FM12 Arsenal Thread - Life after Cesc

[llama3]

FM12 Arsenal Thread – Life after Cesc

125th Anniversary - Forward

Club Information

Club History

Arsenal are an English professional football club, formed in 1886, and this season are celebrating their 125th anniversary. The club was originally founded from the Royal Arsenal base in Woolwich, South London. The club was formed by a group of 15 men led by David Danskin; and friends Elijah Watkins, John Humble & Richard Pearce, spurred on by the arrival of Fred Beardsley & Morris Bates from Nottingham Forest.

The club was originally referred to as Dial Square simply as it was the place whereby most of the players worked. The Dial Square building was situated between Woolwich & Plumstead. The name was quickly changed by Christmas time to Royal Arsenal which remained until 1891 when it was changed to Woolwich Arsenal. At the aforementioned Christmas meeting the kit was established as red as Beardsley and Bates wore shirts of the same colour from their Nottingham Forest days. Royal Arsenal players could not afford their own kits, so Fred Beardsley wrote to Nottingham Forest asking for help, to which Forest charitably sent Arsenal a complete set of red shirts to wear and a ball. The white sleeves were added later on under the legendary manager Herbert Chapman. The final aspect of the Christmas meeting was a pitch to play at, and the public land at Plumstead Common. Eventually completing 10 fixtures by the end of the season with their first formal game as ‘Arsenal’ played against a team called Erith, the team for the game on 8th January 1887 was Beardsley in goal, Danskin & Porteous at full back, Gregory, Price & Wells at half back, and Smith, Moy, Whitehead, Crighton & Bee as forwards.

Arsenal played at the Invicta Ground in their formative years, then the Manor Ground nearby down the road, before moving to the Invicta a few years later, a new ground with a stand. Eventually after a dispute over a rent increase Arsenal moved back to the Manor Ground in 1893, before their move North of the river in 1913 to Highbury where the club remained for 93 years before they finally moved to current 60,361 all-seater stadium the Emirates Stadium at Ashburton Grove.

In 1891 Arsenal turned professional, despite the hatred of the London FA for professionalism. Arsenal as a result of turning professional were banned from the London FA. In 1893 Arsenal were elected to the Football League along with Liverpool, Newcastle United, Rotherham Town & Middlesbrough Ironopolis.

In 1910 Henry Norris took over as chairman after a disappointing campaign, and in 1912-13 Arsenal were relegated, finishing bottom of the First Division, with 3 wins, 18 points and 26 goals scored. Arsenal moved to Highbury and dropped the Woolwich part of their name, moving into territory close to Tottenham, igniting the North London rivalry. Arsenal were quickly back in Division One after the war in 1919, when enterprising chairman Henry Norris persuaded the First Division clubs to readmit Arsenal to the top league as the First Division was extended to 22 teams from 20. With Tottenham Hotspur relegated to Division Two for finishing 20th below 19th placed Chelsea – the end result was that Tottenham were relegated at the meeting to reorganise the league, with Arsenal directly appointed in their place. A further issue with the North London rivalry was in late 1928 when Arsenal were accused of throwing games to relegate Tottenham who were already back in the First Division after only 1 season in 1919/20.

Arsenal finally turned a corner when Herbert Chapman was appointed manager in 1925 inspiring the change of the Gillespie Road tube station to Arsenal. The addition of white sleeves and hooped socks to the Arsenal kit, and the addition of the WM formation. Arsenal lost their first FA Cup Final to Cardiff 1-0 with the ball slipping under goalkeeper Dan Lewis’ new jersey for the FA Cup to travel to Wales for the only time in the competition history. As Arsenal entered the 1930’s they began to win trophies, the first being the 1930 FA Cup final against Chapman’s former team Huddersfield, winning 2-0 in the final. Arsenal became League Champions for the first time in 1931, becoming the first southern winners of the trophy. Chapman died in 1934 unexpectedly from flu, caught when watching a reserve team game.

George Allison was appointed manager in 1934, succeeded in 1947 by Tom Whittaker. Arsenal became the first football team in the world shown on TV in 1937 with BBC cameras filming a practice game between the first and reserve sides. Arsenal wore gold shirts in the 1950 FA Cup Final against Liverpool memorably. Jack Crayston took over as manager in 1956 when Whittaker died of a heart attack. Crayston lasted 2 years until George Swindin took over after Crayston’s dispute with the board over money. Billy Wright took over from Swindin in 1962 and physiotherapist Bertie Mee took over as boss in 1966, leading Arsenal to their first double in 1971, but not before losing 2 consecutive League Cup Finals to Leeds United & Swindon Town, and winning their first European Fairs Cup against Anderlecht at Highbury. Terry Neill succeeded Mee in 1976, leading Arsenal to 3 consecutive FA Cup Finals (1978 v Ipswich, 1979 v Manchester United, 1980 v West Ham) and a defeat in the Cup Winners Cup Final in 1980, in Brussels against Valencia on penalties. Neill was replaced by Don Howe in 1983, before George Graham arrived as Manager in 1986.

Graham had a reputation as “the Stroller” as a player at Arsenal, but arrived from Millwall a strict disciplinarian, earning Arsenal the 1987 League Cup, a first trophy for 8 years, with a 2-1 win over Liverpool. Graham also inspired the stunning win at Anfield in 1989 that saw Michael Thomas’ late goal win Arsenal the league title against their championship rivals on the last day of the season. A title followed in 1991 with only 1 league defeat away to Chelsea, and then the 1993 League and FA Cup double over Sheffield Wednesday. Arsenal then followed their amazing cup success with a famous 1-0 win in Copenhagen over a strong Parma side containing Brolin, Asprilla and Zola in 1994, with the winner scored by Alan Smith. Arsenal dismissed Graham after an incident over receiving bungs was alleged. Stewart Houston took temporary charge until the end of the season.

Bruce Rioch arrived in Summer 1995, signing Dennis Bergkamp for £7.5m from Inter, and David Platt. Rioch was sacked in 1996 only a year into the job after a row with the board over transfer funds. Arsene Wenger was eventually appointed, taking over in September 1996, eventually revolutionising the club, and reinvigorating the old guard at the back of Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, Martin Keown & club Captain and legend Tony Adams. Wenger lead Arsenal to the 1998 League and Cup double, winning the double again in 2002, winning the 2003 FA Cup Final and going an entire league season unbeaten in 2004, before winning the 2005 FA Cup Final on penalties against Manchester United.

Recent Background

2005/06 – Last season at Highbury, Arsenal finished 4th in the Premier League, finally pipping Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the season to retain their UEFA Champions League place. Arsenal got to the final of the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona, and despite Jens Lehmann’s early red card, Sol Campbell headed Arsenal into the lead in the 37th minute, before 2 late goals from Barcelona defeated Arsenal 2-1. Dennis Bergkamp retired, Robert Pires left for Villarreal, and Thierry Henry signed a new contract.

2006/07 – First season at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal finished 4th again in the Premier League, with notable wins away and home to Manchester United, a game which featured Thierry Henry’s last goal at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s young team overcame Liverpool 6-3 & Tottenham 5-3 on aggregate to get to the final against Chelsea, where the more experienced team beat Arsenal 2-1 despite Walcott scoring his first goal for Arsenal to give the Gunners the lead.

2007/08 – Arsenal began in superb form, despite the summer sale of Thierry Henry. before events culminated away to Birmingham when Eduardo received an early broken leg, before Arsenal came from behind to lead 2-1, when Adebayor failed to square to Bendtner to make it 3-1, and a lapse in concentration by Gael Clichy caused Birmingham to earn a late penalty, which McFadden scored, but not before an angry reaction from William Gallas undermined the Arsenal teams resolve. Arsenal eventually finished 3rd in the Premier League. Arsenal were eliminated unfortunately in the Champions League against Liverpool in a tale of 2 penalties, a clear penalty not awarded to Arsenal in the first leg, and a penalty in the second leg against Arsenal that was not a foul.

2008/09 – The summer loss of Aliaksandr Hleb was offset against the purchase of Samir Nasri. A disappointing start to the season by Arsenal included throwing away a 2-goal lead against Tottenham to draw 4-4 late at the Emirates. Arsenal lost Fabregas to injury in December before eventually climbing into a competitive 4th place. Arsenal reached the FA Cup semi finals against Chelsea, and lost 2-1 after Walcott’s early strike was cancelled out by 2 error’s by Lukasz Fabianski allowed Malouda and Drogba to score. Arsenal dispatched Roma on penalties in the knockout round of the Champions League, before overcoming Villarreal over 2 legs in the quater final, before Manchester United outclassed Arsenal in the semi finals. Arsenal signed Andrey Arshavin in the January transfer window from Zenit St Petersburg.

2009/10 – Arsenal finished 3rd in the Premier League, after injuries and an end of season loss of form saw Arsenal fall away late on in the title race. A pulsating tie against Barcelona in the knockout round of the Champions League saw Arsenal came from behind to draw at home, before brilliant play by Lionel Messi saw Arsenal eliminated.

2010/11 – Arsenal played well until a dramatic late defeat at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final against Birmingham when a Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny mix-up saw Obafemi Martins presented with a 6-yard tap-in. Arsenal’s form nosedived and their superb 2-1 win over Barcelona in an outstanding Champions League Quater Final was not enough to see them through after a Szczesny injury, Messi brilliance and van Persie dismissal saw Arsenal eliminated in Camp Nou. Arsenal were eliminated in the FA Cup against Man Utd.

2011/12 – Arsenal have sold Clichy, Nasri & Fabregas this summer – a turbulent summer in our 125th anniversary. The injuries to Wilshere and Diaby have weakened the midfield, and the contracts of van Persie, Walcott, Vermaelen & Song are due for renewal soon – the challenge is yours – Forward!

Club Honours

[llama3]

Key Players

5 Thomas Vermaelen (Vice Captain)

Thomas is Arsenal Vice-Captain, arriving at the Gunners for £10m from AFC Ajax Amsterdam in the Summer of 2009 as a replacement for the departing Kolo Touré in the Arsenal backline, and proved an instant revelation with a debut goal away to Everton in a 6-1 win, with other spectacular goals against Wigan and Blackburn among a total of 7 league goals in 33 debut appearances. Last season Thomas spent several months on the sidelines playing only 5 league games all season due to a plantaris tendon injury.

As well being a danger from set pieces Thomas is excellent at reading the game, and makes a very brave, determined, professional and consistent character. He makes an excellent stand-in skipper for the current leader Robin van Persie and is an integral part of the Arsenal defence. Can play in all central defence roles equally comfortably, and as stopper, cover and defend duties equally well. He can also fill in at left back if required. His contract is £40,000 per week and has 2 years until it expires.

19 Jack Wilshere (Rising Star)

Jack Wilshere was very much the revelation of the 2011/12 season. He has grown up through the Arsenal ranks since the age of 9 years old in 2001 at the club academies. Since then Jack progressed into the first team squad in the summer of 2008, and is Arsenal’s youngest ever league player since coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 win at Blackburn aged 16 years, 256 days old. Jack’s development was aided by a superb loan spell at Bolton Wanderers under Owen Coyle in the 2010 half of the 2009/10 season. When Arsenal returned to action in August 2010 away to Liverpool on the opening match at Anfield, Wilshere was named in the starting XI after injuries to Song & Denilson, as well as Fabregas’ late arrival back from the World Cup. Wilshere’s development surprised Wenger, including the surprisingly efficient defensive side to Wilshere’s game.

Jack Wilshere is technically very good, as well as possessing an intelligent brain on the pitch, able to see chances and move around the pitch efficiently into good positions. Wilshere is a very one-footed player, and is significantly weaker on his right foot. He is able to play across the entire midfield, and attacking midfield positions, and could even be trained in a defensive midfield role. Wilshere is most effective as either a midfield playmaker, or as an attack-minded central or attacking midfielder, and even as an inside forward in the wide attacking midfield positions. Jack is contracted to Arsenal until 2015 at £45,000 per week, and has a lot of potential, rated very highly by coaches and scouts within Arsenal and beyond. Expect a bright season when he returns from his Fractured Ankle. Until then, he will be a big miss.

10 Robin van Persie (Captain)

Robin van Persie is the new Captain of Arsenal. Robin turns 28 years old in August. He arrived at Arsenal in the Summer of 2004 from Feyenoord where he had several fall-outs with then-boss Bert van Maarwijk, and as a difficult character. He has matured considerably since he arrived, making his debut in the 2004 Community Shield 3-1 win over Manchester United, and scored his first Arsenal goal in a League Cup tie against Manchester City a few weeks later. Robin suffered greatly with injuries during his career, notably a broken foot scoring the equaliser in a famous 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in January 2007, missing the back end of the 2007/08 campaign the next season as Arsenal’s League and Champions League campaigns ground to halt after games against Birmingham & Liverpool. Robin returned well in the 2008/9 campaign with 28 league appearances and 11 goals including Goal of the Season against Liverpool with a well struck right footed effort. Robin then missed most of the 2009/10 season after hitting a run of form scoring 7 goals in 7 games after a challenge by Giorgio Chiellini in an international in November caused an ankle injury. Robin then suffered an injury-hit start to the 2010/11 season after a game against Blackburn saw him limp off injured. As Marouane Chamakh’s form began to fail Robin stepped in excellently, scoring 18 goals in all competitions from the turn of the year, including a stunning equaliser at home to Barcelona, and scoring in 8 consecutive away league games.

Robin van Persie is naturally a Centre-Forward, but is accomplished as a right-sided Attacker from the AMR position, as well as being competent in AML, AMC and MR positions. Robin is best suited to a Deep-Lying Forward role (either duty), as a Poacher (but this is an awful neglect of his superb creative skills) and as a Trequartista. He is also effective as an Inside-Forward in the AMR position. Robin is a superb finisher, with excellent technique, and a dead-ball specialist, and an extremely creative player, superb as a second striker, or a lone striker. Robin has 2 years left on his contract, expiring in 2013, and is currently paid £80,000 per week. Robin is Arsenal’s most important player and if he stays fit will be key to any success you may have with Arsenal.

Key Players

Squad Guide

Goalkeepers

First Season – First choice is Wojciech Szczesny, good back-up is possessed in Lukasz Fabianski.

Future – Szczesny will be first choice for you for 10-15 seasons. Fabianski & Martinez provide excellent cover. Almunia & Mannone are surplus to requirements.

Prospect – Damian Martinez

Targets - None

Central Defenders

First Season – Vermaelen, Koscielny & Mertesacker are excellent standard and should be kept. Plenty of depth in form of Djourou, Squillaci & Miquel.

Future – All defenders are young enough. Squillaci is ageing, injured and declining - should be sold. Bartley & Miquel are good young prospects.

Prospects – Kyle Bartley & Ignasi Miquel

Targets – Bruno Ecuele Manga, Yanga Mbiwa Mpiwa, Benedikt Howedes, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Simon Kjaer

Right Back

First Season – Sagna is first choice, and 1 of the best in the world in the position, should not be sold. Jenkinson is raw, but hard-working and has a good final ball.

Future – Need some back-up at right back, Jenkinson will require a bit of work to make it as a first teamer.

Prospect – Carl Jenkinson & Hector Bellerin

Targets – Lukasz Piszczek, Darijo Srna, Gregory van der Weil, Martin Montoya, Dennis Deikmeier, Sebastien Corchia, Serge Aurier

Left Back

First Season – Kieran Gibbs & Andre Santos are good full backs, Andre Santos better at going forward, Gibbs is more rounded.

Future – Gibbs is young and a long term choice, but Andre Santos has a 3-4 year shelf life. Pedro Botelho is a potential prospect.

Prospect – Pedro Botelho

Targets – Leighton Baines, Alex Sandro, Aly Cissokho, Natxo Monreal, Neil Taylor, Cheick M'Bengue,

Defensive Midfielders

First Season – Alex Song is a superb first choice. There is sufficient depth in the form of Coquelin, Frimpong & even Craig Eastmond if necessary.

Future – Song is young enough to last several years, but Coquelin especially, and to a lesser extent Frimpong have excellent potential and will make superb competition.

Prospect – Francis Coquelin & Emmanuel Frimpong

Targets – Yann M'Vila, Javi Martinez, Fernando, Simon Rolfes, Javi Garcia

Central Midfielders

First Season – Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey are all superb choices. The early injuries to Diaby and Wilshere are a problem, but Coquelin, Frimpong and Rosicky can fill in the midfield roles ably.

Future – Wilshere and Ramsey will only improve and reach superb levels. Arteta can function for 4 seasons before needing replacement. Denilson is not needed back from loan.

Prospect – Oguzhan Ozyakup, Henri Lansbury, Kyle Ebecilio & Jon Toral

Targets – Thiago, Marek Hamsik, Joao Moutinho, Moussa Sissokho, Borja Valero

Attacking Midfielders

First Season – Tomas Rosicky is ageing but useful, and Wilshere & Ramsey also play attacking midfield roles extremely well. Yossi Benayoun is on loan.

Future – Rosicky is ageing, but can last for a couple of seasons and is an excellent tutor. Arshavin is back from loan next season but again is ageing and you will need to decide on your course of action for him.

Prospect – Samuel Galindo, Kristoffer Olsson, Chuks Aneke & Serge Gnabry

Targets – Mario Gotze, Eden Hazard, Ganso, Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Ibrahim Afellay, Cani, Younes Belhanda, Christian Eriksen & Yoann Gourcuff

Wingers

First Season – Theo Walcott and Gervinho are first choice. Benayoun can play wide adequately. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will need game time and this is a great chance to accelerate his development.

Future – Walcott and Gervinho are young, and Chamberlain will become an integral player for you. Ryo Miyaichi will be looking to break into the first team on his return from loan at Bolton.

Prospect – Ryo Miyaichi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain & Alban Bunjaku

Targets – Jesus Navas, Milos Krasic, Pablo Hernandez, Jose Callejon, Dmitri Payet, Mathieu Valbuena, Andre Ayew, Antoine Griezmann & Marko Marin

Attackers

First Season – van Persie is clearly your best striker. Marouane Chamakh is better support than Park Chu-Young. Walcott can play as a striker, but is fairly 1-dimensional.

Future – van Persie is at peak age and is clearly best forward although injuries may take their toll. Chamakh has been downgraded on this patch, but is still useful back-up. Park is no more than back-up. Bendtner and Vela are back from loan at the end of the season, but a signing is needed at somepoint in this area.

Prospect – Wellington Silva, Benik Afobe & Joel Campbell

Targets – Lukas Podolski, Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Alessandro Matri, Salomon Rondon, Loic Remy, Eren Derdiyok, Bafetimbi Gomis, Olivier Giroud, Ivica Olic (available on a free transfer at the end of the season)

[llama3]

Staff Guide

Assistant Manager – recommend keeping

First Team Coaches – recommend keeping

Fitness Coaches – area for improvement

Goalkeeping Coaches – recommend keeping

Youth Coaches – strong coaches, but some need improving

Physios – Wales and Lewin are good quality physios, however the other 3 are dispensable

Scouts – excellent quality of scouts

Team Tactics

Arsenal’s squad generally suits a 4-2-3-1 (wide), a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2. They are fairly adaptable to most systems. The team is suited to a short passing style, also I recommend a high pressing style and roaming as the squad have good off the ball stats. They are not great in the air, so try to drill crosses.

[llama3]

Team Colours

Facilities

Feeder Clubs

Boardroom

The club has a stable boardroom run by Chairman Peter Hill-Wood, whose family have run the club for several decades, and is supported by Chief Execute Ivan Gazidis. There is unlikely to be a board takeover anytime soon.

[llama3]

This post will be reserved for community updates, tactics or download links

[hasdgfas]

I will be saving my Arsenal save for when the full game comes out, but it'll be here. Good work Llama, though I have a couple of questions. Have you used Park/Vela/Bendtner to know whether they'll improve the team, or are you just basing this on your real life thoughts on the players? FM is a totally different beast and in FM11 I'd have Vela/Bendtner as my leading scorers for many seasons.

[arsenal1975]

few questions before actually starting it (had a look at the squad and some new stuff at the beginning):

- Arshavin is löoking to surpass his IRL quality in this version. But as he's cleary getting on, would you keep him or sell? (i'm leaning towards keeping ATM)

- are the likes of Bendtner, Vela, Squillaci (injury) and Mannone transferrable (which price)?

- do we need another left-back? If not, would you play full-backs or wing-backs (also Sagna)?

- agreed with everyone who suggest to sell Rosicky, but... While Wilshere is out, he may be useful squad player plus he is used to be a very good tutor.

[JEinchy]

I started an Arsenal trial - essientially what it is - last night. I've taken a more domestic approach to transfers after I realised that the squad is lacking homegrown players after selling Cesc and Clichy and loaning out Denilson and Bendtner. So I went for Matt Jarvis for £5mil as a decent backup for both flanks and Gary Hooper for £7.5mil as I wanted a poacher to compliment van Persie and didn't think Park or Chamakh were up to that task. I initially tried to get Diego Milito on loan, but Inter wanted his wages paid in full and the board would only let me pay 40%.

My only other signing was Gregory van der Wiel for £13mil, as a more offensive option at right back. A bit expensive for someone who's going to be my cover/backup, but then I didn't really perform an extensive search for a suitable backup for Sagna. I probably won't sign him on the full game.

I have two formations for this team. My stock formation is a 4-2-3-1:

GK: Szczesny

RB: Sagna (wing back, support)

CB: Vermaelen (stopper, defend)

CB: Mertesacker (cover, defend)

LB: Gibbs (wing back, support)

CM: Song (ball winner, defend)

CM: Arteta (deep-lying playmaker, support)

RW: Walcott (inside forward, attack)

AM: Arshavin (trequartista, attack)

LW: Gervinho (inside forward, attack)

ST: van Persie (advanced forward, attack)

If Wilshere were fit at the start then I'd have used him in the AM role instead of Arshavin. I find Arteta is much better in a deeper role because he lacks the pace and stamina to play a more dynamic role, while Ramsey needs to develop more.

My other formation is a 4-2-2-2:

GK: Szczesny

RB: Sagna (wing back, support)

CB: Vermaelen (stopper, defend)

CB: Mertesacker (cover, defend)

LB: Gibbs (wing back, support)

CM: Song (ball winner, defend)

CM: Arteta (deep-lying playmaker, support)

RW: Walcott (inside forward, attack)

LW: Gervinho (inside forward, attack)

ST: van Persie (deep-lying forward, support)

ST: Hooper (poacher, attack)

The reason why I have this formation is so I can use Walcott up front more often, since he's an absolute beast as a poacher. I'm only going with Hooper for now because Walcott is doing so well on the flanks for me currently in pre-season (4 appearances, 4 goals and 4 assists). Park and Chamakh are backups for van Persie's role, while Jarvis, Arshavin, Benayoun, Miyaichi and Chamberlain will share the wings.

I think managing the squad this year is actually going to be a little difficult, since there's a lot of talent there. Frimpong and Coquelin are just as good as each other and I've not decided who will be immeidate backup for Song. Miyaichi and Chamberlain are big talents for the wings, but first team opportunities might be limited because of Arshavin and Benayoun. I also want to integrate Lansbury and Joel Campbell into the team eventually; the former I'm a big fan of in real life and the latter looks excellent in my save, though I think he might have random attributes.

That's about it. I've only played four friendlies, so I'll report back when I've made some more progress.

[Ayub95]

Downloading the demo now but how long is Wilshere out for at the beginning of the game?

[McGougan33]

Good thread mate

[llama3]

Wilshere is out for 7-9 months (in fact you'll find him in the reserves), Diaby is out for 3-4 months, Squillaci 2-3 months.

Arshavin I would keep until you find a replacement - but do actively look for a replacement, you will need 1, unless you plan to start using him in a trequartista type role (that doesn't need pace).

Vela & Bendtner cannot be sold in the demo, but i would sell them as I have found them inconsistent often, and they do not bear the hallmarks of a van Persie or even come near Chamakh's excellent personality stats. But it is your game, if you want to keep them, or think you can make something of them then please feel free, it will be interesting to see how everyone does. As Squillaci is injured in the transfer window I cannot tell you what price you could get for him. Mannone I would keep until you get a decent offer and Martinez is good enough to step up, but around £2-3m is the fee you are likely to get for him.

As for full backs - I do not think you need a new left back straight away, but I would make it a long-term aim to provide Gibbs with competition. I play my full-backs as wing back's on automatic. I play them such because it helps provide width and overlap and another passing option.

And finally Rosicky is a superb tutor, so keep him. Especially with injuries to Diaby & Wilshere.

[FCArsenal]

Here is my official debut in EPL

My tactic so far

and the transfers

Willian looks like e great little player

[Ventricity]

arsenal clearly needs a right back. i suggest vrsaljiko, he is a bargain. i bough beck from hoffenheim(?) who is very capable too.

arsenal also needs a central midfielder. there i bought javi martinez. he looks to be one of the best for the future.

walcott and arshavin look to be a bit overrated

[James9]

Staff Guide

Assistant Manager – recommend keeping

First Team Coaches – recommend keeping

Fitness Coaches – area for improvement

Goalkeeping Coaches – recommend keeping

Youth Coaches – strong coaches, but some need improving

Physios – Wales and Lewin are good quality physios, however the other 3 are dispensable

Scouts – excellent quality of scouts

Team Tactics

Arsenal’s squad generally suits a 4-2-3-1 (wide), a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-2

Hello llama

I was reading a previous post and you mentioned playing with two deep lying playmakers as a good midfield combination. But I can see that you are now playing with a ball winning midfielder and deep lying playmaker in midfield. Do you recommend that this is the best midfield partnership to help protect the back four. I always thought that having a ball winning midfielder would mean that he will get drag out of position because he is always closing down. How would you set up a ball winning midfielder to ensure that he does not get drag out of position

[Carmi88]

well my Arsenal save is off to a flyer, 5 games in and I am undefeated, top by 2 points

Transfer Window - I was unable to get a right back or Attacking left winger, although the latter is not such a big issue, sold Almunia (2.0m), Chamakh(4.9m) and Mannone(1.5m) and brought In Carlos Tevez for 17.25m and was unable to snap up other targets that included van der weil and Eden hazard, the latter being priced at 40m by his club

Champions League: got drawn against FC Twente in the qualifying and I beat them comfortably, then got drawn with AC Milan, Leverkusen and Otelul, beat Otelul 3-0 in my first game

Tactics - I use the same formation as my FM11 squad, a 4-3-3, with the ACM, AMR, AML and I prefer Tevez upfront to Van Persie, who is currently rotating with him and gervinho as Walcott got injured

Quick Player summaries: Tevez - 6 apps and 8 goals, 2 assists and a MOTM, guy is a machine! had to fork out in the contract department (ofcourse) but he has been worth It.

Van Persie - 5 apps, 3 goals and 4 assists, greedy the majority of the time, could have alot more assists but has had just as much impact as Tevez in the early goings.

Ramsey - apps 4, goals 2, assists 2. Think he is alot better in this then real life, and has not had a bad game whenever I have selected him

Szczesny - 9 apps, 4 conceded and 6 clean sheets. Glad I never replaced him, has been an absolute rock at the back, only been beaten by superb goals.

injuries - Wilshere(can't help that), Diaby(likewise), Arshavin(twisted ankle), Walcott(broken ankle)

destroyed milan 4-0 now for 2nd place city

[malikoi]

Looks a great thread Llama, well done.

In my Arsenal save, I signed Gotze for £50 million (lol) as I am going to start a new game when the full game is released. Just a mention though, he is bloody superb! On his debut he ggrabbed 3 assists and 1 goal. Walcott also scored a massive 5 goals in my first league game.

Sagna got injured, so I bought in, like others van der Wiel. Also brought in Andoni Iraola for cover.

Pre-season wasn't that good, 2 wins, 2 draws and a lose. EPL started with a win over West Brom. I got Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifing, just about to start that match now.

[Welshace]

haha good to see you keeping it realistic lads! tevez and gotze? lol .. nah its what the demo is for.. check out players etc ...

[malikoi]

Haha, I WAS going to play it properly, then I remembered that it was the demo! I'm definately going to play the full game properly. Has anyone checked out Neymar? He looks even better this year(I think?)

[Carmi88]

Well as unrealistic as signing Tevez is, My demo save last year was absolutely amazing, and It partly ruined FM for me knowing once I continued It the db would be small and England only, not this year

And my game against Man City was showing me I am not invincible outplayed entire game, and only snatched a draw with 80th minute penalty, phew!

[malikoi]

Ok. Who ever ISN'T playing Walcott upfront as a poacher, do it. 7 goals in 2 games.. He's an absolute monster!

[Llew_Arshavin23]

Good OP, Llama I knew we were in good hands.

Anyway, I started my demo save last night but, as it was about 1 in the morning, I quickly saved it & went to bed.

From what I saw of it last night, FM12 looks the business. Much more crisp, refreshing & an easier lay-out than FM11. Havn't seen all the new features yet but, tonight I will do Yes, Malikoi! Götze FTW

[malikoi]

Good OP, Llama I knew we were in good hands.

Anyway, I started my demo save last night but, as it was about 1 in the morning, I quickly saved it & went to bed.

From what I saw of it last night, FM12 looks the business. Much more crisp, refreshing & an easier lay-out than FM11. Havn't seen all the new features yet but, tonight I will do Yes, Malikoi! Götze FTW

Haha knew you would comment on that! He definately the business, superb player.

[Llew_Arshavin23]

Lads, anyone oppose to me making the Jack Wilshere or Alex Song player thread?

[malikoi]

I don't mind buddy, go ahead. Look forward to reading it.

[malikoi]

Beat Dynamo 5-1 on aggregate, then got drew with Valencia, Lille and Napoli. Not an easy group by any stretch of the imagination!

[Llew_Arshavin23]

Will make a player thread later on tonight; need to push on with this Málaga thread first

[AcidBurn]

Had a mess around as Arsenal this afternoon, Gervinho is a complete beast of a player is averaging over 8 as an AMR inside forward or winger. Doesn't matter which he uses as he just rips people apart when set to either.

[arsenal1975]

sry, but seems like everyone has played quite a bit already, so daring to ask:

what's your favourite formation (please show it with players) and who has impressed most of all? No matter whether old Arsenal player or new signing.

Thx

[malikoi]

arsenal1975

This is the formation i have tried out first, seems to be working OK so far:

There has been two players that have impressed me so far, and they are Walcott and Arteta. I have been using Walcott as a Poacher upfront whilst van Persie has been injured. As in the post above he has scored 7 in 2 games whilst in this position. In the Midfield, Arteta has been a creative force, laying on 4 assists and 1 goal in his first 3 games for the club. I use him as an Advanced Playmaker with the attack duty.

Ninja edit!

[Craig_R.U.F.C]

Starting up my save now with Arsenal. Looking forward to it once again this year hopefully winning more things this time round and playing the save for a lot longer.

Creating my own 4-2-3-1 I think and taking peoples opinions on playing Walcott up top.

Stegen the GK from Gladbach looks class, but we have good keepers already but i might bid for him.

[malikoi]

Craig_R.U.F.C

Good luck with the save.

And.. WOW! Stegen looks fantastic. *Puts in bid* Thanks!

Edit: Not signing him actually.. Brady says "Atleast £15 million"! Think I'll stick with Szczesny. :o

[Carmi88]

I am in November now, The end is near!

[malikoi]

Im still only in August. Im doing all the press conferences just to make the time go slower. :o

[llama3]

Hello llama

I was reading a previous post and you mentioned playing with two deep lying playmakers as a good midfield combination. But I can see that you are now playing with a ball winning midfielder and deep lying playmaker in midfield. Do you recommend that this is the best midfield partnership to help protect the back four. I always thought that having a ball winning midfielder would mean that he will get drag out of position because he is always closing down. How would you set up a ball winning midfielder to ensure that he does not get drag out of position

i find the dlp helps retain shape in the midfield as he doesn't get forward much. the bwm is on a defend role so he still doesn't venture too far out of position

[malikoi]

Unbeaten in the league, but thanks to van Persie not being able to hit a barn door from 1 yard Everton knocked us out of the league cup. Had a massive go at the team.

[Craig_R.U.F.C]

Anyone bothered about signing Hazard this year round or will his valuation be over-rated? I'm going to scout him now after been off it for a fair few hours. All i done today is create tactic, scouted some kids and sorted pre-season out.

[Carmi88]

Anyone bothered about signing Hazard this year round or will his valuation be over-rated? I'm going to scout him now after been off it for a fair few hours. All i done today is create tactic, scouted some kids and sorted pre-season out.

put in an enquiry and they wanted 35-40 million for him, never got him

just qualified for the K.O phase of the champions league, browsed through the groups and saw Inter Milan finished bottom of their group and Real Madrid 3rd in their group That is 2 of my competitors out of the way and only lost once this season.. to stoke! damn you peter crouch!!!

[JEinchy]

I've just gotten through August and things are going very well. Results so far:

West Brom 0 - 0 Arsenal (Premier League)

An even game where our attack just didn't click on the day. A fair result, in the end.

Dynamo Kyiv 0 - 4 Arsenal (Champions League)

Our Champions League qualifier involved us pretty much playing on the counter all game, and it worked to great effect. The front four of Benayoun, Gervinho, Jarvis and Hooper all connected to devastating effect as they each got an assist and Jarvis, Gervinho, Hooper and Arshavin got the goals.

Arsenal 3 - 1 Swansea (Premier League)

An easy that Gervinho starred in, scoring twice and assisting Matt Jarvis for the third. Their goal came in the form of a free-kick and, so far, it is the only goal we've conceded in competitive matches.

Arsenal 2 - 0 Dynamo Kyiv (Champions League)

A more than comfortbale win with Gervinho scoring again and Benayoun wrapping things up.

Blackburn 0 - 3 Arsenal (Premier League)

45 scintillating minutes from Andrey Arshavin ensured this game was over at half-time. He first set-up van Persie for the first, before scoring a fine goal from the tightest of angles. Just a shame he got injured. Johan Djourou scored the third from an Arteta corner.

Now, there's a couple of things I want to check with you guys. Well, by things, I mean players.

Below are screenshots of Joel Campbell (left) and Alban Bunjaku (right). What I'd like to ask is: do either of these two look like that on your games? I have suspicion they may have random attributes.

[FCArsenal]

They are absolutely the same in my game. Good prospects.

[cms186]

Below are screenshots of Joel Campbell (left) and Alban Bunjaku (right). What I'd like to ask is: do either of these two look like that on your games? I have suspicion they may have random attributes.

as the demo is from quick starts ( which are in essence, save games of one nations leagues from the very start of the game ) everyones players will look the same, they will have the same attributes ( even if they are random in the editor ), same PA ( if they are assigned a random one in the editor ) etc. you wont be able to tell till the full game comes out to see if they are random attributes or not

[hasdgfas]

Think about taking a look at Lee Hodson for a RB backup, everyone. I picked up up on FM11 and he overtook Sagna after a couple seasons because he performed incredibly. Seems to have decent attributes this year as well.

[JEinchy]

Well, this is odd.

Gervinho, who has 8 goals and 4 assists in 7 appearances, has just told me that he can't settle into the area and that "it's effecting his game". Now I have no choice but to give him a leave of absence.

Doesn't look like his off-field problems are effecting his on-field problems to me. :confused:

[malikoi]

In my first real test in the league, get absolutely hammere by Man City 4-1. I had 5 shots to thier 21. Had another row with my players.

[malikoi]

I just got a crash dump, where should I report it? Never gotten one before..

[Carmi88]

dunno if this will happen for anybody else, but Angel Di Maria got listed for loan at Real Madrid in december, so keep an eye out if you need a left winger I had a bid of 20 million accepted, but his wage demands were too much for my budget, finished my demo now, 3rd place behind Man City and man utd, the latter beating me 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Got drawn against Bayern Munich in the champions league 1st KO round, and have progressed in the carlin cup to the semi final which is against wolves (my carlin cup bogey team). Chelsea and Bolton are in the other leg

Got 24 million left from the summer, looking to offload squillaci and maybe arshavin if Man City pop a bid in after they spoke about wanting him. Need to look at getting another defender and a winger. might ditch diaby aswell since wilshere will be back soon.

My best result in the demo was either destroying AC Milan 4-0 or coming back from 2-0 down to beat Liverpool 4-2 with all 4 goals by carlos tevez

Best signing - my only signing which was Tevez

Will I continue my save when the game is released? most definately!

[Sevvy]

As I think I know better than Monsieur Wenger, I have gone for a defensive overhaul and brought in a new GK as well.

Using a high match preparation and alternating between emphasis on Teamwork (Home) and Defensive Positioning (Away). I have created a mean defence, also by using an Anchorman in all games.

Thiago came in on loan without a fee although you do have to pay 100% wages to get Barca to accept.

Oscar Cardozo has been a bit of a letdown so far and is yet to score. Rowley’s report card said I would be unlikely to sign him due to Work Permit but unfortunately I didn’t have a problem with that.

[nik_m]

whats the transfer budjets?

please delete the 'life after cesc' from the title, call it something like 'rebuilding the Arsenal'.

[malikoi]

nik_m - I like the thread title, I think it should stay like that.

I'm going to start a new save, as I know think I know what the club needs.

[llama3]

whats the transfer budjets?

please delete the 'life after cesc' from the title, call it something like 'rebuilding the Arsenal'.

i will add the transfer budgets into the thread later or tomorrow, forgot to add that. the title remains the same, my thread, my title

[llama3]

I am having a tactical tinker at the moment to see what works. I have not found anything which looks particularly sharp just yet. although I am intrigued by Trequartista in a STC position.