re: Arsenal 2013/2014 Season Long Thread

Just wanted to introduce myself to the thread, been pulling for the Gunners since Henry's first stint when I first got into the beautiful game and haven't looked back.

Let's get some silver this year

Gnabry is playing like a legit baller. He has better field vision already than Theo. Not sure that is saying much though.

It's good we have a bit of a break before we play Villa, as hopefully we have some players get healthy. I'd really like to see Ox back, especially if we are short of strikers, as we might have to get creative with our formation if that is the case.

I really hope we don't play Ozil as a false 9 or lone striker. That really destroyed Arshavin's career when we did that in 09, and I hope we don't risk it with Ozil. They are both the same type of player, and it's true that we played a different system at the time, with a single pivot trident in midfield, wingers pushed onto the fullbacks and a forward who would occupy two CB's. The biggest difference is that we've pulled a midfielder back into a double pivot, with our creator given a lot of freedom to move. With Ozil, Giroud comes back to the ball to a greater degree, although his build-up play has always been nothing short of superb. Without Giroud as a focal point, we coped well, as Walcott as our main striker meant the CB's couldn't push up to close down a free man in midfield. I fear if Podolski plays as a striker, he will play like a withdrawn forward, coming out from the forward line to face the game head on with the ball at his feet. He could be a brilliant player if he would just realize he doesn't need the ball at his feet to be effective. If he would make runs forward when the ball is in wide positions, rather than hang out at the edge of the box, he could be deadly. Part of the reason why I don't think he does is that he doesn't have belief in his own strength, which is why he neglects to play with his back toward goal. But as we saw with Walcott, playing with your back toward goal doesn't mean you have to post up on a CB. You can simply draw them out and then turn to occupy the free space they've left once the ball is moving again. I wish Wenger would tell him to play this way. When we play our 5 CM system we suffer from a serious lack of movement. We already started to look more dangerous once Walcott came back, as he always wants to run beyond the last defender.

Hopefully we can survive this serious injury downturn, as without Arteta and Ramsey we lose our best pivot. I also fear for Wilshere, as teams seem to be targeting him, partly because he has a hot temper, and partly because his first touch is always into space, and partly because his ability to dribble by players is excellent.

I hope we also see more of Cazorla during this period. He hasn't had the best of seasons, and he and Ozil don't seem to connect well, which is strange. Cazorla suffers when he finds a lack of runners in front of him, and this season especially our movement has centered around small triangles, which differs from our slightly more expansive game last year.

Also I hope we sign Sagna and Rosicky to new contracts. They've been absolutely superb this season. Rosicky is amazing on the ball, and how he hasn't lost a step of pace is amazing to me. We surely would have won the title in 2007-08 if he hadn't gotten injured. He can do everything you need, and his ability to speed up our play is so underrated.

Sagna has been a rock this season, though I have a lot of belief in Jenkinson, who is going to be an excellent player once he gets some time. At this point, Sagna is the better crosser, and better player in general, but Jenkinson has massive athletic ability, and has a good cross on him. He's going to develop into a really amazing RB for us. He's not there yet, but in two or three years he could be.

what a day yesterday!!!

Getting players healthy will be key, I liked our set up yesterday, but that squad would prob get crushed by the manchester sides. Just too small all around.

Jack really is a good player, but i have a hard time liking the whiny little count. Play the fricking game, you roll around when you dont get fouled then hop rt up when you do. You are hurting the team with your antics and could have easily been sent off yesterday.

Well Walcott is out for a month, same as Bendtner. I think Giroud should be ready to go by the Villa game, but it's very risky to bank everything on him being healthy. Not to mention if we ride him into the ground during this relatively easy stretch in January he won't be at 100% for our brutal march stretch

ETA: On a more positive note, apparently we're still the favorites to sign Draxler in the summer if we're willing to spend the money

quote:

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Well Walcott is out for a month

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Link? This would be great news if true, as those knee injuries are always worrying.

agreed. Theo being out only a month would be amazing. ox will be back in full training this week, ozil and giroud are back, Rambo will be back soon. we should be able to navigate this easy stretch. really hope gnabry gets some more burn this month.

we drew Coventry at home in the FA Cup. excellent draw. can afford to start a couple of youngsters.

I don't think we'll buy anyone this month other than maybe a purchase for the future. nothing worth it out there.

here's the article if you havent already sniffed it out:
LINK

"may" miss a month

stewart frickin robson and that other announcer were acting like he flipped them the bird which made it even more hilarious.

best vine ever

he could literally sit down on the pitch and take a shite every match for the rest of his arsenal career and he'd still be my favorite arsenal player ever.