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Sunday, October 06, 2013

Lack of width and Clarke's tactics stifle Arsenal

By 1970's Gooner

Arsenal played without a recognised winger against Napoli and played them off the park. But that was then. Ozil had a blinder but was not able to repeat it against WBA. Ramsey had a blinder but not against WBA. And the big difference was that Rosicky started against the Italians.

Rosicky is able to change the speed of the game with his forward runs and incisive passes.

He did so when he came on at the Hawthorns. Wilshere who is very uncomfortable playing on the wing came inside more and as a result got the goal and set Giroud up beautifully for a chance to win the game.

As a result of Arsenal's lack of width their play was mainly directed through the middle.

One would have thought that the full backs would have bombed forward as they usually do for Arsene Wenger's teams. But neither Jenkinson nor Gibbs showed up at the other end often enough.

Jenkinson had a very average game and so did Gibbs. Just about everybody had an average game bar Szczesny.

So, added to the off day had by all in the Arsenal team, came Clarke's tactics which were concentrated on blocking Arsenal's thrusts through the centre of the park by crowding that area realising that the threat from the wings was weak.

They worked hard and deserved their point which could have been three if old boy Anelka had taken one of three very good chances that came his way.

Arsenal will be firing again after the international break when Cazorla, Walcott and Sagna come back.

A point away today will prove to be a point gained come the end of the season.


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fair comment. I feel that the problem occured from the fact that OG needed a rest. No man can keep fighting for space twice a week, alone in the cener of the attack, and that put pressure off WBA defence.

Anonymous said...

The last 20 mins werecrying out for Gnabry.

Unknown said...

WBA stifled our attackers in the middle while ramsay and jack refused to operate on the wings. Strange enough i think arsenal have the players who could have done a far better job than wilshere(even if he scored)Gnarby, rosicky and ryo, do not hold their age against them these are matches that would make them men

Anonymous said...

We really needed Ryo to be subbed in this match as he is a legitamate wing threat. The only problem with Ryo is his final ball which can be lacking at times.

Anonymous said...

Sooner or later the gunners could not and would not be able to sustain the winning run.It's better to draw and start another another winning epl run of five to six games.It aint going to be easy .
Arsenal ,as I have said before,need someone to run at defender. This will send the defenders into panic and could lead to goals.
We will have to wait and see whether the likes of Walcoot and Chamberlain can lift the gunners.

Anonymous said...

Mesut is going to be a marked man and soon.All epl managers will find ways and means to stifle him.
It's better not to rely 100% on him for creativity.
I remembered Wright was 90% Arsenal's goal threat. Ther were games when he was neutralised and stifled and Arsenal drew or lost.