Arsenal FC:- Squad Analysis

"WE LOVE THE GAME" Yes it is the 2009 Edition of BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE which kicks of today and has everyone excited and this excitement is palpable.
So if your an arsenal fan and have faith in Arsene Wenger then lets analyse the squad,formation and the strengths and weakness for ARSENAL FC as they fight for a top spot this time:-
Goalies:-
1. Manuel Almunia:- Spaniard who came to prominence after Jens Lehman screwed up big time with his erratic saves. Due to injury to Lens and loss of form MANUEL stepped up as number 1 priority in ARSENE's list and he has since not disappointed.
Strengths:-
  • Great Agility
  • Good sense of the game
  • very nice diving ability
  • Strong Saves
Weakness:-
  • As such he's not tall enough like Petr Cech or Van De Sar.
2. Luckaz Fabianski:- This Polish Goalie is highly talented. He needs to be nurtured in a proper way and Arsene for sure knows that. He has shown glimpses of talent but for most of it has been highly erratic when it comes to saving goals.

Defenders(In order of Importance):-
1. William Gallas:-
After the departure of Kolo Toure who was a part of the invinvibles, for a reported 16million pounds, its now up to this 31yr old top class French talisman to get going and prove that he is not only committed to Arsenal FC but also skillful enough to be the best in the business.
Strength:-
  • Very good defending skills overall.
  • No weakness as such and is a complete defender.
2. Gael Clichy:-
Showed his class in the past two seasons filling the shoes of ex-Arsenal Cole.
Strength:-
  • Very high pace
  • Great marking
  • Can run through the whole football field in no time
  • Great crosses

Weakness:- Needs to be fit throughout the season as he is injury prone.

3. Bacaray Sagna:-
Completes the French Trio of Defenders in Arsenal was bought in from Auxerre Fc for a reported £9.5mn and from day one this Right back has been highly influential.

Strength:-
  • Overall a classy defender with skill,pace,marking,etc all in his kitty.
  • One of the major reasons of his success in Arsenal that he is very fit and not at all injury prone as the rest of the squad.
Weakness:- None as such just one advice "More game time better it is for him".

4. Thomas Vermaelen:-
This Belgian Centre back has impressed Arsenal scouts and was highly rated defender though just barely 6ft he has an overall good defending skills. Is the only signing this summer for Arsenal FC and surprisingly Arsene paid £10mn for this 23yr old Ajax stopper.

5.Mikael Silvestre:- Yet another French centre back!!!!!!!!It seems arsene's love for french players is not over but as they say 'Old is Gold' and so it may be. It may have been a surprising to all Arsenal fans when this 32year old Defender was bought in from arch rivals MAN UTD for and undisclosed fee. Is okay but has loads of EXPERIENCE.

6.Alex Song:-
Oh my gosh!!!!This player never stops to impress me he's a class act at his age.This 21 yr old Cameroonian International can play as centre back,defensive mid and holding mid. Though he is just 6'1" he has great physical presence and can be hugely influential this season.

7. Kierran Gibbs:-
Under 21 England International came to prominence last season due to injuries to Clichy and Silvestre. Everyone says Arsenal has found a GAEL CLICHY in him and i agree.

Midfielders:-
1. Cesc Fabregas:-
What can any one say about this lad. Just 22 years of age and is the Captain of the Gunners.
He was bought in by Arsenal FC from Bacelona FC at a meagre price of £500,000. But Arsene had a plan in mind for this lad and he came up the ranks due to injury to Gilberto,Pires,Viera,etc in 2003. Since then he has impressed day by day match by match week by week.
Strength:-
  • Highly creative
  • Highly Skillful
  • Great playmaker
  • Good ball control
  • Descent Dribbling
  • Good Reader of the game.
  • Priceless for Arsenal right now.
Weakness:- Personally none but one advice
  • Needs a good physical presence.
2. Andrei Arshavin:-
The transfer saga which followed him during this winter transfer season was like a Hollywood Thriller. Jokes a part was bought for a record fee of £15mn from Zenit Petersburg on the final hour of the transfer window closing.
After he made his debut he has only impressed everyone by his skills. His Awesome Foursome against Liverpool just shows what a natural talent he is and that money is the key to good players staying in the club.
Strength:-
  • Great Speed
  • Greatest dribbling skills
  • Great game sense
  • Leadership ability.
Weakness:- My opinion is that his stamina is a problem i barely see him play 90mins full.

3. Samir Nasri:-
Yet another talented French Mid. At 22 is touted as the "next Zizou" as he has great dribbling skills. He usually plays as right/left winger and is very very very good player.
Strength:-
  • Great pace
  • Great skill
Weakness:-
  • As always what Arsenal lack in mid field is PHYSICAL PRESENCE and Nasri at 5'10 is just too short to cause any harm to the likes of ALEX(Chelsea) or even a Agger(Liverpool).

4.Thomas Rosicky:-
The Czech international is a class act but due to resent injuries he's just not able to recover completely. Now Arsene declared him fit for Celetic game and on his day he is fierce.Plays as Central Attacking Mid.

5. Theo Walcott:-
He's like a CHEETAH in the pack of Arsenal team.Very fast and skillfull. Though lacks a certain level of maturity which he surely will gain as he plays more regularly. Just needs to be fit.

6. Abou Diaby:-
Iam sorry to but i personally think he is a waste. Abou at 6'3" is more like a VIERA built except the fact that he is not PATRICK VIERA. Is a Defensive Mid. but can play as a natural ball supplier with good dribbling skills but that's it no other footballing ability he posses.

7. Denilson:-
This young Brazilian lad has all the makings of a FLAMINI but lacks the PHYSICAL PRESENCE on a football field. He is 21 and 5' 10" which makes him among the shortest players around in the team so you can imagine. He's just good at short passes and in the 67 matches he's played for arsenal has managed only 3 goals.

8. Aaron Ramsey:-
The U-21 wales International plays as a Central Mid. and has all the makings of an O'Shea. At just 18yrs he has already featured for Wales National team and can play as a right/left winger , central mid, and left/right back. What else he is young an talented.

9. Jack Wilshire:-
The latest Arsenal kid on the block. Jack at just 17yrs of age has featured in all the Pre Season matches Arsenal played and has scored twice against Rangers and one against Athletico Madrid and has been called up for England U-21 season. watch out for this fella as he is lethal.

10. Emmanuel Eboue:- A Defender/Winger is on the verge of a transfer to Barcelona or Fiorentina.

Forwards:-The Arsenal Forward looks really STRONG this time around.
1. Robin Van Persie:-
Most prolific,clinical and lethal striker Arsenal have. At 26 is one of the best Centre Forward the world has seen and my advice to him is be FIT.

2.Eduardo:-
Highly rated Croatian Striker. He scores goals like eating apples from a plate. Suffered a early setback in Feb. 2008 when he was injured due to a slide tackle by MARTIN TAYLOR. He not only broke his fibula minora but also twisted his ankle which caused him to be lay ed off for the year.Now hes fit and raring to go.

3. Carlos Vela:-
This Mexican has a great feat for goals and is quick and can be very lethal when it comes to his left foot. His weak foot ability is really weak.

4. Bendtnar:-
The Dane is the only TALL BULKY player at present. He has great physical presence and a great feat of scoring goals from nowhere. Holds the record for scoring a goal as a substitute when he came of the bench and scored against TOTENHAM FC in just 1.8 secs of his entry. This season is going to be highly influential if he is played regularly and can be come WORLD"S greatest striker.



MY TAKE ON THE TEAM:-
This team looks on course for a top 4 finish but iam being optimistic that WNEGER would sign Brede Haegland and Maroune Chamakh which would surely be a boost.
























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