I think we defended yesterday as poorly as we have since the 8-2 loss to Utd. It was a horror show and we were very lucky not to have conceded a few more - WBA were able to just run with ball to the edge of our box, take shots or play it wide to wingers on both sides who had 10 yards of space. Our defence is not going to improve until we get proper coaching in that area. M'Vila or any other player would look just as lost in our system of play.
M'Villa would be an essential signing. He is big, strong and mobile that has very good possessional awareness. As many have said already, we need someone to shield our back for and eliminate the gaping hole left behind when our central mids charge forward. Sometimes you need someone to do the simple things really well, and he is someone that would add a lot of value to our squad. This would in turn give more license to players like Song and Arteta to go forward. We want this!
We do need to tighen things up in defence and improve our closing down, concentration and work rate over the full 90 minutes. Hopefully with Bould's appointment, he'll be able to bring in some much needed freshness and postive affect.
Hmm not sure, im sure the defenders would welcome a player who would sit back with them and actually help defend. Too many times this season the opposistion have been left running 3v2 against our 2 CB. Even in the last few mins in stoppage time after RVP missed that chance somehow WBA got that chance when gibbs blocks. Th question should be asked how the hell did the ball even reach him and why was he left free with 2 mins left of the game and a CL place on the line.
I think the amount of times we've left gaping holes in the middle of the park just in front of our CBs this season, screams out that we need a holding midfielder in there.
We are not doing the simple things right sometimes. I hope with Bould's appointment, he'll be able to tighten things up!
Correct - which is why I think its a coaching problem. Truly amazing how often we are caught 2 vs 1 down the flanks, and how much space is between Kos and Verm (assuming they are even in defence)
Jayram - Surely the players themselves have brain and can think for themselves, they should know what on stake and that they have to defend. You dont go all out attack at 0-0 in the 1st 10-15mins. This team needs to learn patience and frankly players like Song & Verm need to look at themselves nd think more. The coaches are the same as when we had the invincibles but back then we had a player called Gilberto Silva who was like a freaking wall who would actually stay back and cover the gaps. Also having the man mountain called Sol Campbell helped.
Well if a player like Song is being TOLD to stay back and he is just refusing, then I would expect him to be dropped. I think its more a case of these players not being drilled enough in defensive play. Your point about the coaching staff being the same people is a good one - I checked and they are the same core. I can only suggest that the players who were coached under GG's team held more sway in the first half of Wenger's reign.
Maybe attach electric nodes to their gonad's that fire off when they stray to far away, leave bleeding great ravines behind!
... can see it now - Song getting electrocuted every 10 seconds... he wouldnt need to get his hair spiked at the hairdressers ever again.
Although I am for M'Vila as a signing, yesterday just shows how valuable Arteta is. He has a very subtle, un-sung role I feel. Much like other Spaniards, he's good at the less glamorous side of the game - shielding the ball from rival players, putting in niggling fouls to buy some time on the pitch, slowing down play or quickening the pace based upon individual situations. For someone who is also technically brilliant, he does the messy things well too, which is why Song has been able to get further forward this season.
The problem is even last season when song played more defensively, he was still out of position too often. The man doesn't know how to just "sit" !
I agree - if anything I think Arteta should be the first name on the team sheet in midfield based on what I have seen of him this season. with M'Villa beside him we have a potentially great combination - and with a bit of rotation we could set up offensively or defensively utilising Wilshere, Arteta and M'Villa - lets not forget M'Veilla could be given greater license to push forward if we need, add a creative midfielder - we cover many bases and have some quality in depth.
