Again
Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals - No Cigar
Again
By Boris Mellor
February 7 2010
Wenger has now admitted that winning the league is now a long shot after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. Arsenal played with far more spirit and conviction than they did against Manchester United last week. However by 23 minutes the team was 2-0 down, and all Chelsea had to do was sit back and wait, and wait.
Again
February 7 2010
Wenger has now admitted that winning the league is now a long shot after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. Arsenal played with far more spirit and conviction than they did against Manchester United last week. However by 23 minutes the team was 2-0 down, and all Chelsea had to do was sit back and wait, and wait.
With Walcott, Arshavin and Nasri as the front three Arsenal fans were also in for a long wait. Even when Arshavin and Nasri got a good look at goal they wasted their shots. But I don’t blame the players, I blame the manager. If Arsenal had a striker then they might have won, alternatively if they had a defence we could have drawn.No team that is on track to concede 45 goals will ever win the league. A few years ago Wenger claimed he understood that poor defending lost the Gunners the league, but he has still failed to address the weaknesses of his defence’s organisation. The back four has talent, but it has no idea how to deal with free kicks and breakaways.I am not saying the season is completely over, this is not a simple kneejerk, I have been patient, a supporter for over 50 years. I would not claim to have the skill or knowledge of a Wenger, but I do know one thing – a team that defends as poorly as Arsenal will never win the league.
Maybe Wenger’s Bum of the Week programme will deliver, although Liverpool may not quite be a bum, Arsenal will have to win every game, and meanwhile if Chelsea don’t drop points no headway will be made.Of course Wenger will say that Chelsea will drop points, and that may come true, the only problem is so will Arsenal. Who with hand on heart wants to swear on their life that Arsenal will win away at Stoke, Hull, Birmingham City, and Spurs. They might win some, they might draw some, but I wouldn’t put money on a 100% record, and that’s what will be needed to win the league.However Arsenal need three points against Liverpool, the team still need maximum effort and support. You don’t turn on your own side in the middle of a battle. Arsenal are better than Liverpool, but they will need to retain confidence and passion to beat them, one bright spot in the Chelsea game was that the passion still remains. I hope it hasn’t undermined the confidence. Nonetheless supporters must get behind the team on Wednesday.
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Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 07/02/2010 21:59
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:09:19:06:46 by Padre Pio.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:09:19:06:46 by Padre Pio.
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: microdire (IP Logged)
Date: 07/02/2010 22:28
Whatever happens at the end of the season,Wenger should be held accountable for leaving reality and chasing shadow for five years. It is clear that change is inevitable whether it will be the coach,the philosophy of Wenger or overhauling of some of the players or the board of directors(one or all of these might be the problem(s)).AFC is ripe for a change.
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: djarse (IP Logged)
Date: 07/02/2010 22:28
Agreed Padre
We wont win the League but will probably get 3rd. Champions League ? Maybe, if other teams can knock out Man U and Chelski for us !
Wenger needs to ruthlessly drop people (as he did with Denilson today) who are literally losing us games at the moment like Clichy (today) and Almunia (Man U game).
And for the future? Well there are clearly big gaps in the squad that promising youngsters cannot make up for.
Almunia is not good enough. We need a world class keeper (Szczesny may be that in two or three years time but we need for next season).
We need a third world class central defender (We need to get Gibbs and Djourou back from injury too).
And we need another world class striker. RvP & Eduardo are too injury prone. And Bendtner, Walcott, Vela may become god enough but are not there yet.
We wont win the League but will probably get 3rd. Champions League ? Maybe, if other teams can knock out Man U and Chelski for us !
Wenger needs to ruthlessly drop people (as he did with Denilson today) who are literally losing us games at the moment like Clichy (today) and Almunia (Man U game).
And for the future? Well there are clearly big gaps in the squad that promising youngsters cannot make up for.
Almunia is not good enough. We need a world class keeper (Szczesny may be that in two or three years time but we need for next season).
We need a third world class central defender (We need to get Gibbs and Djourou back from injury too).
And we need another world class striker. RvP & Eduardo are too injury prone. And Bendtner, Walcott, Vela may become god enough but are not there yet.
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: HappyGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 08/02/2010 11:44
We've been having defensive problems for the last 5 years and it hasn't been addressed. First, it was the Toure/Gallas combination. They were too similar in stature and they didn't get along. I don't think Gallas even communicated with Toure or his keeper.
Then we were and still are prone to giving up goals on set pieces. Every team knows that's been our Achilles heel and they always look to take advantage. Then there is our keeper. He's a very good shot stopper but his decision making prowess is something to be desired.
The Gallas/Vermaelen combo is the same problem as the Toure/Gallas. They are very similar in stature and Gallas is now 33 yrs old. I am not sure that Djourou, when he comes back, will be the answer.
First, we must buy a world class CB. Good teams have always built from the back. Second, we need first rate keeper. I like Szczesny and I think he'll be world class in a couple of years. But, until then, we should get a keeper that can do a good job at least for the short term. Lastly, we need to overhaul our defensive coaching staff, that is, if even have one.
Then we were and still are prone to giving up goals on set pieces. Every team knows that's been our Achilles heel and they always look to take advantage. Then there is our keeper. He's a very good shot stopper but his decision making prowess is something to be desired.
The Gallas/Vermaelen combo is the same problem as the Toure/Gallas. They are very similar in stature and Gallas is now 33 yrs old. I am not sure that Djourou, when he comes back, will be the answer.
First, we must buy a world class CB. Good teams have always built from the back. Second, we need first rate keeper. I like Szczesny and I think he'll be world class in a couple of years. But, until then, we should get a keeper that can do a good job at least for the short term. Lastly, we need to overhaul our defensive coaching staff, that is, if even have one.
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: Bring back stepanovs! (IP Logged)
Date: 08/02/2010 12:56
personally i think its more about the mentality of the team rather than the individuals.the team doesnt know how to defend.put them on a counter attack put them up against a set piece theyre just simply not interested. all theyre really interested in is making pretty patterns in the opposition half,i just think its the mentality wengers given this team
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: Merlion96 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/02/2010 14:37
Teams counter-attacked Arsenal, and we had at the msot 3 or 4 defenders/midfielders rushing back to defend desperately.
When Arsenal counter-attacked, players passed the ball sideways and before they did the first forward pass, opponet had assembled two banks of 4 palyers in theri box, with the other 2 making tea and handing voer cuppa for those 8 no. waiting for that inevitable final pass from Arsenal to one of their players.
67% possession with 100% final balls to apponents waiting in the box!!
Where is that one-touch one-pass breathe-taking counter-attack that in less than 5 touches, from box-to-box, we have a clear shot at goal?
Esepcially with Theo avaialble to run between CB, and behind CB in counter-attacking?
Why are all those midfielders, including Fabregas, ignoring Theo's runs; or as Captain, reamed Theo a new bunghole for not making runs and creating passign channels with his movement in opponent half?
Plus another speedster in Arshaivn down the other wing.
Did we ever seen ONE fast Arsenal counter-attack plays in the past 5 games?
When Arsenal counter-attacked, players passed the ball sideways and before they did the first forward pass, opponet had assembled two banks of 4 palyers in theri box, with the other 2 making tea and handing voer cuppa for those 8 no. waiting for that inevitable final pass from Arsenal to one of their players.
67% possession with 100% final balls to apponents waiting in the box!!
Where is that one-touch one-pass breathe-taking counter-attack that in less than 5 touches, from box-to-box, we have a clear shot at goal?
Esepcially with Theo avaialble to run between CB, and behind CB in counter-attacking?
Why are all those midfielders, including Fabregas, ignoring Theo's runs; or as Captain, reamed Theo a new bunghole for not making runs and creating passign channels with his movement in opponent half?
Plus another speedster in Arshaivn down the other wing.
Did we ever seen ONE fast Arsenal counter-attack plays in the past 5 games?
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: AFC4life (IP Logged)
Date: 08/02/2010 15:09
u've been a supporter for 50 years? Good effort mate. U must've seen a lot of things come and go through all those years as a gooner.
I think what is frustrating the fans the most is the fact we are so close to being a very good team literally 2 maybe 3 signings which is so minor.
We get annoyed because AW plays players who are not good enough (yet anyway) at our club which costs us games.
AW is a genius no denying. What he has done for our club is phenomenal. However there are four things which he needs to address:
1. A goalkeeper - what a difference a real 'top 4' goalkeeper would've made this season. No need for names to be mentioned just any top keeper compared to Almunia
2. Blind loyalty to players who are not good enough and his refusal to replace them with better quality players. Clearly you can see this with Clichy and Denilson. They can be squad players fine but not first teamers.
3. Injuries. We have more injuries than any other team in the premiership - why is this. why is it the same players. This needs to be AW's first priority at the club. His reliance on these players cost us in the long run as we have good players but u cannot rely on them if they are constantly injured RVP, Rosicky, eduardo, Walcott, Diaby
4. Maybe linked to injuries but the need for a physical presence in the premier league. AW noticed this when he first joined - why has he regressed? A big centre forward and another big midfielder would make so much difference and allow the 'artists' around them to do their thing far more effectively.
I think what is frustrating the fans the most is the fact we are so close to being a very good team literally 2 maybe 3 signings which is so minor.
We get annoyed because AW plays players who are not good enough (yet anyway) at our club which costs us games.
AW is a genius no denying. What he has done for our club is phenomenal. However there are four things which he needs to address:
1. A goalkeeper - what a difference a real 'top 4' goalkeeper would've made this season. No need for names to be mentioned just any top keeper compared to Almunia
2. Blind loyalty to players who are not good enough and his refusal to replace them with better quality players. Clearly you can see this with Clichy and Denilson. They can be squad players fine but not first teamers.
3. Injuries. We have more injuries than any other team in the premiership - why is this. why is it the same players. This needs to be AW's first priority at the club. His reliance on these players cost us in the long run as we have good players but u cannot rely on them if they are constantly injured RVP, Rosicky, eduardo, Walcott, Diaby
4. Maybe linked to injuries but the need for a physical presence in the premier league. AW noticed this when he first joined - why has he regressed? A big centre forward and another big midfielder would make so much difference and allow the 'artists' around them to do their thing far more effectively.
Re: Arsenal on Target to Concede 45 Goals
Posted by: Chapman's Ghost (IP Logged)
Date: 09/02/2010 08:15
If Wenger was a genius he'd have sorted out our defensive
problems and adapted accordingly when being confronted
with the tactics Manu and the Chavs deploy. The word
genius leaps to people's lips the minute Wenger's
name is mentioned, the word is chucked about too easily
these days. I'll see him as a genius when he wins the
league or the CL with this team.
He's a very good at juggling the accounts and keeping what
is basically a fairly average team within striking
distance of the top two. We are fortunate that we have
one world class player who has come of age in the last
two seasons.
I'm tired of Wenger being called a genius; someone who
has great mental agility and yet Wenger appears stubborn
and that is a hindrance to mental acuity. Wenger also
appears arrogant and arrogance is the enemy of intelligence.
A genius learns from his mistakes and overcomes them,
Wenger has done neither.
problems and adapted accordingly when being confronted
with the tactics Manu and the Chavs deploy. The word
genius leaps to people's lips the minute Wenger's
name is mentioned, the word is chucked about too easily
these days. I'll see him as a genius when he wins the
league or the CL with this team.
He's a very good at juggling the accounts and keeping what
is basically a fairly average team within striking
distance of the top two. We are fortunate that we have
one world class player who has come of age in the last
two seasons.
I'm tired of Wenger being called a genius; someone who
has great mental agility and yet Wenger appears stubborn
and that is a hindrance to mental acuity. Wenger also
appears arrogant and arrogance is the enemy of intelligence.
A genius learns from his mistakes and overcomes them,
Wenger has done neither.
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