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Podolski's been in and out with injury and generally struggled to find a first team place. Cazorla's fit, though, and generally plays ok, without really living up to his early promise. Gervinho was sold to Roma, probably the season after you were watching Arsenal.
Wenger now seems more willing to spend but only on more midfielders. He got Sanchez from Barca, who's been brilliant, but, given their appalling defence, not a priority.
Klopp's style wouldn't be such a shock for the Liverpool squad (Rodgers isn't that set on tiki taka. They certainly weren't playing it last season with Suarez) and even Arsenal's could adapt. I don't think it'd take a major rebuild for either team.
We're constantly told how great Balotelli would be if only he got his head straight but, while I don't know his record at previous clubs, I'd be interested to know when this apparent moment of brilliance was that we're all meant to be holding our breath for. Not saying he's a bad player but the game's full of players who can do amazing things every now and then. Has he ever had a consistent run of really outstanding form?
God knows what's going on with Klopp. He might just be being judged on a freak good season that doesn't actually reflect his true quality. Perhaps it is the players that are to blame for Dortmund's apparent decline, but then, using that logic, maybe itwas really just the players who brought them glory, too. You look at the squad he was managing a couple of seasons ago and you wonder how good any manager would need to be to get success with them. Avram Grant (one of the worst managers I've ever known) came to within a penalty shootout of winning a CL title with Chelsea. Unfair on Klopp in terms of comparing him with uncle Avram, but you get my point.
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