Kolo learns new rule

By Boris Mellor
February 25 2009

A few months back, or even less, Arsenal couldn't keep a clean sheet to save their life. Against Roma the Gunners completed their fifth clean sheet in a row in all competitions. They have only conceded two goals in their last seven games in the league.

 For quite a while some nose-tappers have told us that Wenger can't organise a defence and needed a defensive coach. In particular George Graham was always quick to point this out, although he seems out of favour now, rarely on TV. Compared to the gobshytes who have replaced him he is almost the Einstein of football.

So all those who worried about Arsenal's defence need, hopefully, worry no more. Remember last year it was conceding a goal at home to Liverpool that engineered our downfall in the CL. Perhaps some have got what they wished for.

However the downside of the new super-tight defence has meant that the number of chances created has collapsed. I must admit that before the game I would have gratefully accepted 0-0, and hoped that the returning cavalry (Eduardo and Adebayor) would finish it off in Rome.

Instead I left the game ruing the fact that it should have been won by three or four nil. However there were a lot of positives here. Before the game Wenger claimed he would go for it, and he was as good as his word.

No more twin holding midfielders, Diaby backed up Nasri in the middle, and the forwards create chances. By the end of the first half they had created 14 chances. Nasri is so much better in the middle.

Now will we hear the nose-tappers say Wenger needs an attacking coach?  I doubt it, rather it will be pointed out that we need better strikers and more creative midfielders. Indeed when Song came on the tempo dropped. However it is not unreasonable to suggest that if the Arsenal play as well as they did last night without Eduardo, Adebayor, Walcott, Arshavin, Cesc and Rosicky that they will be far better when they return. They could, with luck, (in terms of avoiding injury) become a very good cup team.

I know it's fashionable, in some quarters, to sneer at Wenger at every opportunity, and I have made a few criticisms myself, but isn't he right when he says that people will not want to keep watching 10 men behind the ball grinding out a nil nil. Sure Sunderland are entitled to do what they do, but those who pay to watch the game will be entitled to stop paying to watch it.

I enjoyed the match and atmosphere more than I have done in quite a while. Yes the crowd were disappointed at the point blank misses, but they also enjoyed the open play of the two sides. The game flowed backwards and forwards with plenty of chances made, but none taken. Even Eboue got a standing ovation when he was substituted.

As the match drew to a close very few left early; as the crowd roared the team on to keeping a clean sheet. They realised that the team would not score another goal, but had to live to fight another day. Therefore in the dying minutes of the game it was encouragement they handed out rather than criticism.

Ignorance of law is no excuse, but flying tackles are ok

To my mind this was the glass half full rather than half empty, one nil is a good result to take to Rome, and evidence that this team can still play with tempo.

Additional pluses were the performances of Nasri, Diaby, Clichy, Gallas, Denilson and Almunia. Once again the latter made a world class save - perhaps he is the key to the run of clean sheets. With the return of the walking wounded we have a real chance to finish it off in Rome. And to cap it all Toure has learnt a new rule. You are never too old to learn.

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