Arsenal's pre-season 2016/2017

Everyone knew koscielney, Giroud, Ozil, Alexis, and Ramsey would have busy summers representing their nations in tournaments.

Everyone knew that it would probably be a good idea to give all of these players s little extra time off from training so they can regain their fitness.

Despite knowing these facts, wenger and the board decided to wait until August to start shopping for cover on defense and center forward.

It's not a surprise that a 32 year old who is 6'5" injured his knee playing football. It is not a surprise that Gabriel injured his ankle given his mindless aggression on the pitch.

They continually play'with half a squad, and look to the final hours of the transfer windows as cover for injured players.

If they had got their business done in the first week of July, they wouldn't be in crisis mode right now.

We have 5 centerbacks (Koscielny, Per, Gabriel, Chambers, Holding) plus a leftback who can play centerback (Nacho) so a total of 6 players. I take it you suggest we sign 38 centerbacks, one for each premier league fixture....

Gabriel and per are shit. Kos contact expires in 2017 Chambers should have been loaned out Holding has never played a premier league game Nacho was a huge liability in central defense when wengers idiotic transfer policy forced him to cover there in 2014. The center of the defense is completely unsettled and overloaded with players who are too old, too young, total shit, or on the verge of leaving on a free transfer. I just want them to address the position already. They finally added good depth in central midfield, and their creative attacking options are great. Just no finishers and no real steel in the defense, which, IMO are what brings silverware.

Gabriel and Per aren't shit. End of discussion.

Knee injury has finished Per (who really wasn't good enough for us anyway nowadays), Gabriel isn't good enough to start for us as he's too rash and shit on the ball. Mustafi should be brought in and Chambers should be loaned out.

Why is Mustafi world class all of a sudden? How is he better than Chambers, Holding or Bielik? None of us had ever heard of him until John Cross got told one day to make up more stories for his tabloid overlords and randomly searched FM2016 for someone with an 80+ PA.

Why is Mkhitaryan world class all of a sudden? How is he better than Campbell, Theo or Chamberlain? None of us had ever heard of him until John Cross offered some kids a pack of sweets outside of the playground in exchange for a quick nonce and the low down on Borussia Dortmund.

Mkhitaryan isn't world class.

Neither is Mustafi but he would seem to be a great addition from what I've read from those who actually watch Valencia and La Liga.

Mkhitaryan is United's best purchase though and he'll be sick this season

Yes I'm sure you thought Depay was sick too. People who watched La Liga were saying Gabriel was a top class defender. You don't seem to agree with them on that do you?

Why is Mkhitaryan world class all of a sudden? How is he better than Campbell, Theo or Chamberlain? None of us had ever heard of him

...he was by far the best player in the Bundesliga last season. Statistically, objectively, subjectively and optically. If you hadn't heard of him before his Man Utd move you must have been busy doing other things.

Yes I'm sure you thought Depay was sick too. People who watched La Liga were saying Gabriel was a top class defender. You don't seem to agree with them on that do you?

Depay is still a talented player, as is Raheem Sterling. Problem with Depay is that his attitude stinks and he's a bit of a chubster. And who was saying Gabriel was a top class defender?

Whose to say Mustafi won't be quality for us considering some of his best assets include being super comfortable on the ball, aggressive in terms of interceptions and adaptable to a high line. Could be the foil Koscielny's been screaming for after having to hold Mertesacker's hand for the past 5 years

Neither is Mustafi but he would seem to be a great addition from what I've read

What I mean is: on what metrics do you claim Mustafi is a better CB than Chambers, Holding or Bielik? I'm seriously wondering, because as far as I can see his stats are ok but not great. High interception and clearance rates but other than that I don't see any evidence he will drastically improve us over Chambers, Holding nor Bielik.

I mean even if Mustafi is the best player in the universe, what are the odds he'll be able to adapt to Wenger's "just do whatever the fuck you want" strategy in five days before being up against Liverpool? Too risky.

I leave my judgement to those who actively watch La Liga & Valencia (https://twitter.com/ScoutedFootball/status/760908471458029568) and have no doubts he is better than Chambers who needs game-time on loan whose shaky since being anally probed by Baby Jeff, Holding who has never made an appearance in top flight football and Bielik whose the same.

If this was midway through the season and Holding & Bielik have had some Carling Cup/FA Cup action I'd be inclined to agree with you, but it is sheer lunacy to only have one senior CB fit for the start of the season. Experience is still an important attribute and Mustafi's played well over 100 first team games.

If he signs he won't play against Liverpool imo, we'll rush Koscielny back instead unfortunately

Even before Gabriel injury we should have got defender. Lets hope we had something in process before this and maybe we get it soon.