Is there a realistic possibility that our squad is actually ****?

[Peter]

Do you think a strong captain would put up with Sanchez's arm waving tantrums?
I think they would. And I think another manager would try to stop them doing this.

I don't see that as a big issue. The guy works his *******s off and has a go at people. Good! I wish they were all doing it.

I hated at least 3 of the guys I used to play football with but I still dreaded the weeks where one or more of them weren't available.

You need a few ****s.

[Sir C]

I don't see that as a big issue. The guy works his *******s off and has a go at people. Good! I wish they were all doing it.

I hated at least 3 of the guys I used to play football with but I still dreaded the weeks where one or more of them weren't available.

You need a few ****s.

What does all the arm-waving nonsense mean, though? If the manager wanted the whole team to press high up the pitch, and they didn't, then he should be sorting that out, not Sanchez. If a high press isn't the manager's decision, why is Sanchez trying to force his team-mates to join him? It's not up to him to decide the tactics.

[7sisters]

Right, but the question was more about the quality in the squad. THat was more a general anti wenger rant.

Also, I would argue that our current options at centre back are as good as they have been since Adams, Keown and big Sol were around. If we lack world class defenders its because they are incredibly difficult to find. In Koscielny we certainly have one.

Yes.. I'd agree with that but it's clear we have no credible third option at the back if either of those get taken out. I think the squads overall very strong, we've missed Santi puling the strings in midfield but there's very little to complain about in terms of depth and ability.
You only have to look at Chelsea under Maureen last season and Conte this to see the impact of fresh thinking and a change of direction. I'm sure it's not all down to Kante and three at the back.

[Peter]

Yes.. I'd agree with that but it's clear we have no credible third option at the back if either of those get taken out. I think the squads overall very strong, we've missed Santi puling the strings in midfield but there's very little to complain about in terms of depth and ability.
You only have to look at Chelsea under Maureen last season and Conte this to see the impact of fresh thinking and a change of direction. I'm sure it's not all down to Kante and three at the back.

As below, I disagree. I think a fit Per is a reliable option and Holding looks good. Nobody has cover at centre back of comparable quality to Koscielny and Mustafi.

Chelsea are not a great example. You have to remember they were excellent the season before until Mourinho pissed everyone off. I don't think their recovery is a miracle cure, just a well managed return to efficiency and form.

[Luis Anaconda]

Right, but the question was more about the quality in the squad. THat was more a general anti wenger rant.

Also, I would argue that our current options at centre back are as good as they have been since Adams, Keown and big Sol were around. If we lack world class defenders its because they are incredibly difficult to find. In Koscielny we certainly have one.

Indeed - Chelsea and City were both after ones in the summer. Chelsea couldn't find one - or get clubs to sell the ones they wanted - and resorted to Luiz (but you can't help by admire the brilliance of Conte in working the situation) incurred and City resorting to throwing money at a talented but incredibly naive one in Stones. I don't think anyone is in any doubt the Mustafi is overpriced at what we paid, but his early form certainly attracted admiring glances from other clubs

[Peter]

Indeed - Chelsea and City were both after ones in the summer. Chelsea couldn't find one - or get clubs to sell the ones they wanted - and resorted to Luiz (but you can't help by admire the brilliance of Conte in working the situation) incurred and City resorting to throwing money at a talented but incredibly naive one in Stones. I don't think anyone is in any doubt the Mustafi is overpriced at what we paid, but his early form certainly attracted admiring glances from other clubs

Tough to put a realistic price on a player that improves your side. All you can say is that he is worth a lot more than one that doesn't.

I may be in a minority but I would trust Per and I like Holding. Gabriel I am not sure about yet but in previous years we were desperately short on any kind of cover, let alone decent cover. This is like centre back heaven in comparison.

I have to say though....I want Ramsey gone.

[SWv2]

Indeed - Chelsea and City were both after ones in the summer. Chelsea couldn't find one - or get clubs to sell the ones they wanted - and resorted to Luiz (but you can't help by admire the brilliance of Conte in working the situation) incurred and City resorting to throwing money at a talented but incredibly naive one in Stones. I don't think anyone is in any doubt the Mustafi is overpriced at what we paid, but his early form certainly attracted admiring glances from other clubs

I wouldn't say he is overpriced if we get a decent career out of him at the club, similarly Stones at City.

Outrageous sums of money of course but that is modern football. Rio Ferdinand costs ****loads over a decade ago but considering what Utd got from him you could say he was worth every penny.

[World's End Stella]

No question that some of them are useless ****s. I mean if Wenger leaves is it possible that a perfectly good manager comes in and just cannot get anything out of them because they are ****/lazy/injured/****s or a combination of all four?

I don't think its the case but I cant completely rule it out.

I think a common view is that if the squad are capable of finishing in the top four consistently and second last year, there must be some very good players in there. This is reinforced by some of the individual and team performances we routinely see not to mention the number of internationals and players that were first choice at clubs like Valencia, Real Madrid, Barcelona etc.

So the question then becomes, how can such a talented squad be capable of performances like Wednesday night and routinely fail the test when it comes to big games against big teams that more often than not decide who wins silverware?

And the answer to that last question seems, increasingly, to be the manager.

[Alberto Balsam Rodriguez]

I know jack but I think the squad is pretty good. I think the problem is that they are just not set up to go out and try to stifle other teams. They have to out score teams in order to win game. Whether that is by playing brilliant football or by pushing forward even if the good football is not happening on that day.

When they play a top team, a Chelsea or Bayern Munich, they cannot suddenly shut up shop and stop them from playing because they do not know how to do that. One game against Man City excepted. They are almost scared to play and wind up doing neither and good teams will take advantage.


Of course, they could just be a bit sheeet

[redgunamo]

I know jack but I think the squad is pretty good. I think the problem is that they are just not set up to go out and try to stifle other teams. They have to out score teams in order to win game. Whether that is by playing brilliant football or by pushing forward even if the good football is not happening on that day.

When they play a top team, a Chelsea or Bayern Munich, they cannot suddenly shut up shop and stop them from playing because they do not know how to do that. One game against Man City excepted. They are almost scared to play and wind up doing neither and good teams will take advantage.


Of course, they could just be a bit sheeet

I make you right. As a squad and as individual players, they are not properly developed and matured, footballistically. During a match, the manager shouldn't have to direct the players to defend at certain times and attack at others; they (as individuals and as a team) should know this already. That's why, and also ought to be *how*, they are professional footballers in the first place.

None of this is really the manager's fault during an actual game. His responsibility is in selecting them while they are lacking these "basics" and in failing to make up that shortfall through coaching and preparation and whatnot.

So many of them still play as though they are fourteen years old in a school's match and they are each by far the best player on the pitch.

Which, of course, so far as professional football is concerned, *is* a bit sheeet