[Role Model]

Yeah I think it's a nice the added bonus of a bigger bench, it should lead to more kids getting some minutes of the pitch.

The carling cup should be great this year from our standpoint, oddly looking forward to it.

[Renegade™]

On paper Liverpool look to have a very strong line up, certainly in attack they look strong with a good balance, i have my doubts over their defence though. With Liverpool they have the side its just a matter of things coming together and staying consistent for the whole season but they never seem to be able to.

Centrally Pools defense is good with Skrtel, Agger, Carra and Hyypia but its their wide backs that aren't really of any quality. Sure Dossena had one good season with Udinese, but he may flop in the EPL. Same could be said for Degen he looked solid at Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but Rafa often buys some wide backs (Kromkamp, Josemi etc) that don't work out at all. Through the middle of the park Pool are looking good but their width is poor and that's gonna hurt them imo.

I still think we'll win the title, just don't have the same definitive feeling as last season but I don't see Pool or Le Arse winning this season, and Chelsea I expect to be the closest challengers, just don't know how BIG PHIL will cope over the course of the season.

Word is most likely a Saha/Tevez combo up front for the Community Shield and Roo to hopefully feature against Newcastle. Also got Campbell to turn to, but I would love to see Huntelaar come in, although we've only been linked with Berbatov recently which I'm not too thrilled with as we could do better

Everton have made no singings and the only person they seem to be investing interest in is Alan Smith.

They're after Moutinho too don't forget.

And I'd laugh if Zigic left Valencia who fair go may have had a shit season to join Stoke, as they all but look like being the Derby of the upcoming season.

Speaking of youth, Liverpool have been linked with Gai Assulin and Iago. How I would mark if we got either or both of them.

You'd get neither. I doubt Barca are that dumb to allow either to leave.

[KME]

Originally Posted by Renegade™

Centrally Pools defense is good with Skrtel, Agger, Carra and Hyypia but its their wide backs that aren't really of any quality. Sure Dossena had one good season with Udinese, but he may flop in the EPL. Same could be said for Degen he looked solid at Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but Rafa often buys some wide backs (Kromkamp, Josemi etc) that don't work out at all. Through the middle of the park Pool are looking good but their width is poor and that's gonna hurt them imo.

I still think we'll win the title, just don't have the same definitive feeling as last season but I don't see Pool or Le Arse winning this season, and Chelsea I expect to be the closest challengers, just don't know how BIG PHIL will cope over the course of the season.

They're after Moutinho too don't forget.

You'd get neither. I doubt Barca are that dumb to allow either to leave.

Centrally we are excellent, yes. I think we're unrivalled in the Premiership for amount of top class Centre backs. Out wide is always where we've lacked, however I think Arbeloa and Dossena out there with Insua, Aurelio, Darby, Degen and Finnan as back up is good enough for the time being. Yeah, Kromkamp and Josemi were wank, but you can tell none of our current full backs are quite that bad, even if Dossena flopped, he'd have a long way to go to being anywhere near as bad as the 2 you mentioned. Given his price tag he will be given a suitable amount of time ot justify it too.

Chelsea will without a doubt be the closest challengers. BIG PHIL or not, they have a squad full of tested professionals, experienced stars and great youth (because they can afford to go out and nab the best young talent across europe)

They are after Moutinho, but the talks have died down quite a bit, I don't know what it's like in Australia, but over here they're only really being linked with Smith.

Barca have such an abundance of talent that you never know who they'd let go, they produce young, quality players like machines.

[Role Model]

Originally Posted by Renegade™

Word is most likely a Saha/Tevez combo up front for the Community Shield and Roo to hopefully feature against Newcastle.

Huh whose word? His name wasn't even mentioned Fergie's press conference and he's not even in the squad, he won't be taking part in any of Sundays game.

I expect Rooney to be at the very least on the bench for Newcastle.

[Rex Regum]

I always liked the 5 man bench, it gave the Premier League some uniqueness. What about back in the day when there was only a three man bench, woah! Epic stuff. One spot for the keeper, another for the big striker/centre half, then the last one for the quick guy who could play anywhere wide. Talk about versatility! Those we're the days

Also, one of my reliable source from Italy (who also happens to be a Liverpool fan), says that Dossena isn't much. I'm not sure whether to trust him though because his idea of a world class full-back is Panucci

[-TheEnigma-]

I'm expecting some Arsenal youngsters to take advantage of the 7 man bench this season and make an impact.

Vela
Ramsey
Wilshere
Barazite


Vela - Been out on loan in Spain for the last couple of years, main position is up front but i reckon he will make a big impact playing on the left for us this season.

Ramsey - From what i've seen of him in pre-season i can see why Arsenal & Man Utd were after him the boy has talent and a big future, he will play a big role in the Carling Cup for us, and he will get games in the FA Cup aswell, he will have to be patient though for a place in the Premiership side, but he could make an impact on the wings coming of the bench.

Wilshere - Been at Arsenal since he was 9, now 16, Arsene has kept him under wraps and looks set to unleash him. If the kid continues his progression from what i've seen of him in the Reserves & Pre-Season then he is going to be class, he will likely follow a similar path to Ramsey getting Carling cup games, and perhaps the odd sub appearance in other competitions. No doubt the English media will be hailing him as the great new English hope when he makes his first appearance.

Barazite - Not had much of sniff of first team football at Arsenal and i wouldnt be suprised to see him go out on loan this season to prepare him more physically. He certainly has the potential to be top player, he has been the standout player in the reserves for the last couple of years. So if he doesnt go out on loan he could benefit from a few sub appearances for Arsenal this season and i expect him to have big role in the Carling Cup.

I also expect Bendtner & Walcott to step up this season and be consistent first team performers.

I would say Lansbury aswell but he seems to have stagnated a little and doesnt look nearly as good as his potential was showing a couple of years ago.

Randall & Hoyte don't have futures at Arsenal.

[KME]

Originally Posted by Novus Audax

Also, one of my reliable source from Italy (who also happens to be a Liverpool fan), says that Dossena isn't much. I'm not sure whether to trust him though because his idea of a world class full-back is Panucci

Depends how much of Dossena he's watched. He was excellent last season, and very highly rated. Before then, not quite so amazing.

Seeing as he likes Panucci alot I'm guessing he's a fan of those with years of consistancy, in which case he may not be quite as high on Dossena as some.

I think he looks a great attacking threat, who can get caught out of position, and is strong in the tackle. He needs to learn a bit, but so do all new players, not even Torres came in and did brilliantly straight away, his away form was highly unimpressive.

[Rex Regum]

I'd like to see Armand Traore get some more first team football this season. He's aleays good in the early rounds of Cup Competitions, and although he does have nervy moments, his raw potential is immense. Every time I've seen him in the reserves, he's been untouchable. It's a shame he's likely to have Clichy blocking him from the first team for so long though.

[Stainless]

Back on Wigan, they were down at Hillsboro for a friendly on Staurday which they won 3-2.

They didn't look Premiership class, and if we could mark a corner with a little more authority, we'd have probably kept a clean sheet.

Titus Bramble is hilarious.

[-TheEnigma-]

Originally Posted by Novus Audax

I'd like to see Armand Traore get some more first team football this season. He's aleays good in the early rounds of Cup Competitions, and although he does have nervy moments, his raw potential is immense. Every time I've seen him in the reserves, he's been untouchable. It's a shame he's likely to have Clichy blocking him from the first team for so long though.

He's always looked a little shakey defensively when he has played for the first team, and think Wenger is considering making him more of a winger. I could see him going out on loan to gain a bit more experience though, because for my money he is behind the best left back in the world in Clichy and unless Clichy gets injured he isn't going to get a look in outside of the Carling Cup.

Plus Clichy could be in that position for the next 10 years, so your right Traore really isnt going to get much of a look in.

I just wish i had as much faith in are centre backs as i do in are full backs, Sagna & Clichy are just simply awesome.