New additions and the season ahead

I haven't had the time to post in a while and i will keep this one short too.

First, we qualified for the Champions League which was very important. We walked a thin line against Besiktas, but we managed to get through. Our play is anything than convincing though. I think our biggest issues are defensively. We sold Vermaelen which was a huge mistake. Chambers has played very well considering his age and experience, but he can be a liability at times. We did not buy a top class defensive midfielder which i feel is one of our biggest issues. The game against Leicester was a great example of us struggling at the back, we got lucky to escape with a draw.

Regardless of how many great attacking options we have, we are still not organized enough when defending and we DON'T press on the ball! I watched the Tottenham vs Liverpool game and it was two teams pressing non stop throughout the whole game. Both of their coaches demand full effort and organization; and even though Spurs got whooped, i am not going to lie: i feel they way Pochetino is having them play looks much better than anything we have done this season. Maybe i am overreacting, but i really feel that:

1) We have NO shot at winning the league unless we improve defensively
2) Even top 4 might be a challenge if we don't raise our level drastically.

I hope i am wrong and we come out and destroy City today, but i just don't see it happening. We have some tough games coming up, which will show if we really can shoot for the top or we are not good enough which i think is the case.

I think buying Welbeck was a good move. I still have some doubts about him being the world class striker that we need, but he has speed which Giroud lacked and if his finishing is solid, he will have plenty of chances to score a lot of goals and prove himself. He is definitely better than the hopeless/clumsy Sanogo! Campbell is better than Sanogo too, i rather see him play than the tall useless Frenchman.

Ozil is also becoming such a disappointment i can't stand to watch him play. His lack of effort is driving me nuts and i could probably close my eyes on that if he was producing assists and goals. He has not done that and his tracking back and defending is non existent. Everybody in England has been bitching about Wilshere not being good enough, but right now i would take him over Ozil any day. At least he shows effort and desire and tries to attack, not just walk around the pitch.

Anyway, sorry about all of my negativity, but i feel like in the past 6-7 years it's the same thing over and over: we are good going forward, shaky in the back and only good enough for top 4. I am tired of that and of us not being a complete team because we are missing a defensive identity and a solid defensive midfielder.

So, let's hope i am wrong about all of this and we put some good games together starting with Man City today!C'mon You Gunners!!!