's place for Bayern but Giroud would be a 4th stringer for 1 striker spot.

Arsenal simply lacks matured talent to compete with the big teams, I don't see it on their team. Wilshere is probably the only one that would be seriously coveted by top teams.

1. That's your opinion.
2. It's funny that you picked only 6 teams. I consider most of the Champions League qualifiers as "top teams". The 6 you mention, I think are more like "Elite" teams.

3. I think Giovinco, Vucinic, Matri, and Quagliarella are fine for Juve.

 

[Mathew81]

It's the transfer window and Arsenal seem more in need of help than ever. But all the activity is players leaving so far. Chamakh & Djourou have left on loan. They seem to be trying to get rid of Arshavin too but nobody wants to take on his salary.

They need another striker and a defensive midfielder too. Arteta has done an OK job there but it's not his natural position, plus it would allow the midfield to rotate more. Wilshere, Cazorla and Arteta can't play every game.

The whole Walcott situation still needs to be worked out too.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

It's the transfer window and Arsenal seem more in need of help than ever. But all the activity is players leaving so far. Chamakh & Djourou have left on loan. They seem to be trying to get rid of Arshavin too but nobody wants to take on his salary.

They need another striker and a defensive midfielder too. Arteta has done an OK job there but it's not his natural position, plus it would allow the midfield to rotate more. Wilshere, Cazorla and Arteta can't play every game.

The whole Walcott situation still needs to be worked out too.

I'm personally on the side that Theo is replaceable. He isn't a striker and isn't most dangerous there. Not sure if he is worth 100k a week either.

I can understand the sentiment of not wanting another star go though.

 

[Mulli]

I'm personally on the side that Theo is replaceable. He isn't a striker and isn't most dangerous there. Not sure if he is worth 100k a week either.

I can understand the sentiment of not wanting another star go though.

My problem is that there is no one to replace him. Arsenal can afford to pay theo 100 a week. They have serious dead weight on the bench they can afford to not play so try should pay Theo who can at least contribute some of the time.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

My problem is that there is no one to replace him. Arsenal can afford to pay theo 100 a week. They have serious dead weight on the bench they can afford to not play so try should pay Theo who can at least contribute some of the time.

They have Oxlade Chamberlin and Gervinho on the wings already. If they had more up front than Giroud, they wouldn't have to play him up front so much.

 

[Mulli]

They have Oxlade Chamberlin and Gervinho on the wings already. If they had more up front than Giroud, they wouldn't have to play him up front so much.

I am pretty sure that Gervais (his real name) is known to all the world as crap. And since they don't have more up front, they need to play Theo front. And having Ox will not make up for gap. Just like having Fitz didn't make up for losing Boldin. Can't keep losing best players without bringing in equal players.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I am pretty sure that Gervais (his real name) is known to all the world as crap. And since they don't have more up front, they need to play Theo front. And having Ox will not make up for gap. Just like having Fitz didn't make up for losing Boldin. Can't keep losing best players without bringing in equal players.

If they replace Theo for David Villa for example, that would be a net positive instead of a negative.

 

[Chaplin]

They have Oxlade Chamberlin and Gervinho on the wings already. If they had more up front than Giroud, they wouldn't have to play him up front so much.

Theo is small, but he's played his best soccer recently at that up front spot as a striker--a position he himself wants to play as well.

Giroud right now is simply not getting enough time while Pudolski is getting too much. Gervinho shouldn't even sniff the field.

People will talk about Arsenal needing this and that, but the same thing will happen like it does every winter--Wenger will hold the delusion that we don't need anybody and will go one with what we have.

 

[Mulli]

If they replace Theo for David Villa for example, that would be a net positive instead of a negative.

They need to sign both. Otherwise you are just moving players around instead of strengthening the squad.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

They need to sign both. Otherwise you are just moving players around instead of strengthening the squad.

Arsenal seems to be working on a fixed budget the past few years.

 

[Mulli]

Arsenal seems to be working on a fixed budget the past few years.

Ya, it is ridiculous. They have tons of cash. I should have picked Man City instead. . Kidding.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Ya, it is ridiculous. They have tons of cash. I should have picked Man City instead. . Kidding.

lol. I like Man City as well.

The 3 clubs in the BPL that I like the most are Liverpool, City, and Arsenal.

 

[Mathew81]

Theo's had by far his best season so far. In 20 games he has 14 goals and 10 assists. That's pretty good. I read a week or two ago that of all the EPL players who have at least 6 goals, he has the best shot-to-goal conversion rate. Something like 35% of his shots have been goals.

Gervinho got off to a good start this year but he has just absolutely sucked the past few months. He finishing is terrible. He's off to the African Cup of Nations again anyway. Last year he couldn't get back into the starting lineup after he got back from that tournament either.

Ox still needs to prove himself. He's not on Theo's level yet.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Ox still needs to prove himself. He's not on Theo's level yet.

Of course not. He's what 19? I have really high hopes for the kid.

 

[Mathew81]

Of course not. He's what 19? I have really high hopes for the kid.

I do too. It just seems like a lot of Arsenal fans out there think it's no big deal to lose Theo because we have Ox.

But if internet chatter is to be believed, it looks more likely that Theo will sign a new deal.

 

[Chaplin]

I do too. It just seems like a lot of Arsenal fans out there think it's no big deal to lose Theo because we have Ox.

But if internet chatter is to be believed, it looks more likely that Theo will sign a new deal.

Some people thought losing RVP wouldn't be a big deal because we had Theo. Uh oh.