The Team Coach

By HC
October 3 2008

With the next game away at Sunderland after a glorious win against FC Porto, fans can't help wondering which Arsenal will turn up. Regular Arsenal Times reader, and occasional contributor HC explains why the Gunners are such a roller coaster of a team:

Arsenal play football like a man on the high wire. And you either do the impossible or fall to your doom. What I'd say is that the great teams, and the great Arsenal teams, play(ed) with an out and out defensive midfielder, and when you play with the kind of wing backs we do the need is even more apparent.

The problem in the team is then systemic, rather than about individual ability. So teams that can take advantage of the holes at the back will beat us, and those that can't will be destroyed by the brilliance of the team going forward

I haven't the faintest idea whether Song is the answer, or whether Denilson will grow into the role.

At centre half Johan was excellent against West Bromwich but he and Gallas were still exposed by the lack of protection in front of them. On present form, and it's a tight call, Kolo might need to be the player rested. He is a player and a man I greatly admire, and when he came into the team he all but reinvented the role of the centre half, but he has not been the same player either since a) Gallas arrived, or b) the ACN, depending on your point of view

But the point is, as Stuart Pearce said recently, that these difficulties should be seen in the context of the Wenger project. It's a project I support with all my heart, and I think that Wenger is the best thing that as happened to my football club, and I was a supporter for 25 years before he rocked up

Like I say, it's a high wire act, the way Wenger wants football played and his methods of coaching and recruitment. The historical importance of what he has done won't be fully appreciated for another 25 years probably. He ain't gonna change. If we fail (as most teams do if you judge it solely in trophies won) then it will be with glory

Problem is, if you judge this team against what Wenger has already achieved he can't win unless we win the CL - and that's a cup competition after all.

Possible Squad:

Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Gallas, Sagna, Nasri, Fabregas, Denilson, Walcott, Adebayor, Van Persie, Fabianski, Song, Djourou, Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey, Eboue, Silvestre.

For a large selection of Arsenal Books, DVDs, PC games AND MORE at Bargain Prices visit the Arsenal Times Store CLICK HERE

Wenger’s Arsenal Play Football On a High Wire

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 03/10/2008 18:38

Arsenal Times
03/10/2008 18:38

Wenger’s Arsenal Play Football On a High Wire

Reply Quote Report

Merlion96
04/10/2008 01:20

Padre, regardless of which team he fields against SUnderland, Wenger emphased that the greatest strength of his team is "their unique togetherness, the joy of playing for each other...."

And after 3 years of transition, time for Arsene Wenger THIRD TEAM to deliver.

When Adebayor and Van Persie stop running (you notice Van Persie running all over the pitch against Bolton?), Fabregas and Denilson start lobbing high balls.....that is when we lose the game as the players stop playing Arsene Wenger Total Football.

WHy we lost to Hull City is that that rot continued for 60-minutes with Gallas "missing-in-action as Captain" and Fabregas stuck in a one-gear-box unable to dictate and impose Arsenal style of play onto Hull City.

'MIssing" Captain + "One gear box" Fabregas = Hull Hell.

AFter watching Porto game, I would say that Nasri or Rosicky is another missing element "lock picker" as well. I think we would have beaten Hulkl CIty if Nasri or Rosicky was playing.

No "high wire" act, just a missing captain and Fabregas failed to impose himself and change the pattern of plays to unlock Hul CIty in the game.

Reply Quote Report

Padre Pio
04/10/2008 08:44

Merlion it is not my article, it is written by HC.

However I think HC makes a strong case since Wenger has managed without the big midfielder its a lot more risky.

Reply Quote Report

Merlion96
04/10/2008 11:03

Yes, I knew that it is HC article and for convenience, just mentioned your name as "owner"..

I think we are so set in y our way for 10 years on big midfielders like Vieira, Petit, Edu, Gilberto that we need a mental shift to accept "small man" like FLamini, Fabregas, Denilson, Ramsey, Wilshere, Bischoff, Coquelin.....with "Big Man" Jay Thomas, Frimpong and Botelho 3 to 5 years away.

I beleive Flamini set the way and style as to how to play "small man" and stil dominate the midfield.

This season is the making of Fabregas as a complete midfield general to improve upon the defensive side of it. And he needs combination of Nasri, Van Persie, Vela or Walcott to complement his playmaking role when he is deep or on defensive duties.

I beleive Wenger realised that and again, like alst season, he is taking a huge gamble that Fabregas will complete his devleopment by December such that Nasri-Denilson-Fabregas Trio plus Walcott or Eboue will dominate midfield defensively as well as ofensively.

The return of fitness of Rosicky, Bsichoff and readinerss fo Ramsey and WIlshere by December is just added bonus.

ANother huge gamble by Wenger that all hsi yougnsters wil be ready by December to fit seamlessly intot eh squad come crunch period of playing 2 games per week from Janaury to May 2009.

Reply Quote Report

PKGooner
04/10/2008 13:06

Quote:

Merlion96
When Adebayor and Van Persie stop running (you notice Van Persie running all over the pitch against Bolton?)

Didn't see Van Persie at Bolton, didnt even warm up!

Reply Quote Report

mapleleafgooner
04/10/2008 13:35

Quote:

pk_gunner

Quote:

Merlion96
When Adebayor and Van Persie stop running (you notice Van Persie running all over the pitch against Bolton?)

Didn't see Van Persie at Bolton, didnt even warm up!

I know RvP was full of running against Porto.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net