Ashburton Grove Gooners

You will be asleep longer than Sleeping Beauty Radders

Malz was signed almost 10 years ago, Arsene has improved in his time at Arsenal in identifying young players and has a better scouting network now. Arsene gets more right than wrong.

On Bischoff...

Not an exciting player but got him cheap, on low wages, and on a short contract. He's had injury problems but Werder wanted to keep him despite this, so he obviously has something there because Arsene has identified it too. He isn't injured but because of his lack of games he needs to get fit, hence him being in the reserves for a while. It offers us potentially another option in the middle when the games hit hard and is versatile too, so good say I.

Arsene said we are maybe 1 player short, so reckon there is a 70% chance we'll bring in another player too. Hopefully Grimandi Mk II.

you're not wrong

more like hopefully Vieria mark 2 please.

A basher in midfield would be nice...someone to add just that little bit of bite to the defense...someone with tenacity like Flam had who will always go after the 50/50 ball and probably a 40/60 ball, too.

That's Diaby I just want a utility player who can step in without being great and just do a job all over the pitch. Get that kind of player, preferably someone older than 21, and we're sorted imo.

Nah I would rather have a dedicated CDM player than a utility player anyday. We have enough "utility" players as it is. We need a proper CDM who can hold midfield and let Cesc play his game. Like Flamini did really.

If Diaby can work with the tenacity that Flam had, then I'd give him the job hands down. If he can't, then adding someone else has to start with someone with, as I've said, tenacity.

Flamini didn't really though. He dropped deeper than Cesc and was more defensive, but he was still quite attacking. He got forward quite a bit, especially as the season progressed and I'd say if anything we had two box-to-box midfielders last season [albeit one more attacking than the other] and will have [imo] the same thing again this coming season with Diaby and Cesc. I don't think we have one experienced utility player tbh... someone who can slot in three/four positions... Flamini could but he left.

Like I keep saying...tenacity, tenacity, tenacity!

I just ain't confident with Diaby's defensive work. He likes to get forward alot, could leave us very open on the counter attack. He might get there in time.

Sorry Skis didn't quite get that. Whats that word again ?

I think it was tenacity...? Not quite sure though...

Yeah I agree its a risk. He is attacking, and is definitely a box-to-box midfielder who would have to curb that side of his game slightly to add balance. Another CDM wouldn't be the worst thing, I just want to see Diaby get his chance. And if he doesn't take it then Song can do it too.

Thing is I think Song is a better CB than CM. Great potential.