Squad Analysis 2013/14

Rohit

I know this topic is being covered in a number of other threads separately, so thought it would be better to have one topic analysing our squad for the upcoming season, same as we have had previously.

Now the transfer window is still open so it will be early to judge but in light of Wenger's latest comments on us being able to challenge even with the current squad, it is interesting to see where we stand numbers wise at the very least, quality aside. I think we can all agree we need a minimum of 2 players for each position and to just make it convenient we can for now ignore versatility of some players. Starting from the back:

Goalkeepers:

Szczensy
Fabianski

Right Backs

Sagna
Jenkinson

Central Defenders

Koscielny
Mertesacker
Vermaelen
?

Left Backs

Gibbs
Monreal

Central Midfielders

Arteta
Ramsey
Wilshere
Rosicky
Chamberlain
?

Wide Forwards - Left side

Cazorla
Podolski

Wide Forwards - Right side

Walcott
?

Center Forward

Giroud
?

I have left out the youngsters, including Sanogo and Miquel for the sake of this discussion, i don't think they should feature in a list of the top 2 players for each position. I think Chamberlain is better in the center and since Wenger has used him there in pre-season i haven't counted him as a wide forward, but one can consider him for any position.

We clearly need at the very least, one center back (even though Sagna can play there), one midfielder (even though Cazorla can play in midfield), one wide forward (i know Chamberlain can be considered a wide forward) and one center forward (Podolski can play there).

At present, we are short not only on quality but also quantity. Wenger isn't a fool, i expect him to shore these positions, whether those players are world class/ just about an improvement on what we have/ options that are only as good as what we have or worse is another matter.

In quality terms, we certainly need an upgrade on Giroud and all rumours point towards us attempting that in the market. We could do with a world class number 10 or a player that would be an upgrade on Arteta. My guess on our pursuit of a midfielder is, we looked at defensive options like Bender and Fellaini before the Cesc rumours emerged. Now we are playing a waiting game. If Cesc becomes available, we will go for him, else we will buy a more defensive minded player.

I will be comfortable with us getting a back-up, squad player for the center back position and a young wide forward like Bernard. We aren't quite there yet but we have a basis for a very good, effective squad, full of talent and a mix of youth and experience with a number of players entering their peak.

We look quite comfortable with the homegrown quota, isn't it?

lorddulaarsenal

Need a centreback if we expect to compete on all four fronts seriously

GaelForce

Bernard, Suarez a Bender/ Fellaini and a centre back is a huge amount of money though, don't think there's any way we'll spend all of that in the last month of the window.

I think we'll get Suarez, and some sort of squad player who can play in midfield and somewhere in defence. Don't see us signing Bernard now. And if that happens we'd need great seasons out of Arteta, Sagna and even Vermaelen to challenge for the title. Somewhat doable!

marv3llous

In an ideal world we shoould buy 5 outfield players which include 2 or 3 improvements in the starting XI.

In the real world we will probably buy 2 players and only 1 of them will upgrade the starting XI.

And we will be short in all competitions obviously.

Rex

Striker and a CM. Make those two top class and I will be well chuffed.

Clrnc

Ideally - Move Sagna to CB, buy a RB, 2 midfielders and a striker, which translate to Coleman/Danilo, Khedira/Gustavo, Bernard/Di Maria, Suarez on my wishlist. Fill those other empty gaps with promising players like Ryo, Gnabry. We could challenge for the title with that

Worst come to worse, to defend our 4th place, we need a striker and a midfielder.

lorddulaarsenal

Fellaini and Suarez would be neat

lorddulaarsenal

Then get adil rami

Shinda

We just need two additional players for our squad. One world class forward like Suarez and a utility player that can play DM/CB and do a job as a fullback. Serge Gnabry will be promoted to take over Gervinho place in the squad.

Iloveyouarsenewenger

We need a striker, a defenders and a central midfielder. Striker needs to be top quality. We can live with the other two being squad players, but, in order to compete to win the league, we'd need at least one of them (the midfielder, hopefully) to be very good, as well.

dreamlord

Instead of splunking 40M + on Suarez, I'd get world class, or a level below that, replacements for Arteta and Podolski. Don't care much for a striker as I think we can win the league with Giroud assuming the other front 6 players are up to the mark.

Rohit

We have just one striker. Podolski really hasn't fit well in the center forward role. He is a good wide forward and an excellent back-up for Cazorla if Wenger continues to use him there.

Ray

Suarez could play wide leaving giroud upfront or as the lone striker which is probably why wenger prefers him ahead of the likes of Higuain, Ba, Dzeko etc.

est

Rohit wrote:
Central Midfielders

Arteta

Ramsey

Wilshere

Rosicky

Chamberlain

?

:egg:

Clrnc

dreamlord wrote:
Instead of splunking 40M + on Suarez, I'd get world class, or a level below that, replacements for Arteta and Podolski. Don't care much for a striker as I think we can win the league with Giroud assuming the other front 6 players are up to the mark.

People keep saying that but who is available?

Qwiss

Clrnc wrote:
dreamlord wrote:
Instead of splunking 40M + on Suarez, I'd get world class, or a level below that, replacements for Arteta and Podolski. Don't care much for a striker as I think we can win the league with Giroud assuming the other front 6 players are up to the mark.

People keep saying that but who is available?

For £40m quite a lot of players.

y va marquer

The spine of the teams needs renforcements (central defence, goalkeeper, central midfield) and a better striker than he who currently holds a first team place.

We cannot afford to gamble and not sign, at the very least, a striker and CB.
Ideally we need a CB who can cover LB as well.
Ideally I'd love for us to sign Gundogan too.

Rex

I have never fancied Gundogan here. Very good player, but I wouldn't want him at Arsenal.

y va marquer

Well you've nothing to worry about then Rex (except Suarez :confused: :angel: ) because it's highly unlikely we'll sign Gundogan.
He was in cracking form against Bayern last night.

Bold Tone

One probable major benefit of this £40m saga could be the effect on the mentality of our current roster, as that kind of money may make them realise they are all dispensable.