Arsene is clearly fucked off.

Kel Varnsen wrote:

qs! wrote:

I'm really worried Wenger wont sign a DM. I think this sale is going to completely derail our season.

why do we even need a dm? we have to central midfielders. as long as they aren't complete idiots, two central midfielders should offer the back four sufficient protection.

Well not really a DM but a proper physical ball winner. Arteta, Sahin, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Coquelin. Any combination of those is too lightweight.

Frimpongs the only player at the club physical enough in midfield now and he's a) injured b) too inexperienced and c) mental.

I like coquelin.

I just want our midfield to be disciplined positionally and for them to move the ball swiftly and with intelligence

[‏@AFCAMDEN
We've agreed a good price for Song, around £15-20m (Believe closer to £20m). Announcement soon. "Nuri Sahin is close" #AFC

qs! wrote:

Kel Varnsen wrote:

why do we even need a dm? we have to central midfielders. as long as they aren't complete idiots, two central midfielders should offer the back four sufficient protection.

Well not really a DM but a proper physical ball winner. Arteta, Sahin, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Coquelin. Any combination of those is too lightweight.

Frimpongs the only player at the club physical enough in midfield now and he's a) injured b) too inexperienced and c) mental.

You don't really need a ball winner in midfield though. If the midfield does it's job well then the defenders will be able to win the ball.

qs! wrote:

Kel Varnsen wrote:

why do we even need a dm? we have to central midfielders. as long as they aren't complete idiots, two central midfielders should offer the back four sufficient protection.

Well not really a DM but a proper physical ball winner. Arteta, Sahin, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Coquelin. Any combination of those is too lightweight.

Frimpongs the only player at the club physical enough in midfield now and he's a) injured b) too inexperienced and c) mental.

i disagree. i don't think you really need a physical ball winner. just have players who cover space and is able to read the game and intercept passes. winning the ball, imo, is more about timing and positioning than physical strength.

...but we'll never agree on this, so it doesn't really matter. whatever happens, happens. i just hope we sign sahin and i don't really mind if song leaves. was never a big fan of him anyways.

otfgoon wrote:

You don't really need a ball winner in midfield though. If the midfield does it's job well then the defenders will be able to win the ball.

I think I can spot the flaw in that sentence.

It doesn't matter who goes or stays or comes in they're all under instruction from Wenger to get forward as far and as often as possible, Song is a prime example of this.

Olly Girude wrote:

[‏@AFCAMDEN
We've agreed a good price for Song, around £15-20m (Believe closer to £20m). Announcement soon. "Nuri Sahin is close" #AFC

hope he's right this time. would be a good deal for us.

sahin, cazorla and arteta in central midfield... :drool: we'd dominate every team in the premiership!

David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david
Alex Song set for Barca move. Clubs negotiating, won't play on Sat, Sahin lined up on season-long loan as replacement #bbcfootball #afc #fcb

a bit up and down so far, but this is turning into a really good transfer window.

Agree that we dont HAVE to have a physical ball winner, but it's a risk not to go with any physical presence in midifeld. We're also losing Songs height, which is useful at times, although he's generally woeful at picking up his man from corners.

Biggus wrote:

otfgoon wrote:

You don't really need a ball winner in midfield though. If the midfield does it's job well then the defenders will be able to win the ball.

I think I can spot the flaw in that sentence.

It doesn't matter who goes or stays or comes in they're all under instruction from Wenger to get forward as far and as often as possible, Song is a prime example of this.

I can spot the flaw in yours; Arteta is under Wenger's instruction and does a good job in front of the back 4. Also, Wenger has decided to get rid of Song, which suggests he's not doing exactly what Wenger wants him to do.

Tim, Diaby says hi

Yeah, I was just thinking more along the lines of Arteta-Sahin/Jack-Cazorla midfield, which would probably be our first choice.

I will readily admit I have long been a Song-backer, but even his most ardent supporter would have to admit there are more than a few flaws in his game. Our midfield can definitely be a more efficient unit, and this may very well be the first step in that direction.

The loss of physicality, as previously mentioned, has to be a slight worry though. I would rather not have to rely on Diaby for that aspect, considering he'd sprain something opening a crisp packet.

timBO! wrote:

Agree that we dont HAVE to have a physical ball winner, but it's a risk not to go with any physical presence in midifeld. We're also losing Songs height, which is useful at times, although he's generally woeful at picking up his man from corners.

Tbh I can't think of too many occasions where Song's physicality has helped us, usually it allows for him to roll his opponents across his body when he's trapped in a tight space or body check an attacker but that's about it. Diaby can easily replicate that much.

I'm slightly encouraged because this means we'll have some really hard working players in the front six now. From what I know, Podolski, Carzola, Wilshere, Arteta, Chamberlain, Gervinho and possibly Giroud(?) are capable of working their bollocks off for one another. edit: Coquelin, Rosicky and Ramsey are capable of putting in a shift as well.

I agree with the overall sentiment here but if the trade off means we have a more coordinated, hard working and mobile midfield then we should be alright.

Montoya as part of the deal? Back up RB and can fill in for the start of the season. Would be decent in my opinion.

Thinking Song is gonna embarass himself at Barca with their style of play.

What a whirlwind week this has been. Songs been decent for us but wont be shedding a tear at his departure as long as we can adequately replace him. Sahin would be a great addition from what I've seen and heard.

Even on BBC webby: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19293825

Kel Varnsen wrote:

qs! wrote:

Well not really a DM but a proper physical ball winner. Arteta, Sahin, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Coquelin. Any combination of those is too lightweight.

Frimpongs the only player at the club physical enough in midfield now and he's a) injured b) too inexperienced and c) mental.

i disagree. i don't think you really need a physical ball winner. just have players who cover space and is able to read the game and intercept passes. winning the ball, imo, is more about timing and positioning than physical strength.

...but we'll never agree on this, so it doesn't really matter. whatever happens, happens. i just hope we sign sahin and i don't really mind if song leaves. was never a big fan of him anyways.

I hope we sign Sahin too because I rate him but I'll be very worried unless we sign a ball winner too.

But aren't they all supposed to be ball winners? Man Utd manage okay without one specific scrapper.