We could do with 2 more players, especially a class striker. However, everyone in this squad is a good player bar Jenkinson. I can sort of live with that because it is, well, Jenkinson.

otfgoon wrote:

Our squad isn't that threadbare, at least it won't be in a couple of months. It's lacking top quality in a couple of areas.

The flanks are pretty scary at the moment due to injuries.

We need a striker and a central defender, even if for back up to who we have currently.

We can field a very good side despite long term injuries to Podolski, Chamberlain, Arteta and Vermaelen. That itself is evidence of depth. Should have added a striker and central defender though.

We know Wenger sees Sagna as an option. I fear he also likes Sanogo a lot.

That's why I said in in two months. But we were never going sign players to replace those injured.

otfgoon wrote:

That's why I said in in two months. But we were never going sign players to replace those injured.

I know, and it would be fairly unrealistic to expect signings out wide unless Theo or Podolski was to be moved to centre forward.

Hope Gnabry lives up to the hype!

Rohit wrote:

I fear he also likes Sanogo a lot.

I know Wenger gets it rather wrong on occasion, but it's hard to believe he'd show much favouritism to this kid if he didn't possess some good qualities.

You can see from the footage of his sub appearance the other day that he was a bit overawed by the occasion. Needs to acclimatise to the atmosphere, pressure and expectation on him before he can fairly be judged.

(I in no way endorse the idea that Sanogo is a suitable backup CF for a club like us, of course.)

I am not judging Sanogo at all based on a few minutes. I am very patient and trust Wenger's assessment of youngsters.

I just think it's unfair to throw him in the deep end.

He looks a good athlete and even if he lacks technically we know Wenger can develop him looking at his past record. He just isn't ready to be backup striker at a club like Arsenal. For example, Lukaku is more developed than Sanogo and he is out on loan for a second year running.

Sanogo looks a bit like Jenkinson did when he first arrived. It's not encouraging.

Completely agree with that assessment Rohit, I guess it turns out I was still reacting to the angry hordes writing him off the other day.

Rohit wrote:

In my opinion, still one of the best managers in world football, so I don't mind him staying.

Yes yes.......Goodbye Arsene, thanks for everything.

He looked like an amateur player thrown into the deep end. Let's hope that Sanogo is spared that kind of introduction and gets a chance to develop at his own pace.

I agree with Rohit. Was really puzzled by the reaction to Sanogo - it looked like everybody already had a verdict on him (like Jenko*), when there was little to go by. There's still very little to go by. It's very early for him, and the Lukako example is a very good demonstration of how it is done. See what this dude can bring in a few months, or more.

*could be Klaus is right, I really don't know. ATM I didn't get the "similar to Jenko" feeling. I was absolutely horrified with Jenks at the start.

I dare say that you were horrified because we had to rely on Jenkinson right at the start. You wouldn't have cared much if he had been on the bench and only made the occasional substitution while we were winning.

His case and background aren't like those of Jenkinson really.

It's not like Jenkinson would've been close to an England U21 call up when we started throwing him on - he was turning out for Finland.

Sanogo's been doing ok in Ligue 2 and at youth international level as well, even in a shit league it takes a little nous to rack up nearly a goal a game. It's about all he has going for him on paper, but he knows how to find the net. I've seen plenty of fans rate our youths based on reserves output playing at a similar standard before.

Finally, a forward you can't rely on is a bit different from a right back that gets targeted by every team we face.

No because I've seen enough since 2007 to think he has lost his way, one signing that misses out a top striker to feed doesn't help us out and leaves us close to playing Sanogo up front for a world class 10 to feed.

Ozil is a big step in the right direction, but the team is still incomplete and he needs to follow it up in January.

Surely Wenger laid some sort of plans to Ozil to convince him of our "ambition". Wonder what he told him the master plan was. Think we now have what, five Germans in the first team? That should give us a good advantage trying to sign other ones.