If I would have given everything to be at Emirates in mid-week when Arsenal ripped-apart Sheffield United , my commitment was same for the loss, which broke the 25 games unbeaten at home streak, in last game against Hull City. I guess its same for all the matches anyways.
They say arsenal needs to win even when they dont play well? Yes they should. If you ask me I want arsenal to win every hell of a game against any tom-and-jerry club in any penny-used-for-toss competition with our yet-to-pass-middle-school kids !
But why can't Arsenal do that? They do, but rarely. Not as frequently as Chelsea or lets say, Manchester United manages the same. Majority of the current Arsenal squad is shaped and dressed up in last 3 years. They are young, they have grown together and share the same metality on pitch. It forms the basis for their link-up and free-flowing football on pitch. So when they play good, they do it in team and when they suck, they suck together. All teams have
their bad days in offices. But if we see Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, they always have someone on the field who can change the course of the game on his own, when the rest of the team's performance is below par. Ronaldo for Manchester Unite; Gerrard, Torres for Liverpool and Lampard or may be Ballack for Chelsea. I see no one like that in Arsenal. Not even Fabregas, not even Adebayor. The reason is their playing style. HOw many times we have seen a goal from Arsenal as a result of totally one man's presence? Not many instances are there, as Wenger's play is purely a team-play.
I give full credit to Hull City for showing their courage and play at Emirates on Saturday. They have showcased what other mid-table and low-table English Primier League teams haven't dared to do at Emirates. They followed their system of play and scored 2 wonderful goals and just not dedededededefendeing (its defending with 10 men out of 11 on pitch) and banking on catching Arsenal at counter-attack. Where the first goal by Giovanni was a typical example of flamboyant long-range curl, the second inch-perfect header by Cousins (sadly hasnt received as much appreciation as the first goal got) was equally commendable. Now Arsenal or any other top team couldn't have done anything about the first goal. And the second goal came so soon (Gallas waited for 4 minutes to spectate that) after the first, like some cast was spelled which turned the match upside down within no time.
Unlike last season when Arsenal mastered scoring in last 15 minutes and everybody expected them to level-up atleast, they failed to do so. Arsene Wenger brought on Vela and Bendtner and i guess, i was seeing Arsenal playing with four strikers for the first time in my football fan life. It was bizarre atleast for me. I guess Arsene Wenger should have stuck to his system and might have brought one striker instead of two. You just cant put all 4 in or around the box and expect a goal. But he is the boss and boss knows. They came close when the captain hit the bar and Vela failed to guide it inside. Interestingly, he was smiling afterwards.
So, one shocking result and should the fans demand an explanation? (as this article suggests http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/steven-beacom/steven-beacom-arsenal-fans-need-answers-from-wenger-13987492.html - somebody please kick him).
Should Arsene Wenger be forced to make considerable changes? I dont guess so. I understand that. Fans understand that. And Boss understands that. Nasri is back and he will certainly play a part. Lets see. But I am fully confident our guns will be loaded enough to bounce back and bounce back beautifully against Porto.
Come On Gunners..You want to go to Rome or not ??
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Though i am also against wholesale changes being made to a team after a loss this time i would like to see Wenger axe a couple of players and send out a strong message for non-performers.
As a team arsenal fell short of commitment and paid a hefty price. Who would have expected arsenal to lose after an impressive winning streak, that too to a newly promoted team like Hull City at home. It was Arsenal's game to lose and i was sad to see a lack of response.
Is Gallas and Toure's patnership not working? Was it because of the absence of a CDM that Hull got so much space in the midfield? I dont want to get into those details as it is too early to discuss them. The team should be given some more time to sort it out, but surely the time available is very short.
All Arsenal fans would be expecting a proper response in the porto match, but it is high time Arsenal become more consistent rather than showing good responses after continued defeats.
I dont entirely agree with you there.
I have seen so many games which arsenal have won just by a moment of sheer brilliance or inspiration from ONE player,even though the team isnt playing well as a whole , like Henry,Bergkamp or Pires..the list can go on of course.
More than the style of play,i doubt the managerial qualities of wenger here or rather the inspirational qualities he can instill in his team when they are not at their best.
What happened to the so called "INVINCIBLES" after the defeat at Old Trafford.What happened after last season's mishap at Birmingham..
..its team play which helps u win a match 1-0 even when you are not at your best.defend well as a TEAM and nick a goal...blaming the style of play for their losses is a mistake.i feel its a lack of belief in the players rather than the style of play.
all arsenal need is one trophy,even if it was just the TEA(read Carling Cup)Cup, which i feel will give them that confidence and belief they need for 'winning matches when they are not at their best'....
Champions do that,are arsenal one? ;)
United Forever
The style of play of the invincibles and that of the present team cant be compared. Infact, the invincibles had amazing team play and individual brilliance which complimented each other. While this team is fully dependent on the team play. This point was also emphasised in the post.
Anyways, the Hull game is just a hickup. Arsenal may be blamed for the loss though no one can be singled out.
And I'm sure they are going to come back strong against Porto tonight.
Gunner 4 lyf
@ Vasa
I never talked about the 'Invincibles'. I referred to this 2nd team which Arsene Wenger has built. And i don't blame the style. The football community loves to watch them play. I just tried to analyze the lack of ability to win even when you are not at your best.
Dont worry. The kids will get the Carling Cup 'also'.
You doubt the managerial qualities of Wenger? What was Ferguson doing at Anfield ?
"Ronaldo for Manchester Unite; Gerrard, Torres for Liverpool and Lampard or may be Ballack for Chelsea. I see no one like that in Arsenal. Not even Fabregas, not even Adebayor. The reason is their playing style. HOw many times we have seen a goal from Arsenal as a result of totally one man's presence? Not many instances are there, as Wenger's play is purely a team-play."
there you go...
why would i be worried about the 'kids' winning the Carling Cup? funny..
and coming to the managerial qualities of SAF,is it in doubt in the first place?
:) :) I take back that carling cup thing.
"The reason is their playing style"
Does it sound like blaming ? Its just cause-and-effect, acc. to me.
I dont think it is the moment of brilliance or inspiration that is missing in the Arsenal team , a team cannot be built around 'players producing a moment of inspiration'. If a player takes a 50 yr run , beats defenders on his way and scores a goal in the last minute , that is not something that a manager can plan for , it is something that some players are born with. So one cannot blame the passing style of Arsenal for their results or the lack of individual brilliance. I again reiterate that what is missing in Arsenal is not a lack of skill but some experience. Go back to the time of early 2000's and without comparing that Arsenal team to the present one I would like to add that the difference between the two sides is not skill but the experience. A team cannot the play the entire game at the same tempo , cannot play at the same tempo against all the teams and this is where experienced players will get some guile to the team. I think the young players at arsenal are supremely talented but it actually baffles me how Wenger thinks, does he ?, that he doesnt need experienced players juxtaposed with all the protean talents at hand.
hahhaha gunners get a lesson by
Hull
at this rate they shud loose to stoke too
My prophecy comes true and arsenal downfall has started
Gallas is a demon in disguise sent by the great jose mourinho to demolish gooners
it was obvious when someone threatens to quit the club by declaring to scora an own goal will be malicious to team spirit whichever team he might play.
go wicked willie
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