The Arsenal Thread XII

If we keep Walcott on, our wings have good depth with Walcott, Gervinho, Podolski, Chamberlain and possibly Miyaichi vying for a place in the starting line-up.

Apparently Schweinsteiger's revealed he turned down a 'mega offer' from us last summer. Bit taken aback by that really, no surprise he turned us down but the intention to genuinely try for him is pretty interesting.

Sunderland have released Craig Gordon.

As free transfers go, he wouldn't be a bad option if Wenger is considering bringing in a replacement for Almunia.

RVP will stay. He will become a legend at the club if he does.


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Do you not feel we have the same dilemma in the centre of midfield (Wilshere, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Diaby, Coquelin) and on the wings (Podolski, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamberlain, possibly Miyaichi)?

Really? Is this from Twitter?

I'm really surprised too. If that isn't showing positive intent in the market, I don't know what is.

Apparently Schweinsteiger's revealed he turned down a 'mega offer' from us last summer. Bit taken aback by that really, no surprise he turned us down but the intention to genuinely try for him is pretty interesting.

Yes, except Mertesacker would probably usually be breaking up play using his positioning (interceptions) and height rather than energy and tough tackling (as is usually the case with the 'destroyer' role - which is what Vermaelen is supposed to play).

Yes, Vermaelen-Mertesacker-Koscielny. It could work so well if we could keep a handle on the disciplinary issues. As it is, I'd be afraid that we'd often end up on the wrong end of a counter-attack with only Mertesacker back defending.

Yeah, supposed to play lol, in any case we'd end up with 2 at the back, if Vermaelen decides to continue with his forward forays. God forbid Kos decides to attack and Mert was left on his own :O But hopefully Bould can reinstate some defensive discipline over the coming months.

I'm a bit confused as to why no one seems to be bothered about Walcott's contract. Of course he has only been 'consistent in patches' () but he has been our second most productive player in attack and has a great understanding with Robin. Although it seems more and more likely that we won't get to see any more of their combining play as the days drag on.

If he decides to not sign a new contract I'm not sure whether the board would try and get a quick sale (he is young and English so could fetch a pretty penny) or keep him until next season and hope he signs a new contract. I hear people saying they wouldn't mind if he went, but why would we get rid of one of our best players that we have been nurturing for the best part of 6 years, who is now just starting to come good?

Are we all supporting Bayern today then?

- van Persie leaves.
- Amid the general gloom, Arsenal announce that Walcott has agreed to a new 5-year deal.
- Walcott gets his chance in the centre, we play Podolski-Walcott-Gervinho.
- Walcott turns out to be the next Henry after all and scores 40 goals.
- Arsenal win stuff too.



Seriously, I'm not quite sure. I get the feeling that his contract situation is somehow tied to van Persie's - though from his media history and comments, I'd be pretty confident that he'd want to sign a contract extension. There must be other factors - like perhaps the board not wanting to talk to anyone before they finish with van Persie, or something like that - that come into play.

From his media history and comments, I'd be pretty confident that he'd want to sign a contract extension.

- van Persie leaves.
- Amid the general gloom, Arsenal announce that Walcott has agreed to a new 5-year deal.
- Walcott gets his chance in the centre, we play Podolski-Walcott-Gervinho.
- Walcott turns out to be the next Henry after all and scores 40 goals.
- Arsenal win stuff too.



Seriously, I'm not quite sure. I get the feeling that his contract situation is somehow tied to van Persie's - though from his media history and comments, I'd be pretty confident that he'd want to sign a contract extension. There must be other factors - like perhaps the board not wanting to talk to anyone before they finish with van Persie, or something like that - that come into play.

Theo has already come out and said that he's the type of striker that needs to play alongside a target man, which is why him and RVP up front wouldn't work. I wonder if that's what Wenger is/ has been hanging onto Bendtner for, in the hope that he'll mature enough to fulfil that role.

The only reason Bendtner is still around is because we can't find a club daft enough to match the stupid wages Wenger gave him for no real reason much the same as Vela, Denilson, Almunia etc.

The only reason Bendtner is still around is because we can't find a club daft enough to match the stupid wages Wenger gave him for no real reason much the same as Vela, Denilson, Almunia etc.