Arsenal Lack of Midfield and Leadership Exposed
Arsenal lost AGAIN away from home.
Lehmann was exceptional but Arsenal offered precious little going forward and would have taken a 0-0 draw gratefully if it wasn't for Garcia's late goal.
Arsenal away from home has become depressing viewing. Arsenal have the 4th worst attack in the Premiership away from home. It is because we no longer have a viable midfield.
Pires and Ljungberg are no longer quick enough or dangerous enough to justify both of their inclusions in an away game.
Gilberto tries to compensate too much for the lack of physical power and continually gives the ball away and gets caught out of possession.
You will find it hard to score goals away from home if you cannot:
1) Win the ball back from the opposition.
2) Beat people on the flanks and through the middle with driving runs
3) Stay disciplined and frustrate the opposition into over committing
4) Shoot from outside the box
5) Make overlapping runs and commit forward and get into the box
6) Score from headers and knock downs
7) Chase the ball up front and work hard
Arsenal are failing to do ANY of these things on a regular basis. We have also been culpable in defence and made school boy errors, because half of the team is schoolboys. Is it any wonder we are not performing away from home?
Arsenal's best hope of getting anything away from home lies in the midfield. They were good at Birmingham. Diaby especially. We won 2-0.
Arsenal's best midfield away from home in my humble opinion is:
Reyes Diaby Gilberto Fabregas and Possibly Van Persie dropping in if we go a goal up (playing 4-5-1 come 4-4-2)
Diaby makes runs into the box and commits people going forward, and he can dribble and is strong on the ball. He is raw but needs to play.
He also gives Gilberto a purpose, and can let him concentrate on sitting and frees up Fabregas.
Clichy or Cole's return will also help the midfield and add another attacking option.
Why did Diaby not play against Liverpool?
What is the matter with Henry? He is not the right choice as Captain, Wenger did it to bind him further to club and it has back fired. Cole should be captain. He has passion and needs to commit himself to the club after the Chelsea incident.
There is a distinct lack of leadership out on the pitch and it must be addressed.
Wenger needs to sort his midfield out in the summer and hope we can get 4th in the meantime.
posted by JoeBoni @ 12:32 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Ashley Cole as captain? Most Arsenal fans can't even remember what he looks like.
Lauren would be good but apparently he's too quiet. Give it to Toure!!
Couldnt agree more! the 'Kolo for Kaptain'Kampaign starts here! although shortening it to the KKK probably isnt a good idea! He seems like they only one that is bothered half they time...bring in his brother too.
And although I hate it; if Henry goes, the 451 is much more viable as Adebayor could play thru the middle with reyes and one other off him. With henry, its a joke. but personally 443 is the way to go.
Keep the faith!
with a 443 we could sneak an additional player on the pitch! nice!
I agree that Toure is another viable option as Captain. Henry doesn't respect the arm band and isn't a motivator. Take the burden off him and let him get back to concentrating on scoring goals.
I dont see why djourou cannot be given a run in midfield if wenger is going to stick with senderos at the back. Djourou can pass & was a defensive midfielder before arsenal converted him to centre back. He has pace & could well in time prove to be just as effective as nolan etc. We cannot sign anyone until the summer so I dont see the problem in having ago especially as nothing else is working!! With lauren out I would like to see gilbert at right back with eboue playing in front on the wing. That would offer extreme pace & defensive stability on that side & eboue has good skill whilst both players can put in excellent crosses for adebayor & rvp to benefit from!! We might need some experience but we dont need it from our current pro's who are using every excuse under the sun for not performing. Seen as they keep complaining that vieira was so important & that its simple not possible to play without him I wonder if they would all be willing to take a 50% pay cut in order to have him back, after all if they claim they cant do a job without one player then that says they are not worth the wages they are getting!!
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