Form or Formation
You Go Here. You Go There. We Score (Hopefully)
Last season a lot was made of Arsene Wenger’s decision to change the squad from using the 4-4-2 as its primary formation and go to the more attack minded 4-3-3. In some way it was cleare that Wenger was trying to emulate the success that Barcelona had with the 4-3-3. Wenger while he does not have one for one comparable talent to the Catalan club, has players that are better suited for a fluid attacking style than the grind of the EPL. Which is his validation for the change.
Early on in the season before we became crocked central, the formation change looked to be genius. The attack was solid and the goals went in. Of course there were hiccups, Chelsea for instance has had some success against the 4-3-3. They did quiet well against Barca but in the end lost. Since Arsenal do not have the wealth of talent a Barca does, when pressed by the physical Chelsea the deficencies in the formation came to light.
So what is the best formation for Arsenal in 2010? Is it the 4-3-3, the 4-3-1-2. 4-5-1 or back to the old 4-4-2. Or does the formation really matter and does it really come down to the forma and fitness of our squad?
Let’s discuss.
First let’s consider two conditions that could dictate which formation we use. Should we go narrow (4-1-2-1-2, 4-3-2-1 for example). These types of formations allow the team to use up to four or five central midfielders. However the skill of the fullbacks comes into play and provide the width and advance upfield to supplement the attack. The other consideration is obviously do we have the talent to play wide. Teams with the talent in midfield and on the wing may adopt these formations (4-4-2, 3-5-2 or 4-3-3) .
4-4-2
Perhaps the most commonly used and recognized formation in football today. Typically this formation uses its midfielders to do a lot of extra work supporting the attack and defence. Usually you will see an attack minded midfielder go up front to support the two strikers while the another will act as a shield to the defence (the holding midfielder). The two remaining midfielders are used to move up the flanks in the attack but move back to protect the fullbacks out playing wide.
The two clubs who have had a lot of success with this formation are the United and Arsenal squads of the late 90’s and early 2000s. United, to deadly effect used Backham and Neville to bring crosses into the center of the box, where Arsenal relied on the contributions of Freddie on the right and Pires ont he left. The difference was in the two remaining midfielders. United used Scholes and Keane as gritty and prolific a holding and attacking duo as there were. Arsenal (unlike today) relied on size and power in using Viera and the strict holding nature of Gilberto Silva.
Other clubs that have had a hge success with the 4-4-2 are Sacchi and Capello’s Milan unit which won 3 European Cups, two intercontinental cups and 3 UEFA Super Cups between 1988 and 1995.
However, the 4-4-2 could be a thing of the past and be replaced by the 4-2-3-1. In 2010 none of the winners of the Spanish, English, and Italian (as well as Champion’s League) relied on the 4-4-2.
A variation on the 4-4-2 is the diamond 4-4-2 or now known as the 4-1-2-1. addresses the weakness in the gaps of the 4-4-2 and staggers the midfield. In this variation, the defencive midfielder is sometimes used as a deep lying playmaker. Ancelotti used this very well at Milan.
4-3-3
The 4-3-3 was an adaption of the original 4-2-4 and was first used by the Brazillian national team in ’62 World Cup. In the original 4-2-4 the midfield is horribly exposed. The extra midfielder in the 4-3-3 allowed for the midfield to be staggered for different effects. In terms of club football it became famous in the 70’s when Ajax began to use it winning 3 European Cups with Johan Cruyff.
In the 4-3-3, the attack is a lone striker and two wingers and it the formation focuses in on attack rather than defence. The 4-3-3 has been used quite well recently with Barcelona as we all know. But it wasn’t Pep Guardiola who used it first. Franck Rijkaard, trying to accomodate a squad of Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Messi as well as a plethora of midfieldersm forced Rijkaard to adopt this style. The attack worked in a triangle was supported by a creative backbone of Xavi, the defencive mind of Edmilson, and either Iniesta or Motta as a an all-around midfielder.
4-5-1
Sometimes the 4-3-3 can also be morphed into a 4-5-1. Based on its midfield size it can be more defencive. But it takes on the characteristics of the 4-3-3 if the two midfield wingers take on more of an attacking role. This a formation that many lesser teams used with success against Arsenal and what Arsenal should’ve used against Barca in last season’s Champion’s League. By congesting the midfield with players, a technically strong passing side should become unstuck and provide opportunities for counter-attacking football.
The best example? Jose Mourhino’s sides. The special one built his sides with a strong defencive mindset. His personality were strong in the back four and the holding midfield roles. Chelsea relied on Terry in the back, Makelele in the midfield with Lampard providing the goals. The counter was supported by Joe Cole and Robben on the wings and the Arsenal killer Didier Drogba up front.
We all know how well that worked.
Arsenal’s Formation
Last season, like was mentioned earlier the squad used to some effect the 4-3-3. Goals were plenty and for a while we looked really strong with the new formation. It freed Cesc up to be more creative, Alex Song blossomed in the midfield role and more times than not, and Diaby actually did the hybrid midfielder role quite well. Even Robin Van Persie (after a slow start to the season) was benefitting from the service on the wings from Arshavin and Nicky B (and Cesc). Fabregas and RvP were the clear benefactors of this formation as they were on course for career best years.
Then injuries added up and while we didn’t really do poorly. The talent didn’t seem capable to work in the 4-3-3. Denilson who began to see more time, is not a holding midfielder or even a hybrid between holding and defence. He was victimized repeatedly and lost ball too many times. Nasri tried to fit into the Cesc role for a while but wasn’t consistent. I think he might be better on the wing or even in the hybrid midfield role.
Our wingers were in and out and even with Theo on the field we couldn’t take advantage of the speed we had because the crossing ability of the team was suspect. It should be noted that even when we had good crosses there were very few “big” men to take advantage of it. Hopefully with the addition of Marouane Chamakh and some taller defenders our crosses and set-pieces may actually find the back of the net. But that’s a different story.
Looking at our talent we are blessed with a ton of midfielders. Our strikers/forwards are good but only two or three are real threats. Picking out the right formation is difficult for this squad. Sure a 4-3-3 that has a midfield of Song, Cesc, Rosicky/Diaby/Nasri and an attack of Arshavin, Van Persie and Chamakh/Theo would be solid. But a 4-4-2 that had a midfield of Song, Cesc, Arshvin, Rosicky/Diaby/Nasri and an attack of Van Persie and Chamakh would also likely be successful.
Either way, whatever formation we have what’s more important this season, is our form and health. If those aren’t sustained and the big injuries can’t be minimized then formation will matter not one iota. And frankly, I am beginning to think that formation matters less and less, its more about fluidity and understanding what to do with the ball when you have it and what to do when you don’t have the ball. Call it on the field awareness. The more you can adapt to the situation and correctly address it the formation shouldn’t matter just that you can bring the ball in attack and get the ball back in defence.
Sometimes I think we over complicate the game. It’s kind of like the great line from Bull Durham – “This. . . is a simple game. You throw the ball. You hit the ball. You catch the ball.” Well football is a simple game, you pass the ball, you get the ball, you kick the ball (scoring is involved in all of this of course). We figure that out we’ll be fine.
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Arseblog says Koscielny might actually have been bought for 2 mill NOT 10 mill as reported in the press … now that is starting to make some sense to me! If that is true, it would answer my questions about why he would pay that sum for an unknown when there was far better for the same price. It also didnt fit into Wenger’s miserly M.O.
For 2 mill I’ll buy Koscielny too. As a backup.
We still need a proper CB out there.
If I were Fabregas I would have left LAST summer … after the HUMILIATION of playing in a two man midfield with Denilson!
Fabregas has NO rational reason for staying. Only sentimental ones. Is the team improving? NO! Are the players a bit more experienced? NO! Is Wenger looking to bring in some solid players? NO! Does this team have a chance of winning anything at all in the near future? A big fat NO!
So why on earth stay? The physical risk alone is incredibly high. Being the most creative player in a team of duds in the EPL is a massive, massive, massive risk. Every team targets him. Why endure that for a sixth season when there is absolutely ZERO chance of a pay off in terms of even challenging for the league let alone winning even the league cup.
He only has to look at the goalkeeping situation to know its all pointless hoping. Every body in the world has known we needed a new keeper for over two years now. Yet three weeks to the start of the new season, no one is coming in.
Last season, we had Gallas, Campbell, Sly and Sendy, who have won a combined total of nine premierships … and replaced them with Vermaelen (1 year PL experience), Koscielny (1 year Ligue 1 experience), Djorou (zero experience), Harvard Nordveit (1 year Bundesliga experience). Our GKs are all god-awful, apart from the untested polish kid. Midfield is made up of players like Denilson and Diaby. The team regularly has Eboue as a forward!
Fabregas does not deserve to be in this big pile of shit! He should be playing for a proper team. He should put in a transfer request. It would help him … and also help us (i.e. give us time to get a replacement).
When Fabregas is gone, Arshavin will look at the carcass we call a team and wish he hadnt bothered leaving Russia. At least in Russia he had regular chances of winning the UEFA cup, something Arsenal cant win even if it tried.
I credit Diaby for having one incredible performance in a game back in January and have been misquoted by stag133 dubbing Diaby as “incredible” ever since. It’s silly as everyone knows I’ve been as critical of Diaby over the past four years as I was of Senderos back in the day. If continually mis-quoting others is what you’ve got to do to make yourself feel good then, by all means, proceed. I’m over the age of 18 and Josh will do anything for the kids.
LOL!
I don’t think you were talking about one game…
and its a hilarious comment about an average at best player.
You’re right, you must know more about what he said/meant than he does! Just like always!
he didn’t deny it at the time, he rationalized it.
By the way I would like to thank Stag for his prediction that Cesc is going to leave this summer. Whenever you say something it always gives me hope because you have a habit of being completely wrong :) cheers lol
I know.
and you are always right.
would leave versus SHOULD leave is the question.
The optimist’s arguments are no longer based on anything but demeanor. The facts have long deserted them.
After reading what xavi said about Cesc being on loan to Arsenal LOL I’m starting to think Arsenal might just stick it up em and hold Cesc as long as they can.
I really don’t see Cesc forcing the issue and he’s got a long contract. I could see Arsenal holding it til the bitter end. The debt issue is no longer as serious a concern since apartment sales earlier this year. I think they debts down to just over 200 mil pounds and interest payments now will be much more affordable.
We really don’t need the money and the way these Barca players keep going on and on I just get the feeling AW and the board are going to take a stand.
For those that argue that its just about making money I believe you are wrong. All the board and AW care about is the LONG TERM success of this club. Selling Cesc here with the way Barca has acted would be so detrimental to the LONG TERM success.
How?
The image of the club being a big player will be absolutely tainted.
What choice do they really have now except to hold on to the bitter end. If you ask me all this talk has just forced the club into a corner and there is no way we let go of Cesc now.
:)
maybe just my red tinted glasses? or whatever hippy optimist haha!
The image of the club being a big player has already been tainted by 5 years of winning nothing, which is why our best player wants to get the hell out and leave for a winner.
Clean your glasses.
keeping a player against his will is IDIOTIC.
it taints the team in the eyes of its PLAYERS.
we have no reputation as a big club, we are a selling club, mostly to Barcelona.
that happens when you sell off your Captain regularly.
On Cesc and poison.
Cesc = poison; wrong
Vieira/Henry/Cesc (legacy of captains flirting with other major clubs and eventually leaving after a saga) = poison; correct
We’re creating the wrong legacy. Arsenal FC deserves better.
Yet the real problem is Wenger. He’s likely to replace Fabregas with van Persie and the poisoned legacy will continue (assuming van Persie can play out anything like a serious season – which is doubtful).
He (Wenger) needs to move away from the ‘super-star’ captain and spread his risk and the burden of responsibility.
Here’s some statistics on THE GLASS MAN: Rosicky
League Matches:
06/07 – 22 starts / on as a sub 4
3 goals / 3 assists
07/08 – 15 starts / on as a sub 4
6 goals / 2 assists
08/09 – NOTHING / NOTHING
NOTHING
09/10 – 14 starts / on as a sub 11
3 goals / 4 assists
That’s 12 League Goals / 9 League Assists
in 4 YEARS AT THE CLUB
He also played 9 CL games in 4 years.
YAWN.
god help us all if he is one of our better players.
Agree. Have quoted the same stat’s a number of times on this site.
just re-iterating for those thinking he’s our 2nd best anything.
Danny’s piece on Eduardo is very good as usual and quite a few interesting points:
The summer is turning into another farce; true to form a familiar pattern of more exits than entrances. So far, Chamakh and Koscielny in, Gallas, Campbell, Silvestre, Senderos, Merida, Eduardo out. Whatever you think of those players that have or are soon-to-be exiting, one thing is for certain – it represents the departure of another shedload of experience.
http://arsenaltruth.squarespace.com/
How many such summer filled exoduses have we seen now? Now not that I care for some of those experienced players leaving such as MS, Gallas or Senderos but it is the same pattern of more sales than buys.
I really believe that the club can be further trimmed to barebones and still do ok. Why not sell Cesc, Arshavin, RVP this summer and then have a squad whose only goal would be to compete for 4th anyway. The money earned from these sales would be good for profit and help to cut the debt further.
Did he footnote me in his piece? Because I’ve been saying the same thing for about 3 years!
;)
The sale of Cesc and Eduardo, and the money saved on paying all those named in the above exodus, and you’d have an absolute PROFIT BONANZA, yet another lucrative and profitable Summer for the Arsenal Football Club, PLC.
and maybe Wenger will go next year, and leave the club in an amazing financial position, and say that was the plan all along?
ha ha. I was thinking of adding a footnote for you but I took too long and could not edit the words again :)
just to clarify. The words after Danny’s link are my words, which I was thinking of adding a footnote.
Well, even if Cesc is only in this season at 60% effort he’ll very likely still be the best player in the side.
true but sad in a way.
you are forgetting that Diaby is “INCREDIBLE”!
and Rosicky is the 2nd best player in the team, even if he plays about 15 games a year!
so maybe 60% Cesc is good enough for you, but I wouldn’t want it.
For those who still have pretensions that Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is a happy gunner read on…..
___________________________________
Xavi…
“We know where Cesc wants to be this coming season, but perhaps there is not enough time for Barcelona and Arsenal to agree a deal.
“Arsenal need to understand they are only delaying the inevitable. If we don’t manage to get his signature this season then Arsenal only really have him on loan for a year – because there is nothing they can do to stop him joining next summer.”
“His [Fabregas’s] people will have a whole season to sort out the deal between the two clubs and it will happen at the very latest next summer,” he said.
“I haven’t given up on him joining us this season but, if he doesn’t, it won’t be more than a year before he is back home.
“We were all with him for five weeks in South Africa and we know he wants to be at Barcelona, he made it very clear.
“But he will under no circumstances do anything that will upset the Arsenal fans. And that’s probably why we are going to have to wait for him for another year.”
_______________________________________
When you set aside your anger at the arrogant tone what Xavi says rings truer than we would like. Fabregas wants to leave, he’ll likely do the ‘one more season’ thing out of gratitude/obligation to his mentor and the club, and then he’ll go. So. He is on loan to Arsenal.
Wenger’s tactics have played into Barcelona’s hands. Winning nothing, looking like winning nothing, addressing nothing year after year, has cost us a player that could have/should have been the axis of a winning side for 10 years. Congratulations Mr Wenger.
I love Fabregas, he’s in the Henry mould, he has a rare heightened sense of loyalty. We didn’t do our part. We surrounded him with a declining, crocked, over-youthed, ill-defined team for 5 years. Then rubbed his nose in it by making him captain the sinking ship ala Henry.
pretty much been saying the same on Cesc from the get-go…
he obviously wants to leave for Barcelona… there are no two ways about it…
he is smart enough not to rub the supporters the wrong way… realizing that Arsenal may hold out for crazy money…
his heart is at Barca, he just played in the World Cup, and the comraderie with Barca players grew, and they were successful…
look, its a fact, he wants to be there, not with Arsenal… frankly, I don’t want players who aren’t ALL IN – 100% Arsenal… to the death.
but Wenger has painted himself into the corner with even this situation, giving no time to try and react to selling him, and then not even trying to improve/surround Cesc with some good signings so he might consider staying.
WTF would he be staying for now, judging by the off-season moves?
Wenger can point to WHAT EXACTLY? and say, WE are GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE, we signed… ???
so we have a half-hearted Captain, leading a squad that might not even be as good as last years…
brilliant.
I agree with all of that, just fall short of believing Cesc will be a poison. Once the season kicks in, his pride and professionalism will take over.
As to the rest, spot on. But we’ve seen this all coming
miles out.
If we’re to get into a circle, it shall be for back-patting purposes only. ;-)
I certainly do not think Cesc will be / or become a poison…
and even a Cesc without his heart 100% into being at Arsenal, he will be productive as a player…
but we aren’t winning anything, and getting a top 4 place to a player who is leaving anyway? why would he care? why would he play if he was less than 100%? why would he go in hard on a tackle late in the season & risk injury??…
It’s the subconcious that might affect him most. We wouldn’t let him go home to play in Barcelona… Wenger wouldn’t… he risks injury every year, if he were to get injured this year, why would he rush back to help the team, that wouldn’t help him?
just guessing, but you see the slope is slippery…
I can’t blame any player for wanting to leave Arsenal anymore. Danny’s blog regarding the Cesc piece summed it up nicely:
http://arsenaltruth.squarespace.com/
Wenger will continue to play hardball – he knows that Fabregas is the figurehead of his entire youth philosophy, if that goes he’s been wasting his time over the past 5 years selling a future that doesn’t exist. Wenger will resist that with every bone in his body – because losing Fabregas does not only mean Arsenal lose a fantastic player, but it represents failure, his failure.
It is certainly interesting that Wenger’s contract runs out next year, the same time that Cesc would most likely leave.
It’s sad to see Eduardo leave the club without having the opportunity to show Arsenal his best football. No doubt, he’s a dynamite talent but the brutes of the game have forced his pending move. That number 9 shirt is cursed. If Chamakh knows better, he’ll keep the number 29. I thought Jay Simpson might have a chance with Eddie leaving but he didn’t travel to Austria with the squad. Neither did Nacer Barazite. We’ll see.
I told you guys that Wenger was jamming up the goal keeper bit both times he dropped Lehmann, but Almunia’s still better than Fabianski.
Denilson didn’t travel because he’s injured.
I’m looking forward to big things from Henri Lansbury. There is a bit of the Ashley Cole look to him. It’s not that they look alike or play similar, but Henri, like Ashley, has come back from his loan seemingly a much better player. The fact that he came back from a season-long loan and Wenger not only put him in the squad but played him against Fulham may mean that he’s made an impression on the boss. We’ll see if he can force himself into the squad like Cole did.
Kiwi, I agree that Wenger inherited a squad that allowed his best qualities to shine and that his success was not all simply down to him.
On Vela, what is he? Striker? Wide-boy? Looks a bit like Walcott to me but with a higher football IQ. What use have we got for midget strikers?
After 5 or 6 years you get the sense that Wenger’s project is still aimlessly meandering, no closer to a clear strong form and structure. Spain would suit him and this current squad.
Anyway, I’ve used up all my bullets in the space of 2 days. Let’s see what happens over the next few weeks.
I think the solution to Arsenal’s woes might be finding a real life Dom Cobb (Inception) who can enter Wenger’s brain and implant the idea deep in the 3rd dream level that “winning is a good thing.” And then we can sit back and watch that idea take a life of its own :) Ofcourse, as Inception showed there are consequences with implanting such ideas so maybe things might not turn out the way intended. One danger is that Arsenal might try to be like Man Utd in their quest to always win trophies by…gasp..buying experienced players. That is a bad thing because we all know a true win is only when young inexperienced players win.
Although if the inception works, then there are more creative ways to address some of the players issue. There might be a creative idea about Puyol being the devil that is just waiting to find its way to Cesc’s dreams.
yes we can all dream…within the breautiful dream that is the Arsenal football club..within the dream inside Wenger’s brain..within the dream of the board’s minds counting money…
might be easier not to renew his contract
oops..I was only thinking about the coming season when I started writing that but I see I included a reference to future seasons. For now, I want a solution to avoid misery this season. Yes misery is subjective but if a team is built on subjective desires & beliefs, then is there a point in trying to objectively look at things? :)
Wenger has admitted he doesn’t know how to spot a good keeper. The evidence supports that.
On Rosicky, I think he’s shot.
On Dudu, when he signed some folk got excited about a predator goal scorer joining, for me I was doubtful. The question was how and where would he fit in this shapeless side? He’s a sharpshooter no doubt – yet his lack of pace and his small short (weak? sorry) stature meant he didn’t suit either the apex role nor the wider roles.
Wenger should revert to what worked for him. The problem is what worked was not wholly by his design. Renovation is a different skill to building new. Throughout his career the closer Wenger gets to a ‘new build’ the further away his club moves from success. There’s a positive correlation. Monaco and Arsenal.
PS: If Wenger really doesnt bring in a new keeper, I agree we should just hand the Polish kid the number 1 jersey. Maybe (and thats a big one) he will become our Buffon, Casillas or van der Sar … all of whom made their break through at big clubs before they hit 20.
In this case, better the angel you dont know (you can hope!) than the whack-ass devils you know too well.
PS: In Wenger’s mind, Harvard Nordveit is our fourth CB, Frimpong and Wilshere are counted as our midfielders, and we already have four GKs, so why buy anybody??? :-D
I told you guys Wenger will NOT buy a new keeper in April. So am not at all surprised we dont even look like bringing anyone in at this stage.
I assure you guys that Wenger is bat-shit crazy and is going to have Fabianski as our number 1 with Almunia as our number 2 and Woz on loan.
Fabianski will humiliate himself even further (if that is even possible) in the first few games and Almunia will suddenly recover from his “injury” and become number 1 AGAIN!
Mark my words guys!
Silvestre officially gone brings a huge relief to me. Although there are still 99 more problems to sort out, but one is a start :)
I have no faith in Wenger anymore so part of did wonder if he would turn around and offer MS another year contract and then try to present him as a new signing. Sounds silly but silly is the new normal at Arsenal though.
Ofcourse, the goalie situation is still not sorted out. I can’t think of formations until a competent goalie is brought in because it does not matter if Arsenal have the 10 best outfield players on the planet (which they don’t), having a weak goalie is a sure fire way of kissing trophies away, except the profit & fair play ones though, which are always a guarantee.
Agree Sachin
Agree X2
“Got 99 problems and this titch ain’t one”
Wenger referring to his playmakers.
Denilson is not in the Austria trip!!! Oh dear Lord, are my dreams finally coming true?! :-D
I think he’s resting him up for the season, because he’s going to get a LOT of playing time!
;)
second that.
great news for Gallas:
Greek side Panathinaikos has apparently offered him 25K a week in salary, and a 1Mill. signing bonus.
GO FOR IT WILLY!
—
How many more players will we bring in?
1 or 2?
Still need a CB, and we’re apparently all over Jagielka…
Keeper?… Goalie??… Stopper???
I switched on Fox Soccer last night, they were showing a replay
of the Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar match from November in the CL.
It was 4-0 in the 80th minute.
I watched about 3 or 4 minutes before AZ scored … short side on
Almunia, who didn’t even move or get a glove on it. It was such a
pathetic goal against him… and I thought, WOW, we have this to
look forward to all over again.
And it’s not like that was a one-off. He ALWAYS get’s beaten on the short side. As far back as the CL final against Barcelona, I think the first goal was on the short side. I really want to know what photographs he has of Wenger.
He doesn’t.
Wenger said he was a fantastic keeper in practice, he just gets nervous and makes mistakes in matches!
at the moment, I am not sure if I prefer Almunia or Fabianski. I’ve only seen The Flapper blow 2 or 3 matches, so maybe he’ll get better?!?!
I’ve seen enough of Almunia.
IF we don’t bring in a REAL keeper…
I’d feel better if they both were gone and we went with Mannone & Szech…
At this point I’d almost rather see one of us in goal.
When I said that Tomas was our second best midfield player that was about his ability to take control of a game and dictate proceedings. Diaby and Nasri have shown glimpses but it seems more natural for Rosicky. Also, he can score scrappy goals. We need him there to mentor players like Wilshere and Barazite.
Rosicky’s had injury problems even at Dortmund. However, I lay Arsenal’s injury problems at the feet of the club. We’ve seen players from Overmars to Bendtner have simple injuries become sustained, long-term injury problems in the Wenger era. Wenger likes to call it bad luck but I call it bad player management. It’s no coincidence that Arsenal sees so many long-term injury problems every season.
When you do stupid shit like make a clearly unfit Fabregas and Gallas play against Barcelona and you lose them both for the season, you can’t call that bad luck. Every year of his reign, I’ve see Wenger play players that clearly weren’t fit and lose them as a result. Vieira, Overmars, Henry, Cole, van Persie, Fabregas, Denilson, Clichy, Gallas, Rosicky, and Arshavin just to name a few off the top of my head, have been forced to play when they’re crocked. It’s the reason Wenger likes young players as they’re more resilient to stand up to his rigorous training sessions and brutal BPL matches. But even in their early twenties, these players are still human beings, not machines.
Rosicky was carrying a significant injury that was diagnosed as needing surgery in October. Instead of moving to get the kid fit again, Arsenal forced Tomas to play all the way through the BPL Christmas program injured until he completely broke down in January. Then they forced him to hobble around until June before they allowed him to have the surgery he needed.
Question: What kind of chicken-shit outfit would allow a world-class athlete to walk around with an injury for nine months before allowing proper care? This isn’t rocket science. If you’ve clearly got a problem with your car, do you get it fixed or do you just drive it until it completely breaks down? Which is going to cost you the most? It’s a shame that most people take better care of their cars than Arsenal took care of Rosicky.
I agree on Rosicky.
Eduardo yes, get rid. The injury undoubtedly took something away from him but I was never really blown away by him at any point, though he did a good line in cool finishing.
Rosicky is not the player he was but i would still take him any day over the likes of Diaby and Denilson. Fragments of his class have more resonance with me than the bulk ineptitide of Diaby and Denilson (He did play centrally on Sat and I’m hoping Wenger uses him as floating/combative central option if his fitness allows)
I wouldn’t be averse to him leaving for an Ozil but I can live with him staying and Eduardo leaving.
As Kiwi has said continually, at least one them has to go, and for my money, the right one is.
Nice to see Vela getting the 11 shirt as well. I really think he can take off if he just stays fit and lean.
I was really excited about Vela two years ago, then gave up on him last year as Arsene seemed to have lost interest.
So this should be his breakout year.
If this is “his year” then you have to give him credit for sticking it out all these preceding years when he’s been given nothing but a few League Cup games.
You mean surviving the Manager’s efforts to, umm, kill him? ;-)
The only breakouts the vast majority of our youngsters experience are on their face, so Vela doing it on the pitch would make a change ;)
Wordplay like that and you don’t write for The Sun? ;-)
Nice one-touch passing guys.
Low-brow all the way ;)
Well, we’re thick football fans, so what other way is there to go?
Mooney travels to Austria but Dudu does not.
From the official site:
1. William Gallas and Mikhail Silvestre team profiles are both gone
2. Sol Campbell’s profile still remains
3. Robin Van Persie will now don the #10 kit
4. Carlos Vela will now don the #11 kit
It sounds like ta ta to Dudu.
It’s the only sensible thing for both Arsenal and Eduardo.
Arsenal is not a rehab centre, the EPL is a fast physical league, and Eduardo needs to regain his confidence and play as well as he is able. Shakhtar sounds an excellent place.
All the very best to a whole-hearted player.
Ideally this is just the start which sees Rosicky included with Dudu in a 12m package deal. Then flick Walcott to Manchester City (14m). Bendtner can then be sold to a club at his level – a Birmingham or Blackburn (9m). Follow that up with Vela (5m) and Almunia (2m) to middling Spanish clubs. The double D’s (Diaby and Denilson – 10m) can leave for the French mid-table. That should about do it.
Suitably de-cluttered. Lot’s of room made in the salary pot, a bit more transfer spending money (50m+ pounds) to add to the sums we’ve been withholding for 5 years. Buy 4 serious players who can contribute 45 games a season. A striker, a CM, a CB and a GK – all battle ready. A huge flush of optimism floods the Arsenal camp, there’s no hiding place for slackers, Fabregas struggling to catch his breath renews his commitment, Wenger reverts to 4-4-2 and we win the league.
A: Newbie, RvP, Chamakh
W: Arshavin, Nasri, Wilshere
M: Fabregas, Newbie, Song, (…Ramsey)
FB: Sagna, Clichy, Eboue, Gibbs
CB: Vermaelen, Newbie, Koscielny, Djourou
GK: Newbie, the rest
Don’t we wish ;-)
We wish but don’t hope anymore. ;)
sigh. Nah, wishing is only for greedy fans. There is no reason to wish for change when Arsenal are only 5 years from the league title. Why would Wenger want to change things when he can see the title in 2015?
Although my glasses are a bit incorrect. They are showing the title in 2051, a year after the world ends so once the rebuilding of the planet starts, then Arsenal would be sure to win as they would have had the youngest squad of competent 4 year olds :)
CG you’re right. Arsene Wenger 2010 would not buy Sol Campbell in his prime even on a free. Wenger’s prototype CB has changed – he’s 5ft 11 and ‘mobile’. The evidence is 100% – Toure, Gallas, Vermaelen, Koscielny (even Jagielka is 5ft 11). Djourou is an outlier and yet he was bought in 2004 before this new approach solidified. Is this all by chance? I don’t think so. Some things have become self evident – not because Wenger articulates his thinking – more-so through his action (or inaction).
1. CB’s – mobile and 5ft 11 (no emphasis on what we would refer to as traditional defending)
2. DM – none really, although Song has found his way into this role yet you get the sense this is less than by design
3. CM’s – a group of ‘mobile’, short, technical players. No one really has a clearly defined role. The combination just ‘finds it’s natural form and structure’.
4. AM – another group of ‘mobile’, short, technical players. Although what separates this group from the former is they have no pretensions at defending.
5. Forward – there’s no clarity about this role, what it does or if it exists. We’ve had an absolute hotch-potch of strikers on our books. The only unifying thread is the lack of any clear idea of how they are to line up.
6. GK – never a priority, and yet now we’ve reached the lowest ebb ever.
The common theme is mobile, short, technical players who defend ‘collectively’ – whatever that means. No structure no accountability.
Rosicky may be our 2nd-most SKILLED midfielder, but that doesn’t mean he is the 2nd BEST midfielder. Of the players currently in the squad, I give that to Song. He’s also the 2nd-most important after Cesc. Losing Cesc to injury/transfer would be the only thing worse for our midfield than losing our only DM to injury/transfer. If Song improves as much from 09/10 to 10/11 as he did from 08/09 to 09/10 then he may join the exodus… ya never know.
Speaking of player exodus, the following analogy crossed my mind the other day: Arsenal are to Barcelona as Man Utd are to Real Madrid. Henry, Hleb, and one day Cesc from Arsenal to Barca; Beckham, van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo from Man U to RM.
Or to use Arse-speak, the player with the 2nd-most potential. ;)
One of the fascinating aspects of a blog is to observe how people will steadfastly hold to their views no matter the weight of contrary evidence.
Take Rosicky. I’m guessing most supporters would agree that technically he’s a tidy player, he can score a goal (although rarely a decisive goal), fits the Arsenal passing game, and generally attracts comments affirming him as an intelligent footballer.
However, that’s about it. Because where it counts, on the field, he’s been woefully absent – literally absent. I’ve tried in the past to convey this by quoting stats…. but some just don’t care. They have a vision of how Mozart could be and that is all they want to see.
Tomas Rosicky is an example of why we have failed to sustain a challenge in any competition for the last 5 years. He is one of our ‘big’ signings, a guy that Wenger is relying upon to carry a serious burden in a young squad and he’s ALWAYS out. And even when he’s back he is nowhere near what he should be. You can write the same for Robin van Persie and Eduardo (albeit his demise was a matter deeply distressing).
If Wenger wants to persist with this youth-heavy approach he needs to give the kids a chance by surrounding them with experienced players that can make it on to the pitch. Jettison Rosicky and Eduardo as a minimum. But he won’t, he’s as blind on this as he is with other critical aspects of squad management.
As I’ve iterated before on this blog, I still cannot for the life of me figure out whether he really is blind, as you say, or if he realizes these weaknesses and ignores them somewhat intentionally.
As Fred pointed out above, if the Sol of 2001 were on the market today, the Wenger of today would not sign him. Honestly, I ‘m not even sure he’d sign him if he was free. That implies that he chooses to intentionally ignore these areas (since he obviously knew enough to address them before), which is what makes it so frustrating.
From the always reliable Daily Mail:
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is refusing to give up on his dream move to Barcelona but may be forced to submit an official transfer request to force his exit from the Emirates.
So, if Cesc actually submitted an official “transfer request”…
what would you say then?
what would Arsene do at that point?
Hope it doesn’t come to that, but nothing in football is a
surprise any more…
The Wenger of today would NEVER have bought the Sol Campbell of 2001. So not at all surprised to see him completely the whole Joe Cole freebie thing.
Funny how arsenal blogs are already concluding that Koscielny will seriously need to bulk up. Unfortunately, as a sportsman, you cant just bulk up without completely throwing off your sporting routine. Bulking up for them is actually very hard if they want to continue at the same performance level.
Apparently he struggled with the size and physicality of the League 2 boys. Good luck battling the Premiership brutes, son! :-)
That said, Saturday was a completely meaningless match. So no point dogging or praising any players now.
As for Frimpong and Jay Simpson, …. all I would say is if ANY Arsenal youth player cant look good against a League 2 team they should not even be at the club.
do have to note that you were less than thrilled with Vermaelen as well…
before he even kicked a ball in anger for the club!
read your assessment on the above link from YAMA 1 year ago.
Vermaelen?? Please quote what I said that was negative about his ABILITY!
The only thing I complained about was that he was injury prone in the Gallas sense – (missing ends of seasons in his Ajax years and incidentally for Arsenal too!) and in pre-season he already had 2 injuries. I was therefore calling for a backup defender defender that was not Sylvester or Senderos. And that made and still makes perfect sense.
In this case I am questioning Koscielny’s ability. Its not even that I dont think he is fast or good in the air … I just think he really does not “like” the whole physical aspect of things. He is slight and does not relish a “battle”. Thats a dangerous combo.
Vermaelen was obviously feisty and obviously relished a fight. Never had a problem with him as captain of Ajax.
Again, I hope Koz proves me wrong and isnt the weakling I think he is. Cause when those Blackburn guys thread on your ankles, head-butt the back of your head and body slam you at corners and freekicks he better be ready.
If they sense weakness, they target him even more.
You can’t ‘plan’ the unplannable.
You can’t predict at 16 whether a youngster is going to be a gem like Messi or a dud like Walcott. So it’s about numbers and accepting a high ‘failure’ rate.
The youth approach is valid for supplementing your player requirements but it is not a complete answer if you want to challenge for honours.
As for the loyalty aspect, forget it. Wenger believed if he got these foreign youngsters early he would engender an esprit de corps that would hold things together. The missing dynamic in his theory was ‘winning’. If you don’t add winning to the mix the loyalty concept gets gazumped by the tyranny of the urgent. Players have short careers – 10 years at the top if they’re very lucky. So, if they reach a stage where they’re mature and ready to do the business, they then look for a suitable stage to perform on. Our problem is that players are not convinced Arsenal is a stage on which to perform to win. That’s reality and Fabregas personifies that. Before him you can add the names of Henry, Hleb, Flamini, Diarra, and Adebayor. It’s this primeval fusion of money and hope of success that creates a force to move and Wenger’s words ring hollow in stemming the tide.
The fact that not all the players who leave achieve on-field success matters not, the issue is that they decide to go.
10 years is a long illustrious career in any contact sport!
Exactly – the ‘average’ at the top is probably more like 5. So…. if you had 5 years to ‘make it’ you’d be going to the place that seemed to offer a real shot at success. Not hanging around to see if the likes of Theo Walcott eventually comes good.
100% You are describing the fatal holes that have always existed in The Plan.
Extra credit for use of the word (?) ‘gazumped’.
Formations should always be based on the talent you have available. Coaches will have an idea in mind for how they want to play but you have to respect what players are available.
I’ve read a lot of praise concerning Frimpong’s peformance against Barnet on Saturday but haven’t seen the match. A few years ago I raved about him and Coquelin being ready to step into the first team in a few years time. However, it was always going to be difficult to keep them both. Coquelin has gone on loan so perhaps Wenger has opted for Frimpong. We’ll see.
At the end of the season, I mentioned how important this pre-season would be for a few players; namely Rosicky and Eduardo. Besides Cesc, Tomas is our best midfielder so it’s always been about his durability. I said last season that we’ll see him back close to his top form at the start of this season. However, I’m not so optimistic about Eduardo. with Shaktar offering six million for our fourth-choice striker, it will be tough for Wenger to keep the Crozilian. Even though Wenger’s told him he can leave, we still have Simpson so we’ll see.
in what respect is Rosicky our best midfielder after Cesc?
what’s he ever done at Arsenal besides get injured?
How about this? There’s an 8-way tie as to our second best midfielder? Then Denilson can be third?
Always the diplomat Vibe ;-)
that’s more likely than Rosicky being our 2nd best midfielder!
If he can play 20 matches, its a good season.
“in what respect is Rosicky our best midfielder after Cesc?”
In every respect of the game in evaluating a player.
So games played isn’t part of your evaluation process? Meaning, you know, actual, measurable contributions?
That’s why it’s not arsescout.
Josh, agree with you about Rosicky.
he’s been a waste of time and money.
if that’s our 2nd best, then its no wonder we have won SHIT in the last 5 years.
The Arsenal team continues to get younger as Arsene completes the transition to the next generation. It seems to me that this team is being formulated to win the league 2-4 years down the road, probably targeting a time when the current Chelsea and ManU squads will be forced to retool/rebuild.
The thing is, they’ll start to retool/rebuild before the current sides die out. So in 2-4 years time, they will have a relatively smooth transition from the old team to the new (albeit with a few hiccups), rather than a tumultuous rebuilding period.
We are at the opposite end of the spectrum. Forget having a tumultuous rebuilding period between one team and the next… that would imply there was recently a finished product, and that there will be one again soon. We are in a constant state of rebuilding, yet we are rebuilding towards what?… More rebuilding I guess. There has been no finished product in recent times, and there does not look to be one in the future either.
On your first point, the purse strings seem to be tightening at ManU, Liverpool and even Chelsea to a degree. They are not spending right now – surely due to the debt loads they are carrying – but these teams will have to make decisions about quite a few prominent players over the next few years. Conversely, our debt load will be minimal by that time and the majority of our team will just be coming into their prime. I believe this was the original plan. The transition just didn’t happen as fast the Club thought it would.
On your second point, I do believe the youth rebuilding process has been more of a challenge than Arsene anticipated, and certainly there are several players that have not delivered. However, I believe Arsene has a plan and he is sticking to it. He wants to build a team that will consist of highly skilled 23-30 year-olds that learn early on to play his brand of soccer. He can’t afford to do this by acquiring players already in their prime. I don’t think he believes he can really achieve that level of devotion and cohesiveness via acquisitions anyway.
Devotion? Cesc is a prime example of a kid brought up in the Arsenal system, under Wenger.
There’s your devotion.
That is what we thought 4-2 years ago.
Joe Cole has signed for Liverpool.
Hmm…
apparently Joe Cole has chosen Liverpool, over Arsenal and Tottenham…
so, we miss out on a Free Transfer, because of wages and contract length?
Sol is talking to Newcastle… so he can stay in England if he wants to (as opposed to Celtic)…
Nothing on a keeper (Schwarzer move dead)…
we’re looking good Arsene!
well, almost as good as last year anyway!!!
If we can sell off Eduardo, and with the wages we’ve saved from
Gallas, Silvestre, Sol, and Senderos… 4 defenders with experience
going out… we might have managed to actually save/or make money
this Summer again.
I reiterate… if this is going to be “it” for this team, and he’s going to cue up the “we only were looking for a few special players”… the players coming back from injuries being like new signings, the young players maturing being like new signings…
why not just take the 40 Million for Cesc, and REALLY make a killing in terms of profits and lowering the stadium debt…
go one way, or the other…
Good news for folks in India.
In addition to the EPL on ESPN/Star and Bundesliga on Neo Sports, La Liga will now be telecast on Ten Sports.
Yey!
If anyone is offering 6M GBP or more for Eduardo, then we should sell him right away before they change their mind. ;)
Shaktar Donesk have apparently offered it, but I doubt Wenger will take it.
a) he’ll think he is worth more
b) he’s part of the Wenger brigade
I think Eduardo needs a new environment, new league… he might have a good bump in his career.
Can’t see it at Arsenal.
“He’ll think he is worth more.”
LOL, that is so true.
interesting to read last years YAMA entries…
not much has changed really, same problems mostly, and same
reluctance by Wenger to address them.
I have to agree, without the iceberg hitting the Arsenal titanic, not much will change at the club.
Getting into the Top 4, selling out the stadium, and making the club money are good enough to keep Arsene and Arsenal on the same exact mode of operandi.
It is a strange scenario where I feel sorry for Cesc having to stay at the club if we aren’t really trying to win, and that we might need to blow this up, or implode… for REAL change to happen and for Arsenal to get back to trying for trophies.
Conversely, I understand that money makes the world go round, and I know that Wenger helps the teams financial stability, we lower the debt every year, and we make money every season.
It is sometimes difficult to take the step backwards, in order to move forward…
If Wenger goes with THIS TEAM, as is… or even adding one more CB… then we are in for a similar season to last, AT BEST… where we tease only to be CRUSHED by better opposition in big matches, lots of Cesc to Barca in January talk, piss poor goal-keeping costing us matches, and injuries and lack of depth and talent, our undoing.
Not looking forward to the season at all … at the moment…
but if we get a REAL keeper, another CB, and maybe sign Joe Cole, its quite a different picture.
torturous few weeks coming up until the season starts, because I fear Wenger will just sit and watch as usual.
I always wonder about what would happen to Arsene and Arsenal if they were to part ways. Who would replace Wenger as Arsenal manager. Who would I want? Who would the rest of you want?
Better yet, who would the board want? I don’t think Arsenal would approach the situation like your typical club, which attempt to sign the most high-profile manager that happens to be available at the time, and that your club’s finances/prestige will allow you to get. If they searched for managers in the typical fashion we never would have gotten Wenger to begin with.
Would a new manager be better or worse than Wenger? This odd assortment of players was put together by Arsene, for Arsene. Maybe this group can’t genuinely contend for the league, but a different manager would very possibly be less successful at coaching them than the man who hand-picked them.
What would happen to Arsene? As much as we all complain about him, you can’t deny that there would be a massive amount of clubs out there that would absolutely LOVE to sign him. I’m serious- a shitload of clubs would be tripping over each other to try and get his signature onto a contract. But would Arsene’s post-Arsenal career more closely resemble his first 6-8 years at Arsenal or his last 6? Hell, even if it was the latter the majority of clubs would be content with that.
Would a new manager at Arsenal be given the same amount of freedom as Wenger? Would Wenger be given as much freedom in his new job as he currently enjoys?
So many questions… not that we will get to find out the answers anytime soon.
It is true that Wenger would be highly sought after.
The irony is that he has a better chance of success at another club than with Arsenal. Why so? The current Arsenal team is wholly developed and reflects his blinding weaknesses. Not so when he first enters a new club where he inherits players, discipline and structures that are critical to success. The irony is that it is these pragmatic aspects that he chooses to ignore.
It happened at Monaco and at Arsenal.
I think there would have to be a major overhaul of players with a new manager. Only Wenger could take HIS current team to the level he guides Arsenal to every year, Top 4. It is truly Arsene’s team.
He would definitely be wanted by NUMEROUS clubs out there, because of his practical approach, financial approach, and most teams would love to be fighting for the CL spot every single season.
When Wenger goes there will naturally be a major change – but this may take place over 2-3 years.
Initially a new manager is likely to sign 3-4 new players that he sees as critical to his approach. (Wenger did this)
Then, over the next 2 seasons he would assess the squad and shed those players who don’t fit.
The fact that the squad has such a French influence means that a number of those players will leave. (unless of course the new manager is French).
I still maintain that a seasoned manager could inherit this squad, sign say 4 plays and win something in year 1. It is Wenger’s obstinate weddedness to his approach that is proving a bar to success.
“At least if we hit an iceberg it will generate a bit of interest.”
Thing is, that iceberg is a finish outside the Top Four, and it’s a joyless ride there.
Sad for me. After the WC final, my girlfriend actually said “I think I could watch soccer (sic). I mean, even I know that was awful, and I still kinda liked it.” So this would be the year she’s willing to give The Arsenal a try.
Sad to say but the ride over the last 5 years hasn’t exactly been fun.
A spot outside the top 4 may be our lot. It may also be our salvation, the tipping point we need to create change and get out of the current mire.
Wenger’s out of touch. ‘Fourth is winning’. The board is divided and impotent without a key visionary.
I absolutely agree. It’s a weird position he’s left fans in. Our best hope for the future, feels like a season even less enjoyable than the last five.
A no-win scenario, literally.
It’s hard to fathom how a guy on millions gets away with waxing lyrical at the WC and wasting the only opportunity he has to address the weakness in the squad before yet another season kicks off. Why not stay back home and get a jump on your competition by signing up all those newbies to replace the likes of Fabregas, Walcott, Rosicky, Eduardo, Campbell, Sly, Gallas, Senderos, Almunia and Fabianski?
There’s a total lack of pressure on him to win anything so he’s become complacent. After this long even he must become frustrated fiddling around with this youth/internal replenishment idea that looks as empty now as it did 6 years ago. At least if we hit an iceberg it will generate a bit of interest.
Frimpong’s well-built with a low centre of gravity. With bite in the tackle and being hard to knock off the ball he has many attributes that suit the DM’s role. Of course, as Mazza says you have to apply this ability game upon game. That’s the mental side.
I’d love to see Eduardo go, ditto Rosicky. If that happened together with the clearout of the CB’s it might signal a real intent to rebuild. Of course, a clearout needs to be matched with an infusion of new talent.
Anyway, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s the long slow boat to China. So we’ll line up pretty much like last season, bodycount – a net minus, a couple of new unheralded journeymen with French connections, a disgruntled captain gazing wistfully toward Spain. That’s Wenger’s Arsenal. It’s all become a massive yawn. Another season masquarading as a contender but in reality aiming for CL football. Another 25m pounds off the club debt. Business as usual.
Wenger even looked antsy and dis-interested yesterday after the match. Very much a April-May look to him after we’ve failed to back up his now infamous pre-clutch period hot air talk.
If we start the season of with this squad, things will get genuinely bad for him next year. The slow boat will hit an iceberg.
“Great” tactical coaches, ie: Mourinho, Fergie, all have a basic formation but tweak the system depending on whom they are playing. Even Pep moved out of his 4-3-3 last year and employed a 4-2-3-1 and 4-5-1 at times.
One of Wenger’s problems is that when he latches on to something he beats it to death and is somewhat inflexible on a game to game basis.
Seeing that Arsenal has only 1 accomplished DM, the 4-2-**** goes out the window. Please do not tell me that Denilson or Diaby is capable of playing as a DM at this stage of their career. Denilson just doesn’t have the tools and Diaby can’t defend.
Success of the 4-3-3 falls broadly on Theo’s shoulder as along with my versatile and cherished Eboue, are the only 2 players we have on the squad who can naturally provide effective width. With the acquisition of Chamakh I think a 4-4-1-1 would be our best natural formation with him playing the Ade role as a central striker and RVP laying slightly off in the Bergkamp role. A MF of Cesc (AM), Song (DM), and any combination of Walcott, Arshavin, Nasri, Rosicky, Wilshire, Diaby and Eboue as filler could be a potent offense.
Matters not however what formation we play if we don’t get a GK, another CB and cover for Song. Almunia will continue to leak goals, Djouro and Koz are still learning and Song will get injured in January from fatigue.
The only real experience we currently have at the back is Sagna and Vermaelen. Not a good sign. For all of Wenger’s incessant prattle about players’ character and strength, we have very little of that on this team. Wenger’s earlier teams were all about character (on the field), with guys like Adams, Parlour, Viera, Silva, Petit, Pires, Keown, Seaman, etc.
Nuff said,
Frustratingly Yours :)
“One of Wenger’s problems is that when he latches on to something he beats it to death”
So there is still hope that Denilson and Diaby may not be around for too much longer ;)
Unfortunately, the “Brazilian ankle” is too durable to die even when flogged, especially when the ankle is attached to someone with a guaranteed long term contract at top dollar. :)
The pre-season games have taken on a ground-hoggy feel as well.
Simpson scores his customary goal, Wilshere looks good, and everything is rosy in the Arsenal garden.
Frimpong looks good but I’ve seen him do that before and then struggle to maintain it in the next game. Definately a better prospect than Eastmond though. He actually looks physically developed for a start.
Back on Target:
1. Some outlets are reporting that Eduardo is moving on and the destination is Shoktar Donetsk where he knows coaches and players. The fee for Eduardo around £9 million
2. Some where between getting married and jetting off to his honemoon, SOl Campbell reportedly signed for Newcastle.
3. Puyol (the ugliest man in football) has told Arsenal we should show some class and respect Cesc’s wishes to leave the team.
4. Over at Untold Arsenal – they have found a different view on the Cesc stories and they have translated a recent article and interview with Cesc where he basically says he is focusing on returning to Arsenal. I don’t disagree with alot of what UA says with regard to the British press and their desire to see Arsenal fail.
5. Anyone see the match yesterday – Wilshire looked good.
Wilshire and Frimpong were the toast of the day for me and AA showed just how dangerous he can be when he is interested.
Yeah I thought so too. I wonder if the news about Barca wanting Cesc and noone inquiring after him may make him step up more this year.
What’s everyone’s take on Simpson?
Simpson is a natural goal scorer but will probably never make it at Arsenal because he is not “electric”. I think he would score a lot of goals if he gets the service as he has immaculate goal poaching skills.
IMO, he would probably score more goals than Mr. Real Madrid, NB,if he was first team.
According to Arseblog, Simpson may already be pretty much gone. Sounds like it is pretty much a numbers thing.
I need to go off topic for a second –
last night I went to my first Philadelphia Union match against Toronto FC. I had the best time at sporting event in the US that I can remember had (except for maybe Flyer’s playoff runs and the Phillies World Series). The team isn’t winning its division but their work rate is really good – this guy Sebastien Le Toux was all over the place. Running back winning the ball and forcing the GK to get rid of the ball too quick (The TFC GK may actually be worse than either Fabianski or Almunia). The game was even in the 90th minute when Toronto had not one but 2 hand balls in the box. Le Toux cooly killed the shot and the Union won. Good game, great crowd and atmosphere. We’re going again in October when the Red Bulls and Henry arrives. I won’t be wearing any Union gear though – I want to pay homage to a legend.
I had the under 2.5 goals on that game. Not a happy bunny when the goal went in on basically last kick of the game.
Always good to games with last min goals though. Arsenal – Fulham two years ago springs to mind.
The best part was after the PK Peter Nowak (the manager) ran off the bench and chest bumped Le Toux
Like Keown and Henry after the battle of Old Trafford.
Nowak! A Chicago Fire legend. He was key to that ’98 team, that first glorious year when they went all the way.
As a Sounders fan, I can safely say that leaving Letoux unprotected for the draft was a huge mistake. He was a fan favorite here for very obvious reasons. He works hard all the time.
In college our coach rolled out the 5-5-5…in theory there would always be a minimum of 5 players in either the first, second, or third third while still only using 11 players?!? I have to laugh everytime I think of it because the first time he tried to explain it, we were all looking around at each other like the coach had lost his marbles. :)
Basically it was GK, a sweeper, two outside backs, two stoppers (he called “links”), two outside midfielders, a central midfielder (“rover”), and two forwards. I guess it was more fun to call it 555 instead of 532 or 352…
https://youaremyarsenal.mystagingwebsite.com/?p=130#comments
As apt now as it was then ;)
Well, that’s saved a bunch of typing. Now I can go outside.
Thanks, Maz. ;-)
Groundhod Day….3 in production.
Tagline:
‘You’ve seen it all before. Now see it again.”
I think you have to have the horses, no matter what formation
you play… we don’t have enough horses right now.
As usual, the Summer has been gossip heavy, and action weak.
We have Chamakh in for FREE, and Koscielny.
We lost how many defenders? Gallas, Silvestre, Senderos and maybe Sol.
The pathetic keeper situation remains the same, with Wenger saying we aren’t interested in Schwarzer.
Then WHAT THE F*CK are we interested in?
Already at training camp, and Wenger is doing his usual circle jerk.
The manager and club definitely know how to make money… but its going
to be tough to win without another CB signed! (even if its Sol)
It just doesn’t add up, we are certainly no closer to the title, or a better team than we were… we aren’t deeper… and Cesc has to be asking WHY WOULD YOU WANT ME TO STAY FOR THIS SHIT… when we haven’t even addressed the problems at keeper.
If you aren’t going to improve the team Arsene, sell Cesc, please… and let the kid play for a real team, with real aspirations…
The best formation is the one which enables you to win. :)
This Arsene’s side is quite a mish mash of players that we can’t seem to naturally fit into any proper formation.
No wingers to play the 4-4-2
No strong DMs to play the WC popular 4-2-3-1
No good ball movers and attacking options (fit ones, at least) to play the 4-3-3
So we might as well not worry about it. Right?