re: Arsenal 2012/2013 Season Long Thread

I would definitely take the following before Kos:

Lescott
Kompany
Agger
Vidic
Verm
Terry

I might put any of the following before Kos:

Coloccini
Cahill
Luiz
Heitinga
Jagielka
Skrtel
Per

(I'm probably missing someone. On my phone)

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Means very little. Skrtel led the league in multiple categories, but he isn't a top CB.

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Beast, you'd should know by now, stats mean EVERYTHING on this board.

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Beast, you'd should know by now, stats mean EVERYTHING on this board.

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To be fair, stats can assist an argument in a major way at times. The only problem is that the "most tackles, interceptions" statistics weigh so heavily on the tactics of the team. In a squad without a strong defensive midfielder, the CBs will benefit and make more tackles. Also, a team who is possession minded will also skew those defensive categories in someone else's favor.

So while they are good indicators of a players strengths, it's unfair to base an argument on them.

I'm not saying it's the ends all, but when stats reinforce what I've watched for the past year plus, I pay attention. His stats are likely influenced by the fact he had to clean up for the less mobile Per and marauding TV5 whose risks leave us hanging frequently.

I agree with crazy, he still struggles with powerful strikers at times but has definitely improved in that area. I'd rate Kompany, Agger, and a healthy Vidic (though that's far gone) over him. He's in the same tier as those others you've mentioned. I'd say he's better but it's impossible to prove definitively.

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Lescott is much better in the air, as well as better on the ground IMO. His tackle % from last year was pretty ridiculous.

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Kos is pretty superb on the ground. Lescott generally plays in a deeper line, and is a last ditch defender. He'd struggle significantly in a high line as would lots of other very good CB's. Kos plays in a high line, and usually uses body position to prevent the striker from receiving the ball. He has speed rare for a CB. His reading of the game is pretty good as well.

I also don't think we should underrate how poor Lescott is on the ball. For a team that dominates possession as much as Man City do, that is fairly detrimental to their overall game.

Kos is our best CB. Vermaelen makes too many mistakes but now he is our Captain so he won't be dropped. Wenger should have just made Arteta Captain.

In a league where small, quick playmakers and strikers are becoming more common, I think his skill set is incredibly useful.

TV5 is the one I worry about when it comes to disasters.

He's made one real mistake this season, the Torres goal.

I just don't see that. Thought there wasn't much more he could have done there with the manner in which that was whipped in.

Regardless, whether it's one or two is kind of pointless considering it's less than TV5 has made.

To be honest, I'm a little confused by your reasons for not rating him. Undersized height wise? He's 6'1 which is within an inch (more or less) of all those you mentioned outside of Per, Kompany, Agger, Skrtel and Heitinga. His build isn't bulky and he is a bit weaker than some of those. I also think some of those you mentioned have equal, if not more, capability for disaster. I think Kos still deals with the stigma from his first season, particularly the Birmingham miscue.