Van Persie was shit for the first few weeks of last season. Without question. Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. We were all moaning about hm and wondering when he'd click. Lets get it right and not rewrite history.

It was probably said at the time too, but in retrospect I think its clear that RVP was sulking in those first few weeks of last season. Twat.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Rose tinted glasses to an extent, in my opinion. Robin might have scored 30 League goals, but he missed good chances in just about every game he played.

All players miss chances. They are not superhumans. It's rare that footballers score more than 30 goals a season.

timBO! wrote:

It was probably said at the time too, but in retrospect I think its clear that RVP was sulking in those first few weeks of last season. Twat.

Desperately missed the Fabregas.
Didn't think the others were worthy.
Decided he'd have to do more to get himself noticed and get out, and then applied himself 100% for the first time in eight years.

The penalty against ManU was the biggest kick in the nuts for me. Not saying he missed for any dubious reason, but it would have changed the game.

qs! wrote:

Our midfield was much worse yesterday with Diaby in it rather than Song, and that was without Sunderland even attacking. We are seriously short in midfield now.

Klaus wrote:

If you were to replace Diaby with a third player who knows how to win the ball and release it quickly we'd improve significantly on the other hand. I think that's what we're building towards this summer. Arteta and Cazorla are both no-nonsense players who rely mostly on superior balance. They never shy away from a duel, stay on their feet and usually get the ball without fouling someone.

Then on the other hand you've got Diaby who suddenly comes lunging in with a two-footed tackle when there's no need for it, who can't win the ball back for shit and tries to nutmeg opponents in his own half. He sticks out like a sore thumb in midfield. He goes on a power run every now and then and people think he brings something useful.

At no time yesterday did both Arteta and Diaby vacate central midfield at the same time. They actually covered for each other, in a way that I often feel Song doesn't. He would too often try a dangerous pass, a forward run or a dribble when the other two central midfielders were out of position. Diaby didn't do that, the nutmeg incident aside.
I do agree with your first paragraph in general Klaus! Just would like to add that in the first 20 minutes or so in the 2nd half we pressed with a lot more urgency as a team and thus also won the ball back much earlier. I do feel Diaby often is too stand offish, but it isn't ALL down to him either. Feel your second paragraph is way too harsh on Diaby as well. Think he had a really good game myself.

Our midfielders always cover for eachother.

And yeah, fair enough. Maybe I am too harsh. I just can't be bothered with him anymore though. We've made genuine attempts towards progress this summer despite selling a few high-profile players. It would be a real shame to see it undone by some stubborn insistence on playing Diaby in a role he can't handle. It looks like Sahin is close though so hopefully he won't start another game until injuries makes it absolutely necessary.

Klaus wrote:

Our midfielders always cover for eachother.

And yeah, fair enough. Maybe I am too harsh. I just can't be bothered with him anymore though. We've made genuine attempts towards progress this summer despite selling a few high-profile players. It would be a real shame to see it undone by some stubborn insistence on playing Diaby in a role he can't handle. It looks like Sahin is close though so hopefully he won't start another game until injuries makes it absolutely necessary.

Last season our midfield did not cover for one another properly that's one of the main reason we where counter so easily and concede a lot of goals.

People always under the impression you need a big strong lad or 6'4 giant in the centre of midfield to stop leaking goals or get kick of the park. What you need his intelligent players to read danger and cover for each other properly.

You do need intelligent players, and there's no use for Scott Parker types that literally can't do anything but pass forward 5 yards, but this idea that you can't benefit from dynamic, ball-winners or physical presence in the middle is complete bollocks.

Song is no doubt a talented player who will be missed, but I'll reiterate that I feel his decision making was off too often.

'Song would too often try a dangerous pass, a forward run or a dribble when the other two central midfielders were out of position.'

What I wrote in my previous post, but I have written similarly for quite some time. I feel Diaby and Arteta covered for each other in a way we have often previously missed.
I would also like to 'blame' the forward 4 players for lack of movement a lot of the times yesterday when both Diaby and Arteta were clearly looking to play forward passes but had to settle for sideways or to the back 4.

Our midfielders covered for eachother during the periods when the midfield worked well. We lost all shape when we started with the Rosicky nonsense though. Arteta and Song worked well and there was Ramsey too for a couple of months initially. We need to recreate that setup but with better players and give ourselves better options to play through the centre. It implies altering the forward line at the same time. If you want midfielders whose job is to provide you can't have wide players whose entire modus operandi is to hug the touchline and then cross to someone in the box.

@ Klaus
Arteta-----Song-----Ramsey, was a fucking disaster, it was murphy law on the field.

Ramsey - Dwell on the ball to long, never see a forward pass, easily brush aside of the ball and wayward pass

Song- Dwell on the ball, wayward pass, do not read the situation or the game properly and think he's Cesc

Arteta - Play his role perfectly.

Shinda wrote:

Ramsey - Dwell on the ball to long, never see a forward pass, easily brush aside of the ball and wayward pass

What? The main thing Ramsey was accused of during those months was losing the ball while constantly looking for throughballs and difficult angles.

That midfield had three solid players who worked hard and weren't afraid to try a few risky passes. They outshone Chelsea's lot in the 5-2 game. We had a solid foundation to build on but the wide players were completely hopeless.

@ Klaus

When I wrote that maybe I was harsh on Ramsey, I should said his execution for the forward pass was shit half the time, is that better but I remember him in games where he should have seen the pass but decide to do a 360 in the centre of midfield and get knock of the ball

Ramsey is a dud.

Tries too many flicks which never come off

Ramsey will be better this season. But he wasn't starting material last season, and we won't be in this one unless he really ignites. As it stands, he's a good young player at a top English club that can be proud enough to be a viable bench option.

Diaby is a much better player in my opinion.

Don't know if this has been reported.

'Arsenal decided to bank ­£15million for midfielder Song ­instead of giving him a pay rise.'
'Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal Song was willing to stay at the ­Emirates, but wanted a significant increase to his £55,000-a-week wages to bring him in line with the club’s top earners.'

Sounds like he, much as has been reported with Arteta, wanted to renegotiate his contract despite having 3 years left on his current one.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-gunners-agree-1267962