Fenerbahce Gambit Does Fergy
We Love you Wenger
By Boris Mellor
November 9 2008
In my preview I wrote, "some might think it's a good time for them (Man U) to play us, but that could be true the other way around too". This was a great result, but it was also a good time to take on Manchester United. Their last few games have not been that spectacular, true they beat Hull, but let in three goals, then they went on to draw at Celtic.
Arsenal had barely a striker on the pitch, no Ade, no RvP and no Eduardo, yet it was the Gunners who took the chances. Some pointed out that Man U, at times, cut Arsenal's defence to shreds, but it was an open game with both sides getting plenty of chances. In fact it was a re run of Fenerbahce away, but with slightly different personnel.
Once gain Diaby had a roving commission in the midfield, once again Arsenal gave away more chances than they made, and once again they outscored the opposition. Except this time the opposition was far better, and so was Arsenal's defence.
I can't help thinking that the injury to Ade, and the suspension of RvP had a silver lining. Not that Bendtner was better than either of them, but it meant that Wenger could not contemplate 4-4-2.
A friend text me from the opposite end of the stadium, "Is Denilson on spinach?" I replied no it's the formation. This week, for the first time, Wenger hinted that he was missing Flamini. Not that he said that outright; but in his usual circumspect code he noted that he had to make changes. Now anyone but a fool knows that the changes, for the most part didn't work. Against Stoke, Hull, and Fulham what was missing was the engine, now for the first time we have seen a really powerful engine that not only attacks (true it attacked in Turkey), but also defends. This time the changes made up for the missing Flamini. At last Diaby is playing a key role.
This formation based on 4-5-1 allows the team to turn defence into attack at speed. Arsenal looked pacey and played at tempo, when the Gunners play at tempo they are always better. Yesterday this site backed Wenger's call to be judged in May, and yesterday' result proves how over hyped the press reaction to the last few games has been.
We love you Wenger Nasri Celebrates
However as good as yesterday's performance was, and it was very good, it should be kept in mind that Man U played attacking football, and they paid for it. On other days they might have won, but Arsenal's finishing was the most ruthless, as it was at Fenerbahce. Can you imagine Hleb scoring two goals in a key match?
However lesser teams will have watched the game and thought if a team as good as Man U attacked and were beaten what chance have we? It will be 10 men behind the ball business as usual.
Therefore it may be difficult to maintain the power of the new found engine. In which case Arsene will have to find other ways to break down teams. Nonetheless it proves Wenger hasn't lost it, but it doesn't prove we are going to have silverware in May; Arsene is right May will be the best time to judge.
Confidence hard to gain but easy to lose
The dropping of two points at home to Spurs saw Arsenal confidence slump, and more nauseatingly, theirs rise. Once confidence is lost it is hard to regain; hopefully this result will spur on team and spectators alike. The crowd were good they sang the Arsene song after eleven minutes, before we scored, and long before the result was known. No doubt that helped lift confidence, and when the six minutes extra time was announced, the crowd groaned but they also got behind the team for everyone of those six minutes. Those six minutes were some of the longest minutes I have ever lived through, if I ignore the Cuban missile crisis.
When the whistle was finally blown the team dropped to the ground, and the crowd whooped and twirled their scarves in tens of thousands. Now we have to see what happens in the next two or three games as to if this team can remain a contender.
Wengerese: "FFS! I got a contract till 2011. Judge me then at end of contract, May 2011..&^@%#$^###"
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Quote:karsene16
Brilliant article, Diaby has grown in that role and playing well, hopefully wenger plays him more.
Yes agree but FFS, not on the wings plsss...
Denilson seems to shine when he is about
1) teaches them PACE, MVOEMENT & INETRCHANGEABILITY
2) tests their versatility and character in the face of adversity.
3) Their hunger, their passion and their ability to grasp an opportunity when given a chance to paly.
4) Are they a TEAM member or just an individual?
5) better to have a small squad of versatile and quality players, rather than a BIG squad of specialised palyers as we cna't afford thsi kind of wage bills liek Chelskia dn ManLeeds with 2 world-class players fightinf for every positions.
6) And during 2005/06 season, Wenegr had learned his lesson in versatility when we are down to our 5th CB and 8th LB.
7) Wenegr still beleive in Total Football and trying to create the perfect team to play Total Football.
DOn't worry, Wenegr is no slouch as a tactician adn just that luck has not been on his side as he NEVER has a full squad of healthy palyers to select the TEAM he wanted to feild against each and every opponents with different set fo players.
Arsene Wenger's ultimate aim si to create a TEAM that squad members come in to replace senior player with every palyer effortless fidning his spot without any disruption in TEAM PLAY.
Arsene Wenegr is an IDEALIST and I hope he will fidn hsi IDEAL TEAM before hsi cotnract expires in 2011.
That is something to look forward to.
If with this "kinda make-shift squad" since beginning of the season, we are still within 6 poitns of Leader, just imagine when we have a full and healthy squad in Janaury 2009, with players growing intot ehir role.....
Quote:Merlion96
just imagine when we have a full and healthy squad in Janaury 2009, with players growing intot ehir role.....
We can only imagine. Shame it'll never happen!
There again, there is always Gibbs, Ramsey raring to go elft.
next season?
With Botelho and Traore coming back?
And hey, that forgotten left-footed wizard - Merida?
We have plenty of strikers and I wouldn't describe any of them as undroppable. Whereas in our midfield I would describe Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott as undroppable (and for want of a DM Denilson is also undroppable).
Diaby could end up also undroppable if he proves the last piece of the midfield jigsaw for a successful 4-5-1. One thing is certain and that is he is no winger. I think he also adds much needed height to our midfield/attack.
When Eddie comes back we will have massive competition for the lone striker berth.
Just one thing please no more Song...or hold him back till he is ready. I would like to see Song go on loan so we can observe him again.
it also compared nasri to berbatov saying wenger got the last laugh ones a striker and ones a midfielder. then on another page they said some arsenal fans have been questioning if nasri is good enough for arsenal like who?
Man U fans now moaning about their defenec just as much as we mona about ours
Quote:squarepeg
We have plenty of strikers and I wouldn't describe any of them as undroppable. Whereas in our midfield I would describe Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott as undroppable (and for want of a DM Denilson is also undroppable).
Personally i feel only fabregas is undroppable, nasri has been up and down so has walcott, Cesc has also this season but is the main playmaker of the team.
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Wilshere or Ramsey can play Fabregas' ROle if he still does not up his game and regian his form by ENd-Nov.
Especially with NAsri in a free role, and with Walcott improving every game plus one of the most feared winger in premeirship now.
And if Rosicky is fit, and Nasri undroppable, then Rosicky will be rotated back to ACM.
And Diaby?
If we need a dynamic box-to-box and he regains his form liek in Cardiff CC FInal, then he can outshine Fabregas as well.
Fabregas becomes UNDROPPABLE only if he regains his last season form...and he is still far from it.
Just imagine, if Fabregas is startign to run into form of last season now, the midfield wil be virtually unstoppable with Nasri running wild...plus Walcott...
Quote:Padre Pio
goal he assisted agaisnt man U was similar to pass at Fener. He is doing very well
LOL! If call the way Cesc has played so far this season as "very well", then your standards are way to low.
IMO Cesc has been average at best, and I don't mean average as in his quality average, but the average quality of a Prem CM, which is quite low compared to the top four's CM's average.