Part 2: The Strikers

Yep I've skipped the midfield but I will get back to them don't worry. I don't have the time to give the middle the overhaul it deserves so I've jumped to our Attack.

The Forwards                         

Let's be honest, the loss of Robin Van Percie who was the best player in the Premier League last year, as well as the top scorer, is no little deal and it's hurt us up front. But I still think we've got some exciting talent that cannot be ignored.

Lucas Podolski
I spent all of last season hoping that we would sign the German striker and, when we did, I was an extremely happy chappy. Making his first appearance for Arsenal over the weekend Lucas didn't have the greatest of starts but he has proven himself before. Podolski has had enormous success on the international stage having won his 100th cap for Germanyduring the 2012 Euro's. During these 100 matches he has averaged about a goal every two games.

He is not in the same league as Van Percie but, once he settles down, he will be an enormous asset up front for the Gunnners.

Olivier Giroud
Another Frenchman to join the long list of Arsene Wenger's French footballers Giroud is another Goal scoring striker. Again he's not a Van Percie but I think Arsenal supporters need to stop comparing players to the Premier League's greatest striker. At 6 ft 3 the Frenchman adds height to Arsenal's attack but he's much mre than just tall. His footwork, comfort on the ball and work off the ball led him to be joint top scorer in the top flight off French football last year with 25 qoals in 43 appearances.

I have high hopes for his future at the club and I think that Giroud and Podolski will make a fine strike partnership up front for Arsenal.

Marouane Chamakh
1 goal in 19 matches last season says it all. I don't see him doing much more this season and I can't see him starting in matches ahead of Giroud and Podolski.


Nicklas Bendtner

I think Denmark's star striker is a quality forward who is willing to score goals but I feel like he is on the way out and, too be honest, I think it would be better for his career. He had a solid year at Sunderland last season and maybe he should sign a long term deal with the english club.

Ju Young Park
Park has a lot to prove this season. He only made seven appearances for Arsenal last season as Robin Van Percie's superb form left no room for anyone else to shine. But this could very well be the Korean's year. He has shown glimpses of brilliance, His goal in the League Cup for example, and he has definately got very deft footwork.

Of our second-tier strikers I definately put Park at the top of the list and I think that he could really prove himself this season.

And that is Arsenal's forwards. We definately have talent up front but said talent needs to stand up and be counted this season. We aren't able to rely on RVP scoring once a week for us anymore and we desperately need our strikers to work hard at creating goal-scoring opportunities this season.

See you guys next time for part 3: The Midfield

Part 1: The Defense

This post was inspired by the series of blogs a friend of mine wrote on  Manchester United's premier League squad at We Are United

So I am going to review the Arsenal Squad for this year's Premier League beginning with the defenders.

 The Defense                                                   

Thomas Vermaelen

Arguably the greatest defender in the premier league the Belgian centre-back has been an enormous part of Arsenal's defence since he moved from Dutch club Ajax in the summer of 2009. He had a superb first season and, not only did he provide outstanding defensive performances he also scored 7 times in his 33 performances. He missed most of the 2010-2011 season with a tendon issue but he returned for the 2011-2012 season and scored 6 goals, including winners against Newcastle and Everton, as well as showing his superb ability to defend. Thomas also demonstrated his adaptability when he was forced to play left back when injuries ruled out Kieran Gibb and Andre Santos.

Definately Arsenal's strongest and most skilled defender I predict another solid season for Vermaelen and don't be surprised to see him score some important goals.

Laurent Koscielny

Definately an "up and coming" defender Koscielny had a solid season last year for the Gunners and was easily the second choice centre back.

He wasn't outstanding at the start of the season but Laurent worked hard to improve and, by the end of the season, he was definately "up there". His hard work paid off when he made the French squad for the 2012 Euro's. He was one of his side's better preformers in their semi final loss to Spain.

Barcary Sagna

In his sixth season with the club the Frenchman has played over 200 matches for Arsenal and has preformed superbly in almost all of them.

His consistancy and class makes him an automatic starter however some horror injuries ruled him out of half of last season. He was hugely missed as Arsenal's defence never really fired. Fingers crossed his return to full fitness heralds some solidity in the back for Arsenal

Johan Djourou

Yes he is a centre-back at heart but the Swiss showed last season that he can fit in anywhere in the back playing as Full-back during Arsenal's injury crisis last season. He's been with the team since 2003 and although there are better defenders out there Djourou is a solid back-up come an inevitable injury.

Per Mertesacker

I'm still not convinced by Per. I feel like he still hasn't shown the form that helped him make it into Germany's World Cup squad but, if he does, then he will definately be a regular starter in the middle of the pitch alongside Vermaelan.

Carl Jenkinson, Keiran Gibbs, Andre Santos and Sebastian Squillaci

Gibbs and Jenkinson are reasonable players and have shown that they can preform at the top levels and although they don't set the world alight they have shown their class. I like Jenkinson's attacking runs down the wings and Gibbs is definately Arsenal's best left-back. They are both young players and I definately think that they have got bright futures.

Santos on the other hand..... I still feel like he belongs on the wing. That was the position he played when he scored 17 goals in 28 games for Atletico Mineiro. I don't like him as a defender abd I can't see him getting much game time.
I know absolutely nothing about Squillaci and can't comment on him here, but I can't see him getting much game time this season.

So there we go. Part 1 of my review. I'll be doing pieces on Midfielders and Attackers as well as a final piece overviewing my thoughts on the best side for Wenger to put on the field.

Bye for now! :D