Tomo

Because one of the (if not the) best left fullback/wingback in the world is available and the same is not true on the right. Sometimes a player becomes available were you have to forget about certain higher needs in the team and snap them up, and Sandro falls into that category just like Ash did 11 years ago.

We will not finish 10th again.

Everytime Ray speaks the only word that goes through my mind is simpleton, how the hell was he an assistant manager here?

Even that has been off for a while, Ox, Walcott especially have stagnanted badly.

Given how much of a control freak he is, he probably demanded it from the off. Infact i wouldn't be surprised if lack of full control in potential other jobs is why he is still there.

Which stop gap signing's would they be? Despite his longevity Wenger getting a free role is mainly why Arsenal are such a mess, even in his early year's he held them back from being a major force.

If we want quality back up's we will have to go through that process regularly.

We have already signed Caballero, Bakayoko and Lukaku. It may not be announced yet but all 3 are inevitable.

Be a shame for him but can't be sentimental. I can see us going 424 if we sign Sandro plus a quality CB that could "babysit" Cahill or Luiz.

Kneejerk reaction of the decade.

Don't worry, having Newcastle away on the last day has historically worked out well also

If we need the extra slot we can not register him and bring him in on an emergency basis if Courtois and the backup goes down.

Funnily enough Begovic best performances were in our massive rut as he was in familiar territory as in playing for a side struggling where he was called upon a lot. Season just gone was his first experience of playing for a side at the top and I thought he was out of his depth, I'm curious to know what his save percentage was in the games he played because I can't recall him actually making one.

Jose maybe abysmal at playing a youngster from scratch but he has shown with Rashford that he will play one's already proven after inheriting them (KDB aside). Factor in Costa's injury/suspensions and the impact Lukaku is capable of making from the bench, he would have got more than enough minutes in 14/15.

Yeah its so easy no one had ever done 4 in a row (for a very long time if ever) before last year. And this ultra competitive EPL you are describing, is that the league so strong 4 of the last 5 winners have pissed the league?

Costa may be shit technically but his movement to shift defenses all over the shop is a key reason why we only dropped 7 points in 26 games vs flat track sides. Lukaku has no movement or tactical awareness in the build up that i really fear we will have more 13/14 like frustration's trying to break down lesser sides.

Gomez averaged a goal a game for Bayern in 11/12 yet dropping him for a player who doesn't even score half as much turned them into treble winners. In my opinion Lukaku is going to have to hit Messi-Ronaldo figure's to make up for his flaws.

Bale should be avoided at all costs. He's 28, constantly injured and relies heavily on athleticism due to average technique, he's got a Torres/Essien style decline written all over him in the not to distanct future.

He would probably benefit more under Benitez rotation ball than he would playing full time under Houghton. Rafa has a good track record for developing good player's and making them better like Alonso, Torres, Hazard (Rafa made Hazard a lot more disciplined). At Newcastle he has turned Shelvey from an inconsistent wildcard to a quality all round player. I know Chelsea fans don't like Benitez but i would trust him to look after Tammy and improve him even further from a tactical POV.

Don't you mean Tielemens when he heads for pre season training?

Ill be happy with that if Conte is staying for the longish term, league is the bread and butter and law of averages will get us a cup eventually, hopefully the CL. Although hiring a coach who's previous team's have a good record in cup's and has good tactical pedigree can't do any harm, what's Carlos Quieroz upto these days?

How exactly?

Conte can't seem to crack Arsenal, even at The Bridge they had 3 serious chances plus there goal. Ancelotti, Jose, Hiddink and even Rafa had Wenger by the balls and knew how to stop Arsenal playing, i love the playing out of the back system we have but vs team's on the quality of Arsenal and above we need to scrap it, we did it at Anfield and Liverpool couldn't hurt us.

Big away games has always been an issue for him. I thnk the bad cup manager is a bit exaggerated, i mean yes he hasn't won one yet but would you call Atletico or us circa 04-11 a bad CL team?

I would imagine completely cancelled, the players will be off on holiday after Sunday i would imagine.