Totally agree with you, Rentboy. This time around Wenger has no excuses left. And with all other rivals strengthening their squads, even getting Top 4 will be nearly impossible this time around if we enter the season with this squad. I just don't understand what Wenger is thinking and I feel frustrated on his stance.
I feel like Wenger is just dead-set on a big-name striker, when the squad has much needed strengthening in other areas as well. I'm not sure if he's set out to prove that Arsenal can sign that monumental player or if he just doesn't feel like spending/thinks the squad is good enough.
I, personally, don't care so much about a star signing. I mean the threshold for stardom has been significantly decreasing year by year anyways, where above-average players will be considered top calibre signings. Just buy a mid, a goalie, and a striker already, Wenger.
In other news, my home team is linked with your team's star striker, Fred, Rentboy. Any chance we can actually sign him or it's just speculation by the media and managers? What do you say?
We also have a Deco look-a-like on the squad.
I agree about the threshold between being a star or a good player is smaller. There are sensation players like Cissé or Demba Ba at Newcastle, but they failed to impress after a great first season. And then there are players who are just waiting to explode as the next big thing, such as Van Persie (who spent years hampered by injury at Arsenal and then had 2 seasons of his life, 2011-2012 for Arsenal and 2012-13 for United).
That old saying that "at Arsenal we make stars" would apply too, but now we need to think short term. There's a gap in quality.
If it's a big name striker, or 3 or 4 fairly good new players, it remains to be seen, but it needs to be done ASAP. We're 2 weeks away from the start of the league and if Wenger brings players from overseas there's the adaptation period, settling in the squad, finding a house in London and learning a new language. We could already have some players bedding in by now, but unfortunately nothing was done.
As for Fred, I don't know nothing about that. What is your team, by the way, AK?
I haven't read anything about him leaving in the Brazilian press. Some 3 years ago he had been linked with Napoli, but ended up staying and finding excellent form at Fluminense, winning the league twice in the last 3 years, being top scorer last season and earning first XI status in the Brazilian National team.
So if I had to guess, he will stay where he is right now. Things are going smooth for him and a change of scene could put his place in the Brazil XI in danger for the WC 2014.
I could only see him leaving the country after the World Cup, if he ever does.
Arsenal still have more depth in the squad than (for example) Spurs. That is what cost Spurs fourth place last season. IMO it' s the first eleven that is weak compared to the other big teams.
I think the difference between the first 11 and the fringe players is not that big. That is Arsenal weakness to become champions, but it is an asset in the race for fourth place. I think most Arsenal fans look aboove the fourth place (which is natural for fans of such a big club), but IMO that is unrealistic. With this squad, winning fourth place is an achievement.
I sort of agree with this, I mean, the players in our first XI aren't on par with Chelsea's or both Manchester clubs. The quality is a bit more levelled, although we do have outstanding players here and there, like Koscielny and Cazorla who did extremely well last season, and Arteta and Walcott who are very important pieces right now.
But the thing about depth isn't true right now, because Arsenal has released 8 players! And more will follow suit. So, regardless of how well those players were doing, the fact is that we lost 8 senior players and only one addition was made in the form of Yaya Sanogo, who's hardly a proven player.
So basically we're replacing pieces with youngsters at the moment. If nothing changes (and I doubt we'll sign 5 or 6 players) we will have a thiner squad this season.
Robin's a great lad, that's why you lot didn't win anything with him, he's too nice, once you get a cunt like Suarez you'll be back to vintage Arsenal
