Previous names: Dial Square, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich Arsenal
Google
 

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wenger changes formation and tactics but he is really creating a monster


By 1970’s Gooner

Wenger told a lie when he said recently that he had gambled enough with the team’s formation and personnel on the field.

How else can we explain the transformation that we saw unraveling before us during the game against Roma? A game that threatened to turn into a rout bar the goals that should have been scored plentiful.

Wenger made radical changes both in the formation and the deployment of the personnel within that formation. These changes were designed to bring creativity back into Arsenal’s game but also adopted a fast paced all out attacking approach.

To say that he gambled enough in the games prior to this Champion’s league encounter is taking the mickey really. Or maybe he tried to lull Spalletti into a false sense of security. Whatever, it worked.

Firtsly, Wenger adopted a 4 2 3 1 formation where Robin Van Persie was the front player with Nasri brought in behind him to act as the principal playmaker. Bendtner was deployed on the left and Eboue on the right wing. The two central midfielders were Denilson and Diaby.

This worked a treat.

Not only did it surprise the opposition it more importantly allowed Nasri to show all his playmaking ability at which he excelled.

This is a change that we have been asking for on this site ever since Fabregas became unavailable.

But Wenger kept insisting on the dull and sideways passing of Denilson and Song.

Now not only did the team find its creativity in midfield it also had some sort of width, in Bendtner and Eboue, which helped stretch the field and provide the spaces for Nasri, Diaby and Van Persie to weave their magic.

The second change involved making Van Persie the main man up front rather than Bendtner.

Van Persie played very well indeed, receiving the ball and bringing players into the game.

But more importantly he posed a real goal threat.

Thirdly the team played with lots of pace and high tempo. This did not allow Roma to settle nor have time on the ball. The excellent Diaby and Denilson chased everything and challenged for every ball and all players when in possession pushed forward at pace.

Eboue made runs with the ball from midfield into forward areas, went passed players and sometimes found his man. Nasri whenever on the ball dictated the high tempo with his quick passing and probing.

But the most important change was the full attacking philosophy adopted.

One of the two central midfielders, Diaby, was allowed to be forward minded rather than being defensive (which is what both Song and Denilson are when they are deployed).

But more importantly the two full backs were allowed to take the hand brake off and resumed their forays into the opponents half; an approach that we were beginning to think was a thing of the past.

Add the much improved Eboue into the mix and the only players that were restricting themselves to just defending were Almunia, Gallas and Toure! This was a team that had only one thing on its mind: Attack.

Are we likely to see this formation, but above all, philosophy adopted form now on?

I hope so!

Wenger begun a project a few years ago based on youth and versatility. He nearly won the Premier League last year bar the injuries that beset a thin and relatively young squad. That would have been his greatest triumph.

When you consider that there is Fabregas, Eduardo, Adebayor, Walcott, Rosicky and Arshavin yet to come back the capability, versatility and more importantly the quality of the depth of this squad is frightening.

Like a monster that grows in size and tenacity by the minute. It will soon be ready to engulf anything that lies in its wake…


39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post!! Good analysis without being too clever!

Anonymous said...

Good post. As brilliant as this team and formation was last night, wenger seems to make gambles like this in europe and not in the league, remeber fenerbache, we had a great fromation with diaby shining then, we came back to stoke and lost!!, but i hope wenger starts to use these sorts of fromations in the league, am sure of Roma couldn't cope the like of stoke and fulham will find it hard too

Anonymous said...

You either don't go to games or you haven't been paying attention. Wenger employed this formation in latter parts of the Portsmouth, Bolton, and West Ham home games and the Hull away game. Each time with a great deal of momentum gained, mostly succesfully. The only surprise is why he hasn't stuck with it continuously. By the way, it's more of a 4-2-1-2-1, as Nasri plays a bit deeper than the two wide players for the majority of the time.

Wrighty7 said...

Nice one 1970's!

Anonymous said...

I've always said that the fans are truly underestimating the squad we have. If Denilson and Diaby can keep playing like they do now while Cesc hits top form then we will win the PL title next season. We'll do a Bayern Münich. =]

In my opinion, this is what we should play. Cesc in Diaby's role, Denilson in his own, replace Eboue with Arshavin and his penetrative play, with and without ball, and put Walcott on the right with RvP dropping deep to link up play in between them. Not a team in the world would withstand that. And still there is Rosicky, Adebayor, Eduardo, Vela etc on the bench.

Almunia
Sagna Djourou Gallas Clichy
Fabregas Denilson
Nasri
Walcott RvP Arshavin

Anonymous said...

finally, something positive about arsenal for a change! great post!

Anonymous said...

i couldnt agree more with post, this could be start of something hugee.

Anonymous said...

Good post! The formation worked like a charm. I don't understand why wenger choses to be defensive by bringing in song! Roma started having more chances when he came on. I think denilson is turning into a little gattuso!

Anonymous said...

Video Game AccessoriesVideo Game Accessories Game AccessoriesGame Accessories S3 accessoriesPS3 accessories Wii accessoriesWii accessories DS accessoriesNDS accessories PSP accessoriesPSP accessories XBOX 360 accessoriesXBOX 360 accessories PS2 accessoriesPS2 accessories iPhone accessoriesiPhone accessories the north facethe north facenorth face jacketnorth face jacketnorth face jacketsnorth face jacketsNorth Face Mens JacketsNorth Face Mens Jacketswomens ugg boots womens ugg bootsmens ugg boots mens ugg bootskids ugg boots kids ugg bootsUGG Boots Accessories UGG Boots Accessoriesugg boots ugg bootsuggs uggspandora pandorapandora bracelets pandora braceletspandora charms pandora charmsPandora BanglePandora Banglepandora charms braceletspandora charms braceletscharm bracelets pandoracharm bracelets pandorapandora bracelets ukpandora bracelets ukAbercrombie And Fitch Abercrombie And Fitch ed hardy ed hardy Laptop Batteries Laptop Batterieslinks of london links of london tiffany jewellery tiffany jewellery ugg boots ugg boots As Seen On TV As Seen On TVthe north facethe north face

Anonymous said...

Useful info. Lucky me I found your site accidentally,
and I am stunned why this accident didn't happened earlier! I bookmarked it.

Here is my blog ... Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet

Anonymous said...

It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be
happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few
interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to
this article. I want to read even more things about it!


Also visit my weblog; homepage

Anonymous said...

An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto
a colleague who had been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it
for him... lol. So let me reword this....
Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this subject here on your website.


Stop by my homepage - Look At This

Anonymous said...

If some one wants to be updated with most recent technologies afterward he must be pay
a visit this site and be up to date daily.


My website :: http://www.wheelhousebikes.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, marvelous weblog structure! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?

you make running a blog glance easy. The whole look of your web site
is excellent, let alone the content material!

Here is my web blog - Recommended Site

Anonymous said...

Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really recognize what you are speaking about!

Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my web site =).

We could have a link trade agreement among us

Also visit my web-site; Get the Facts

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right.

This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how
much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!


Check out my homepage Chaussures De Football Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Hi to every one, the contents present at this web
page are in fact amazing for people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.


Also visit my web blog; Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

Hi there to every body, it's my first go to see of this weblog; this website includes awesome and really fine data for readers.

my blog post - Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

An intriguing discussion is worth comment.
I do think that you ought to publish more
on this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not talk about these subjects.

To the next! Many thanks!!

Here is my webpage :: Solde Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

We're a bunch of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with useful info to work on. You've performed an impressive job and our whole neighborhood shall be thankful to you.



Here is my blog post; Abercrombie & Fitch

Anonymous said...

I do not even know the way I ended up right here, but I assumed this submit used to be great.
I don't know who you might be however certainly you're going to a famous blogger should you are not already.

Cheers!

My web site :: Sac A Main Louis Vuitton

Anonymous said...

I am now not certain the place you are getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or figuring out more.
Thanks for great information I was in search of this
info for my mission.

Visit my webpage - Air Max Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

I got this web page from my friend who told me regarding this web site and at the moment
this time I am browsing this website and reading very informative articles or reviews here.


Have a look at my website: Cheap Jerseys

Anonymous said...

I think what you published was actually very reasonable.
However, consider this, what if you composed a catchier post title?
I mean, I don't wish to tell you how to run your blog, but suppose you added something that grabbed a person's attention?

I mean "Wenger changes formation and tactics but he is really creating a monster" is kinda vanilla.
You could glance at Yahoo's front page and watch how they create article titles to get people interested. You might try adding a video or a pic or two to get people excited about what you've written.
Just my opinion, it would bring your website a little
bit more interesting.

Also visit my web site ... Air Jordan Femme

Anonymous said...

Fastidious respond in return of this difficulty with solid arguments and
explaining everything on the topic of that.

Feel free to visit my website ... Christian Louboutin Heels

Anonymous said...

I am really grateful to the owner of this site who has shared this enormous paragraph at at this time.



Here is my web-site: next page

Anonymous said...

I am not sure where you are getting your information, but good
topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.

Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.


my web page; Tory Burch Shoes

Anonymous said...

I am not sure where you're getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.

Have a look at my web site: sp1wiki.space-pioneers.eu

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this
post and also the rest of the website is also very good.


Feel free to visit my blog post; More Help [gymspot.com]

Anonymous said...

Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this
technological globe everything is presented on net?


Also visit my website; Michael Kors Bags

Anonymous said...

Does your site have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but, I'd like to shoot
you an e-mail. I've got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

Also visit my web-site - Nike Black Blazers *http://overuc.com/*

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Carolina! I'm bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you provide here and can't wait to take
a look when I get home. I'm shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I'm not even using
WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good site!

Here is my web blog Gafas Oakley Baratas

Anonymous said...

Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up
fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

Look at my web blog; Air Max Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It actually used to be
a enjoyment account it. Glance advanced to far brought agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we communicate?

Also visit my website: Kevin Durant Shoes 2013

Anonymous said...

magnificent issues altogether, you simply received a new reader.
What might you recommend in regards to your put up that you simply made a few days
in the past? Any sure?

Look into my blog post ... Louis Vuitton Purses Outlet (ngosummit.com)

Anonymous said...

If some one wishes to be updated with most up-to-date technologies
then he must be pay a quick visit this site
and be up to date daily.

Feel free to surf to my site - Sac Louis Vuitton Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Fastidious answers in return of this issue with genuine arguments and telling all concerning that.


My blog ... Wholesale Jerseys [http://nysacpr.org/cheapjerseys.html]

Anonymous said...

Hey there outstanding website! Does running a blog
such as this require a great deal of work?

I've absolutely no understanding of computer programming but I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyhow, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic but I just wanted to ask. Cheers!

Also visit my website - Michael Kors Outlet

Anonymous said...

Hey! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I'd figured I'd ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or
maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My website
addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you're interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

Feel free to surf to my web blog - Kobe Bryant Shoes 2013