The Premier League campaign - 2011/12 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

The Premier League campaign - 2011/12

goon

So we're virtually a week away from the new season which kicks off against Newcastle away followed by games against Liverpool and United.

We're going into it with an unsettled and incomplete squad, the same shaky defence, no real activity in the transfer market, unhappy fans and in general a dark cloud hanging over the club. Well prepared for the new season then.

At this stage I normally have at the very least a little hope, this season I fail to look at the title as a realistic target and think the top 4 is no longer a certainty. I still think we'll sneak 4th in the end, and hopefully have something to go along with it.

Pepe LeFrits

The uncertainty over Fabregas and Nasri is the biggest concern by some way for me; it's very hard to tell what effect it'll have.

Squad-wise I think we're better off than last season in goal, central defence, central midfield and in the wing forward positions... but that's heavily dependent on Nasri and Cesc. Gibbs at left back is a big concern. Still though, we shouldn't struggle for the top 4. Spurs and Liverpool don't look particularly threatening.

lorddulaarsenal

Is this the race for fourth thread?

Pepe LeFrits

Not yet!

lorddulaarsenal

These guys don't see us as a threat

http://www.redcafe.net/f6/united-v-big-teams-next-year-336718/

Meatwad

most arsenal fans don't see us as a threat so why do we need to read what piece of shit manure fans think.

lorddulaarsenal

It's the only way I can get worked up over footy at the mo. Being downtalked by your rivals is never nice. It's ok when we all grumble tho

Meatwad

i have a limited supply of healthy rage. it's all used up by the refs and barca. if i start adding what our prem friends think about us it'll get unhealthy real quick.

goon

Not much to take from the first weeks game especially with a new manager, but Chelsea look awful so far. Have the same problems in midfield as we do.

Klaus

Difference is that they don't have a Wilshere available anytime soon. I fully expect them to make a big money signing before the transfer window closes.

Qwiss

They're going to get Modric and he'll do a Wilshere like job for them. They have alot more up top than we do though.

Klaus

I think it'll be Modric too. Don't see any similar players available anywhere else. They will end up paying the fee that Spurs want eventually.

The thing about Chelsea's attack is that it's pretty aged though. I think they miscalculated horribly when they signed Torres. Even when injury free he's not the kind of creative player they need. It felt like a middle-of-the-season signing that backfired completely. They could have picked up Agüero this summer otherwise for less money and you have to think he's more in line with what they need.

Ricky1985

Chelsea don't really have any top quality wide players, I think that will hurt them.

IBL

These two teams would still bully us physically, they're huge compared to us

Nela

Chelsea drew 0-0 away to Stoke.

Qwiss

Klaus wrote:
I think it'll be Modric too. Don't see any similar players available anywhere else. They will end up paying the fee that Spurs want eventually.

The thing about Chelsea's attack is that it's pretty aged though. I think they miscalculated horribly when they signed Torres. Even when injury free he's not the kind of creative player they need. It felt like a middle-of-the-season signing that backfired completely. They could have picked up Agüero this summer otherwise for less money and you have to think he's more in line with what they need.

Its yet to be seen how Aguero will adapt. I think Torres is going to be great for them though despite over spending on him. They need more creativity though, their midfield is really lacking. I think they should be giving McEachran a bit more play, he could make a difference for them until they get Modric.

goon

Torres needs players to get the ball early to him in space like Alonso and Gerrard used to. At Chelsea the buildup is as slow as ours so by the time he gets the ball he's faced with loads of markers and no real space to run at players with his pace.

They definitely need someone like Modric in the side but I'm not sure that's where their problems going forward end.

Rex

Modric assisting Torres? Giving him the final ball. Remind me again, how many assists did Modric have last season?

Klaus

qs! wrote:
Its yet to be seen how Aguero will adapt. I think Torres is going to be great for them though despite over spending on him. They need more creativity though, their midfield is really lacking. I think they should be giving McEachran a bit more play, he could make a difference for them until they get Modric.

Yeah, it's true that Agüero is still untested in Premier League. You look at Sturridge though and you think that he should be able to present the same goal threat that Torres does. He's not as good as a player but on the other hand he's much less injury prone. Think they need someone with real spark running the attack, and it was a long time since Torres had that.

y va marquer

Torres was good without scoring today - sounds a contradiction but he created chances for himself, lacked the killer touch to finish though.
If he stays free of injury he'll play himself back into top form.