FM15: Arsenal FC

[Ty]

Retained the league in 16/17, Carling Cup and in the FA Cup final (still got a couple games left yet)... but been knocked out by Lyon in the semi-finals of the Champs League.

Lyon. LYON... LYYOOOOONNNN! How has this happened

[JEinchy]

I can go one better than that: I just lost 3-1 in the Community Shield to Spurs thanks to a terrible penalty decision (FA were silent after I criticized, which is a good sign), a flukey set-piece goal and Welbeck forgetting he's meant to be one of the best strikers in the country.

[Ty]

I beat Spurs 4-1 in the Community Shield this season

Ozil finished the 3rd top scorer in the Prem with 16 goals, Liverpool's Sturridge was top with 18 goals. Tielemans blitzed the assists with 22 and the average rating record, with 8.26

REALLY need a striker though, my strike force is nowhere near good enough with Welbeck, Roberts and Jovic. Welbeck needs to go, world class needs to come in. The other two are perfect young/rotation players.

[rafiomcnick]

Recommend me a MC (BWM) or DM for my 4-2-3-1 between Lars Bender ( 22£ or 14£ + Monreal - 76k p/w) and Wanyama (17£ - 48k p/w). In alternative i could sign Javi Martinez (who is available around 32 £ - 120k p/w)or Khedira (who is more a BTB). Who should i buy? No Romero please

[lpcinder]

Kondogbia

[thomit]

I beat Spurs 4-1 in the Community Shield this season

Ozil finished the 3rd top scorer in the Prem with 16 goals, Liverpool's Sturridge was top with 18 goals. Tielemans blitzed the assists with 22 and the average rating record, with 8.26

REALLY need a striker though, my strike force is nowhere near good enough with Welbeck, Roberts and Jovic. Welbeck needs to go, world class needs to come in. The other two are perfect young/rotation players.

Benzema, Aboubakar

[Messenjah1]

Kramer, you can sign him after 1st season

[AndySummers]

What are the roles you have set your side up with on the 41212?

I think this is going to be the way I bring the interest back to my Arsenal save.

That is the base model, Rigga. A controlled 41212 that focuses on short passing, but with a higher tempo and where retain possession is not used - I wanted to model a short passing game, but not tiki-taka. Opponent space compressed with a high defensive line, rabid closing down and two wingbacks that are very aggressive.

It is currently a tactic for use against the weaker Prem opponents, I need to playtest it more in pre-season to see how it might work against top quality opposition or teams with world class wide players - as it is a formation I want to use mostly only in away games. To that end, I also have a second 41212 gaining tactical familiarity; this one based on a defensive, structured mentality and shape, dropping deeper. With stick to positions and be more disciplined to ensure a rigid team shape, and higher tempo dropped. The roles are nominally the same, except I'm not yet sure whether to go with a DM or try for a more aggressive version that can disrupt play higher up the pitch.

The basic premise of the roles above anyway:

Sweeper Keeper - just my preference.

Centre Backs - standard defensive.

Wing Backs - attacking mentality as the entire width comes from these guys, and having them operate higher up the pitch offers the chance to overload offensively with the two CMs breaking forwards, but also contribute to the high pressing game and win the ball back early. To that effect...

Anchor Man - ...offers protection for the exposed defenders. A half back pushing the two defenders wider may also be an option.

B2B - one of my favourite roles - contributes to all phases and helps cover for the raiding leftback.

Centre Mid - quite overlooked all round for the more specialist roles? The role description suggests it is a player lacking an all round game. I read it as a player who will provide running. Used with hold position, again protecting a raiding rightback

Attacking Mid - The treq is a bit too hit and miss for my tastes. I prefer a standard AM, who will act as a playmaker and get forward

Complete Forward - All-purpose role that offers lateral movement when combined with move into channels

Advanced Forward - Much akin to the complete forward, a player who can stretch laterally and vertically. Just realised I have run wide with ball selected, which probably explains Walcott's action on that corner video...

The main element I've so far gleaned from the 41212 is that the team structure is fantastic on the heat map. The backline and anchor man return quite a uniform 3-2 positional shape, with the CMs also within an acceptable average positional band ahead. Conversely, the movement within the team shape appears to pull opponents all over the place >

In terms of attacking returns, this was the chance map created against Brondby:

[Ty]

Benzema, Aboubakar

Benzema isn't quite the player I want, I want a world class finisher. He is well rounded and can do more than that!

Aboubakar I purchased for £20m and sold him for £15m the same season, what a flop.

[RTHerringbone]

Aboubakar I purchased for £20m and sold him for £15m the same season, what a flop.

He's absolutely unstoppable whenever I look at Arsenal's results on my save

[Ty]

He's absolutely unstoppable whenever I look at Arsenal's results on my save

It wasn't perfomance based flop... (although he did play 7 games and score 0), I bought him in August and sold him in July. He was injured with different injuries for almost all of that, and only managed 7 games. Glad I got most of my money back though!

[rafiomcnick]

Kramer, you can sign him after 1st season

Kramer is very good and young but i can't wait the end of the season, i need more strength now

Kondogbia

Kondogbia? he's a good prospect and very good now but i think he's too expensive in comparison to bender or wanyama

[thomit]

Benzema isn't quite the player I want, I want a world class finisher. He is well rounded and can do more than that!

Aboubakar I purchased for £20m and sold him for £15m the same season, what a flop.

Judging by that, you would have bought Thierry Henry and then sold him the same season; he wasn't an instant hit ...

[AndySummers]

I'd definitely suggest Bender over Wanyama, Rafiomcnick. He has been excellent for myself but, apart from that, he is much more flexible positionally. Wanyama is also incredibly one-footed. As a DM, Bender kills Wanyama on anticipation, concentration and decisions, has better stamina and fitness (for a B2B role) and his team ethics are also better. I prefer his tackling and marking and would worry about Wanyama's 10 first touch in a possession game.

[Ty]

Judging by that, you would have bought Thierry Henry and then sold him the same season; he wasn't an instant hit ...

Read above, it wasn't about the lack of goals... more about the lack of playing time due to injury. Don't want an injury prone player on my books!

[thomit]

Read above, it wasn't about the lack of goals... more about the lack of playing time due to injury. Don't want an injury prone player on my books!

You struck a bit of bad luck with him then, he isn't injury prone. Not in my game, at least.

[Ty]

Anyone had any experience with Hernandez? I don't think I have used him on FM for years.

He is currently transfer listed for £4.2m, he seems perfect but only 2 star rated by scouts. Only downside is his aerial ability, but I drill crosses so shouldn't be a problem. I use a poacher, and he has all the right attributes!

[Ty]

Every time I want to sell him ... this time in the FA Cup final.

[rafiomcnick]

I'd definitely suggest Bender over Wanyama, Rafiomcnick. He has been excellent for myself but, apart from that, he is much more flexible positionally. Wanyama is also incredibly one-footed. As a DM, Bender kills Wanyama on anticipation, concentration and decisions, has better stamina and fitness (for a B2B role) and his team ethics are also better. I prefer his tackling and marking and would worry about Wanyama's 10 first touch in a possession game.

Your analysis is correct AndySummers, totally agree. You suggest to buy him for 22 £ or swap him with monreal (12,5 £ fee) and buy rodriguez (who is available for 14£)? Thanks in advance

[lomekian]

So - started a new game as I wanted to see what I could do with minor additions rather than going straight down the Reus/Khedira etc angle...

It went even better.

Just won the quad with an unbeaten League season (though Chavski were not far behind). Incredibl lucky with injuries, in that players only got really injured when the cover options were fit, or when they were falling out of favour.

Biggest results were:

Escaping Stamford Bridge with a draw when the title race was getting close, after having been badly outplayed.Giroud getting an 89th minute equaliser off the bench!

Laurent Koscielny with an 88th minute finish from 20 yards in the ECL semi second leg with Real Madrid to send us through.

8-0 Aggregate victroy in ECL quarters vs Arsene Wenger's Roma

7-0 vs an injury depleted Man U (who had a shocking season with Rooney,RVP and Di Maria all missing a lot of games - RVP only played 12 times) - they finished 10th!!!

Also a lot of late equalisers in the cup runs....Well aware of the fact that I won't be as lucky next year!

Key Signings:

Victor Valdes on a Free (because I sold him on in Jan for 15m which allowed some very useful signings then!)

Andre Hahn - 2.1m (wasn't good enough, but Man U paid me 15m in Jan which also funded some important deals)

Diarra - Free - I needed a body until Jan and he helped me through some injuries before being sold

Balanta -6.25 over 48 months

Romero (joined in Jan - 7m over 48 months)

Luis Ibanez from Dynamo - 50k - Useful non squad left back for cups and chipped in with some wonder goals from left back

Pione Sisto - 2.5m - Really useful cover for both wings, allowing me to keep better players fit for Europe (young enough to not take a squad place)

And in January with cash boost from sales:

Depay (17m over 48 months) - Brought him in slowly with a view to being a full rotation option next year, but in March/April he was crucial to FA cup and League success with 7 goals and 3 assists in 9 League games (inc sub appearances)

Sergi Roberto - 2.3m - A rotation option for cups as Wilshere got injured

Fellaini - 5.25 over 48 months - Fell out of favour at Man U. Despite his limitations has qualities no-one else in the squad has. Partly more effective than the others as a ball winner for tough games, but I eventually adapted my corner routine to aim for him at the back post to use his height and power, which was incredibly effective.

Scored in the ECL Semi and set up the winning goal in the FA Cup and ECL finals with knock downs for Ramsey to rifle in.

Fabian Schar - 300k end of Jan - contract unsigned and a free to me fell through due to a knock so I picked him up for the cup run.

I also hoovered up some cheap Scandinavians on free to boost my bank balance (to the tune of over 20m so far!) and to fill in in the odd cup game, and of course a range of kids, the most prominent of whom are Tielemans (who I sent on Loan), Munir (who was largely injured), Odegaard (in Jan) and Dele Alli for 2015/16.

Formation - depending on personnel:

GK

RWB (s) CD © CD (d) CWBL (a)

RP (s) BWM (d)

W (a) AP (a/s) IF(A)

CF/F9/TM (s)

Key Men:

Mesut Ozil - 34 games, 14 goals, 11 assists - The master of the pre-assist....the team played so much better when he was fully fit

Theo Walcott - 33 games, 20 goals, 24 assists - MASSIVELY exceeded expectations - was remarkably consistant too...became undroppable.

Alexis - 37 games - 21 goals, 20 assists - As well as brilliant stats, was the master of the big game. Without him, there would onlt be the league cup this season.

Ramsey 37 games - 11 goals, 7 assists - started slowly and had a dip again over xmas, but was immense at the business end of the season and scored in the ECL final.

Welbeck - 35 games, 29 goals, 7 assists - had the odd poor run of form, and struggled against the better teams in Europe, but was so consistant in the league - Missed 3 'on a hat-trick' penalties

Mertesacker - A rock - 7.62, 2 goals loves the 'cover' duty...needs pace alongside him!

Solid Citizens - Gibbs, Debuchy, Kos, Chesney, Monreal and Arteta all performed at the expected level...solid, but unspectacular.

Pleasant surprises:

Chambers - excellent in both positions without doing enough to be first choice

Bellerin - 15 games in all comps and 5 assists

Diaby - spent more time fit than injured and was quietly effective as a midfield ball winner

Disappointments:

Wilshere - no goals 1 assist - plenty of involvement, no end product

Cazorla - Excellent cover for Ozil in the ECL and cups, just awful and ineffective in the League

Podolski - actually 16 goals in all comps, but, much like real life, contributes NOTHING unless scoring, and yet can't play as a centre forward

The Ox - Just a lot less end product than his involvement would suggest. Did better in big games

Flamini - too oft out-muscled and a card happy looney!

Special mention to Sanogo - mostly looked like a donkey, but got the winner of the bench in both domestic cup finals, basically by being stood in the right place. Even literally got 2 off his arse - 1 from a charge down, 1 from a mis-placed cross!

As well as a few regens and kids,

I've got Yarmalenko, Marcelo, Rabiot, Sirigu, Ayew joining on bosmans. So If I can find buyers for Cazorla, Monreal, Ospina and Podolski I'll be happy.

Unless any world class bargains/potential wonderkids/deadly strikers become available, I'll probably stick with what I have (though I too am depating Hernandez on the cheap as Juve are Circling Giroud).

[lomekian]

PS - Any other Striker recommendations would be good! ;-)

[WillyBroadband]

So - started a new game as I wanted to see what I could do with minor additions rather than going straight down the Reus/Khedira etc angle...

It went even better.

Just won the quad with an unbeaten League season (though Chavski were not far behind). Incredibl lucky with injuries, in that players only got really injured when the cover options were fit, or when they were falling out of favour.

Biggest results were:

Escaping Stamford Bridge with a draw when the title race was getting close, after having been badly outplayed.Giroud getting an 89th minute equaliser off the bench!

Laurent Koscielny with an 88th minute finish from 20 yards in the ECL semi second leg with Real Madrid to send us through.

8-0 Aggregate victroy in ECL quarters vs Arsene Wenger's Roma

7-0 vs an injury depleted Man U (who had a shocking season with Rooney,RVP and Di Maria all missing a lot of games - RVP only played 12 times) - they finished 10th!!!

Also a lot of late equalisers in the cup runs....Well aware of the fact that I won't be as lucky next year!

Key Signings:

Victor Valdes on a Free (because I sold him on in Jan for 15m which allowed some very useful signings then!)

Andre Hahn - 2.1m (wasn't good enough, but Man U paid me 15m in Jan which also funded some important deals)

Diarra - Free - I needed a body until Jan and he helped me through some injuries before being sold

Balanta -6.25 over 48 months

Romero (joined in Jan - 7m over 48 months)

Luis Ibanez from Dynamo - 50k - Useful non squad left back for cups and chipped in with some wonder goals from left back

Pione Sisto - 2.5m - Really useful cover for both wings, allowing me to keep better players fit for Europe (young enough to not take a squad place)

And in January with cash boost from sales:

Depay (17m over 48 months) - Brought him in slowly with a view to being a full rotation option next year, but in March/April he was crucial to FA cup and League success with 7 goals and 3 assists in 9 League games (inc sub appearances)

Sergi Roberto - 2.3m - A rotation option for cups as Wilshere got injured

Fellaini - 5.25 over 48 months - Fell out of favour at Man U. Despite his limitations has qualities no-one else in the squad has. Partly more effective than the others as a ball winner for tough games, but I eventually adapted my corner routine to aim for him at the back post to use his height and power, which was incredibly effective.

Scored in the ECL Semi and set up the winning goal in the FA Cup and ECL finals with knock downs for Ramsey to rifle in.

Fabian Schar - 300k end of Jan - contract unsigned and a free to me fell through due to a knock so I picked him up for the cup run.

I also hoovered up some cheap Scandinavians on free to boost my bank balance (to the tune of over 20m so far!) and to fill in in the odd cup game, and of course a range of kids, the most prominent of whom are Tielemans (who I sent on Loan), Munir (who was largely injured), Odegaard (in Jan) and Dele Alli for 2015/16.

Formation - depending on personnel:

GK

RWB (s) CD © CD (d) CWBL (a)

RP (s) BWM (d)

W (a) AP (a/s) IF(A)

CF/F9/TM (s)

Key Men:

Mesut Ozil - 34 games, 14 goals, 11 assists - The master of the pre-assist....the team played so much better when he was fully fit

Theo Walcott - 33 games, 20 goals, 24 assists - MASSIVELY exceeded expectations - was remarkably consistant too...became undroppable.

Alexis - 37 games - 21 goals, 20 assists - As well as brilliant stats, was the master of the big game. Without him, there would onlt be the league cup this season.

Ramsey 37 games - 11 goals, 7 assists - started slowly and had a dip again over xmas, but was immense at the business end of the season and scored in the ECL final.

Welbeck - 35 games, 29 goals, 7 assists - had the odd poor run of form, and struggled against the better teams in Europe, but was so consistant in the league - Missed 3 'on a hat-trick' penalties

Mertesacker - A rock - 7.62, 2 goals loves the 'cover' duty...needs pace alongside him!

Solid Citizens - Gibbs, Debuchy, Kos, Chesney, Monreal and Arteta all performed at the expected level...solid, but unspectacular.

Pleasant surprises:

Chambers - excellent in both positions without doing enough to be first choice

Bellerin - 15 games in all comps and 5 assists

Diaby - spent more time fit than injured and was quietly effective as a midfield ball winner

Disappointments:

Wilshere - no goals 1 assist - plenty of involvement, no end product

Cazorla - Excellent cover for Ozil in the ECL and cups, just awful and ineffective in the League

Podolski - actually 16 goals in all comps, but, much like real life, contributes NOTHING unless scoring, and yet can't play as a centre forward

The Ox - Just a lot less end product than his involvement would suggest. Did better in big games

Flamini - too oft out-muscled and a card happy looney!

Special mention to Sanogo - mostly looked like a donkey, but got the winner of the bench in both domestic cup finals, basically by being stood in the right place. Even literally got 2 off his arse - 1 from a charge down, 1 from a mis-placed cross!

As well as a few regens and kids,

I've got Yarmalenko, Marcelo, Rabiot, Sirigu, Ayew joining on bosmans. So If I can find buyers for Cazorla, Monreal, Ospina and Podolski I'll be happy.

Unless any world class bargains/potential wonderkids/deadly strikers become available, I'll probably stick with what I have (though I too am depating Hernandez on the cheap as Juve are Circling Giroud).

Wow man, interested to see what tactics you played. Wilshere has been disappointing for me over my 2 seasons as well, a shame really. If a big club came in for him (like they have The Ox, Welbz & Chambers) I would more than consider it.

[jlm8695]

Only the 1st pre season game but promising signs

[JEinchy]

Just got a great Champions League group:

Bundesliga runners-up, Serie A runners-up and the Ligue 1 holders. Going to be so much fun.

[llama3]

Just got a great Champions League group:

Bundesliga runners-up, Serie A runners-up and the Ligue 1 holders. Going to be so much fun.

Slick! Looks like fun!

[gholliday87]

PS - Any other Striker recommendations would be good! ;-)

Spend big on your strikers, that's what I did...Got Cavani, and it's probably the best signing I've made on any FM...he's been phenominal to a point where both Ollie G & Welbz have been booting off as they aren't getting any football.

[lewis999]

Spend big on your strikers, that's what I did...Got Cavani, and it's probably the best signing I've made on any FM...he's been phenominal to a point where both Ollie G & Welbz have been booting off as they aren't getting any football.

How much was he? Also what are his wages?

[gholliday87]

He cost me a fair bit, and I think I'm around GBP 170k a week plus bonuses...I do know he's on a 42k goal bonus, it's a stange mixture of joy & sadness when he get's a hatrick!!

[lomekian]

Wow man, interested to see what tactics you played. Wilshere has been disappointing for me over my 2 seasons as well, a shame really. If a big club came in for him (like they have The Ox, Welbz & Chambers) I would more than consider it.

well 4-2-3-1 a outlined...usually attacking or control or flexible. Will change formation and go 'Overload' and 'Fluid' if need to chase...occasionally tweak to shut up shop...

Instructions:

Be More Expressive

Higher Tempo

Prevent Short GK Distribution

Close Down Much More

Exploit the Flanks

Play Wider

Retain Possesion

Shorter Passing

Pass Into Space

Work Ball into Box

Clear ball to Flanks

Whipped Crosses

Run at Defence

Some seem contradictory, but then Arsenal have a contradictory squad!

[Carmi88]

Have not touched this since last time but the patch made me wanna see how any improvements were made.

end of the 2019/20 season, and we defended our league title Going into the final 2 games Newcastle!!! were 1 point behind me, and city were on 78 with a game in hand. My final 2 games? Man Utd away and Liverpool at home! Beat United 1-0 thanks to the amazing Ox, and beat Liverpool 3-1 at home to seal the title! City slipped to 4th losing 2 of their last 3, and Newcastle finished second!

Player of the Year - Oxlade Chamberlain - Games - 33, goals - 19, assists - 10

Young Player of the Year - Gabriel Lapore - Games - 27, goals - 12, assists - 5

Team of the year - Jones, Ox, Ozil and Berrardi. Lepore and Chambers as subs

Crashed out of the FA cup in the semis,2-0 to Chelsea and crashed and burned out of the Champions League, 1-0 loss at home to Athletico followed by a 4-0 thrashing!

1 year left on contract, lets see if the champions league will evade me

[Carmi88]

Also an interesting thing to see in my save, Real Madrid went a season unbeaten in La Liga yet still finished second :o 22 wins and 16 draws! Not only that, but they just lost their THIRD Champions League final in a row! This season to Bayern Munich.

Bayern 2 seasons ago, Dortmund last season and now Bayern again this season. Poor Madrid

[Rigga89]

That is the base model, Rigga. A controlled 41212 that focuses on short passing, but with a higher tempo and where retain possession is not used - I wanted to model a short passing game, but not tiki-taka. Opponent space compressed with a high defensive line, rabid closing down and two wingbacks that are very aggressive.

It is currently a tactic for use against the weaker Prem opponents, I need to playtest it more in pre-season to see how it might work against top quality opposition or teams with world class wide players - as it is a formation I want to use mostly only in away games. To that end, I also have a second 41212 gaining tactical familiarity; this one based on a defensive, structured mentality and shape, dropping deeper. With stick to positions and be more disciplined to ensure a rigid team shape, and higher tempo dropped. The roles are nominally the same, except I'm not yet sure whether to go with a DM or try for a more aggressive version that can disrupt play higher up the pitch.

The basic premise of the roles above anyway:

Sweeper Keeper - just my preference.

Centre Backs - standard defensive.

Wing Backs - attacking mentality as the entire width comes from these guys, and having them operate higher up the pitch offers the chance to overload offensively with the two CMs breaking forwards, but also contribute to the high pressing game and win the ball back early. To that effect...

Anchor Man - ...offers protection for the exposed defenders. A half back pushing the two defenders wider may also be an option.

B2B - one of my favourite roles - contributes to all phases and helps cover for the raiding leftback.

Centre Mid - quite overlooked all round for the more specialist roles? The role description suggests it is a player lacking an all round game. I read it as a player who will provide running. Used with hold position, again protecting a raiding rightback

Attacking Mid - The treq is a bit too hit and miss for my tastes. I prefer a standard AM, who will act as a playmaker and get forward

Complete Forward - All-purpose role that offers lateral movement when combined with move into channels

Advanced Forward - Much akin to the complete forward, a player who can stretch laterally and vertically. Just realised I have run wide with ball selected, which probably explains Walcott's action on that corner video...

The main element I've so far gleaned from the 41212 is that the team structure is fantastic on the heat map. The backline and anchor man return quite a uniform 3-2 positional shape, with the CMs also within an acceptable average positional band ahead. Conversely, the movement within the team shape appears to pull opponents all over the place >

In terms of attacking returns, this was the chance map created against Brondby:

Thanks for such a complete view of your tactic.

I've started with what's essentially a 4-1-2-2-1 with the conventional AMR tucked in a space to an attacking centre-mid just off centre to the right and playing as a shadow striker. I hoped that sort of asymmetry would unsettle defences - and I'm still sure it could having given it a few trials - but I don't have the patience with the game now to watch all the full matches to make the minor tweaks necessary to get such an awkward shape to really tear teams apart.

Have you had much of a play around with your AMC role? I used to be a huge advocate of the AMC(a) in past FMs for the sheer number of goals they would score but they don't seem to do so this time around.

[gholliday87]

Won the COC and my season has just unravelled a bit...got taken to a replay in the 6th round of the FA cup, which I got knocked out of, lost in the second leg against Athletico, but managed to go through 4-3 on agg, and scratched my way to a 5-3 win against Newcastle (with the help of 2 own goals and a wonder strike!) Got Man U next, I have a sneaky suspicion that that will be the end of my unbeaten league season so far

[WillyBroadband]

Strangely... Netherlands offered £20k, Spain £30k a week and France - £70k a week I am tempted to do it for a couple years, just til the next World Cup (2 years).

But I don't think I will

Netherlands offered me a job too dude (have Dutch as 2nd nationality)! Only £15k a week, turned it down. Not sure why as I've not been very good as AFC boss tbh.

[arsenalthebest]

Only the 1st pre season game but promising signs

wow how do you play him

[AndySummers]

Have you had much of a play around with your AMC role? I used to be a huge advocate of the AMC(a) in past FMs for the sheer number of goals they would score but they don't seem to do so this time around.

Very little, in 13 pre-season games only one half swapping to a trequartista in a game already won.

The AMC has arguably been the most impressive feature of the 41212 to date. Ozil has been dynamic in the role, returning 4 goals, 4 assists and 2 PoMs from 5(2) starts. Cazorla has 1 goal and 6 assists in 7(2) starts (albeit I think two were in the 442 as a winger). Ozil has fashioned a lot of his goals from close inside the box, latching onto the end of crosses as he aggressively pushes into goalscoring positions with attack duty. The two forwards set to pull defenders wide really seems to open up space.

Cazorla has been a little different. Less scoring threat, but he has pinged some incredible throughballs over opposing defences in a manner not seen with my 442.

[gholliday87]

Knocked out of the CL on away goals by Chelsea, knocked out of the FA Cup by West Brom after extra time, but won the league at Spurs (yay!) and the COC is mine. Just got to make it 5 more league games unbeaten and then I'll have gone the entire league season without suffering a loss.

Valdes wants to move back to Spain as he's home sick, some of my players are complaining about lack of game time, some squad rejigging will be needed in the close season!

[WillyBroadband]

Had quite a clear out after my (very)disappointing 2nd season.

Tbh I didn't really want to sell Giroud but he was moaning about leaving, Romero I bought for £7mil & made a £28mil profit, Koscielny had a stupidly high "Mistakes leading to goals" stat but the fans were appalled I sold him, Konoplyanka I got a £7mil profit and deciding to not use wingers so he was useless to me really.

As for the players brought in - big fan of Lukaku IRL & he's been a beast so far, play him as Complete Forward (Support) with Özil as a Treq. rotating with Welbeck, working well so far. Matic, again big fan IRL & a snip at £4.6mil, Kondogbia was a bit of a deadline day panic buy as Romero went to PSG & I had 2 big injuries. Have never had him before & very impressed by him so far.

Hope everyone else is getting on well. @AndySummers - interested to hear how you're getting on dude.

[WillyBroadband]

Also, I'm finding Szczesny to be quite injury prone which is frustrating, has anyone else had this issue? I kept Martinez but annoyingly couldn't get a WP for him even though he's 175 days away from being able to get a UK passport! Nicola Leali is a very capable back up 'keeper though.

Another thing about Romero is, he spent 748 days at Arsenal & hadn't even managed to pick up basic English where as his countryman Peruzzi was fluent in less than a year.

[gholliday87]

Q....p....fricking....r!!! Q.p.r! Damn you!

[AndySummers]

Hope everyone else is getting on well. @AndySummers - interested to hear how you're getting on dude.

Not much further progress here. I'm just off the back of a mammoth 13-game pre-season to really test the diamond.

It has nominally been positive, winning 7/8 games. The only loss to Dortmund, switching to the defensive version, in a tight game that was only settled late. Pleased so far, it has looked very potent against the mid-range friendly opposition. With Newcastle and Man Utd my opening two fixtures of the season (my two bogey teams from last season) it will get an early test for sure! I've also started familiarising with a custom '451 Cross', essentially the diamond but with the second striker dropped back into central mid and a couple of player roles altered.

Squad wise, the main aim has been to add flexibility. Signed all four of the players previously mentioned; Kalinic, Bender, Ward-Prowse and Konoplyanka. Then snaffled a couple of Scottish talents. Horvath wasn't my signing, the Youth Director agreeing the fee and me letting him run with it. I've also nabbed Luka Jovic for £3.5m; had him on trial last season and couldn't afford him.

Bender has already retrained to a CB, Konoplyanka to an AMC, Ward-Prowse to a RB, so the squad is now much more positionally adept. Kalinic has looked really good in pre-season, a big upgrade on Ospina. Continuing the parallels with your game, I also wanted to keep Martinez but couldn't get a WP and had planned to sign Leali, taking him on trial. However, I didn't notice the sneaky move by Cittadella and lost him before I could agree a contract. I've taken Andres Mosquera on trial as a possibly no.3, and have also agreed Lukas Hradecky for £1.3m as a second option.

The big boon from pre-season has been Irven Avila, my free transfer Peruvian punt of last season. Moved him on loan to Lorient in the interim, but managed to re-apply for a work permit due to some late-season apps for his nation. He's back in the squad and has been my joint top scorer in pre-season with 5. Looks very sharp. Proper Wenger bargain!

The main sale was Oxlade-Chamberlain, but I also managed to offload Podolski to Roma. Fat Sam continued his overage policy and snapped up both Arteta and Flamini for the Hammers. Decided to allow Joel Campbell to move on to Lazio for a £10.25m instalment deal, and Ospina is currently in negs with Salzburg for £5.25m.

Overall spend of £18m, well within my 'realism' model. Keep thinking of adding another mid-priced CM, although it may buck my 'no overstocking' rule. The two Benders, Wilshere and Ramsey are the main 4, but Ward Prowse's versatility means he'll be called up as RB and RAM in addition to CM. I do have Zelalem, but he's still very young, and Rosicky a walking sicknote. Sergi Roberto is on the T/L for only £3.3m but he's a bit too in vogue for my liking.

Millwall have proven a good feeder club so far, already requesting 4 players on loan!

[tinkerer]

Started the new save this evening. Seems exciting, last time i managed Arsenal was backed in FM2012. My in-game manager is Dennis Bergkamp Though it's little bit unrealistic

But sure Dennis Bergkamp and Andries Jonker should make an exciting duo for youth development in Arsenal

[thomit]

I started a new save too after the new hotfix was available. Poached Ødegaard in the last hours of the transfer window. Man, those are some impressive attributes for a 15-year-old. He won't join untill January 1 2015 though. His stats are already good enough to be a solid backup player for the first team squad.

[gholliday87]

Victor Valdes wants to leave due to been home sick, I think, alright, there's nothing I can do about that. I agree to let him go, he decides to sign for Roma...I'm sorry, since when has Italy been Spain?! Transfer canclelled and he can stay!

[thomit]

Valdes: "Italy? Well, it's not home, but at least they have some proper food and wine there, and sun, it will be almost like home ..."

I had the same with Rosicky; he was homesick he said, I let him go, and he signed for Lorient ...

[Carmi88]

oh dear, England lose the European Championship on penalties to Belgium, 3 missed and all my players Ox, Chambers and Gibbs

[gholliday87]

It's more than a little annoying...in pre-season and now every club and their dog are bidding for the players I don't ant to sell, but nobody gives two hoots about the players I want to get rid off!

[Ö-zil to the Arsenal!]

PS - Any other Striker recommendations would be good! ;-)

Anthony Martial!! You'll thank me later. I'll post a screenshot asap.

[KingLara]

FM15

I had a wonderful four seasons managing my beloved Arsenal in fm14. I was at the end of an interesting pre-season in season five when my life became busy and I didn’t play it again.

At some stage I will return to fm14, resign and then holiday 5 years into the future to see how some players turned out.

Onto this season though and I won’t have much time to play so updates will be much more slimmed down than the past stats fairs. Some might prefer that!

Anyway onto FM15 Season 1`

Pre-Season/August

It felt strange to be back. First of all the Transfers

IN

My first aim was Khedira and had to pay a high price in wages with Chelsea sniffing around. Same goes for Munir. I needed at least one centre back so bought my fm14 favourite Balanta. Also got Lugano to add experience.

Sami Khedira – 18m

Munir – 10.25

Sergi Samper – 10.25

Lucas Romero – 8m

Eder Balanta – 6.75m

Adama Traore – 2.3m

David Lugano – Free Transfer

OUT

Both Flamini and Monreal were set to leave on deadline day but both deals collapsed. Arteta has been stripped of the captaincy and frozen out to the reserves. Unlike Wenger I would never make a captain someone that might not play so for now it’s Mertersacker as skipper and Wilshere vice Captain

Francis Coquelin – 1.6m

Elliot Wright – loan

Dan Crowley – Loan

Yaya Sanogo - Loan

Staff

I sacked Bould so Franco Tancredi is my new assistant. A few other coming and goings.

SQUAD

A big Squad. Some aren’t even registered for the competitions. I have so far played a 4-5-1 due to circumstance but that might change. As it is I have selected two striker positions for my squad im not playing 12 players!

GK – Szczesny / Ospina

DL – Gibbs – Monreal

DR – Debuchey – Chambers

DC – Mertersacker / Balanta

DC – Koscielny / Lugano

MC – Wilshere – Ramsey - Flamini

MC – Khedira – Romero - Samper

AML - Chamberlain - Podolski

AMR – Sanchez - Munir

AMC – Ozil – Cazorla - Rosicky

SC – Giroud - Welbeck

SC – Walcott - Campbell

PRE-SEASON

Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal - Willock

Rushdon and Diamonds 2-6 Arsenal – Pleguezuelo Ramsey Giroud(2) Podolski Campbell

Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Arsenal - Welbeck

Bansko 1-3 Arsenal – Chamberlain Cazorla Munir

Saint-Ettiene 3-1 Arsenal - Sanogo

EMIRATES CUP

Anderlect, Boca Juniors and Manchester United would contest the first Emirates cup under my reghn. We played United in the semis. After the terrible result in France I was a bit worried but we turned on the style to beat them handsomely 3-0. In the Final we played Boca who had beaten Anderlect 1-0. I had to completely change the team due to fatigue and we were battered but scapred through to penalties where we won 7-6

SF

ARSENAL 3-0 MANCHESTER UNITED – Wilshere Munir Rosicky

ANDERLECT 0-1 BOCA JUNIORS – Guiliani

3rd Play/off

MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 ANDERLECT – Janssens o.g Van persie(2) Falcao / Tielmans

Final

ARSENAL 2-2 BOCA JUNIORS – Podolski(2) / Ledesma Longoni

{b]COMMUNITY SHIELD[/b]

MANCHESTER CITY 1

Silva 29

ARSENAL 4

Chamberlain 33 70 Giroud 58 Munir 82

We picked up our first trophy of the season with a resounding win at Wembley. Missing plenty of key players it didn’t deter us. All four goals we scored were excellent but Olivier Giroud scoring from 50 yards after seeing Hart out of his goal will take some beating for the rest of the season.

PREMIER LEAGUE

ARSENAL 2

Chamberlain 53 Podolski 72

BURNLEY 0

We took our time but eventually sealed the win.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OFF 1ST LEG

BESIKTAS 0

ARSENAL 0

Came for the draw and got it.

PREMIER LEAGUE

EVERTON 1

Mirrallas 81

ARSENAL 0

Not the ideal thing to lose your second game of the season. Probably a bit unlucky to lose but certainly didn’t deserve a win

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY OFF 1ST LEG

ARSENAL 3

Welbeck 11 45 Cazorla 88

BESIKTAS 0

Job done.

PREMIER LEAGUE

ARSENAL 3

Welbeck 28 Podolski 70pen 75pen

CRYSTAL PALACE 2

Coquelin 5 Kelly 29

Nearly another poor result but rescued by Podoslki from the spot. Of course Coquelin scores!

League Table

Rather not look at it.

1. Chelsea Played 3 Points 9

2. Newcastle Played 3 Points 7

3. Everton Played 3 Points 7

4. Man City Played 3 Points 6

5. Arsenal Played 3 Points 6

Other News

Champions League group is CSKA, Napoli and Steau.

In the league cup we play Leicester away.

Aguero won player of the month. Mourinho manager of the month and Ward-Prowse young player.

September preview

In the league we next travel to United who are currently 7th. Rest of the fixtures are kind.

September should also see the Debut of Alexis Sanchez who has so far been one of many players injured. Also an outside chance of the return of Theo Walcott.

[arsenalthebest]

October Report

03/10/15 | Barclays Premier League | Villa Park

TEAM: GK: Szczesny 7.2 RB: Stones 7.1 RCB: Mertesacker 7.4© LCB: Koscielny 7.7 LWB: Gibbs 7.1( Taylor 69/6.7) MCR: Ramsey 7.2 MCL: Kondogbia 7.7 AMCL: Alexis 7.4( Areteta 59/6.9) AMR: Sterling 7.1 STCR: Giroud 6.6( Munir 36/9.5 - MoM) STCL: Walcott 8.5

Arsenal 5 (Giroud Inj 36 , [/color]Munir PEN 41 , Alexis 45 , Arteta PEN 59 , Munir 69 & 81)

Aston Villa 2 ( Weiman 18 & 82)

17/10/15 | Barclays Premier League | Emirates

TEAM: GK: Szczesny RB: Chambers 6.9 RCB: Mertesacker© 7.9 CB: Koscielny 7.4 LCB: Dede 7.6 LB: Gibbs 7.9( Taylor 76) MCR: Ramsey 6.8 MCL: Kondogbia 7.2 AMC: Alexis 7.2( Sterling 45/6.8) STCR: Giroud 6.4 STCL: Walcott 6.5( Munir 57/8.1 - MoM)

Arsenal 2 ( Alexis 30 , Munir 59)

Everton 0

21/10/15 | UEFA Champions League (Grp Stage) | Emirates

TEAM: GK: Szczesny 7.5 RB: Stone 7.3 RCB: Mertesacker© 7.9 LCB: Koscielny 7.8 LWB: Gibbs 7.3 MCR: Ramsey 7.1 MCL: Kondogbia 6.9( Arteta 66/6.7) AMCL: Alexis 7( Munir 45/6.7) AMR: Sterling 9( Oxlade-Chamberlain 66/6.7 - MoM) STCR: Giroud 7.4 STCL: Walcott 7.3

Arsenal 3 ( Alexis 8 , Walcott 60 , Giroud 66)

Viktoria Plzen 0

24/10/15 | Barclays Premier League | Stamford Bridge

TEAM: GK: Szczesny 6.4 RB: JuanFran 6 RCB: Koscielny 5.8 CB: Dede 6.3 LCB: Mertesacker© 6.9( Doria 61/6.4) LB: Gibbs 6.9 MCR: Ramsey 6.7 MCL: Kondogbia 6.7 AMC: Alexis 6.4 STCR: Giroud 6.6( Munir 61/6.4) STCL: Walcott 6.3

Arsenal 0

Chelsea 4 ( Hazard PEN 19 , Costa 67 , Cuadardo 80 , Hazard PEN 90+2)

27/10/15 | Capital One Cup( 4th Rd) | Emirates

TEAM: GK: Szczesny 7 RB: Gamez 6.7 RCB: Mertesacker© 7 LCB: Chambers 8.3 LWB: Gibbs 7.2 MCR: Ramsey 7.2 MCL: Simao 7( Arteta 64/6.9) AMCL: Alexis 6.9( Muir 45/6.7) AMR: Rotariu 8.6( Oxlade-Chamberlain 70/6.7) STCR: Giroud 8.3 STCL: Walcott 9.1(MoM)

Arsenal 5 ( Rotariu 9 , Walcott 13 , Giroud 14 , Walcott 51 , Chambers 72)

Aston Villa 2 ( Berisha 40 & 64)