(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 2)

Smash 'em all

But in all seriousness, we know the team is going to go all out in Germany, so out only hope is anything but demoralization and then we can smash sp*rs this weekend and everyone's happy. Which is obviously going to happen. Best 11 available for both matches.  

tipsters Bayern game please.

Yes. I firmly believe if we keep going the way we are till January and then strengthen with one or two quality signings we will be favourites for the title.

Perhaps. But now that we're finally all in the "walcott is a striker" camp, someone would have to go to make room - we can't really carry Giroud, Walcott and Welbeck for one role...

Personally I'd prefer if we went for a world class attacker to play on the right now, things have changed since we had these discussions pre-season. 

Still should be in the market to upgrade on Arteta/Flamini as well, although that might be one for the off-season now. 

Monreal, Campbell, Walcott, Adebayor, Eboue, Edu were a few.

Arshavin.

*applause* - excellent contribution (no sarcasm)

Buffy/Paulm you're both right, I think a couple of good recruits will go a long way. Even if we got an Arshavinesque 2 season goal scoring winger & a quality late twenties robust DMF we'd be in a good spot in the EPL, but also have the depth to kick on in cup competitions too.

Wasn't Gabriel a January buy?

Yes Gabriel was.

You'll notice a trend here too. We tend to really kick on and have an excellent second half of the season after recruiting in January. Adebayor in 06, Arshavin in 09 and Gabriel last season being three examples. 

Can see where people are coming from saying leave it for the off-season, but i really do think strengthening in Jan will be the difference.

If we are in a position to make a serious push, or hold the lead in Jan recruitment will be much easier.

Remi Garde got the Villa job. 

Wenger will usually do something significant (as in a serious first 11 signing) in January when top 4 looks in doubt. Arshavin a prime example and he virtually dragged us there on his own in the second half of that season. Adebayor was another signed when 4th looked unlikely (was Diaby signed in the same window?) and formed a good partnership with Henry. The seasons we needed a little something extra to push us onto the title, namely 07-08 and 13-14 we didn't do anything in January and then capitulated. 07-08 probably more understandable as Eduardo was just starting to fire but then the injury happened in February. There was no excuse in 13-14 however and the Kallstrom signing when we were top of the league was an insult.

I don't expect anything significant this January but priority for me is a CM. We simply cannot afford for Flamini to have to play any game that matters.

Don't forget we'll be getting new signings Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky in Jan 

;)

Haha true.

Jose Antonio Reyes!  It seemed bluddy awesome at the time!!!

Bellerin has a minor injury, not travelling to Munich. 

Guessing that will be the only change from Swansea?

Personally I would change Gabriel in for Mertesacker for this one. We could do with the extra pace and we probably won't miss Mertesacker's set piece defence/organisation against Bayern, since they take nearly everything short...

Some talk that Campbell won't be starting either. 

Apparently in training Gibbs has been on the left wing with Sanchez right.

Would also leave Campbell fresh for Spurs. He'll be more in his element in that game when he'll get more space with the ball.

Hmmmm I wouldn't change the back 4/midfield 3 too much if we don't have to for the next two games as we go straight into international break with nearly two weeks off. 

Out of our first choice defence/midfield only probably Bellerin, Mertesacker and Coquelin will get the international break off.

Probably just a matter of time before Bellerin and Coquelin get selected internationally too I reckon.

I see the Secret Footballer has said that Fabregas is the leader of the dressing room revolt at Chelsea. Hardly surprising but he's a piece of work isn't he? So glad we didn't sign him again, we don't seem to have any disruptive personalities at the moment.

Yea seemed silly at the time not to sign him, but as time goes on, Wenger is proven correct again.

#wevegotozil

Campbell does start, but Koscielny is on the bench.

                            Cech

Debuchy-Mertesacker-Gabriel-Monreal

                Coquelin-Cazorla

            Campbell-Ozil-Sanchez

                            Giroud

i reckon its awesome half our squad is permanently injured. Gives the dirt trackers a run etc. Must be the envy of every other club in the league

This is hideous. We look absolutely knackered and now we've gotta get back up for Spurs at the weekend. 

Campbell starting in the Champions League..'avin a laugh.

Thought I'd chosen a good day to work from home... hopefully the cricket will make it worthwhile!

Positive - Giroud scored & keeps his form up.

Negative - Olympiakos screwed us big time.

Hopeful - technically could make it through if Olympiakos lose to Bayern & we can beat them by enough to ensure GD.

edit - formatting

Looking forward to NLD, selection questions for me are...

1) Do we use Kosc/Gabi partnership to give Per a rest/add pace to the side?

2) Do we rush Bellerin back or give Debuchy another game?

3) Do we drop Joel & give The Jeff/Gibbs a start?

I would like to see The Jeff get some game time, he's a bit rough around the edges but has plenty of dribbling game that scares defenders.

Sharke result but frankly we were played off the park so no real complaints. Had a great couple of days in Munich, notwithstanding the score!

I hear Munich is nice, excerpt from my Oktoberfest experience:

Munich. Apparently it’s a nice city. I wouldn’t really know. Besides the train rides to the airport, my experience in Munich was contained to a 3KM radius around my hostel. For those of you who gave my travel recommendations for Munich & the many great things I should see & do, I’m sorry; but I was having way too much fun.