Hi guys I'm a new member, i'd just like to do my own post match analysis and try to be as objective as possible. First off credit to Norwich they played well, attacked well and fully deserved something from the game. This is quite long, but bear with me please! Things that I have picked up on while watching Arsenal matches is that lack of respect we show these 'lesser sides'. Against Wigan we played well, pressed them but we were defensively naive. This is what I mean by lack of respect, it's almost as if sometimes we have this 'go on attack us, i doubt you'll score' attitude. Vermaelen and Song are the main culprits, Vermaelen in particular. This isn't a scapegoating thing but I think Vermaelen is dangerously overrated by Arsenal fans. He's plays with his heart on his sleeve which endears him to the supporters, but we must be objective. His timing of his jump needs to be worked on as he often gets caught under the flight of the ball and is the immediately out of position. He has actually been the weak link in our back 4 and can be credited with goals such as, aston villa away, qpr away, wigan, norwich 2nd goal. He bombs up the field way too much, for the second goal today in the 25th minute he was in the oppositions half, leaving a large gap in defence that was fully exploited. This is what I mean by a lack of respect for lesser side, 25 mins into a game he's in the opposition's half. He should know a lot better and stop leaving the likes of Koscielny who has been outstanding all season exposed. We play in the Premier League sides have enough quality to expose every mistake we make. I fell Vermaelen potency in the opposition's half has allowed many to gloss over his mistakes, we need someone to coach the defensive side of his game as he is costing us. This brings we onto my point about Song. Again I am not scapegoating, as I'm not fickle but I have noticed the lack of cover he provides for our back four. Defending is not just done by our back four. Song is not by trade a defensive midfielder, he's box to box. But again i believe it's his responsibility to cover our back four. For the 1st which was a howler on Szczesny's behalf but that was very uncharacteristic, he is young and will learn. Song is ball watching, Hoolahan is unmarked and scores. Song NEEDS to be switched on and not just switched on for the big games, Arteta quiet efficiency has really allowed Song's footballing obtuseness to go unnoticed. Song is fine with ball to feet but football is played without the ball as well. That aggressive concentration is what makes top players, likes Martin Keown, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Scholes. Similarly against QPR Song was about on the half way line when Diakite stood unmarked and slotted in their second. For a defensive midfield it's absolutely vital you are switched on and track runs. Gilberto Silva in the invincible era was brilliant at shielding the back for. Song's assists like Vermaelen's goals has allowed people to gloss over costly deficiencies in his game. I honestly miss Flamini, he was outstanding in that deeper role alongside Cesc. Also the problem is Song has not got competition I feel we need a proper defensive midfielder in that role. Or Arteta should be given the deeper role, with his experience, 90 min concentration and quiet efficiency. He is a great deal more disciplined than Song and has played in the defensive mid position many times in his career. Another thing is that I feel we don't have enough winners in the side, RVP, Sagna, Wilshere and Koscielny come to mind as winners but we need more. Podolski is a winner, they all are players that are fully committed and determined to win. I was on Youtube watching a video called 'Arsene's XI' I remember Wenger saying Freddie Ljungberg would be sick for 3 DAYS if we had lost a game. Apart for the nostalgia it triggered, this is what we need. That may be extreme but every player in the starting XI in the 2003-04 season was a winner, that's what we need if we are to challenge successfully next season. We lost a winner in Fabregas last season but looks like we gain one in Podolski, but more of those are needed. Just one more thing why doesn't Arsene tell Song sit a bit more and provide more cover to our back four? Or to Vermaelen to not bomb forward in the 25 minute of a match that is at 1-1? When United make mistakes the same mistakes are not repeated the next game, SAF would go ape **** if similar mistakes were costing his side in crucial games. Wanna hear your opinions, would appreciate any comments!
that would really not be a good idea... fair analysis. its one reason why we should buy M'Vila, a true DM to shield the back 4. would also give song more licence to roam forwards as he likes to do.
None of today's midfield should be in our first team next season, although Rosicky will cover Wilshere until he is back to form and fitness. Song has improved this season, but not enough. Today's performance was typical of his inconsistency and deficiencies. Ramsey has to go back to the Cup team, then being used as a sub in the league, then, if he has proved himself again, another shot at the first 11. Next season it should be M'Vila, Arteta and Wilshere, covered by Song, Ramsey and Rosicky.
I think today showed us in clear daylight where we need a proper DM to stop us from being ripped open on the counter.
I pray we will still make it to CL- but I'm not hopeful. And if Spurs cave in, and the Oilwell do for Newcastle - we must not just sweep todays mess under the carpet. Big problems in Wenger's regime - major change required, or the growing competition for CL places next season will start a real fall for us.
If you do not have much trust in us, then maybe you could put your trust in teams as such Newcastle,Everton and even Bayern Munich. Amazing thing is, we could remain on the same points and still get CL football. It's not what it should have come to but sadly it's the case. Now it's not time for all out panic and to burn the house or stadium (like the Koln fans tried) down. Let's remain cool, hope for the best and then have some discussion about how the club should progress once everything is said and done on the field.
Would have been good not to have locked the stable door after the horse had bolted though. The disaster of the summer should have been rectified in January. Injuries, with a weak depth of squad, have caught us out again. Its not as if its a surprise given the last few seasons.
