Blogger's View: "A Cultured Left Foot" On Arsenal

After the success of Rivals' Views, Preseason Edition here on Bleacher Report, I have managed to catch up with one of the popular Arsenal bloggers on Blogger's Views.

"A Cultured Left Foot" is a blog which gives balanced information about Arsenal. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the blog over time and like the manner in which the news is disseminated there.

I caught up with the blogger who owns A Cultured Left Foot, and asked him a few questions about Arsenal and how we could fare this season:

1. After a fairly long summer, do you think that Arsene Wenger has achieved his targets during the summer period?

Hard to know. He kept Adebayor but has not replaced Flamini or Gilberto despite saying that he would. He has five days to achieve that although he might argue that he has options in the squad. Hleb was replaced by Nasri so overall, he would probably be content. A 7/10 would be a fair mark.

2. Our least known acquisition is Amaury Bischoff—what do you make of him? Can he make it at Arsenal?

God knows! His injury record is unimpressive so judgement will have to wait. If he stays fit, there is no-one stopping him in central midfield so he could make it although, if pushed, I'd say he is more likely to be Remi Garde than Patrick Vieira.

3. Arsene Wenger has been stating for a while now that he is "one body short." Any ideas on who he might be looking out for?

No. The media fodder is going out of the window very rapidly and I have given up trying to second guess players that Wenger will try to sign.

4. How does the composition of the Arsenal squad look to you?

On paper, just light in defensive midfield. The forwards are capable of scoring, Fabregas & co. can create and the defence should be able to keep clean sheets. It's a shame that football is played on grass because Fulham showed that the frailties when Gallas and Toure play together still exist. It must be causing a great deal of head scratching at London Colney because the two are world-class defenders.

5. Do you think Samir Nasri can have the requisite impact in terms of goals from midfield?

He might be able to but it is worth remembering he has not got a much better statistical record than Hleb. The others who play, i.e. Walcott, Rosicky, etc., have to chip in as well. Fabregas did last season but not much else came from the midfield. The defenders also need to score a few each as well. It seems hard to credit that in a combined total of over seventy games, Sagna and Clichy managed one goal between them.

6. Do you think we can mount a challenge on two fronts—the Premier League and the Champions League?

We can, but an injury-free season will be needed for the Premier League. The Champions League is a lot to do with luck once you get to the knockout phases.

7. What do you make of our closest rivals—Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and of course, Tottenham Hotspur?

United are a strange case. With less than a week to go, they have signed no-one meaning they do not have a recognised striker and no depth up front. If they get Berbatov, that problem is partially solved and they will be a bigger threat. Defensively their depth is not brilliant so only in midfield do they have an embarrassment of riches.

Chelsea are starting to employ a "Galactico" policy on their squad. They will always have the depth but last season struggled for goals from the forwards. Liverpool have a decent first XI but little in reserve. Robbie Keane will score more than Crouch did, but their biggest problem is stopping Benitez's tinkering.

Spurs have strengthened through getting rid of the dross. Keane going is a loss and when Berbatov goes, they are left with Bent and possibly Pavlyuchenko. Goals may not be flying into the opposition net for them this season.

8. Mikael Silvestre—a shrewd signing or a stupid one?

A good signing on the whole. He brings experience to the squad and is a good deputy for Clichy.

9. After our loss to Fulham during the weekend, do you think that there should be any concern on our part? Is it going to be a bit of the "same old" Arsenal?

After last season's flying start, expectations were high but the performance was abject. If it is a kick up the arse, then so be it. I would rather get an iffy patch out of the way now when there is ample time to recover than be in the position of last season.

10. Many Arsenal fans seem to have gotten impatient of late. Do you find their impatience to be rational?

It's the way of the world. We've been spoilt rotten for the past 10 or so years. Expectations generally around football are higher but some lose sight of the fact that we have no divine right to win trophies. We do however, have the right to expect the team to challenge for them. Arsene has turned the squad around from 2005/06 so should be able to extract the highest level of consistency needed to be at the top of the table.

11. Do you think Arsenal can win a trophy this season, after three trophy-less ones?

We can—whether we will or not remains to be seen.

It was wonderful having a blogger answer some questions about Arsenal. I thank "Yogi's Warrior" for his time and thoughtful answers.