By Boris Mellor
August 15 2008

There is a myth of a golden age of Graham's old back four being the basis of Wenger's success. Yes they were good, but age did weary them. It was Petit and Vieira that extended their sell by date, not Wenger's pasta diet, and alcohol ban, though no doubt it helped.

I love it when pundits crap on about Arsenal would not have collapsed in the CL game against Liverpool in the CL quarter at Anfield. Their memories are short, for they did just that in the cup final when a scally robbery took place which was far more outrageous than anything that happened in Liverpool. How come we never got past the CL group stage all those times? How many times did Adams have to be mugged by Carew to destroy the myth of invincibility? The Invincibles were a Wenger outfit, pure and bred.

There is no doubt in my mind, that defensive errors were more to blame than lax shooting for Arsenal's stumble last season. So why go through the above? Because I believe that Arsenal's defensive failing are part of Arsene's philosophy, not an accident. In other words he plays defenders for their attacking abilities, not their defensive one. Crazy, maybe, but you can't have the majesty of the ocean without the awful roar of its waters.

Like it or not, and most of us don't like it, Wenger will continue with the same personnel in defence as he has now. There is no doubt that the insistence on playing Toure at RB cost us dearly. Everyone remembers Senderos's errors, but it was Toure who panicked and allowed Liverpool to cheat a penalty and a place in the CL semi. Gallas too is error prone, but at the end of the day, whatever their faults there aren't many better pairings in the EPL today.

Wenger will not change the defence, instead he will expect his team to push up high and avoid dangerous balls from the air. But he must then solve the problem of the over the top ball that Arsenal are such suckers for. According to myth Wenger knows nothing about defence, which is surprising as he has signed Campbell, Toure, Clichy, Sagna and even Gallas who could turn out to be shrewd buy.

However, taking into account all that is stated above, unless the defence improves, or perhaps the team defends as a whole, then Arsenal will be disappointed yet again. Remember we took the lead against Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool and lost all three.

Part 3 here

Part 1 here

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The case for the defence and other myths Part 2

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 15/08/2008 12:54

Arsenal Times
15/08/2008 12:54

The case for the defence and other myths Part 2

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djarse
15/08/2008 13:30

I broadly agree but I do feel that a commanding centre back should have been bought in the summer. Vidic and Agger were found by Fergie and Rafa in previous years - its not clear to me why Arsene didnt buy. Senderos MAY in a few years become more reliable, but is not there yet for the very top matches/competition. Djourou looked good the other night but I suspect is behind Senderos in his development. Song could be the surprise package, but he is too similar again to Toure and Gallas for my liking.

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Padre Pio
15/08/2008 13:46

i agree its a problem, I just think its Wenger philosophy that he wont, apoart from Campbell bring in an established star

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Bergmars
15/08/2008 14:37

To be fair signing Campbell was a no brainer.he also bought Luzhny,Stepanovs,Vivas Wright,so I suppose after that you may as well sign attackers who dont mind defending.

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perrygroves
15/08/2008 14:38

I predict a good year for big phil...

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I_got_Gooneria
15/08/2008 15:51

all the work put into senderos development will goto waste, if we don't play him now. Hopefully he has learned his lesson. Djourou looks good, and will be quality in a year's time and will be a good replacement for gallas.
i think if agger and ferdinand were playing for arsenal they would have struggled to cope up with our style, i am sure abt it. Don't think so they are tat better than toure and Gallas.

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Padre Pio
15/08/2008 16:24

Luhzny was the real man of the match in the cup final.
He also bought Silvinho and encouraged Ashley Cole. He turned Lauren into a full back against his wishes who was one of the best we ever had.

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bergmars
15/08/2008 16:51

Agreed Padre,but IMO we have a problem defending it could be the way we play as a team.Its the silly goals we give away even against the poorer teams

Dennis Bergkamp, simply the best

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Optimistic Gunner
15/08/2008 18:15

I agree with everything said so far.

Our defense is a big problem at the moment and the reason we don't have commanding CB in our first team squad is becaus eof the AW makes us play.

AW's philosophy to winning matches is:

"you score 3 goals against us, then we score 4 against you"

AW doesn't focus much on the defense as he wanst to outscore teh opposition to win, but has become increasingly difficult over the last few years due to teh rise of defensive tactics against us, i.e. the parking of bus infront of the opposition.

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Padre Pio
15/08/2008 19:52

The article states there is a problem with defence, but its a preview and the view is that Wenger will not buy.

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Optimistic Gunner
15/08/2008 20:15

yup

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bergmars
15/08/2008 21:29

i dont beleive we need to neccesarily buy,maybe a change of tactics would suffice.I think the most striking part of the article is that Petit and Viera lengthened the life of the famous four.In that there is a symptom and a cure,we have not had two players who could defend as well as they could get forward,Gilberto was more comfortable defending,Edu I think under Le boss would have formed a good partnership in that he was better getting forward but was good at defending also.you need a spoiler it sholdnt mean he has to be aof great skill,win the ball and give it simple,a reat exponent of this is Makelele.

Dennis Bergkamp, simply the best

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