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What is AW doing? why is he waiting so long to bring in some much needed quality..
I have this horrible feeling his ego and arrogance is going to stop him bringing in anyone,let alone a goalie who can catch .. If he did it would show that his judgement on certain players was floored and he certainly wont let that happen will he!?...

- Sean, West London, 19/08/2010 00:07
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But, Terry, Wenger already had one replacement lined up in Koscielny, and probably didn't imagine it would be quite this difficult to find a second.

You suggest he should've stuck with what he had until he'd got his replacements lined up and I'd agree with you... if we'd sold those two players.

But because they'd both reached the end of their contracts it's pretty difficult to have your cake and eat it as well.

It was up to Campbell and Gallas whether to accept the offers we'd put on the table and they decided against it. We can't be held to ransom by players whose long-term future is uncertain so we let them go and I agree with Wenger's decision.

These players would've had to be replaced at some point, so signing them up again would've only been temporarily putting off the expense of a new signing. Much better we just got on with it.

I agree on the goalkeeping front, but there's evidence that Wenger's trying to resolve that problem.

Quality goalkeepers are few and far between and most clubs, once they've got one, won't let them go. Look at Fulham, refusing to let go of a 37-year-old. It's not as easy to pick up a quality keeper as you'd think.

I wholeheartedly support Wenger on revamping our defence. It desperately needed it. And I believe he's trying to resolve our goalkeeping situation.

I just hope he hurries up and gets these deals done.

- Dan, Essex, 18/08/2010 21:10
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Dan.
I don't know if you have noticed but a large percentage of the Arsenal squad spend too much time on the treatment table.
Is there time to sign enough cover or would it have been better sticking with what Wenger had until he arranged something else? this could be read as lack of hindsight.
As far as finance goes, Aesenal still have to fork out for at least one if not two centre halves, they will have to pay a fee for them as well as a large salary, maybe better to stick with the Devil you know.
He has also let the goalkeeping situation go on for far too long, Arsenal always had a reputation for a good solid defense, since they have struggled in that department it is no coincidence that the trophies have dried up.

- Terry, London, 18/08/2010 19:56
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The article is about Nasri's injury, as is every post. And then Terry weighs in with a totally unrelated diatribe about Wenger's transfer policy. The post is too obvious for a wind up and not informative enough to be part of a debate. It's the sort of strident, bovine rage you'd expect from "sad bloke in the pub". Weird.

- gaz, london, 18/08/2010 19:42
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Terry, if Wenger had kept Gallas and Campbell then that's two of his 25 man squad taken up by two injury-prone ageing players.

We've yet to see how Campbell does at Newcastle. He might struggle for fitness and his age may well be exposed over the length of the season. He did well in the few months he was back at Arsenal, but only time will tell if it would've been a worthwhile move to sign him on for another year or more.

And Gallas struggled with injury towards the end of last term. If we'd given him the two year contract he wanted and his injury problems resurfaced we're stuck with a crock, on extortionate wages, who we can't replace because of the new squad rules.

Would he have been a superb manager if he'd shown such lack of foresight?

If Campbell and Gallas were still on the books we probably couldn't have afforded to bring in Koscielny, either in terms of our wage budget or adhering to the new squad rules.

Then in 12 months time we'd have just ended up in exactly the same situation as we are now, having to replace the old boys with new blood, so why not do it this summer? Why not make a clean break, when the players' contracts are up and the chance to revamp presents itself on a plate?

One more signing at centre back and we should be fine, at least until January. But Wenger needs to get on with it instead of procrastinating!

- Dan, Essex, 18/08/2010 19:28
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Letting two very capable centre halves in Campbell and Gallas go in pre season seems to be more proof of what a superb manager Wenger is, neally as superb as letting a competent goalkeeper in Lehmans go and replacing him with two clowns.
Is there no end to his claims to be superb?

- Terry, London, 18/08/2010 18:23
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It's a real shame to see Samir's season disrupted so early by injury. He looked quality in pre-season and was one of the best players on the pitch against Liverpool.

He only recently admitted his frustration with the injury he suffered just before the start of last season and how it prevented him hitting any sort of form until later in the campaign. So frustrating that the exact same situation is likely to unfold again this season.

Luckily we've got Fabregas, Rosicky, Wilshere who can cover for Nasri. If we were really at a stretch we could even shift Arshavin over there or drop RVP into the hole behind the forward.

I'm far more worried by the lack of depth at centre back.

Wenger needs to buy two more centre backs, regardless of the cost and he's only got two weeks left to do it.

Song's injury is once again showing our lack of depth in the defensive midfield position, where neither Diaby or Denilson are good enough to cover there long-term.

And, of course, we need a new keeper asap.

Wenger's got two weeks to find some change down the back of the Emirates corporate hospitality boxes' sofas otherwise we're going to suffer for our lack of activity in the transfer market.

We simply cannot challenge seriously for the title or the champions league with our squad almost completely bereft of depth in key areas.

- Dan, Essex, 18/08/2010 17:10
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If its the imjury they are saying I would think a month maybe a bit optumisic, maybe back training in that time.

No one likes to see players out for any length of time though.

- Paul, Enfield, 18/08/2010 13:43
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Don't panic! We've got a good squad and a not very taxing schedule. Relax.

- gaz, london, 18/08/2010 13:32
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Don't panic! We've got a good squad and a not very taxing schedule. Relax.

- gaz, london, 18/08/2010 13:32
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Rob - Yeah a familiar story but Ramsey is long term injury. Song, Denilson Bendtner all picked up theri injuries during WC and Fabregas is not yet match fit and retu=rned from Spain's friendly v/s Mexico with a sore throat - so can't really blame the Club's medical team for them. Indeed many of our injuries come from poor tackles during games - as a result of oppositon frustration to our possession game maybe? I agree with you though we DO need a new keeper, I am sure we will get either Given or Schwarzer, and AW has admitted he is looking for another CB. Fill these vacancies and I think we may pose a realistic threat to the Chavs n Mancs

- Gazza, London Town, United Kingdom, 18/08/2010 13:29
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Robbie '2 Jags' The Gonner.
Not looking good, injuries, lack of centre halves, short of a decent keeper.
Another season of 'rebuilding' on the cards by the look of things, more excuses from Wenger to come.
How's the detached house? I still think the only thing that you have ever have had detached is your retina!

- Terry, London, 18/08/2010 13:20
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Familiar story... the season has hardly begun & we have had Ramsey, Bentner, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Djourou & now Nasri out, for a variety of reasons. Is this down to our medical team, pitches or style of play? We also clearly need a new keeper, one or two center backs & an additional defensive midfield player, with no signings on the horizon & only 2 weeks to go before the deadline.

- Rob Gooner, North London, 18/08/2010 13:17
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