Back to the routine

@goonerdiaby

Saturday. A day we have all been waiting for. The return of regular football week in, week out, the routine. Also a day us Gooners have been waiting for as our new signings will begin their Arsenal careers playing for this magnificent club, but the main question that us fans have Is who will start against Sunderland. I have to agree with most of the fans who have talked on this subject on who will start but from here to then there could be dramatic changes. For me, I hope that RVP and Song stay at Arsenal and that the rumours surrounding their imminent departures are untrue. I would perhaps feel more comfortable with RVP starting up front on Saturday as opposed to Podolski or Giroud. Lukaz looks like he has settled in already, but I wouldn't want to burden the two of them with being the goal machines from the off, although they may want that and i'm sure they could handle it.
In goal it would be Szczesny and it should see a defence of Yennaris or Jenkinson at RB, Vermo and Bosscielny (unless he doesn't make it to full fitness in time, then it would be big Per) and Gibbs at LB. In midfield I see it as having Song, Diaby and Cazorla, possibly with Arteta instead of Diaby if he is fully fit. Diaby can have a real impact this season, and he would want to get off to a flyer, so I really see Wenger playing him on Saturday, and show us Gooners what we've missed. Up front, I would love RVP to be playing, but it looks like Podolski will start in the centre, with Walcott and Gervinho either side. I am confident that this team can beat Sunderland and get us off to a great start. 
But then comes the factor of there being the International games that could give us a lot more injured players, as we have known all too well in the past. Hopefully the vast majority of our players get through this, as it would be dangerous for us to lose any more players, but it is great that we now have a lot more cover than we did have. Arshavin could possibly feature on saturday which could be good for him, he is really looking to impress. So let's wish him all the best. Yennaris could be a key player for us this season as he is being drafted into the side to possibly replace the injured Sagna, so if he starts, I hope he does well. I've seen Gervinho come under criticism from our fans, they seem to forget that he really does have class and brought a new style to Arsenal's attack. Running into the box more often than most Arsenal players got me excited that we were evolving as a team. Another example of this evolution, in pre season games we seemed to be striking a lot of shots from distance, something we've been working on? Maybe.
In all lets just hope that Arsenal have a cracking start on Saturday, and go on to win some trophies, and show the world why "we're by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen" Take Care.

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Deadwood or the result of the impatience of Wenger

@goonerdiaby

After reading a post from Akhil_gooner about Arsenal’s overall squad, I have been thinking a lot about the future of our club and where we are going to end up this season. With the players that we have and the ones are going to bring in, I along with many fellow Gooners believe that we could actually do very well this season,  and even pick up a trophy, and why not? With the fire power we have in RVP (if he stays) Podolski, Giroud, Walcott and Cazorla (soon to be completed) we really could have a massive impact this season. I would literally put money on this team bagging a trophy. We all say season after season that it’ll be our year, but we have what we need to do what needs done. But a good start to the season is vital, as well as not slipping up in January/February and towards the end of the season, scenarios that have happened time and time again. But they have happened as the squad have lacked depth, and quality depth at that. If Wenger gets Sahin also, why should he stop there, he should buy at least one or two more players and sell some of the “deadwood” at the club.

But to me, a lot of Arsenal’s players are actually really good and shouldn’t be classed as being “deadwood”, because of the quality they undoubtedly have, an example being Nicklas Bendtner.  Big Nick is definitely one of my favourite players at the club, I don’t know why but I really tend to like the underrated players because I see the potential they have and see the odd little game changing things that they do. The reason I like him and feel he shouldn’t be sold is because if you look at his games for Arsenal, he mainly played on the wings. It’s like putting a bonafide striker on the wing, it just doesn’t work out. He may not have the best scoring record but playing on the wing, you really wouldn’t. Examples of his quality are in Euro 2012 his performances for Denmark and also the hat trick he scored against Porto a couple of seasons ago. He does have the quality, just need to be put in his position.

A reason why I would defend the “deadwood” at the club is because of Bosscielny, I mean Laurent Koscielny, another player I greatly admire. In his first season a lot of fans got on his back as he was liable to many mistakes and perhaps cost us some games. But if you look at things, in his first season for the club, he played the majority of the games, and that is something that is quite hard, as he also had to switch leagues. But we stuck with the big boss and look at him now; I read a statistic that said he made the most game saving tackles out of anyone in the league. No more needs to be said.

The point I am trying to make is that we should give some players who definitely have talent a chance, but I see Wengers problem, there are a lot more proven players in these positions. Now players like Bendtner and Chamakh slide down the pecking order with the new arrivals. But even so, these players could stay and be involved in a rotation system in case of injuries. I refer to him almost every entry but Abou Diaby is an example of a player who some see as being “deadwood” but actually has so much talent, and luckily for him, Wenger has faith in the man. I noticed his flair and calm approach to games, and how when Arsenal won games, he played extremely well, it’s just a shame he got an injury. Tomas Rosicky is a player who has had a lot of pressure on him due to a couple of poor performances, and didn’t he pick that form up well. But as usual for us, injuries struck him. Ramsey seemed to impress at the Olympics which is good news, and hopefully the Song rumours are utter rubbish!

All I all, I am pretty happy with the way the club is moving, and if we can stay injury free and get in enough players who would give us depth, I wouldn’t be too surprised if we win a trophy or two. And if we don’t, this transfer season is a great stepping stone for the season after.

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Have faith in Wenger

@goonerdiaby 

I remember a couple seasons ago, fans and even pundits were screaming for Wenger's head as Arsenal were not really in title contention and losing to teams that we shouldn't. And fair enough, that is their opinion. But many fans were calling on Wenger to change his youth policy and to spend big, and effectively end Arsenal's self sustainability, not intentionally, but it is what would have happened. I am not going to lie; I thought Wenger should also spend but not dramatically. Look at teams like Portsmouth and Malaga, as an example, we do not want to end up like them. Speaking of Malaga, I'm delighted that Santi Cazorla will be signing with us; he is an amazing player that will add a new set piece dynamic to our game, as well as versatility.

Wenger is a man who has stuck by this team and has had his own vision for the club. 13 years ago today he brought Henry to this club, simply amazing. But I am calling on us fans to really get behind Wenger this season, as he is showing real intent with the players that he has signed, and possible players he is going to sign. He realizes what we need to win trophies and is delivering what the fans want, world class players. This season I really see us challenging and even winning a trophy, as with the new signings we have Mr Abou back and also Wilshere to come back in, spirits should really be high for this season. On the Van Persie front, I have really gone past caring if he stays or not, of course he is a fantastic player but I feel he has really disrespected the club, and Vermaelen deserves the captaincy role. He would be a big miss but Arsenal should be able to cope. If he does leave, I hope he doesn't stay in England as it would be hard for us all to see him score the winner for one of the Mancs at the Emirates.

It was pleasing to see Diaby talk about Arteta, I’m sure those two will play well together, and in all I hope the whole midfield can gel and play together this season as it is vital they play well. This is an important season and it is very pleasing to see that we have a lot of depth in the squad. I'm sure that this is going to be Diaby's big season; he would be itching to play and get as many games as he can, so let's all pray for the man. Fans really have to show their appreciation for Wenger and his players, it's annoying to read blogs that just insult the man, and he brings the absolute best out of players, and gets the BEST deals, Cazorla and Sahin for example. His transfer dealings this season have really shown the world the #WengerKnows he really does. I'd love to see more defensive cover this season though, so Mr Wenger will have to go back to the window to buy at least one defender. 

All in all, I'm sure all of us are really looking forward to next season, it is only a couple days away now, so all the best for us, we'll end this trophy drought no doubt! 

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Darren Bobb