Previous names: Dial Square, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich Arsenal
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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Bogey team no more!

At least Arsenal took matters into its own hands and played with some more purpose and determination than of late. Fourth place is now almost secure and a win on Tuesday against Man City will, to all intends and purposes seal it and allow Arsenal to even challenge for 3rd place.

In our last posting we suggested three things that were needed in order to beat Bolton. Arsenal did play 4 5 1 and this worked well as the midfield dominated and distributed the ball very well. The game was not played particularly in a fast tempo as we suggested it should and for this reason the opponents were allowed to get their men behind the ball in time to form that “bus” in front of their goalkeeper.

But the worst was that Arsenal again did not defend the long looping balls that we all predicted will be utilised by Bolton. Even a free kick conceded by Arsenal on the half way line and even beyond, inside the Bolton half, resulted in an aerial assault into Arsenal’s box! The inevitable result is “another fine mess you got me into Stanley”. Ok on this occasion it was on Eboue’s side of the pitch and not Clichy’s as we expected (in our preview of the game we opted for Gallas to play at left back to deal with the long diagonal balls). But hell it was a goal wasn’t it? From a long ball? On the full back? How many times will Arsenal concede a goal from these situations?

Hleb again was ineffective and lacking in confidence. He should have been dropped as we suggested. But Adebayor showed good control of the ball and some nice touches. However he needs to develop that killer instinct in front of goal. Arsenal is a team that plays “total football” and this means that all the ingredients need to be in place and functioning properly in order to achieve the end result. This is why Arsenal find it difficult to win ugly or when they are not playing well. It is an all or nothing approach. And everything is geared to play in a particular way. That is why there is no plan B! But when it works it really works and opponents are blown away.

We will leave you with this happy note.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are a complete Twat. Hleb had a good game and Adebayor missed a sitter.

Anonymous said...

To anonymous,

There seems to be something wrong with Hleb this season would you not agree? and what was his pass completion? arond 60%? which is poor.

Adebayor as you suggest did miss a sitter and we point out that he needs to improve on that. But his control and layoffs were good.

Anonymous said...

When Arsenal complement their forward line up of TH and RVP next season with a new forward that is sorely needed then we can challenge again

Unknown said...

Hleb seems to have divided the arsenal opinion down the middle for me he has to score more or even shoot more there is no point in him doing great by beating two or three players and then keep loosing the ball


and check out the new arsenal forum for genuine true gooners at

http://z4.invisionfree.com/The_Arsenal/index.php?

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