Could City replace Arsenal?
Thursday, 02 July 09, 03:32 AM · Comments(10)
By Michael Sinnerton
As Manchester City eye-up a new set of world-class strikers in a Real Madrid-lite move, should Arsenal fans be worrying about their position in the top four?
If City do line up with Eto'o, Tevez and Robinho next season then their fire power doesn't seem far off Arsenal's, a slightly weaker back-line and attacking midfield is countered by a much stronger goalkeeper and huge strength in depth in defensive midfield - one of Kompany, Barry or De Jong could make a huge difference to the balance of Arsenal's midfield.
Having a look at two feasible line-ups for next season:
Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna; Vermaelen; Gallas; Clichy; Nasri; Song; Fabregas; Rosicky; Arshavin; Van Persie
Man City: Given; Zabaleta; Richards; Dunne; Bridge; Ireland; Barry; De Jong; Robinho; Eto'o' Tevez
My combination line up would see: Given; Sagna; Gallas; Dunne; Clichy; Nasri; Barry; Fabregas; Ireland; and then any of the strikers interchangeably. So four City players to five from Arsenal. Of course this does depend on City signing two world-class strikers but the potential strength in depth at City, with Elano, Johnson, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Petrov and Santa Cruz all not making my potential first XI above, is frightening.
As a Liverpool fan I find myself more often than not worrying about dropping out of the top floor than whether we can make a title charge. I hoped this year would be different, and if we can sign one more world-class player without losing anyone I could be right. It seems pretty unlikely that City have what it takes to win the title just yet but their strength in depth given a few more top quality signings is already good enough to match the top four.
Where they lack at the moment is go-to-guys, the players who seem to win your club most of their points. Liverpool, of course, have Torres and Gerrard; Chelsea have Lampard and Drogba, and Arsenal Fabregas. With Manchester United selling their main go-to-man the title race is wider open than it has been in the few seasons. At the moment City do not have that player, Robinho has shone in patches but mainly when they have dominated while the same could probably said of Stephen Ireland (who probably comes closest to filling this role).
Without this kind of player City may find themselves struggling to crack the top four but if someone at the club steps up, or one of their world-class potential singings really comes off then the Champions League elite could see a newcomer making waves quicker than we think.
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On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
tomcruise said:Its very good .. I like it
student loans consolidation
On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
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Freddy said:Interesting to revisit this after 4 of 6 matches. Liverpool clearly are struggl...
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10 Comments · Add yours
even arsenal are looking 2 sign 2 more solid players ........so u never know ........as far as man city is concerned....i believe hughes doesnt hav the ability 2 handle big egos.....and as the saying goes these dayz "money cannot gurantee success"
Im An Arsenal Fan
Worried? No...It Takes More Than Just Money To Build A Good Team
Man Shitty-Money Grabbers Who Should Not Even Be Linked With All These World Class Players They Make Me Laugh
I'd be worried if City were actually building a "team" not just signing any Striker who is up for sale
Reply to Football_Guy:
Agreed, although given the transfer funds available, a couple of good defensive signings could add to very decent midfield and attack. e.g. Lescott and A.N.Other
Depends on all those egos in the dressing room actually coming together and playing as a team...
or..
The Etoos and Robinhos counting their huge pay checks and not turning up away from home (as happened most of last year). Same thing will be even more noticeable at Real Madrid.
But it's hot and still summer and with The Ashes around the corner I may even think about it in 6-8 weeks time
Am I worried that City will replace us in the top 4? Yes.
However, I'm MUCH more worried that according to you we've signed a player called Vermooten?!
Reply to Flaschner:
Cheers, turns out he's a young centre-back I signed on Football Manager once. South African I think...young...might be worth a go.
Anyway I've edited it to some Dutch guy instead.
Belgian!
Reply to Flaschner:
he is from ajax
Reply to TJ:
Are you sure Vermooten is from Ajax?