Arsenal
When Wenger got there the bench was bare
Enough on Bench?
By Boris Mellor
August 21 2009
Arsenal have had a flying start to the season and there is no need to denigrate that, but what are the prospects longer term. Of course they are expected to beat Pompey, but were not expected to beat Everton or Celtic. However the fixtures will become a lot tougher very soon.
Also Arsenal are already acquiring a backlog of fixtures; by the time they play Manchester United away the Gunners will have played two more games than the top three, and have a game in hand.
Already the squad has a host of injuries, apparently Eduardo has recovered, but Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri and Djourou remain injured, and I wouldn't put a lot of money on Diaby or RVP remaining fit over 10 games.
What Arsenal's first two games demonstrate is that Wenger can put out a best eleven that can probably beat most teams. However modern football is a 14 aside game, substitutes can turn games. Also the fixture list demands rotation. You cannot put out the same eleven every game; there is no choice but to rotate. No doubt Fabregas needs a rest before the Celtic game.
Hopefully if he is rested there is enough to beat a toothless Pompey desperate to avoid a third defeat in a row. So what does Wenger have in reserve - well let's look at the bench for Everton and Celtic.
Bare Bench
Against the Toffees he had one striker Eduardo, an untried goal keeper Mannone, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, Gibbs and Merida (where is Vela?). Apart from Eduardo there is no one to drive fear into the hearts of opponents when things are going badly.
Against Celtic it got worse, no Eduardo, but to be fair to Diaby he did do a good job. The rest of the bench was Mannone, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, and Gibbs. If things had gone really badly was the experience, or power there to turn things around?
I think Wenger's problem is that his squad still lacks depth. Arsene now proudly points out that fans are in tune with Song now, in other words he has been proved right. True, but what if Song is injured, what if he has to go to Africa for several months?
Vermaelen is proving a good buy, as was Gallas, but are Djourou, Silvestre or Senderos adequate cover? Wenger says he will not buy Hangeland.
I have never thought that Wenger always knows best, nor that he knows absolutely nothing. He is a very good manager, who has achieved miracles on a limited budget, very few, if any could have done it. What would the special one have won without the Russians millions?
However, I do think Wenger has a tendency to fly close to the wind, that he cuts corners. No doubt financial necessity dictates this policy, and in spite of this approach he has always managed a top 4 spot. Maybe one year he will get lucky and win the league with such a parsimonious approach.
I do think he will succeed on that basis (ie top four spot) again this season, but what I don't believe is that this team will be on top in May. It's important not to follow the knee jerk reaction of some pundits, who a few weeks back said Arsenal were going out of the top four. One good result and they are favourites for runners up.
The same goes for Spurs who have now displaced Man City in stealing our top 4 place. No, Wenger has a very good first 11, better than most, not all, but most. However take a look at the bench - its looks a little bare to me. Maybe it will be a lot stronger in two months as the lame and wounded return.
Nonetheless wouldn't another strong ball winning midfielder, and another quality centre back be a good investment? To my mind that is all it would take to put this squad on a par with the top three.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon21/08/2009 18:05
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:25:16:51:59 by Padre Pio.
As for the bench, if we had Nasri, Walcott, Vela, Eduardo, Fabianski, Djourou and Rosicky (less likely) back, there would be a top class bench available.
As for the injuries, of course they all might not come back all at once, but just three of them would be a big boost.
Either way, I still want a CB, DM and ST backup.
If Almunia had been in goal Chelsea would not have score two.
Quote:Tom14
I still want a CB, DM and ST backup.
same, a CB, DM and ST but...
the CB should be the level of Vermaelen, 3 good CB's will be needed for Champions league games,
DM should be better than Song, Same type of player but with pace and a 25yard shot. Yes, i'm being greedy but @#$%& it.
The ST can be back up as we have only one position to fight for.
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Date: 21/08/2009 17:43
We are also short of Keepers - Mannone at Man U terrifies me
Mannone terrifies me when I see him in reserve games so for me he is not near ready for EPL games, in fact the younger Szczney is a far better keeper and only age is keeping him behind vito. We should sign a veteran goalie like we did with Poom a few years ago.
Glad to hear today we are not after Hangeland as I never thought he was suited to our high line style of defending, but I do hope we sign a good CB as Djourou is injured far too often, I see tonigh we are being linked with Taylor of Newcastle in an £6M-£8M deal, not sure if he is good enough as for me he is not even as good as Senderos and only gets hyped up cos he is English
Our squad needs a veteran goalie, CB, DM and maybe even another forward(center forward type) to be complete but will be suprised if we buy anyone and shocked if we sign more than one
its up to wenger.frankly i'm not expecting much this season cos my poor heart won't take it if we fail to win any trophy yet again.
We need some cover in defence and if Song goes
off to Africa and another midfielder is out I
can see us struggling. Doubt we'll buy anyone though.
Wengerese: "F**K if I am going to disclose who I will, or will not, buy come 31-August"
Summer comes we talk, Arsene prevaricates and the same thing happens,the difference is this season he is under more pressure, the fans wont put up with the potential mantra for much longer,and the spin has been seen through.
Quote:Marsberg
Come 31st Merl whats the betting we will still be having this debate,its Groundhog Day and Deja Vou rolled into one.
Summer comes we talk, Arsene prevaricates and the same thing happens,the difference is this season he is under more pressure, the fans wont put up with the potential mantra for much longer,and the spin has been seen through.
He will buy.
He exactly what he wants and present stance is just negotiating ploy waiting for who blink first.
CB?
He wil onyl buy if Sedneros is sold; otherwise he will wait for January Transfer WIndow.
CM, DCM?
I can't see him buying anybody as he is stil keeping the squad intact and wait for those "Sicknotes" to return in 2-3 months time.
Matuidi?
No chance if ST Etienne refuses to sell
Striker?
Perhaps CHamakh if they accepts "Take it or elave" Wenegr's previous offer.
Goalie?
I woldn't be surprised that he buy an expereinced 30+ goalie as cover.
StreamFootball - Arsenal
More Arsenal headlines
Arsenal latest threads
- Off Topic: Remember the Clamour re Jhon Duran
- Vinicius Junior
- You can sign one player this window
- Sign valverde and kill 2 birds with one stone
- Can this team with the champions league next season?
- Tzolis signs - official
- 2026/27 Arsenal Squad
- What’s going on?
- For those interested.. Arsenal Women Continue to Strengthen
- Saliba