Andy Gray had some interesting comments via betfairfootball.com about Arsenal and how the Gunners will do this season. Here are his comments?
“When you look at Arsenal’s side, and you look at the squad they have got, they’re very well covered up front. The addition of Marouane Chamakh confirms that. And they’re very well covered in the midfield and the full-back area of the pitch.
“If they get close to Chelsea and Manchester United and miss out again it might be because they didn’t strengthen in the areas where they are most vulnerable – which is the middle of the defence and the goalkeeper.
“It’s these two areas I think Arsene knows he needs to address. There’s no doubt he’s tried to strengthen his goalkeeping options. He’s been in for Mark Schwarzer, the Fulham keeper, and there’s been talk of him bidding for Pepe Reina. So, there’s obviously some concern in the Arsenal manager’s mind about his goalkeeper.
“If they don’t get a keeper, Manuel Almunia might have the season of his life and play fantastically well. Only time will tell on that.
“Centre-back is their other problem. They’ve bought in Laurent Koscielny, but I think, a bit like Manchester United last year, it’s dangerous to start the season with just two centre-backs. I think they need cover, I know Alex Song and Abou Diaby can both play at centre-back, and they do a decent job, but you wouldn’t want them playing there for any length of time.”
Nothing new here that we haven’t discussed this summer. Arsenal still need a goalkeeper and another center-half. If Arsenal can fill those two needs before the end of the month they will be well positioned to challenge for the title.
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We’ve conceded 31,3 7 and 41 goals in past 3 years respectively. And what does our genius manager does? He lets 4 CBs go and signs one unproven rookie and relies on another handicap coming back from long-term injury (we all know our dismal record of rehabilitating players coming back form long-term injury). Plus we have two clowns between the stick in Almunia and Flapianski.
It makes me split my hair. What’s the use of all the attacking potency if teams are just gonna park their bus in front of us and hit us on counter attack – our main weakness over past 4-5 which has not been rectified but instead gets worse with every season!
Going by the number of goals we conceded in past 3 years (31, 37 & 41) , I would not be surprised if we concede 43 goals this season! Wenger should’ve signed a GK and atleast one another CB well in time to give them a chance to blend in properly during the pre-season. But his penny pinching ways will see us haggle until the end of August if he signs anyone at all. But by then we would’ve lost quite a few points without a solid spine, which may well cost us the title!
I think Wenger likes to get his transfers right at the end so as to assess all his options. I am certain he will get both a keeper and a CB. Probably as close to the close of the window as the Andrei Arshavin deal was.
well taken article Andy. If we can bolster our central defense and sort out the goalkeeping issue the Am optimistic we are there for it.
GO ARSENAL GO !!!!!!!!
I WISH diaby could play centre-back. I think most people will agree with what he says, and we definitely need another centre back asap, but I think it was more luck than judgement no his part.
I agree that if Arsenal can slove their problems about the center back and Keeper, Arsenal might has the chance to challege the title this season.
We were keen talking about the new keeper for the whole summer, however till now we still do not get a relibale Keeper. Behonest, I don’t want Mark Schwarzer as our new NO 1, but it seems there is no other options. The only thing in my mind is just get a goalie ASAP, then prepare well for the coming season.
i also agree but i also think that another defensive midfielder should be brought in for those more straining matches like away to utd, chelsea or city, someone like melo, de jong or defour could easily do the job, but wenger will put his faith in song and possibly frimpong.
Bendtner, anyone?
Agree with Davi. Diaby at centre back? Where did that come from?
HAHA ‘Abou Diaby can .. play at centre-back, and … do a decent job’ What is he on about?! When has Diaby ever played centre-back, maybe i missed him play there for the reserves 10 years ago? Andy Gray just keeps showing that he knows nothing about football, except when commentating during a Manure game and Ronaldoh was doing some girly skills on the half way line provoked a ‘NAH! NOt for MEEE!’ response from Andy, thats the last bit of sense i heard from him.
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