Our squad suddenly doesn't look that weak. I was fuming at the NLD that we didn't have 1 attacking

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

option on the bench.

What if we'd gone behind, I thought. And if we hadn't just got Flamster on a free, we'd have had no-one to bring on in the middle.

But if all are fit, then we have a squad of 20 outfield players and 3 goalies, which is what you take to the WC. (Yes, I know I'm including NB52 and Abou in this, but I'm only talking about proper first-teamers, not any of the kids or even Ryo.)

Goalies: 3
LBs: Gibbs, Nacho (and Flam)
RBs: Bac, Jenks (and Rambo and Flam)
CHs: LK, Per, TV5 (and Bac)
MFs: MA, Jack, Rambo, Flam, Abou.
AMF: Ozzy, Santi, TR7, (and Jack, Ox and Abou)
LWs: Santi, Poldi, Ox
RWs: Feo, Ox, (and Santi could play there just as well as he does on the left)
CFs: Olly, Poldi, NB52.

While we had no attacking options on the bench at the NLD, if we start with MA, Rambo and Ozzy in MF, we have a choice of Jack, TR7, Poldi, Ox and Bendy as attacking options on the bench.

Once we get our injured players back, our squad isn't as weak as people are making out.

Given Bac's ability at CH, we don't need another one, given Jenks, Flam and Rambo can play RB.

The only weakness is CF.

But given Poldi will start on the bench, is that really a problem?

Is he not a better option than Ba?

Poldi could be like Skilltord was for us - someone who wasn't first choice but could cover for the CF or the wide men.

Sylvain's ability to play through the middle or on either flank meant that he played a lot, stayed match fit and knew his team-mates. This was prob. better than having 3 spares to cover CF and the two wing positions.

I feel a lot better now than I did when I saw the bench on Sunday. Maybe I owe AW and apology.

[David Pleat AHADF (Royal Welsher and monkey lover)]

squad rotation might be the only way with all that talent but the problem is nowadays you want consistancy. Interesting little problem for Wenger.

[-]

Whole point of having a deep squad is players can be rested and there is no drop off and the players who want to win things will understand this.

So you do not have starters you have a squad of players of all who could be picked to start for a game.

Ozil arriving takes pressure off Cazorla and Wilshere having to start each week and all will get plenty of playing time through a season.

Wilshere is a Gooner and all he is thinking imagine is how he has more chance of winning with Arsenal now and would welcome more players not be threatened by them.

[Luis Anaconda]

[redgunamo]

[redgunamo]

[Luis Anaconda]

http://everyothersaturday.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/rvp-kid-cropped.png

[Luis Anaconda]

[Dorset Gooner]

[David Pleat AHADF (Royal Welsher and monkey lover)]

gels in such a way that you dont want to change it, does it mean you will only see camio appearences by Rosicky and Wilshire (if Wilshire or any other one of them is not in that successful unit that tearing the arse apart on other teams).

[Dorset Gooner]

weeing myself la

[David Pleat AHADF (Royal Welsher and monkey lover)]

[Twat Cuddles]

minus Gervinho & Coquelin. Gervinho was a liberty anyway and most of Coquelin's appearances were from the bench with 10 mins to go.

All the other players we released barely played at all.

So we definitely have a stronger squad than last season.

We've have more strike options with the purchase of Sanogo and return of Bendtner.

We have a genuine good Defensive Midfielder in Flamini. A position we needed to get someone in and we've done just that!

We got one of the world's best players to take our midfield to the next level.

And we have a good keeper bought in who can make Szczesney buck up his ideas hopefully.

Great summer imo.

[Luis Anaconda]

with Özil, Cazorla and Walcott behind Giroud/Rooney (after January)

[Berni]

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

With Jack on the bench in both scenarios.

Yes it may have been due to fitness, but it does suggest that on current form, TR7 is playing better as the AM than Jack, ditto Rambo in MF.

If all our players were fit, who would you start for the next game?

Santi out left, Ozzy as no.10, MA in MF.

That leaves one other MF place.

Do you not think he'd start with Rambo, just like he did at the end of last season?

[Jake]

I'm basing this on absolutely f**k all, naturally.

[Berni]

Probably the diet of turkey twizzlers and Vimto he was brought up on's the problem.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

change it?

2002 we basically had a settled team, but with Skilltord covering for any of the front 4.

Same in 2004.

Yes, against weaker teams, he could give Santi or Ozzy a rest and play Tommy or Jack.

Or if Rambo has nailed the 3rd MF spot, he too could be rested for Jack or Flam or even a fit Abou.

But if the MF gels, he'll want to play them all as a unit in the biggest games if fit.

However, with MA and Tommy getting on, we could have Ozzy, Rambo and Jack in MF for quite a few years.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Who has been very good, but can be even better.

[-]

Think Wilshere is better as deeper of the 3 as think it suits him more as he can keep possession and break up play but his best ability is to get ball, see a space and just glide past everyone commiting CH and getting a back 4 out of shape.

Ozil has that ability too but is likely the better passer as true #10

But all can play each others positions but to retain shape I see

Cazorla left
Walcott Right
Ozil #10 position
Ramsey and Wilshere the base taking it in turns to drive forward or if really want someone to sit maybe in a tough away game then Flamini for one of them

Arteta and Rosicky are great reserves and likes of Podilski and Chamberlain when fit can play left.

Did think there might be a case for playing the Ox up front as an experiment as he certainly has the pace and technique but also the size also to stand up to CH.

So many variations and the talent to make most work and like you simply cannot wait to see this group gel

[Jake]

[The A*ntöniö]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Jack is fit, Jack plays.

He is too good to not play.

[Fedor]

[redgunamo]

Footballistically, I mean, of course.

[Peter]

He is just a midfielder :-)

[redgunamo]

[Berni]

[Jake]

[Peter]

Bloody turncoat.

[LadyG -keeping the spirit of the unbeatables alive]

Too many people saying we need this and that, but when you ACTUALLY look at what's available it is not so horrendous. Don't get me wrong would have no problem welcoming a class CB and CF. But we also have to remember there are players coming up in the ranks that could also do a good job.

[redgunamo]

[eastgermanautos]