To Buy Or Not To Buy: That is the question (Transfer Thread)

[Rewinder]

Continue

[phishy]

injuries truly have forced our hand.

buy.

[generals soccer]

injuries truly have forced our hand.

buy.

At this point I would be ecstatic if we sign just ONE solid midfielder.

[HomeatHighbury]

RAXdie_gifI

[DaPrince84]

C'mon that's ridiculous. People are routinely jumped on for saying that we need players, but when they make a point that it was forseeable they get taken to task for it?

Maybe I just don't understand the protocol...we can only mention a need for players when you deem appropriate and, even then, we must act like this is something that has come completely out of the blue?

<shakes head>
its whatever then....

I just dont see the point of someone coming into threads making that same exact statement about having to buy players for the last 4 months... I really dont see what that adds to make that statement over and over, but maybe im just different...

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

its whatever then....

I just dont see the point of someone coming into threads making that same exact statement about having to buy players for the last 4 months... I really dont see what that adds to make that statement over and over, but maybe im just different...

I guess I see it as two sides of the same coin. The posters who want to buy are criticized by those in the Wenger knows camp. And so the circle of life continues...

To refine the point a bit, I suppose one of the big questions in this transfer window (besides the obvious will we buy and if so, what position) is why are we buying. Assuming that we buy, is it because of a short term problem (Cesc) or longer term needs that have not been addressed. That will greatly impact the type of player that Wenger will buy.

Obviously if you believe the club was looking good when the summer window closed, you'd be looking for a stopgap type player to replace Cesc. If, however, you believe that the club failed to address certain needs after the window closed (and the fact that we were linked to Barry and Alonso leads me to believe that even Wenger knew that we were short at least one experienced CM), then we will likely need to buy a player who is likely to stick around for a while.

It probably goes without saying that I fall into the latter category. An experienced DM is a must. It will allow Denilson to play the Cesc role while having a more experienced player next to him, and once Cesc comes back, he has a more natural partner.

[DaPrince84]

I guess I see it as two sides of the same coin. The posters who want to buy are criticized by those in the Wenger knows camp. And so the circle of life continues...

To refine the point a bit, I suppose one of the big questions in this transfer window (besides the obvious will we buy and if so, what position) is why are we buying. Assuming that we buy, is it because of a short term problem (Cesc) or longer term needs that have not been addressed. That will greatly impact the type of player that Wenger will buy.

Obviously if you believe the club was looking good when the summer window closed, you'd be looking for a stopgap type player to replace Cesc. If, however, you believe that the club failed to address certain needs after the window closed (and the fact that we were linked to Barry and Alonso leads me to believe that even Wenger knew that we were short at least one experienced CM), then we will likely need to buy a player who is likely to stick around for a while.

It probably goes without saying that I fall into the latter category. An experienced DM is a must. It will allow Denilson to play the Cesc role while having a more experienced player next to him, and once Cesc comes back, he has a more natural partner.
now this post is something that is better than just saying "we shoulda bought last January", imo... you actually make a case, say who we need to buy and criticize Wenger for not making that buy... thats cool...

I believe Wenger was looking into buying a holding mid as well.. he was very serious about it and identified targets but did not see Alonso or Barry justifying their price tag... Inler was sewn up, but he backed out at the last minute... in the end, I guess im in the minority who think Denilson has done a good job in that role and that the central midfield has not been the problem... I also am not 100% sure if Denilson is adept at playing further up like Cesc.. ive always noticed Denilson letting his partner play a lot higher and even be the playmaker while he sat back... but I believe that Denilson has done the job this year... and then Alex Song has been very good in that role in the big matches this season as well...

I think the position that Wenger should have addressed last summer, and should def look at this next window is the creative wide player... Rosicky is injured, but he thought he would come back in October but obviously that was not true... Nasri has been very inconsistent in that role (expected I guess) and Theo is more of a traditional winger than that type of player... that would be something I hope Wenger looks at because that would take pressure of our CMs... and with someone like Hleb and Rosicky, they also tracked back and helped out the fullbacks

[Martin Daoust]

The funny thing is we have so many attacking midfielders I don't know if ,ironically enough, we need to replace Cesc - I think Nasri, Denilson, Diaby(more of an attacking with goal-scoring threat role than purely creative role), or Ramsey can all play Cesc's role, and reasonably well, too. The fact is still need a proper defensive midfielder for Cesc as much or more than we need Cesc himself right now.

I'd still rather see, Matuidi, Inler, or Cana, among more affordable options be brought in than yet another midfielder creator. We need a defensive midfielder a powerful aerial central defender(NOT Senderos), and a two-footed winger(not another attacking central midfielder pushed out wide) before we need a replacement for Cesc, let alone, any of these strikers(who I would pursue this summer) we're linked with now.

[DaPrince84]

a two-footed winger(not another attacking central midfielder pushed out wide)
but our attack was at its best when we had Rosicky and Hleb out there...

[thedude83]

The daily mail is reporting that Wilshere is going out on loan to west brom next month. Don't how I feel about that. I guess it would be a good idea to get him acclimated to the premiership so he can play a bigger role next year. But he is proggessing just fine right now and Arsene shot this same rumour down about a month ago.

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

I don't believe a like for like Cesc replacement makes much sense, either.

I's rather strengthen the other areas of the park that need it now more than ever.


Some speculation...

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is considering Marcos Senna, Yaya Toure and Mark Noble as a replacement for the injured Cesc Fabregas. (Daily Mirror)

I would really like Senna if the price was right.

[TerpSoccerFan]

but our attack was at its best when we had Rosicky and Hleb out there...

And it still wasn't good enough.

A debate of "we need an AM v. we need a DM!" is pointless. The answer is both. This team is poor enough that no one player will fix anything. It need at least another attacking midfielder, it needs at least another defensive middfielder, it needs another defender. It is not a one or the other, but an "all of it, please."

[Martin Daoust]

Well, I consider Appiah as a 2 way, he loves to get in the attack and has a great shot from distance. The same things I love about Marcos Senna to Arsenal I love about Appiah. Plus, adding a younger, unproven player with a proven, CL-quality player at the position is not a bad idea when we're looking at 3 months without Cesc.

I just think Appiah can fill a role, for no transfer fee. Christ, give him a 4 month deal with high wages (the main reason he's not yet signed with a club) and re-evaluate the situation when the seasons over.

and it's a transfer thread, and I'm waiting in the airport for my flight, just talking shit.

I know Arsene wont buy like crazy under duress, I'd be surprised with more than 2 signings, but I do expect more than 15 million to be spent on those two. I'm pretty sure Arsene is hurting for some reinforcements, I've never seen him this animated, this disgusted by his team's play. Cesc's injury had to have sealed the deal, Gazidis will have some work to do.

In a perfect world, we'd drop the 15+ million it would take to pry Senna away, add a reasonably priced wing, and Hangeland/Samba. If that were happen my jaw would remain on the floor for a good month.

Also, I don't mind picking up two defensive minded midfielders, considering we've zero, and need help at the position. Really, the post was tongue in cheek, I just hate the thought of Appiah in a Spurs shi(r)t.

Common Sense appropriately enough ,speaks some real, well, common sense here. If we are that tight for cash for whatever reason or want to have more cash to use for other players why not sign Appiah for the remainder of the year with an eye toward extending the contract if he does the job we ask of him? I mean we could sign a needed aerial defender and a two-footed winger and maybe even have a go at Villa now or this summer with savings from that deal. If he assures us that top-four finish or better its surely more than worth the rather minimal investment, no? And if we don't go for that striker we can always go for a player of higher quality in that role in the summer with those savings.

[DaPrince84]

And it still wasn't good enough.

tbf, we dont know that... Rosicky was coming into his own in the league and we created a load of chances and our defense was (until that point) the best in the league... he got injured and that was left as an incomplete...

edit: their is a reason no one has signed Appiah yet... that includes Arsenal...

[TerpSoccerFan]

tbf, we dont know that... Rosicky was coming into his own in the league... he got injured and that was left as an incomplete...

He was good, but that was the problem with that team. A lot of good and not enough great.

I think that should be the motto of the team. A lot of very talented and fatally flawed players. Maybe this is what happens when you buy in the bargain bin all the time.

[TerpSoccerFan]

edit: their is a reason no one has signed Appiah yet... that includes Arsenal...

This is a bit of an aside, but there was a lot of interesting stuff earlier in the week regarding Appiah and MLS. Apparently Appiah's agent offered him to MLS clubs as a Designated Player.

[Martin Daoust]

but our attack was at its best when we had Rosicky and Hleb out there...

Please. Our attack was at its best when we had Henry up front who could go wide and Pies and Ljungberg and Wiltord out wde who could cut in when Henry went wide, and stay wide when Henry stayed in, and they all could play each other in on goal.

Point being our wingers have never been strictly wide men, nor have our strikers been strictly center-forwards under Arsene Wenger. I think the difference between this generation of players and the group from 02-04 is this group simply has never been as direct or as someone else said on another forum dynamic. And the big difference is where Henry was the lynch pin because he was a brilliant footballer with sprinter's speed and altleticism, Theo Walcott is a spectacular sprinter still learning to play top-flight football(and making decent progress so you understand I'm not blaming him). I think we need some more footballers who are more dynamic in this team and fast, so that we can again play the attacking football we played from 02-05.

[CRASH 4 ARSENAL]

He was good, but that was the problem with that team. A lot of good and not enough great.

I think that should be the motto of the team. A lot of very talented and fatally flawed players. Maybe this is what happens when you buy in the bargain bin all the time.

That's what it is all about right now, isn't it.

I hope that Wenger sees this and that is why he hasn't been buying much lately. Maybe he is not finding great and refusing to settle for good? I dunno, but I can hope. Hopefully he finds and attains great again soon.

[DaPrince84]

He was good, but that was the problem with that team. A lot of good and not enough great.

I think that should be the motto of the team. A lot of very talented and fatally flawed players. Maybe this is what happens when you buy in the bargain bin all the time.
Rosicky's flaw is his injury issues...

but at the end, that statement had nothing to do with what I said about the attack last season

we obviously need some better talent and depth tho...

Please. Our attack was at its best when we had Henry up front who could go wide and Pies and Ljungberg and Wiltord out wde who could cut in when Henry went wide, and stay wide when Henry stayed in, and they all could play each other in on goal.

Point being our wingers have never been strictly wide men, nor have our strikers been strictly center-forwards under Arsene Wenger. I think the difference between this generation of players and the group from 02-04 is this group simply has never been as direct or as someone else said on another forum dynamic. And the big difference is where Henry was the lynch pin because he was a brilliant footballer with sprinter's speed and altleticism, Theo Walcott is a spectacular sprinter still learning to play top-flight football(and making decent progress so you understand I'm not blaming him). I think we need some more footballers who are more dynamic in this team and fast, so that we can again play the attacking football we played from 02-05.
true... lets sign Ljunberg, Wiltord, Pires, and Henry :rolleyes:

you dont think maybe I meant this group, right now?... nah, I couldnt have :rolleyes:

I do agree this group is not as direct as the previous group... and not as dynamic... but thats because the team is different now (different football era too)... Rosicky was very important to this group because of his movement, and how he helped Cesc out (same with Hleb)... we are missing that now...

[Martin Daoust]

And it still wasn't good enough.

A debate of "we need an AM v. we need a DM!" is pointless. The answer is both. This team is poor enough that no one player will fix anything. It need at least another attacking midfielder, it needs at least another defensive middfielder, it needs another defender. It is not a one or the other, but an "all of it, please."

But do we have the money or the desire to spend the money to fix all of it?