Changes up front?

[gooner_sf]

One thing that has me concerned about the weekend is that Adebayor went scoreless again. Anyone remember last year how he'd turn in brilliant performances and then go an entire month without scoring?

It could be a bumpy ride until RvP returns. While the big guy (Ade/Bendtner) + small guy (RvP/Walcott/Edu) idea up front looks nice in theory, do our big guys have enough finishing consistency to make it work? Walcott looked like pure class for his 2nd in last week's thrashing; I can't help but wonder if we might be better off with Walcott+Eduardo starting in the striker spots.

Thoughts?

[red & wite army]

Walcott+Eduardo starting in the striker spots.

Thoughts?

I think that partnership is not going too happen too soon.
They're both to small and similar to have together upfront.

They may be good players, but you also need a man upfront that can get knock balls down and challenge aerially. Both players can hold the ball up to an extent, especially Eduardo, from what I've seen...but there's just not enough experience and confidence between the two of them...not yet at least.

Yes, Adebayor is not scoring atm, and he isn't quite on form compared to what we saw from him a few weeks back, but he can still offer the team a lot - even when not scoring.

I'd stick to what we have atm, and see how it goes...

[GPARsenal]

Ade may be slightly off form right now, but he's a work-horse, and we absolutely need the pressure he's capable of putting on a defence. I'd like to see Eduardo paired with him b/c of his 'poacher' qualities. Plus, he was clinical in finishing his second goal today...I know ManU in the league is far different from Sheffield in the CC, but he'll be confident coming off of this mid-week brace. I could see us getting a goal Saturday from Ade forcing a defensive error and Eduardo being in the right place to pounce on it. Just my 2 cents...

[thesicknessuntocesc]

Honestly, I'm somewhat concerned about our striking options. We've got, by my count, 5 strikers who could start in the EPL. This is in terms of experience, mostly:

1) Ade
2) RVP
3) Eduardo
4) Walcott
5) Bendtner

I love RvP and Ade, our first choice partnership, but I have to say that I'm not really 100% confident that they are consistent enough. THis year, they sort of went one at a time. First Ade got hot (that goal vs sperz) and then cooled off while RvP heated up (that incredible free kick that almost broke the bar). The problem then came up when RvP gets injured and Ade isn't playing so great.

Something else I was thinking during the CC match was about the future...honestly, Bendtner is totally right to be pissed he's not playing-- I think he's very, very talented, and by the end of the season should be battling with Ade for the starting spot. But then look below that--in 3 years or so, the oldest of our strikers will only be like 27 or 28 or so, and by that point Vela, Theo, et al should hypothetically be getting playing time. In places like the center of midfield, there's a pretty clear plan: Cesc is the anchor, Gilberto is leaving, Denilson plays the understudy, and I'd say either Diaby or Diarra will be with us for the long-term, and people like Merida are long-term projects (3-4 years). How is our forward line going to look in that time frame? I know Theo's the favorite now, but he's really got to work on his finishing and making more attacking runs at people...but then are we going to be willing to part with Robin Van Persie, who will probably be one of the best strikers in teh world by that point?

This really hasn't been coherent at all, but the point is pretty much that we have TOO MUCH (potential) TALENT and no one who is really established and consistent.

[thesicknessuntocesc]

Oh, and that I really really hope Bendtner doesn't leave.

[kanonier]

No offense, but I think you're creating problems where they don't really exist. I'll never complain about having too much talent or too much potential. Sure it can create some interesting situations, but it's a great problem to have.

I still think Wenger sees the striker pecking order as Eduardo providing cover for RvP and Bendtner providing cover for Adebayor. Yet to be proven though – we'll see if Eduardo starts in place of RvP this weekend.

[GPARsenal]

No offense, but I think you're creating problems where they don't really exist. I'll never complain about having too much talent or too much potential. Sure it can create some interesting situations, but it's a great problem to have.

Exactly...I'm pretty happy with our striker situation right now (save for RvP being injured), but I do agree that with RvP out injured and Adebayor a bit out of form, we lack a proven (consistent) goal-scorer up top. That being said, if over the next few years these strikers all continue to develop as they have the potential to, we will have exactly what we need. You have to consider that unless one of them is begging to leave, there's no sense in getting rid of a talented striker to make room for another one who is developing or what have you. As our current situation shows (and has shown in the past), injuries/internat'l duty/etc...will all crate a need for several quality players up front. As iufan said, having players (who all deserve to start) fighting for limited spots is a good dilemma for Wenger to have.

[ivanchin99]

I really dont see Eduardo starting this saturday.. In fact, i dont see anyone who has played in CC yesterday would play tomorrow..

[impalemeplz]

the only small man combo i could see working is RVP + walcott because RVP comes deep and walcott takes up other positions.

[red & wite army]

the only small man combo i could see working is RVP + walcott because RVP comes deep and walcott takes up other positions.

I know RvP isn't quite Bendtner or Adebayor size - but I would never call him small - he's pretty big and strong. He's definitely not in the same size of strength category as Eduardo or Theo.

[gooner_sf]

But is the size card overplayed/overrated? ManUre seem to be doing fine with 2 little guys up front... I guess we'll see how they match up with Willy & Kolo this wkend.

[thesicknessuntocesc]

I think we will actually hold htem at bay in Manu's striker position...the only real way Gallas and Toure get beaten is by size and height (see: Crouch), but they are both damn fast.

[surfcam]

Ade hasn't been scoring lately, but he has had chances and works like crazy. He didn't score all the time last season, but he seemed to have a nose for goal against the Mancs, so I'm looking for another tomorrow morning! Come on you Gunners!!!!

[gooner_sf]

No goals from the striker position again today.

At least only 1 more league game before RvP returns (hopefully).

I can see us moving for a striker, as well as possibly getting a CB and selling Gilberto in the xfer window... but I guess that's a discussion for the xfer topic. :)

[KozIsCul]

This is what I feared when we got Eduardo over the summer. Adebayor lacks skill, and RVP is injured. The international break is good timing for us at the moment. The fly in this ointment is that, in the past, RVP takes a while to regain form after he has recovered from injury.

IMO, the League title hinges on our ability to do at least one of three things:

1. Ade improves or is replaced.
2. Starting Dec 1 or so RVP picks up where he left off.
3. We can generate consistent goals from the midfield.

[Highbury]

I have no worries. I think the goals will come vs. Reading and Wigan, and before you know it RvP will be back. The 451 will never score as many goals as the 442.

[Skizz]

Good lord. Why does Ade need to improve? He plays as a striker on his own, batters Ferdinand and Vidic out of the way to create space for others (which was his role yesterday) and people still moan. Without RvP he has to play differently and take one for the team, which is why he hasn't scored as much. He does miss chances, but name me a striker who scores every time he gets the ball. I don't see why this is so difficult for people to comprehend. The amount of running the guy does is crazy, more than anyone else on the team, and for what - people to bollock him and call him crap, and say he needs to improve. Unbelievable.

[thesicknessuntocesc]

skizz, how many shots (on target) did adebayor have last game? How bout vs Liverpool? I can't remember the last time he put one on the keeper.

Rvp and Dudu (see: 1st goal vs Sheffield) at least test the keeper, Ade just keeps the passing going. Luckily, we've got this kid named Cesc, but otherwise we're still sort of anemic on offense.

Addendum: I'd love for Hleb to score soon! He's been playing amazing, and he got a few in teh early season.

[Skizz]

That is the point! He's not there to have shots! He is there to nullify the centre backs when playing in a 4-5-1. Perhaps you should notice how he links play with simple passing off to the wings to involve Hleb/Rosicky/Walcott. That is why he is there, the 4-5-1 operates differently with him up top, same as it would be different with van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, whoever. This is what I mean about people not watching full matches and noticing what actually goes on rather than watching 3-minute highlights then coming out and saying people are crap.

And perhaps notice RvP hasn't played in a 4-5-1, Eduardo has only played in a 4-4-2, as was the formation when he scored 2 against a much inferior team on Wednesday, so it's a shit comparison to say "these people score" when playing in a completely different formation. Wise up mate.

[thesicknessuntocesc]

I've watched the full 90 all season except for last round's CC and one CL game.

I'm sorry, I was under the impression that strikers....are supposed to...strike the ball. Preferably into the net. It seems like the most counterintuitive thing in the WORLD to say that Ade's purpose is NOT to shoot. HE'S A STRIKER!!!!!!

I understand that what he does is important, but the only person scoring with consistency is Cesc right now. If we had Pires or if Hleb were getting goals, or if Rosicky were playing better, then I understand. But if Ade's not getting anything, it's onto Cesc's shoulders. I'm saying we're lucky we've got Cesc, but most teams vying for the EPL have forwards who score. Simple as that.