The game last night was one of the most depressing I've ever watched as an Arsenal fan. The worst part was it showed just how far we've fallen. Everton weren't scared of us, it was a genuine scrap and we were very evenly matched.
We need a change in formation immediately. We are just getting completely over run with our technical midfield and there is no urgency whatsoever going forward.
I propose we go to this formation.
GK: Sczezsny
RCB: Koscielny
CB: Mertesacker
LCB: Vermaelen
RWB: Jenkinson/ New Signing who can actually cross. (Let Sagna go)
RDM: Diaby/ New Signing with pace and power
LDM: Wilshere
LWB: Gibbs/ New more attacking signing
CAM: Cazorla
ST: Podolski/Theo
ST: Giroud/ New signing (Huntelaar)
Defence - Vermaelen thinks he's a striker but he's our captain so we can't drop him, this formation will give him more license but also far more defensive cover.
Midfield - It's obvious Diaby isn't ever actually fit so realistically we'd need a new powerful signing in the mould of Wanyama, Fellaini, Capoue. Someone who wont get bullied who'll actually break forward with a bit of pace, strength and directness.
Wing backs - Gibbs and Jenkinson would be our defensive options but I think it'd be nice to sign a couple of more attacking options, someone in the Insua (been exceptional since leaving Liverpool) or Marcelo (could never afford him but someone in the mould). Desperately need someone who can cross and give us a genuine option out wide.
Strikers - They'd get a lot of service from the free roaming Cazorla and the marauding wing backs, could play off each other with the target man dropping short and getting the flick ons for the pacier finishers (Theo and Poldi) but also having people in the box when we need it.
Absences: When the Ox develops his fitness he could be an option for the wing back role or even the Cazorla role. Ramsey and Arteta are just too slow for the premier league, completely kill the fluidity in our attack, Ramsey holds onto the ball for too long and Arteta is not a defensive midfielder but also not as good as Cazorla in the attacking midfield role. I say sell Ramsey (I would put a lot of money on us not regretting it) and say goodbye to Mikel at the end of his contract, use him as a squad player until then.
Arsenal's style has gone stale.
posted on 29/11/12
The football we play is appalling, didn't have a noticeable style last night and we aren't creating chances.
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That is the most annoying thing. We lack creativity at all and depending on Cazorla who needs a rest doing the magic.
posted on 29/11/12
Agree with the OP however I also feel the team is badly in need of fresh ideas, better motivation, and a manager who is willing to change and adapt.
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Don't think that has to do with motiviation. I do think the players are willing to do well but some of them lack quality.
posted on 29/11/12
Keep in mind that Everton are a match for anybody when they play at home. They expect to compete at the very least on even terms with any visiting team.
I'm not saying Arsenal haven't regressed they have but give Everton some credit they are more than a match for any English Premier League side on their own ground.
posted on 29/11/12
IMO there has to be a lack of motivation – or possibly it stems from the coaching ethos within the club. When you see players not tracking back or closing down, game after game you have to question their motivation.
It is not due to ability or fitness.
posted on 29/11/12
Mr Z
Completely agree that the game last night on a stand alone basis was a good result.
However when you combine Arsenal’s other poor performances it highlights again how far the club have regressed.
posted on 29/11/12
look, i'll support Arsenal regardless, but i don't get enthused the same way i used to about watching them, or just checking the results.
What has covered up our lack of success over the past 7 years has been our style of football, universally lauded by all. But that is seriously dwindling, and has been for a few seasons now. 07-8 we were fantastic, and in 10-11 we had a midfield and attack to rival anyone, but our back five weren't up to it.
Thats been the biggest frustration, coming so close,being a player or two short of really being contenders. I cant remember a time since the invincibles that i've looked at the Arsenal first team and not found any area we could really improve.
Arsene is a fantastic manager and revolutionised not only the way we play football but also the premier league. But i fear he's losing his way, persistency with poor tactics and the refusal to adapt is leaving a sour taste in the mouth of most Arsenal fans.
January is key for us, Wenger needs to show he recognises his and his teams short comings. A solid, physcial midfielder, Moussa Sissoko, Waymana (spelling) Capoue, and a new creative outlet would benefit us, but not unless the whole ethos of the team, management and training changes.
Let Bould take charge of the defence, and drill them into a solid unit.
Prioritise working on our play off the ball, we have to be aggressive, energetic and press the opposition in all areas of the pitch.
And get the players doing the basics right, pass and move, pass and move, quick direct passing, controlling the ball, moving into space. We desperately need to speed up the pace of our game.
Come on Arsene, give us a new and better Arsenal!
posted on 29/11/12
IMO there has to be a lack of motivation – or possibly it stems from the coaching ethos within the club. When you see players not tracking back or closing down, game after game you have to question their motivation.
It is not due to ability or fitness.
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I disagree with you on that. You can see that we already overplayed Giroud, Arteta and Cazorla and that Wilshere here and there needs a breather too.
They all looked tired.
If that is true it could be one reason why we werent closing down teams in midfield and of course our tactical approach on the other hand.
posted on 29/11/12
gunnerthru
You have proved my point. What motivation is there for players, when they know that they will be in the starting XI week after week after week.
Other managers are not afraid to wield the axe and freshen things up a bit. AW has also gone on record about playing players when “in the red.” However more often than not, they are straight back into the starting XI.
Captain Verminator
Agree 100%.
posted on 29/11/12
You have proved my point. What motivation is there for players, when they know that they will be in the starting XI week after week after week.
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Don't think so mate because the players who are playing week in and week out are the players we cant afford to rest or to lose due to injury. What we do need is depths to replace adaquate. I wouldnt go so far to say that the players who coming in are not even trying to do their best.
posted on 29/11/12
gunnerthru
That is the point. Some players know they are ‘undroppable’ as we rely on them so much and there is no competition for their place.
They know that if they put in a string of poor performances there will be no consequences. Ergo there is not the same motivation there is at other ‘top’ clubs.