Introduction to the Manager's Style
So here I am- the new Arsenal manager! I know people have doubted me but my career so far has been good- I was a bright Arsenal youth talent, playing two professional friendlies until my career ended at 18 before people started to get to know me due to a long-term knee problem. I decided to transfer to management, impressing by managing local teams and working on my coaching badge. I knew Peter, David and Arsene well, and they knew my talents, so I got a role as a scout. I applied for some League 1 and League 2 manager jobs, but there was no success. But Peter Hill-Wood recently offered me the job when Arsene retired and I hope to make an impact on the team's development and of course, trophies!
Now, onto the big stuff. We've got a good squad, but I feel that the youngsters need more of a chance as the experienced players aren't always doing the job. Below, I will do an assessment for each of the positions, highlighting strengths and weaknesses.
Goalkeepers:
Now, I love Wojciech Szczęsny. An example of a player who has come up through the ranks at the club, and he broke into the first-team last season. However, I'd like the goalkeepers overall to be better. Lukasz Fabianski is OK but not great: not by my standards anyway, and Manuel Almunia is good, but he's not getting any younger. I think Tim Krul, currently at Newcastle, would be great for us, as him and Szczęsny can fight for a place and it will certainly make it interesting in training!
Defenders:
As for right-backs, we've got Sagna and Coquelin; of course Bacary will be the main one who plays, but I'll give Francis a chance as I think he can be great in that position. Craig Eastmond and Carl Jenkinsons are young talents in that position.
Moving on to centre-backs, we've got Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squallici as our main players in that position, with Alex Song able to play there as well, and Ignasi Miquel is one for the future. I intend to alternate between Thomas and Laurent, with Per having a regular starting role.
On the left of defence, Andre Santos and Kieran Gibbs will battle it out of course, but I'd like Kieran to have a regular starting place, so he wins that for me.
Midfielders:
Alex Song will be our defensive midfielder.
On the right of midfield and on the right of the attacking midfield positions, we've got Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Gervinho, Tomas Rosicky, Yossi Benayoun and Theo Walcott, with Jack and Theo the first choice players, and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is one for the future. Robin Van Persie can also play there, but he's a striker in my eyes.
On the centre of midfield, there's Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby plus many of the above right midfielders. I'd like to give Aaron a chance in that position, to continue his development.
On the left, I think Gervinho is my favourite.
Strikers:
RVP will be our main striker. Chamakh isn't really in my plans, and Park is a back-up.
That's all for now, check back for another update soon!
You might need another right back and defensive midfielder though, i reccomend sime vrjasko (sp)