2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by Addick

Even with the summer exits and two draws I'm still excited, as well as, optimistic. The midfield is pretty damn good, Cazorla is absolute quality and Arteta is very underrated. The Ox has the potential to be beast and if we can get Diaby and Wilshere back to their best the midfield could be one of the best in the league.

You also have to consider that it looks as though Arsene is going to without a defensive mid. The amount of discipline and quality required to revert to this system is quite high, which speaks of our midfield. Considering that I haven't been worried sick about our defense during the first two matches I've been impressed with the midfield. Although there appears to be a lack of a cutting edge, I think once the team gels the flow will improve and goals arrive.

That being said, I wouldn't mind if Wegner added a creative winger this week.

Really? I haven't seen the first Arsenal match against Sunderland, but against Stoke I've been less than impressed. It seemed like every ball went to Cazorla (who is a great signing btw), and Arsenal offense heavily depended on him. IMO, that is just not enough to win the PL. Guys like Arteta are fine, but Arsenal needs another creative midfielder that is a game changer. They should have gone hard after Hazard.

I've also been confused about the Giroud signing. He's a good player, but doesn't seem to me that he's the type for Wenger's system. Wenger should go after Dzagoev, guy is going to be a beast.

Defense has been good so far, but can they keep it up the whole season? They need cover in case of suspensions, injuries....Who's gonna replace Vermaelen (sp?) and Mertesackeer (sp?)?


City are close to signing Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina for 12M euros plus Stefan Savic going the other way. Kid is going to be the new Vidic. According to some Serbian and Italian sources, Chelsea also made a 18M bid.

[Locke]

Its far too early to judge any team (except Liverpool) but I think you can probably form some fairly educated opinions about some teams once the transfer window closes.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

LOL
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...o-Everton.html

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

LOL
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...o-Everton.html

And that's not the first time. Instead of "Beckham", they once had it "Beckam", instead of O'Shea, S'hea.... It's ridiculous.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

And that's not the first time. Instead of "Beckham", they once had it "Beckam", instead of O'Shea, S'hea.... It's ridiculous.

thanks for telling me what the article says

[d_phaneuf]

Modric replacement (not saying as good), but he plays the same position, deep lying playmaker and has been great for about a year

Duncan Castles ‏@DuncanCastles
Tottenham agree a £15m transfer of Moussa Dembele from Fulham. #THFC #FFC #MUFC #RMCF

[d_phaneuf]

also

Oliver Kay ‏@OliverKayTimes
RT @TimesSport: Theo Walcott could leave Arsenal this week after rejecting contract extension http://thetim.es/Rk9QVK (£)

this I don't get, where does he think he's going honestly that's better than Arsenal? I would say the same thing if Lennon did this

he must only care about money because if a team like city or united want him he's on the bench most of the time

[Addick]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

Really? I haven't seen the first Arsenal match against Sunderland, but against Stoke I've been less than impressed. It seemed like every ball went to Cazorla (who is a great signing btw), and Arsenal offense heavily depended on him. IMO, that is just not enough to win the PL. Guys like Arteta are fine, but Arsenal needs another creative midfielder that is a game changer.

Hopefully once they get the two deep non-DM laying midfield system down, that will allow them to explore their creative side. That being said, I wouldn't mind seeing a player like Afellay (i.e. creative winger) join before Friday.

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

I've also been confused about the Giroud signing. He's a good player, but doesn't seem to me that he's the type for Wenger's system. Wenger should go after Dzagoev, guy is going to be a beast.

If he can hold up the ball and finish balls played into the box, I think we'll be fine. RvP was more of a second striker and Arsenal only play with a single striker, which Giroud happens to be. I should point out that RvP did brilliantly as the lone striker, I was just pointing out his more natural position and not hating on the twat.

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

Defense has been good so far, but can they keep it up the whole season? They need cover in case of suspensions, injuries....Who's gonna replace Vermaelen (sp?) and Mertesackeer (sp?)?

Mertesacker is actually the back-up to Koscielny.

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

City are close to signing Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina for 12M euros plus Stefan Savic going the other way. Kid is going to be the new Vidic. According to some Serbian and Italian sources, Chelsea also made a 18M bid.

Arsenal can only spend that kind of money on first choice players, not 3rd or 4th choice centrebacks.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

this I don't get, where does he think he's going honestly that's better than Arsenal? I would say the same thing if Lennon did this

he must only care about money because if a team like city or united want him he's on the bench most of the time

If he left, out of the three big departures Theo would be the closest case of good riddance. However, I'd wish him luck as I do like his personality and believe he could do wonders if he was able to develop his football senses.

Theo out and Afellay in would be an improvement.

[d_phaneuf]

Rob Green may be regretting his summer move..

Lee Clayton ‏@LeeClayton_
Julio Cesar to QPR from Inter Milan will be completed and announced tomorrow.
Retweeted by Phil McNulty

[Locke]

Whats going to happen to Joey Barton? Now hes not seemingly going to Marseille. Is he going to play for QPR again?

He probably wishes he'd stayed at Newcastle.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Rob Green may be regretting his summer move..

Lee Clayton ‏@LeeClayton_
Julio Cesar to QPR from Inter Milan will be completed and announced tomorrow.
Retweeted by Phil McNulty

Not nearly as much as QPR...

[d_phaneuf]

Fulham boss Martin Jol has now confirmed Moussa Dembele is undergoing a medical with Tottenham Hotspur after being granted permission.
by Peter Fraser 3:33 PM

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/clockwatch

[d_phaneuf]

ESPN understands that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has led a delegation to the Ukraine in a bid to sign Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Willian.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/167267.html

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Modric replacement (not saying as good), but he plays the same position, deep lying playmaker and has been great for about a year

Was hoping him to be a Carrick replacement in waiting.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

also

this I don't get, where does he think he's going honestly that's better than Arsenal? I would say the same thing if Lennon did this

he must only care about money because if a team like city or united want him he's on the bench most of the time

Can he play the left side better then Nani? lol

[united]

Dembele is a great player and good signing for Tottenham. No one will say he's as good as Modric at this point but don't sell him short either. Would've been happy to see him with United.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Modric replacement (not saying as good), but he plays the same position, deep lying playmaker and has been great for about a year

congrats! Dembele is a quality signing. Now get Lloris and one of Willian/Damiao and Tottenham should be a pretty good team this year.

[The Big Chill]

Lucas Leiva is out 2-3 months. That really sucks.

[d_phaneuf]

ya that basically negates the Sahin signing

they are such a better team with Lucas, and him and Allen together could have been great

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Lucas Leiva is out 2-3 months. That really sucks.

It makes that loan of Sahin a lot more important. Still a very thin squad though.