I find the Casillas rumors interesting. He is a player who would genuinely challenge Sir Chesney, but because of his experience and "pedigree" (world goalkeeper of the year, 5 years straight.) wouldn't upset him too much if he replaced him as No.1.
Really if you had to say you lost your no.1 spot, when asked who to? point at Casillas people wouldn't be upset by it.
We also have to be careful, however, as our major title contenders have all signed reinforcements, while we've lost our back up GK and starting RB on free's to a rival and annoying challenger.
Yes that's true. We need to make our signings count or we're going backwards.
Although if look at the others so far...
Liverpool simply have to sign 4-5 or more players to even approach the type of depth you need to play Champions League, and despite their good early signings their first eleven will still be weaker than last season with Suarez leaving.
ManU need a right good overhaul, and they've started, but their signings are expensive and risky ones for me - these are relatively un-tested players for the premier league. Plus both so far were failed signings from last season - how much say is van Gaal getting? They may get Vermaelen from us but for me that's not making them stronger, certainly not than when they had Ferdinand/Vidic, that's for sure.
Man City have added depth so far in Fernando and Sagna, but I'd argue that neither will make their first eleven so we're looking at the same set-up next season, except Toure is all grumpy and sulky now, and Aguero seems to be injury-prone.
Chelsea to me are looking very strong having added Costa and Fabregas, although there are still question marks over Costa - last season was the first in his career where he scored more than 10 league goals... seems an odd stat for a striker with his kind of reputation...
If we get Debuchy and Sanchez over the line, and also get a decent GK and replace Vermaelen if he leaves, then I'd say we're not being overtaken by anybody and should be able to challenge for the title again. However if we sign a DMF as well, I reckon that would put us up there with the strongest squad in the EPL, alongside Man City and Chelsea.
All fair points Paulm, I just hope we see signings sooner rather than later, it's only 41 days until we kick off EPL action again!
41 days! That sounds scary!
But also very exciting!
Ramsey will be in top condition to carry us until our world cup players get up to speed :)
If we get Debuchy and Sanchez over the line, and also get a decent GK and replace Vermaelen if he leaves, then I'd say we're not being overtaken by anybody and should be able to challenge for the title again. However if we sign a DMF as well, I reckon that would put us up there with the strongest squad in the EPL, alongside Man City and Chelsea.
All of this.
Also agree on Costa. He was so average in the World Cup too, to the point I can't beleive Spain persisted with him and didn't play a style that suited. I hope, so so much, he is a flop for Chelsea. And then after Torres, it can be the club that Spanish strikers go to die.
Now being widely reported that Barca have accepted our bid for Sanchez
I'm getting all giddy over here, somebody slap me
Only some higuain-style madness can derail this now
Puma unveiling is on Friday, Debuchy and Sanchez to be presented on the day?
omigod omigod omigod omigod omigod
CHRISTMAS
I shall remain calm until I hear something concrete, but it's hard not to dream. These two coming in will be massive. Well, Sanchez coming in will be massive. As you said, if we replace like for like the players who have left, add Sanchez + a DMF good enough to take the starting spot, we're in the money.
41 days! That sounds scary!
But also very exciting!
Ramsey will be in top condition to carry us until our world cup players get up to speed :)
Our first friendly of the pre-season is only 2 weeks away. Boreham wood. 21st July
Debuchy + Sanchez + Khedira + <insert keeper here> would make for a good bit of business
Debuchy + Sanchez + Khedira + Navas would make for a good bit of business
would take Khedira but someone with a bit more pace would be handy.
Talk of Lars Bender raising its head again
Wenger's been after him for a while now
I think Khedira is great (smart footballer, tactically astute) and would do a job at DM for you guys, but not his preferred position. More a box-to-box action man, will make runs from deep into space behind the defence or drop out to the wing to pull a player out of position or as an easy ball out with little pressure. After watching the Germany v France game you could see the difference between the French midfield and Germany's, the French very much playing in zones and easy to pick up where as the Germans had far better movement and looked to create space.
Talk of Lars Bender raising its head again
Wenger's been after him for a while now
Yip saw that as well.
I think Khedira is great (smart footballer, tactically astute) and would do a job at DM for you guys, but not his preferred position. More a box-to-box action man, will make runs from deep into space behind the defence or drop out to the wing to pull a player out of position or as an easy ball out with little pressure. After watching the Germany v France game you could see the difference between the French midfield and Germany's, the French very much playing in zones and easy to pick up where as the Germans had far better movement and looked to create space.
This is a really good insight, but I'm unsure which I'd prefer. On the one hand I love our midfielders doing this. On the other I know we need someone breaking up counter attacks and if they're stuck on the right wing opening space it's hard to do!
Ozil will have a good time with Walcott and Sanchez in front of him wouldn't he!
Would Real Madrid coming in for Suarez ruin the chances of Sanchez leaving, or does he seem to be off regardless?
Trying so hard not to get excited. I don't wanna be Higuained again.
Ozil will have a good time with Walcott and Sanchez in front of him wouldn't he!
Would Real Madrid coming in for Suarez ruin the chances of Sanchez leaving, or does he seem to be off regardless?
The way I understand it is that Barcelona want Suarez, and are using the funds from Sanchez leaving to fund the sale, or using him directly in a swap with Liverpool.
Yeah, thought as much Brumbys. Just that the other scenario is not getting Suarez so not being willing to let a key player go..
Hopefully the first scenario is the one. And that this whole transfer rumour is actually a thing.
Francois Pinet reckons we have Schneiderlin and Sanchez sorted.
I'm sticking with this Pinet's Arsenal talk is good.
Still need a DM and GK, RB too if Newcastle talks go awry.
Francois Pinet reckons we have Schneiderlin and Sanchez sorted.
I'm sticking with this Pinet's Arsenal talk is good.
Still need a DM and GK, RB too if Newcastle talks go awry.
Is Schneiderlin not your DM?
yes, DM
Arteta to go, Coq goes in.
4-2-3-1, we ned 3 DM's plus getting the Ox some time there
Reports that Debuchy medical is complete, and that Barca have accepted our bid for Sanchez
It's taken me a while to warm to sanchez, for some reason I was more in favour of a ballotelli(for reasons I can no longer remember) . But now im quite excited by all this news about him. Add 2 more class signings and we could be looking alright.
Me too re: balotelli
Me now too re: sanchez!
Ozil will get the most out of Sanchez and Walcott, while Sanchez and Walcott will get the most out of Giroud. I 100% believe Giroud will have a stunning year if those two are on either side of him.
Szczesny
Debuchy BFG Koscielny Gibbs
DMF Ramsey
Ozil
Walcott Sanchez
Giroud
That would be my pick.
Add to that substitutes of Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Arteta, Rosicky, Podolski, Flamini, Gnabry, Campbell / Sanogo (1 will be loaned?) and that's a fine looking team. Isn't it?
I shall remain calm until I hear something concrete, but it's hard not to dream.
I was supposed to be remaining calm and rational, but excitement has got the better of me.
Szczesny
Debuchy BFG Koscielny Gibbs
DMF Ramsey
Ozil
Walcott Sanchez
Giroud
If that's your starting 11 you could still see this for your back up 11:
Martinez
Jenkinson Vermaelen Miquel Monreal
Arteta Wilshere
Cazorla
Ox-Cham Podolski
Campbell
Still leaving Sanogo/Gnabry/Rosicky/Flamini/Myiachi/Zelalem/Diaby out...
Pretty tasty innit lads
every day i spend an hour or two reading all the latest rumours and get more and more excited.
I'm not panicking but is Wenger about to Higuain this up?
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/487261/Ars...
Top notch player from Spain moves to Italy after we were in pole position...too familiar!
Ozil will get the most out of Sanchez and Walcott, while Sanchez and Walcott will get the most out of Giroud. I 100% believe Giroud will have a stunning year if those two are on either side of him.
Szczesny
Debuchy BFG Koscielny Gibbs
DMF Ramsey
Ozil
Walcott Sanchez
Giroud
That would be my pick.
Add to that substitutes of Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Arteta, Rosicky, Podolski, Flamini, Gnabry, Campbell / Sanogo (1 will be loaned?) and that's a fine looking team. Isn't it?
While i do like the line up....Santi would have to be a starter for me but do love the options.....would also love to see a Ox,wally and sanchez front 3 just purely for the pace factor
It's always hard to leave Santi out! Who would you take out to fit him in?
Surely sanchez will be up front rather than Olivier??
Sometimes yes, sometimes no
Horses for courses
So exited for this season . Hopefully we can actually nail down a couple of these decent sounding signings and push on from last season and get some more silverware in the cabinet
If the Sanchez deal goes south because of Juventus coming in for him, my money would then be on us going in for Angel di Maria.
I'll take di Maria any day of the week solely for his quote (which Buffy brilliantly has for a signature).
The rumour that seems to be gaining momentum is that we are in for Caudrado.
He didn't impress me much during the WC
