From the 10th to the 31st of January, up to 31 Premier League players could leave England for the African Cup of Nations. Arsenal will lose two players and will sorely miss Alexandre Song and Emmanuel Eboue. Portsmouth are hit hardest as they will lose up to six players at the start of the year. Chelsea will be hit the hardest as they will be losing several key players, including their top goalscorer, and arguably the most on-form striker in the league, Didier Drogba. They will also be missing Essien, Obi-Mikel, and Kalou. City will be without Adebayor and Toure which is also a big blow to their hopes. Finally, Liverpool and United are a bunch of racist bastards and won't lose anyone. Thoughts on what we should do to fill Song's gap? Make a small purchase in the winter transfer window? Hope for the best?
I feel like Denilson does a good job supporting Fabregas and starting the counter, though. When we play Arshavin-van Persie-Walcott/Nasri and Denilson/Fabregas in the midfield with Alex being the anchor, we seem to flow like magic. Who would be in Denilson's role if he goes DMC?
I'm not really sold on Diaby. I don't think he is good enough for this team. We'll probably see Denilson pick up Song's role, as suggested.
He doesn't seem to have enough upper-body strength, though. I saw we play Arshavin in the defensive role and put Gallas up front.
See him win the header the other day? I was like OMG how did he manage that! Another option would be to use Eboue in Song's role.
I know you like him and I can't deny his talent, but so far with Arsenal he hasn't had an impact. Nasri occasionally has a nice pass but he is otherwise invisible on the pitch.
What about his brace against United last season? He will break through, but after getting set back with multiple injuries while still trying to settle in to a club...
We could be really cutting it close with depth when we lose both of those players and still concede injuries.
I reckon Denilson will get the defensive midfield role. Something a little left field (that I don't think will happen, but would be interesting) would be to play Silveste at CB, and move Vermaelen to DM. He's got the talent to play there. Hell he's got the talent to play striker.
