Arteta for captain for me.
His name did cross my mind, but seeing how Vermaelen is the Vice-Captain and has proven to be a great leader, I had to go for him first. I'm not sure who would be my next choice, but it'd probably be either Arteta or Rosicky. Nobody else really springs to mind.
RVP & Lavezzi playing for PSG
That'd be pretty sick, but I can't see Van Persie moving there. Most consider the French league to be below (in no order) England, Spain, Italy and Germany, but I guess you never know what money can do.
Lost bigger and better players than Van Persie before so the news doesn't really bother me.
Cash in now and get a decent midfield.
Very true, it doesn't bother me alot either. Just a bit disappointed, but overall not surprised.
Our first choice midfield is good enough, but our depth isn't. Song, Rosicky and Arteta played well together last season, Wilshere was awesome two seasons ago, but the rest aren't so much. Ramsey's inconsistent, Diaby is very injury prone, Frimpong and Coquelin are young and inexperienced, and Lansbury and Denilson need to be sold because they'll just be loaned out again because they're not good enough.
Definitely need to buy a few more class midfielders, but only to improve our depth.
Varmaelen would be my choice as captain too. After Van Persie he is your most important player and the defence tends to look more secure when he plays. Don't forget you haven't lost RVP yet you can still hold onto him for another season and who knows if things improve he might still stay. I believe Arsenal are on their way to becoming a very good side again, the new signings so far seem to be good ones, you have a ever improving keeper and hopefully the youngsters will just get better.
I agree, our defence was always much more secure when he played, but mainly because he was alongside Koscielny, with Gibbs and Sagna as our fullbacks. The moment Djourou, Squillaci or Santos were involved in the first team, we'd be shaky no matter if Vermaelen played or not. That's what worrys me as we had as many as 19 different defensive combinations last season (yes, not even kidding with that figure).
I just can't see the club actually forcing Van Persie to see out the final year of his contract and letting him leave for free. There'll be too much focus on his performances, which I think will lack if we force him to stay. He doesn't want to be at the club next season if he isn't gonna sign a new contract, so we may as well cash in and actually spend the cash we get for him on bringing in another top player rather than reach into the bargain bin like Wenger always does.
Speaking of our Goalkeeper, I've read reports we're being linked with Hugo Lloris. I've seen so many comments from Arsenal fans saying they don't want him just because Szczesny is proving to be a great keeper. That's such a dumb thing to say! Yeah Szczesny is a top keeper, but who's gonna challenge him for the spot? He has no problems keeping that spot over Fabianski or Mannone, and Almunia has been released, so I would love for us to buy Lloris to give Szczesny competition.
