The Official 2009-2010 Soccer Thread

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Originally Posted by chu gar

Did Arsenal score all of it's goals in it's first game? What do you guys think?

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They were impressive but I still think they lack depth at the back and even up front to be true contenders. Vermaelen had a great debut but banking on him and Gallas to be in good form the entire year is a big gamble.

They have a wealth of midfielders but not a lot of depth up front either. I think Arsenal are putting a ton of pressure on their midfield to bag goals for them. When Arsenal were on top they had could count on getting 15 goals a piece from Pires and Ljungberg but they also had Henry up front along side Bergkamp. Right now Van Persie is their only capable forward and I don't think he's scorer of great goals rather than a great goal scorer. A lot depends on Walcott this year, I think he'll play more centrally and if he grows up fast, Arsenal will be in good shape up front.

One thing that was interesting was seeing Bendtder reborn playing on the right side of midfield. That was rather interesting.

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Originally Posted by redxalonso

I doubt it. I am expecting Arshavin to tear it up this year.

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Perhaps, but it's clear he doesn't like to be used out wide. He was isolated early on and didn't look at all comfortable coming off the LW. I thought he would be more dangerous 1 V 1 but he was awfully quiet in the early part of the game. If he plays centrally, I think Arsenal will get the most out of him. Out wise I don't know, he's even said he doesn't like playing on a wing.

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Originally Posted by VEGASKING

Yeah. Lucas sucks. So does Babel. Benayoun should get the nod on Wednesday. Bad non call on that would be penalty on Voronin. Liverpool didn't deserve a point though.

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Yea, he was excellent when he came on. Babel did very little. Benayoun is very good coming of the bench though, it's tempting to keep him in that role, only because you want to have someone on the bench that you know can bring that spark coming in cold.

Spurs played really well too, have to give them credit. Their midfield completely outplayed 'Pool's.

Spurs played well, and Liverpool did what they always seem to do, lose or tie the first game of the season. I'm waiting for them to actually do what they say they are going to do.

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Originally Posted by chu gar

Spurs played well, and Liverpool did what they always seem to do, lose or tie the first game of the season. I'm waiting for them to actually do what they say they are going to do.

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United are typical slow starters as well. The fast start out of the gates last season was an aberration. It was good to get a 1-0 win against Birmingham. Probably should have won by more but can't argue with the result.

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Originally Posted by ASUcruz

They were impressive but I still think they lack depth at the back and even up front to be true contenders. Vermaelen had a great debut but banking on him and Gallas to be in good form the entire year is a big gamble.

They have a wealth of midfielders but not a lot of depth up front either. I think Arsenal are putting a ton of pressure on their midfield to bag goals for them. When Arsenal were on top they had could count on getting 15 goals a piece from Pires and Ljungberg but they also had Henry up front along side Bergkamp. Right now Van Persie is their only capable forward and I don't think he's scorer of great goals rather than a great goal scorer. A lot depends on Walcott this year, I think he'll play more centrally and if he grows up fast, Arsenal will be in good shape up front.

One thing that was interesting was seeing Bendtder reborn playing on the right side of midfield. That was rather interesting.

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I think Gallas will be fine, we will see about Vermaelen.

And you are right, the midfield looks pretty solid. Fabregas is as about as solid as you can get and then you have Arshavin. It was blow that Nasri fractured his leg but that means that youngsters Jack Wilshiere and Aaron Ramsey will probably get a little more time and I have heard good things about them both, especially Ramsey who is supposed to have pretty good speed.

Walcott has shown flashes of brilliance, if he stays on track then watch out. If van Persie can stay healthy then they should be good upfront.

I am sort of expecting a different Arsenal style of play this season due to Wenger's anger during the off-season. He seemed pretty tired of the constant criticism that Arsenal was too defensive and did not score enough. (Which was sort of true.) It really seemed to irk him that some speculated that Man City might pass the Gunners to become one of the "big four" and that his squad did not have what it takes to contend for the top honours.

Wenger seems fired up and although it was just one game he seemed to have fired up his lads as well.

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Originally Posted by Kings Provisional

I think Gallas will be fine, we will see about Vermaelen.

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Gallas has shown the propensity to crack under pressure. He is a fine player but I don't know if you want him to be your #1 CB. Anyways I wasn't really questioning Gallas and Vermaelen it was more Arsenal's CB depth. If you expect to compete in multiple competitions you have to have more than two dependable CBs. Arsenal have 2 one of them Vermaelen is inexperienced in the big stage. He has good pedigree coming from Ajax but of course there are doubts about him. Who comes in when one of those two need a rest? Probably Silvestre? An ok squad player but hard to trust him in a big moment.

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Originally Posted by Kings Provisional

Walcott has shown flashes of brilliance, if he stays on track then watch out. If van Persie can stay healthy then they should be good upfront.

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Really? I mean you are basically counting on two players to lead the line? Van Persie is very talented but as an out and out goal scorer I think he leaves something to be desired. He's a very good fit with the way Arsenal play since he does a nice job of playing in his midfielders when they make runs into the box. But I think its a little much to say Arsenal should be "good up front" with just Van Persie and Walcott, especially with Walcott having never really proven his worth in a central striking role.

Eduardo was just coming into form when he broke his leg. He scored for Croatia in midweek and again against Everton. It might be a litte much hoping he can stay fit but he's a goal scorer when he is. Bendtner played a lot better in the second half of last season and played well this weekend. He is being played wide the majority of the time in that stretch. They could use a guy like Henry who you can count on week in and week out but they have plenty of options.


It'll be interesting to see who plays where when Nasri and Walcott are back. Arshavin and Bendtner are pretty much forced to play on the wings in a 4-3-3 until then.


You are forgetting Djourou at center back. I think he was due to start this week until being injured in training with Switzerland. Silvestre should be 4th choice cb and 3rd choice left back.

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Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Really? I mean you are basically counting on two players to lead the line?

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No, I did not have time to comment on every player. I mentioned them because they are the two that are always highlighted and the two that you mentioned. If those two have a good season, and with the rest of the guys (Eduardo is better than most realize) the Gunners should be ok up front.

And if you note I said "good", not "great".

up the spurs!

http://i31.tinypic.com/35ipyfn.gif

so far Bassong looks like a pretty good signing. (see 1 game in...)

strong running and tackling from palacios. helped win the free kick before the first goal.

if any complaints - keane had 2 or 3 open chances that should've been buried.

still little confidence in Gomes. Aside from giving up the penalty.....dude looks like he has zero confidence in his own hands, and is scary every time he is unsure whether to punch away or catch a ball...