Seems most Arsenal fans didn't read past the title of the article.

Not that I would expect them to anyway.

Dubbed, read the whole article. Darren didn't actually say it was anti-football, his point was that Arsenal fans accuse other teams who sit back and hit teams on the counter of playing ''anti-football'', yet we adopted those tactics and are praising the performance. He's trying to highlight the double standards. I don't entirely agree with what he's saying, but he's entitled to his opinion.

It didn't go straight over my head. Nor did I accuse him of saying 'anti football'. I read the article. I was just differentiating between the football Arsenal played today and the one Man U & Chelsea play/ed.

Samir

Anyway, I'm off to bed. Congratulations on your win. I actually hope you go through now as I'd like to see where you stand when facing the bigger boys in the knock out rounds to see if this improvement, from a tactical stand point, can be repeated over two legs where things are a little different.

And, despite how I enjoy the tactical intricacies of football, let's hope our game at the weekend is end to end attacking stuff with terrible defending like the good old days.

comment by (Dubbed The New Wenger) (U18614)
posted 37 seconds ago
It didn't go straight over my head. Nor did I accuse him of saying 'anti football'. I read the article. I was just differentiating between the football Arsenal played today and the one Man U & Chelsea play/ed.
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You're displaying exactly what this article is all about, nice one.

He doesn't drag in Park Ji Sung or play Ramires on the right flank cause Ribery or Ronaldo's there
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Surely this is tactical though, Dubbed? Trying to nullify the strengths of the opposing side? If it's effective and if it gets results, then kudos. I have to say I was surprised by Cazorla's and Rosicky's roles defensively. They're not ones renowned for tracking back and helping the team stay well-organised, but they did and that's what makes the victory more impressive - I didn't expect our attacking outlets to contribute so much and do all the dirty work out wide.

Darren Night.

Arsenal had 51% possession, though they had fewer shots on target, but they didn't park the bus. In the first half Dortmund did all the attacking, motivated by the home crowd.

I've read the article OP, and I have to say I disagree. We've barely every accused United, Liverpool or Chelsea of playing anti-football. I believe Wenger only uses the term when referring to teams or players (i remember him criticising fletcher) who he believes go out to hurt players and injure them.

Wenger use to be the worst at it.

I remember when we beat Arsenal 3-0 under Ancelotti at The Emirates, Carlo's tactics basically nullified any goal threat Arsenal had. Arsenal passed it about but created nothing all game and we brutally killed them off but Wenger was going on about Arsenal morally won

He did the same in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge when we won 2-0, but Ballack quickly put him in his place.

I hate it when people think there is one defined way of playing and anyone who does otherwise is committing some footballing sin, its arrogant beyond belief.

It was really good to see that Arsenal found a use for that open top bus after 8yrs years of being stuck in the garage.

Credit where credits due though when they parked it they did it well.

Wow how bitter is this article

It's disguised under a thin layer of praise, but it's so blatant

comment by Rusky (U15847)
posted 22 minutes ago
Wow how bitter is this article

It's disguised under a thin layer of praise, but it's so blatant
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I think you missed half of the article praising you Perhaps if you had actually read the OP, you'd realise how wrong you are

I see RespectedGunnerKonidiot has states wer'e getting battered on Sunday

Pretty glad he said that given how it turned out last time he aimed that at an opposing team

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/233686

I don't understand why Darren is getting a lot of hate from us Gunners on this article when I think he is spot on. He isn't hating on us he is just simply stating what was pretty much the case last night.

Arsenal 49

I never saw the game last night. I take it you played on the counter mostly?

comment by UnitedRedMacca-The Original Rooney Fanboy (U2024)
posted 2 minutes ago
Arsenal 49

I never saw the game last night. I take it you played on the counter mostly?
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They were pretty 'meh' in the first half - nothing special, but Dortmund were the better team.

2nd half they had 15-20 minutes where they were absolutely dire. Couldn't string 2 passes together and looked very likely to concede - for example, Dortmund had 2 goals disallowed and Scsz had to make a decent save or 2. Virtually the entire team was poor in that period.

Then they scored (shortly after the fans screaming for Giroud to come off) and the entire game changed. Arsenal were a hell of a lot more confident, and Ozil shifting more to the right was a great move, he was exceptional, imo. The last 20 minutes, Dortmund had a real fight on their hands, and didn't look anywhere near as likely to score.

Big stand out in their defence was Mert. Thought Kosc was a bit touch and go, he made a pretty poor challenge in the first half that the ref played advantage for, and should certainly have been a yellow.

Ramsey was good, Monreal was solid when he came on. Arteta was 'maybe' a little lucky not to get a red, I think he committed 2 or three fouls after his booking.

All in all, I think a draw would have been a fairer result, but the same can be said about Dortmund's win in the reverse fixture - essentially, it was justice.

No it's obviously bitter.

The OP couldn't fault the performance but still has negative things to say?

There are very few people who are bitter about anything, Rusky. He's making a point that some of your fans hold different opinions on a playstyle between when you play it, and when another club plays it.

Cheers Jay

Darren should get the hate. He is defending a silly tactic using the one example that is most popular and more importantly is not the same tactic he seems to be defending

Ac milan, celtic, united and so many teams went in with conservative tactics in hopes of picking of the odd goal on the break and all failed. It is not a new tactic or particularly original one. The common result for this tactic is a loss and the ultimate goal is to get draws yet the only one we hear of are the ones were the men of the match are defenders and keepers. They is no world in which football played like this is regarded as good.

Also, when you are close in possession stat, its not the same thing.

They is no world in which football played like this is regarded as good.

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Arsenal were 'good' for large periods yesterday. We were 'good' when did virtually the same thing against Madrid. Good football is NOT all about being incredibly attack minded and 50 pass goals.

Darren
it doesnt matter what u or people say about the game cos at the end of the day we won and thats all that matters

comment by WengersNearlyMen™⚽ (U5041)



posted 3 minutes ago


Darren
it doesnt matter what u or people say about the game cos at the end of the day we won and thats all that matters
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true dat

WNM makes a good point a win is a win no matter how you play.

Which brings me to Chelsea's exploits in winning the C/L a there were many articles and comments made about Chelsea parking the bus, now when Arsenal do it to some extent its different.

WNM i'm not saying you were one of them mate.