By the end of the Ajax cup we'll know!

[martymarts]

Whether it's another season of the apologists talking about transition and grooming young players or if all the hyperbole is actually gonna lead to some substance; by August 4th we'll know!

Right now, I fear that this could be our worst season since before George Graham!

[Guy Fawkes]

I thought you meant that, by the end of the Ajax cup we'll know whether or not we need to sign another right back.

[HighburyGoon]

I don't think we'll know anything until the end of September.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

I'm a little disappointed we are not playing Valencia.

Valencia, Inter, Lazio and Ajax is a nice litmus test for the club, with potentially four Champions League opponents.

[Bluto11]

we won't know shit.

we won't know anything until the season is over ;)

[GoonerMan]

I thought you meant that, by the end of the Ajax cup we'll know whether or not we need to sign another right back.

funny u should say that actually, it looks like wenger has already targeted his next right back signing

Lassana Diarra :rolleyes: (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=471361&in_page_id=1779&ct=5)

[HomeatHighbury]

I'm curious to see how we do against those four teams. Starting tomorrow...it will be nice to start the season with everyone fit however. minus gilberto.

[XCdude24]

I doubt we'll know how good this team is until the middle of september or so. IIRC we had a terrible preseason in 03-04.

[Smalls123]

We have the talent and skill to compete this year. But we still may be a year away in terms of materity.

And we definatly won't know by the end of the Ajax Cup :rolleyes:

[martymarts]

A lot of youngsters have been given playing time in the friendlies, but, what I see so far is a lack of cohesion and a lack of winning composure/killer instinct. It follows on from last year and; with all the same faces minus the experience, it'll be a huge job to match our main competitiors! We'll need a good start to the season, but we didn't finish particularly strongly last time, and I haven't seen anything that suggests that transfers or player development will turn it around.

I don't think Flamini is a stater, I have grave doubts about Adebayor and Diaby, doubts about Hleb and Rosicky and Gallas' committment, Ebue's attitude, Lehmanns sell by date and am convinced that Walcott is either shite or not ready, neither is Bendtner or Denilson. Da Slva might not even get a work permit; another player to add to the list on loan? Toure, Cesc, Gilberto and RVP are undoubted class but it ain't enough.

Gallas is now been touted as a possible Capt which is absurd and, like our previous two capt's, it looks like it's being offered to stop him leaving? What a crock of BS!

[alain_9510]

A lot of youngsters have been given playing time in the friendlies, but, what I see so far is a lack of cohesion and a lack of winning composure/killer instinct. It follows on from last year and; with all the same faces minus the experience, it'll be a huge job to match our main competitiors! We'll need a good start to the season, but we didn't finish particularly strongly last time, and I haven't seen anything that suggests that transfers or player development will turn it around.

I don't think Flamini is a stater, I have grave doubts about Adebayor and Diaby, doubts about Hleb and Rosicky and Gallas' committment, Ebue's attitude, Lehmanns sell by date and am convinced that Walcott is either shite or not ready, neither is Bendtner or Denilson. Da Slva might not even get a work permit; another player to add to the list on loan? Toure, Cesc, Gilberto and RVP are undoubted class but it ain't enough.

Gallas is now been touted as a possible Capt which is absurd and, like our previous two capt's, it looks like it's being offered to stop him leaving? What a crock of BS!

Is Flamini a starter now :confused: I wouldn't see a reason to doubt Hleb or Rosicky's commitment. Walcott has probably been our best player of the pre-season so far. Diaby is tipped by football journalists to become a key player for us next season, and Adebayor was one of our better performers last season. If Man Utd can get a wp for Anderson, uncapped Brazilian, then Arsene surely should get one for Eduardo, who has 14 caps for Croatia. If you look at AW's latest press conference he says that the new captain will probably be Gilberto.

I don't think there's quite that much to worry about myself.

[Smalls123]

A lot of youngsters have been given playing time in the friendlies, but, what I see so far is a lack of cohesion and a lack of winning composure/killer instinct. It follows on from last year and; with all the same faces minus the experience, it'll be a huge job to match our main competitiors! We'll need a good start to the season, but we didn't finish particularly strongly last time, and I haven't seen anything that suggests that transfers or player development will turn it around.

I don't think Flamini is a stater, I have grave doubts about Adebayor and Diaby, doubts about Hleb and Rosicky and Gallas' committment, Ebue's attitude, Lehmanns sell by date and am convinced that Walcott is either shite or not ready, neither is Bendtner or Denilson. Da Slva might not even get a work permit; another player to add to the list on loan? Toure, Cesc, Gilberto and RVP are undoubted class but it ain't enough.

Gallas is now been touted as a possible Capt which is absurd and, like our previous two capt's, it looks like it's being offered to stop him leaving? What a crock of BS!

We are through 4 friendlies and already in complete panic mode :rolleyes:

[carw2005]

i want to see the youngsters bang in the goal during these preseason games, i want to know how deep our fire power really is!

I think most people are expecting silverware this season...I know we have been spoilt in the Wenger years but i want more, i want SO MUCH MORE!:D

[49unbeaten]

I think theres no doubt that Arsenal will be playing some of the football in the league next season and will among the top sides. But the problem that we have faced over the past few seasons and will continue to have unless someone steps up is that we lack a real leader. We dont have a character in the side who commands with real heart. I think gilberto can be that player as on some occasions last season he was. It the points dropped at lower teams that kill us and until someone can inspire us in the dog fights we wont challenge for the title.

[Rick B]

We are through 4 friendlies and already in complete panic mode :rolleyes:

Nope, it's just Martin. Everyone is used to him by now, he generally starts 4 or 5 panic threads at the beginning of the season and it looks like this won't be any different.

Hey Martin - how about a tenner on we finish in the top 3 this season?!!

[Miles Brasher]

Nope, it's just Martin. Everyone is used to him by now, he generally starts 4 or 5 panic threads at the beginning of the season and it looks like this won't be any different.

Hey Martin - how about a tenner on we finish in the top 3 this season?!!

Whilst there are several uncertainties in many peoples minds this season, it's good to see that Martin is as fixed and focused on our downfall as ever. Gawd help him if we'd lost at the weekend ;)

[Naushad78]

A lot of youngsters have been given playing time in the friendlies, but, what I see so far is a lack of cohesion and a lack of winning composure/killer instinct. It follows on from last year and; with all the same faces minus the experience, it'll be a huge job to match our main competitiors! We'll need a good start to the season, but we didn't finish particularly strongly last time, and I haven't seen anything that suggests that transfers or player development will turn it around.

I don't think Flamini is a stater, I have grave doubts about Adebayor and Diaby, doubts about Hleb and Rosicky and Gallas' committment, Ebue's attitude, Lehmanns sell by date and am convinced that Walcott is either shite or not ready, neither is Bendtner or Denilson. Da Slva might not even get a work permit; another player to add to the list on loan? Toure, Cesc, Gilberto and RVP are undoubted class but it ain't enough.

Gallas is now been touted as a possible Capt which is absurd and, like our previous two capt's, it looks like it's being offered to stop him leaving? What a crock of BS!

It will never get that bad unless we suffer the number of injuries that we did last year. There's more pressure on Wenger and more responsibility on the kids which will automatically translate into a better performance. I don't see Wenger making his usual,"we played well but unlucky blah blah" after a loss and I see those kids picking up a collective responsibility on the pitch to win when they're down.
However, injuries to key players like RVP, Cesc or even a CB might just change all that. If we stay injury free, we'll come 2nd, I'm fairly certain.

[martymarts]

I think you'll find that the doom and gloom in my posts began and gradually deepened over the last 3 years. (PS can someone tell me what we won last year or the year before?) Well, Amsterdam is done and without more new signings my prognosis is that, unfortunately, I will take your bet, Rick!

It isn't as bad as I feared it could've been. The squad is deep and well capable of 4th but, IMHO, anything better will be a pleasant suprise. We might do okay in domestic cup competitions, but I suspect that we don't have the staying power for the league or the experience for the CL?

There was a lot of positve stuff to be taken from pre-season, but, we still ain't making enough chances and certainly aren't clinical enough in front of goal. Defensively there are q's to be asked about how easily teams seem to be able to get behind us. Senderos and Djourou are prone to concentration lapses and it was worrying to see how easily a yesterday man like Rommedahl got past Sagna?

I see our main frailties in the middle though. We don't have anyone like PV4 = Strong, good tackler, skillful and a 1st class footballing brain. Diaby is reckless, tackles little better than Paul Scholes and just doesn't seem to be capable of the quality decision making that were part and parcel of Paddy's best years. Alot will depend on how good a season Gilberto has; and if he can stay fit? Song and Denilson have tons of potential but aren't regular starters in my book. Cesc had a poor preseason it could be October before we see him shine; I hope all the Real talk hasn't unsettled him? Triore has had a very good preseason. Elegant, classy, good skill and pace to burn; now add some defence lad!

I'm glad Flamini is staying. He has experience, is tenacious and adaptable. He also shouldn't start often! He's just too slow and needs too many touches. On the flanks, there were flashes of brilliance from Ebuue that, even with his temprement, make him a valuable squad player. Hleb had a good preseason, but won't get that kind of time in the Prem. He faded in and out of the Ajax game and I really hope he isn't going to blow hot and cold again this season. Does he have fitness issues? One player who clearly has fitness and injury issues is Rosicky. I don't understand why people have sooo quickly taken this guy to their hearts? Okay, he has been carrying a niggle, but putting him on the left simply doesn't work! He came on 2nd half in one game (1st half was clichy and Hoyte on the left I think?) and completely killed what had been a good channel for us. He is out of matches for long stretches and doesn't seem to fit with the system? The only player who seems less clear about what he should be doing ios Walcott!

Lehmann terrifies me on back passes. Alumnia looks like a good back up, but Fabianski looks a long way from the finished article.

When is Walcott going to stop looking like 'little boy lost'? Liked the look of Bendtner, but doubt we'll see everything he has to offer in 08? Really like the look of DaSilva. Great strength and tenacity and excellant work rate. Could this be the 'fox in the box' that has so far eluded Arsene? He and Bendtner reminded me of Keagan and Toshack. Now to the sharp end, the young man whose basket holds a fair old chunk of our eggs; what we get out of 07/08 will depend on RVP staying suspension and injury free. If any one is gonna deliver the goods this fella will be the one. We haven't seen Adebayor and quite frankly I didn't need to! He ain't got it and never will have! I love his spirit and work rate and he can be a decent Kanu type, but should he end up as our #1 forward for the coming season then I don't think I'll bother watching the games!

My player of preseason though is Clichy. The run he made to lay on the winner for RVP the other night was top drawer. Get him to practice his finishing and forget about Rosicky. The lad was electric.

Having first thought it absurd, I wonder if Gallas would be a good Capt? He's all about winning and takes no nonsense. Perhaps it would bring out the best in him?

From what I've seen it's going to be another season of , 'guess who plays where' and that ain't the recipe for winning the prem!

Another slice of potential and transition, Vicar?

[RealMadGunner]

There was a lot of positve stuff to be taken from pre-season, but, we still ain't making enough chances and certainly aren't clinical enough in front of goal. Defensively there are q's to be asked about how easily teams seem to be able to get behind us. Senderos and Djourou are prone to concentration lapses and it was worrying to see how easily a yesterday man like Rommedahl got past Sagna?


Good post, pretty honest too .. But saying we aren't creating enough chances in front of goal ?! Cesc, our main creator hasn't been playing much .. Gilberto, the guy who stops lots of balls going towards our defense, hasn't even started playing .. And we all know they are the 2 definite starters i our team ..

I suppose what this pre-season has taught us is that though it might look like we are severely out of depth, we are indeed covered pretty well .. We have been playing a team of kids mostly, including Denilson, Traore, Bendtner, Walcott .. And they aren't even the first choice players this season and still they did impress ..

Honestly, RvP has been the brightest spark .. He's delivering what has been expected of him .. Goals have been flowing pretty frequently for him and he looks liek he's trying harder to improve .. That can't be a bad thing ..

Gallas with the arm-band looks like a different Arsenal player .. If it can help the team, i'd forget my differences with him and support our new captain ..

And Hleb impressed lots of people in his new #10 role .. So we can cope pretty well if Cesc gets injured or suspended .. We have an abundance of playmakers, so that shouldn't really be a big problem .. And regardign Hleb's fading in and out of games, i can remember that kind of thing happening to players like Ronaldinho, Henry ;) .. So i wouldn't be too worried ..

And Eduardo also has been impressing a lot of fans .. I saw the part when he nearly scored of that long-ball, singlehandedly .. In him, we have another technically good player, with very good work rate and a natural goal scorer ..

If anything, all i can see are some huge improvements to the squad rather than the opposite .. The 'team' looks stronger than last season, definitely .. We have the same squad, only another season older and wiser .. People might dismiss us saying we are too young and inexperienced .. Being young is one thing and being inexperienced is another .. We have the same 'kids' who have grown up, know enough of their team-mates, and can play together very well .. And are individually brilliant too, like RvP or Cesc or Hleb .. This is what I've been waiting ever since there has been an influx of young talent into the squad .. It took its time, but the time deliver has nearly arrived .. We can see how well this team performs this season and probably we might end up empty handed this season too but i wouldn't be surprised if we give a strong fight in all the competitions ..

[PsychedelicCeltic]

I too was a little worried at how easily Sagna got skinned. Huntelaar had him in knots.