re: Arsenal Football Club 2011-2012 Season Thread

But in three years, when he's on his last legs, Arsenal fans will say we overpaid for him. He's been superb this season, and worth whatever we paid for him. I wish we bought him years ago instead of relying on Denilson for that role for two years.

He's positionally brilliant, plays the correct pass, earns fouls, fouls at the right time, and generally makes us tick. The difference between he and a player like Denilson (who resembles Arteta the most) is the amount of desire shown on the pitch. I remember the Man U game at the Emirates when Nani destroyed Clichy, Man U was on the break and Denilson jogged back, letting Rooney fly past him, and eventually Rooney scored the goal. Arteta would never let that happen, as his work rate separates him from our other deep midfield options. I think Arteta's presence will allow Jack to shine in a big way, as it helped Ramsey at the beginning of this season.

Arteta could still be very solid in three years who knows. He'd be like 33 right? Players that age still contributing at a high level off the top of my head...scholes, giggs, klose, puyol, totti, pirlo, drogba, Ferdinand. I'm sure theres more. Hell i think Henry showed during his loan stint and the beginning of the mls season he can still play at a very high level

I don't see much of a difference between he and Xabi Alonso, in all honesty. It'd be cool if the Spain manager gave him a call-up, at least for a friendly. Best uncapped player ever?

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I remember the Man U game at the Emirates when Nani destroyed Clichy, Man U was on the break and Denilson jogged back, letting Rooney fly past him, and eventually Rooney scored the goal.

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Ugh, I'm terrible at remembering specific instances, but I vividly remember this and me yelling at Denilson via my TV when this was happening live. Arteta is such an upgrade.

Is it me or are we actively trying to press and gain possession back on a consistent basis somewhat all of a sudden? I know we did at times before, but it never felt consistent. Seems like since we loaned Arshavin out things really changed. Benayoun may not be the most talented player ever, but he hustles his butt off and helps out Gibbs on defense. Gervinho to his credit also isn't afraid to help out the defense.

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a player like Henry is a shadow of his former self

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He's not going to bag 30 goals + this season, but he's definitely the top player in MLS right now. He still has that brilliance in front of goal, that players of his age seem to lose. The assist he had last weekend to Mehdi Ballouchy (along with his hat trick) was stil something only a few players in the world can pull off.

I just want to find out what Wenger's deal is with his aversion of playing a winger out wide on the left. He keeps trying to force a central player in Ramsey or Yossi out there.

Fact is Ox is a dangerous player for opposing defenses, he's very aggressive and makes things happen. I can understand some reservation in having someone who tends to stay back more to help out with the Gunners weakest area on defense, the left full back. But Ox really needs to get more playing time. That or put Gervinho out left, there really isn't any room currently for Ramsey to play unless it's late game minutes or Rosicky needs rest. Im so thankful and happy for Rosicky being back in form.

I know we play weaker teams the next two matches, but without Koscielny at center back I am pretty scared.

I wonder what happens next season when Wilshire, Arteta, and Rosicky are all healthy. Only two of them get the start, unless Wenger pushes Rosicky out wide like he has tried this season.

Also, its amazing how Song is our best distributor of the ball around the box. His chips forward are pretty damn impressive this season.

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He keeps trying to force a central player in Ramsey or Yossi out there.

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He does it to dominate possession, and to give us some balance on the left side. Right now, we're playing a very lopsided 4-4-2 from the look of it.

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I wonder what happens next season when Wilshire, Arteta, and Rosicky are all healthy.

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Probably move Rosicky wide.

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He also had a better goals to minute ratio during his loan spell than any Arsenal player other than Van Persie

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Not a great sample size, with one of those goals against a Blackburn side we destroyed. He couldn't do that week in and week out in the PL right now. He could contribute though, but Henry was a player that relied on athleticism to gain separation.

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Point being Arteta might still be a valuable contributor 3 years from now.

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But most signs and logic indicate that he won't. I wouldn't be surprised if he was sold after next season, as Wenger rarely likes to keep players on long term deals after they are 30.