Forget Cesc’s transfer, the real issue is this…
The team’s defensive strategy on the pitch.
To be honest, concerns about Arsenal’s preparations for next season should not be primarily about Fabregas.
In fact, we should ask Arsene; can our defenders frustrate the opposition’s attackers?, can our midfielders work hard enough without the ball as much as they would with it?, can our striker(s) be strong enough to hold up play and take some pressure off our defense and midfield?
Forget Cesc, the real issue is our defensive unit – from GK, CB to DM!
Spain and Barcelona play that same carpet football we promote at Arsenal and their recent successes are proof that playing the game the way that it should be played can actually see you win.
But why do Spain and Barca achieve way more? That’s because they have a backbone. Watch Barca’s clash with us in the Champions League again, and you will notice that their players were more than eager to win the ball when they lost it. The pressure they pile on you while you are in possession, is equal to what they inflict when they have the ball.
Look at Spain also. People hail Spain for their pretty football, but ‘La Roja’ are world champions courtesy of 1-0 wins. 1-0 over Portugal, 1-0 over Paraguay, 1-0 over Germany and 1-0 over the Netherlands.
Yes, their attack could have been more prolific but what about their defense’s exploits?. If Puyol and Pique had been pushovers at the back, or had Casillas been flapping in goal, Portugal and most likely Germany would NOT have registered ‘nil’ on the scoreboard.
Surely, Spain would have been thrashed or sucker-punched before they even thought about scoring that one winning goal. Hmm…isn’t that what Arsenal suffered at the hands of Chelsea and United last season?
It’s as if Arsenal attack like a Lamborghini with no brakes – with the ‘Lamborghini’ analogy being how they are beautiful and free-flowing towards goal and the ‘no brakes’ referring to how they have little safety when they eventually lose the ball, allowing opponents so much time to sucker-punch them well.
Sort out the defense, then Fabregas!. With or without Cesc, we rarely 1-0!
Even Stewart Robson pointed out this issue on ESPN today…
Robson makes a typically cheap shot. I don’t know a single fan and season ticket holder who will give Fabregas a hard time. Very, very poor Robson. Stick to slightly above average tactical punditry.
Nice work Randy, Agree with you
this is true because last season we concede some silly goal because of poor depending
I agree totally. We do need better defensive players. One glaring problem that seems to continue without comment is our fullbacks use of the ball when attacking. It appears to me they continually lose possession, or cross the ball to nobody then get caught forward and give up goals on the break. Maybe 4-4-2 is the way to go.
442 is always the way it is the most effective method width both sides speed wide both sides 2 strikers but if the midfield is not good enough and can,t do the job then 3 in the middle is needed thats the only reason Wenger has played 451 & it is 451 not the BS 433 fed to the uninformed it was a choice forced on him because Denilson or Diaby are not good enough in a 2 man middle
spain’s defence is shit, barca’s defence is shit and arsenals defence is shit with the keeper being extra shity. the difference between barca and arsenal is that barca’s defensive strategy is to starve the opposition as much of the ball as possible and keeping the ball as much as possible. when the opposing players dont have the ball, they cant score. i would say barca attacks as a unit in a fluid way like arsenal. unlike arsenal they defend as a unit as well. total football is played better as barca due to cruyff’s influence that is why barca perform better. total football if played well can be the most devastating football 4 oppenents
Spain’s defense is “shit”?
That’s why Casillas was making those vital saves (including a penalty vs Paraguay)?. That’s why they only conceded 2 goals in the tournament?
Oh, and is that why they kept out Germany and Netherlands’ free-scorers? Their passing football is as effective as their defence.
they perform better because half the Arsenal side isn,t good enough what top 4 side would buy Denilson Diaby Eboue Silvestre and half of the players that are good enough aren,t big or strong enough all money problems due to Stadiun strong quick decisive is the most attractive football ie the Invincibles in a 442
wenger should encourage the players to pressurize the opposition with force when they lose the ball. i suggest that the arsenal team should roam more on the pitch and inclease fluidity slighty as well
The most PERTINENT Arsenal related blog post this summer.
I think the biggest, biggest issue is our Midfield pressing. Since we play a high defensive line it is essential that our midfielders do not give the opposing players time and space to pick a pass through or over our defence. Since we have relatively inexperienced players like Denilson, Diaby, Song this makes it more difficult. On top of that the first two are indisciplined and poorly drilled. If you want a comparison look at the Man utd midfielders…they bust a gut to get behind the ball.
Also our full backs (esp last season) where so, so indisciplined…the number of times BOTH where found upfield when the opposition where breaking and countering where inumerable.
I don’t think AW will do anything about it so I’m hoping and praying that we get a coach this summer who works exclusively on the tactical side of things. Like Queroz under red nose.
again the midfield isn,t good enough example Brazil Gilberto was the best DM in the world when at his best with us as soon as Brazil Cb moved out Gilberto dropped in u can,t blame the CB for going forward Gallas & Verm. were great last year just shows how poor Diaby & Denilson are but hey u get what u pay 4 most of the time
untill they learn how to defend we won’t be winning nothing.
a truely crap post,,fair play boy,,,,on the ball,,,,,,u dont have a clue
Cesc seems to be playing a cat and mouse game with us. Yesterday I said he was a class act hope that stays true. He needs a holiday but training has alreadybegun he better come back ready towork or for everybodies sake get out of here quickly so evrybody can get to work for the coming season. If they want him badly they will need to pay the big bucks!! However Robson is quite right we need to work on the defence and plana strategy
he can,t get out thats the point if any of it is true it seems he wants out but Arsenal own his ass to 2015 which means he gets a say again in 2013
Totally agree.Its not about getting better defensive players,we need to better the defensive unit.Fulham,Everton and the like defend better than us.Hope Wenger starts to learn this
Gallas officially gone?
It appears so… if you go on the club website and try to have his number/name put on the back of your shirt he is missing! Thankfully that goes for Silvestre too!
Guess thats clear for RvP 10 now then…
At long last somebody who calls a spade a spade. Arsenals weakness is obvious to see , we are not up to the physical side of the game . As soon as it gets tough we simply lie down and die. With the exception of one or two players we have no “Balls”. Look at Diaby,Denilson,Eboue,Glichy,Walcott,bentnail etc. the powder puff boys. AW seems to be hooked on young french players who are just not up to scratch, and sadly when he does find a real talent he soon moves on to a club who appreciate his abilities ie. Fran Merida – spent more time on the bench, why?
Cesc will more than likely go to Barca cause he wants sucess , not mediocre results. Dont fault him for it , its what a footballers career is measured by.
I completely agree Randy, and all this transfer speculation is worrying, not because I think Cesc is Barca bound, but because it can unravel some of the bonds in the team. Remember when there was all that speculation about Adebayor a couple years ago? That turned out horrible as the fans disrespected him and he played like shit. I just have a feeling its going to be very awkward when he comes back to training.
We have plenty of ballplayers but lack steel in the team. This is one major area Wenger need to arrest.
I am happy wid the signings so far, hope wenger gets another cb, gk and a dm…. if we want to win sumthing next season….
trust me manu r screwed next season….
we need 3 more players and we will win big next season
Agree entirely with the article, we need to defend as a unit, then be able to switch defense into attack and utilise the free-flowing football once we regain possession through pressing to launch devastating counter attacks as we were once remembered for. Remember the days of Vieira winning the ball in midfield, quick pass to pires, quick pass to ljunberg, finds henry – goal! They made it look so easy. First touch is all important for counter attacks – if you have a clumsy first touch then all of the speed and sting is taken out of the counter attack as the other team have time to drop back and defend. Defending as a team is a definite must, working on the first touch (Nikki B!) is another.
I think we have far too many similar players – Fabregas – Arshavin – Rosicky – Arshavin – Wilshere are technically very similar and not physically imposing – going back to the early Wenger days we had Vieira and Petit who dominated the midfield – the defense of the last five years simply have not been getting the same protection. I would spend big on a defensive enforcer in midfield – someone like De Rossi or Inler and obviously a new keeper and central defender – I just feel we lack a balance in centre midfield…..
Today for the first time I read that Fab really wants to return!!!! So will he be 100percent Arsenal he surely cannot be mentally in the game for us – saving for next year injuries etc………Let the clever little …….go and get some money. Weae more than a one player team. Also could all the chatter from Barc and the players be seen as a form of Physco Tapping FA look at it!! The above posting was excellent Thanks