29 Aug 2013 08:38:26
Arsenal fan in peace - and possibly begging for mercy on Sunday. Also hoping to be able to engage in rational debate rather than the usual Arsenal - Spurs slinging matches.

Your squad is what is impressive. Your first XI is great, not City or Chelsea great if we can all be honest, but great nonetheless. However what is going to make this season interesting is that you have excellent depth in most areas. My only question is over what happens if Soldado gets injured?

Personally, and I know for a fact you won't agree, I still believe man for man our first XI can match yours. What will get you ahead of us will be if you use your squad well because we don't have a squad.

Looking forward to a cracker on Sunday.

1.) 29 Aug 2013
Mhc, I always like to banter with you guys at whichever level, but I prefer to be sensible. I disagree on the first eleven because you have no dcm and I think you struggle a little with your cb's per can be a spectator on occasion. there is no comparison on goalkeepers, left and right backs are of similar ilk. so apart from them the rest could be debated but as you say not a million miles of difference between our first eleven. I think the difference between the clubs now is the depth of squad and the quality we can bring in in the event of injury. defoe is more than adequate cover for soldado with lamela able to play up front as well erikson also scores for fun. league positions generally are a result of squad rotation with all the games being played in one season so who has the best first team really isn't relevant as you can't pick your fist team now because of injuries and suspensions. we have bought sensibily for area's we needed to improve and as important get back up for. chadli and chriches are cover for the event of injuries they were not bought in as first teamers but what fantastic cover they will offer throw into the mix the motivation and tactical nous of avb and we are starting to look the finished article. afer a couple of seasons of giving you a scare I beleive it is time now to finish above you and at the very least claim a champ league spot

2.) 29 Aug 2013
A big difference is mentality and getting the job done. I think our best XI has edged yours for a year or two but we've had nothing beyond 13-14 players. However, when it comes down to it they've blown controlling positions against you away from home twice and botched up healthy points leads. The table doesn't lie and you've still pipped us twice. That's credit to you lot and poor from us. We look far better equipped now but, still don't actually have one or two signings finalised yet and have to do the business for 38games (and probably 12-14 cup games). Form book out of the window Sunday so nerves all round. Best wishes.
Simmo

3.) 29 Aug 2013
Yes Dave - my point is not that our first XI is better than yours - I just think there is very little difference. People like to slate the Arsenal defence and yet forget we had the second best defensive record in the league last year.

It all depends on what (if anything) Arsenal do over the next 5 days. If we get 3 or 4 top players (doubtful I know) it is going to be a very exciting season for the rivalry.

Btw I have said this many times in other places but the single best signing of the window of any team was Baldini.

4.) 29 Aug 2013
Mhc, good point about your defence last year and what a run in you had beating us from two down must have been memorable for you, it would have been for me. as the post above says you guys have a winning mentality and that is down to venga I believe avb will instill some of this in us. the next coup[le od seasons could be very interesting as I think man u will slip up so we may even both get champs league. I would prefer you there than chelsea as I think you run your club the right way (and I don't like mourinho) I won't say I hope you make some signings as I honestly don't want you to. I enjoy talking to sensible gooners we are big, big rivals but let's not get all liverpool v man u on each other because there is no need for that kinf of hate. I am sure if you beat us on sunday this will not be the most welcoming place to be but please pop in again once the dust has settled after sunday, unless we win then please come on sunday night. cheers for now and speak again

derbyshaire dave

5.) 29 Aug 2013
I agree soldado might be an issue if injured but, my opinion only, we are still looking at that position before the window ends.
Someone, I think, will come in. It may be a chicorito, or a BA (knees permitting) but my guess is, (dare I say it) we may just go back in for damaio.
I know lamela can fill that role but I do think a striker is being hunted as we speak.

6.) 29 Aug 2013
29 Aug 2013 12:14:16
Okay corect me if you think the teams need adjusted(best regardless of injury) atm but :
Spurs Arsenal. Best x11
Lloris. Schnezy. Lloris
Rose. Monreal. Monreal
Vert Kosc. Vert
Kaboul Mert. Kosc
Walker Sagna. Walker
Sandro. Arteta. Paulinho
Paulinho. Ramsey. Whilshire
Dembele. Whilshire. Dembele
Chadli. Podolski. Podolski
Soldado. Giroud. Soldado
Lennon. Walcott. Walcott


I make it out to still be a very tight contest with spurs still edging itstill. Our spurs bench is still stronger. Once we sign lamela and eriksen our squad and first 11will be a lot better. IMO arsenal really need a good keeper, strong cm(fabregas?) And a player to come in upfront whos a bit of a cross between walcotts pace and touch combined girouds strength.

7.) 29 Aug 2013
My team would be
Lloris - no explanation needed
Sagna - sorry he is still better than Walker
Vertonghen - best cb of the bunch
Koscielney - second best cb of the bunch
Gibbs/Monreal - both better than Spurs
Sandro - I love Ramsey's form but Sandro is class
Wilshere - No comment needed
Cazorla - if you are trying to claim Dembele is better you need head checking matey
Walcott - better than Lennon
Soldado - better than Giroud probably
Podolski - assuming Bale is gone best option (soon to be Lamela)

As I said the first XI are much of a muchness. Where you have the potential to nick it this year is your bench. {Ed008's Note - Paulinho?

8.) 29 Aug 2013
Waiting to see what he does in the PL Ed. Don't think he gets in ahead of Wilshere or Cazorla anyway.

9.) 29 Aug 2013
Mhc, good banter buddy and I agree very close run thing. I will say that wishere and cazorla are two brilliant trcky mids I hope erikson and lamela will be as well. all in all we have got great teams and will be looking to push the mancs and chavski very evry hard so good lck(not sunday) and please keep dropping in for updates on form

10.) 29 Aug 2013
29 Aug 2013 19:31:32
I think a key area could be lloris for us. He can save us games wheras your keeper can cost you games.

11.) 29 Aug 2013
Kaboul at his best is much better than Koscielny
Simmo

12.) 30 Aug 2013
Kaboul is in no way better than kos simmo. I think if spurs fans pick the best team it'll be 6 spurs players in it and 6 arsenal players if we picked ours. you's have the better squad now, we have the winning mentality of being there and done it. think this could be a great contest between us this season. really looking forward to it and hopefully some good banter with you guys. all the best.

13.) 30 Aug 2013
Surely picking a best XI between us and ARSEnal is dependant on what formation you would play if you played 4-2-3-1

My team would be:-

Lloris,
Gibbs, Vert, Kosc, Walker
Sandro Paulinho
Walcott, Dembele, Cazorla
Soldado

Whereas if your going to play a basic 4-4-2 my team would be

Lloris,
Walker, Vert, Kosc, Gibbs
Walcott, Sandro, Wilshere, Cazorla
Soldado Giroud.

I think the formation you play will depend on what players you pick as some players offer more than other in certain positions, like wilshere fantastic in center mid but IMO doesn't offer as much if deployed as a defensive Mid or in behind a main striker