I'm talking about buying with a strategic intent. The squad is badly unbalanced. You have not replaced Santi. Kolasiniac is not an Arsenal type wing-back. Mustafi is a good back-up to have, but a back up...Wilshere is damaged goods and was never the smartes player anyways...
If Lacazette was such a wonderful buy, why did you need to spend another 50mil on Auba? Because he is a back-up striker, much like Giroud.
But more important question is: HOW DO ALL THESE PLAYERS FIT INTO THE STRATEGIC (TACTICAL) DIRECTION OF THE CLUB?
Some of them are ball players with superb technique, like Sanchez, others are carpenters like Wellbeck...What is the rationale for El Neny? And Coq before him....
You are just buying players, but the connection to a strategic intent is lacking.
It was there when AW brought Viera and Petit alongside him; or Wiltord to cut in from wide; or Kanu besides Bergkamp....
bepanda wrote:
Please explain what you mean when you say that Arsenal has failed to surround him with the right players. Isn't Aubameyang one of the fastest players in the league? Isn't Lacazette one of the best scorers in Europe? Aren't Wilshere and Mikha some of the best passers in the game?
What types of players does Ozil need around him? Giroud wasn't good enough. Sanchez wasn't good enough. Walcott wasn't good enough. Welbeck is not good enough and Oxlade were not good enough.
What exactly does he need? Ronaldo? Messi? Iniesta?
Or is it possible that he is the wrong type of players to build a team around?
Bepanda
txj wrote:
I like AW, and think he is one of the true greats in football, but Arsenal has lost its way. There is little or no connection between the transfers and the philosophy on the field of play.
The signing of Ozil appeared to herald a new approach, but the club has failed to surround him with the right players and a defined approach, so much that it appears from hindsight, Arsenal simply stumbled on good fortune.
And, the same appears to be happening with Auba and Mikhi.
The product is a badly unbalanced squad, with no clear philosophical direction...
That was a terrible game against Spurs at Wembley. Yes, LFC fared worse at same venue, but every sign pointed to a bad day at the office.
The Arsenal case is much worse than a one off....
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We watched this very boring video, 500 times, of Sacchi doing defensive drills, using sticks and without the ball, with Maldini, Baresi and Albertini. We used to think before then that if the other players are better, you have to lose. After that we learned anything is possible – you can beat better teams by using tactics." Jurgen Klopp