Chesney < Friedal (or Cudicini or Gomes) Sagna = Walker Vermaelen < King Mertesacker < Dawson Santos = Ekotto Song > Parker Arteta < THudd (or Santos) Wilshere < Modric Theo < Lennon RvP = Adebeyor Gervinho < VDV It's a bit difficult, given that the Gooners play a different system to us (so some of my player pairings may be a bit out), but I think what I've put down is fair. We should safely finish above the Goons this season, on my reckoning.
Not sure about your team or comparisons, to be honest. Our first XI is probably Friedel; Corluka, King, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Sandro, Modric, Bale; van der Vaart; Adebayor, in my opinion. It's very hard to choose who to compare with who, as we don't use the same system. You can do a like-for-like with the back four, the keepers and the holding midfielder, but it's a bit messy from there. It's too early to write off Arsenal. We'll see how there new signings fare.
Crickey! You're right Well, put him in where you like. He's better than just about anyone in the Gooner's side, anyway
All joking aside, though, it does demonstrate just how strong we are in depth, even with the players we let go this season (whether on loan or permanently).
I'm pretty sure we can beat Arsenal with 10 men, partly because they will only have 10 after half-time on current form, but I'd have Bale over Lennon
Let me give it a go. Szczesney > Friedal Sagna > Walker Vermaelen < King Mertesacker < Dawson Santos < Ekotto Song > Parker/Sandro (just) Arteta < Modric Wilshere < VDV Theo = Lennon RvP > Adebeyor Gervinho < Bale 4 for Arsenal and 6 for Tottenham - Lennon and Walcott are basically the same. But I'm probably quite biased...
SolidSpur, do you really think Song is better than Parker? I'm really very pleased that we got Parker. He was a standout player in a very poor West Ham side, last season, and I think he's going to thrive among top class players. Look how he fared for England. I think he's one of those players who ups his game when he's got the system around him to accommodate his level of play.
I did suggest Arteta in my Raid Everton article, but I really don't rate Mertesacker, from what I've seen of him. Too slow, not particularly strong and it remains to be seen whether he'll adjust to the Premier League. Good value if he does, though. Arteta is a short-term solution for a short-term problem. You've got Wilshere and Ramsey coming through, plus I'm sure there are others behind them. If he can stay fit, then he'll do a great job bridging the gap between Fabregas and Nasri to the two youngsters.
i think arsenal will finish above us, again. it's been what, about 15+ years since we finished above them, i think it'll be business as usual.
How long was it that Liverpool finished above us before the last couple of seasons? I'm not saying that we will definitely finish above Arsenal, but them finishing above us consistently in the recent past just isn't a reason why they'll do so now.
I'm not so sure. Personally, I think Wenger has lost the plot. As does Hugh McIlvanney, in a very cutting article in today's Sunday Times.
I'm definitely with NSS on this. Arsenal are in complete disarray. I don't think it will be just us, a few teams could finish above them, including the likes of Stoke and Sunderland.
Fair comments PNP, but it's a very, very good guide IMo 2 seasons hardly compares with 15+ does it? I've no idea what the odds are, but my guess is that Arsenal are favs to finish above us, and they're certainly mine. If we finish within 3 points of them I think we will have done well.
Fair enough NSS, but we seem to have big problems between harry and danny too. It wouldn't amaze me if we finished above Arsenal, but I can't see it happening this season.