As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
selsdon wrote:How did the system 'work' last season?
Did i miss something?
You speak as if we finished mid-table.
The system worked brilliantly, it allowed Song to concentrate on what he does best, and gave Fabregas the time and space he needed to put his marker on matches - hence his goal and assist record. We scored a lot of goals, despite our best stiker being injured, because of the attacking nature the system we have allows.
Where it did fall down was the defence - which we all know needs addressing (and looks like it is under some changes) - as we conceded too many goals. We also need to defend better as a team for sure.
But for me, the system is/was well suited to our style of the play and the players we have - it was just a shame RVP wasnt around (who is the main focal point of the 4-3-3) to allow us to reap more benefits.
selsdon wrote:How did the system 'work' last season?
Did i miss something?
You speak as if we finished mid-table.
The system worked brilliantly, it allowed Song to concentrate on what he does best, and gave Fabregas the time and space he needed to put his marker on matches - hence his goal and assist record. We scored a lot of goals, despite our best stiker being injured, because of the attacking nature the system we have allows.
Where it did fall down was the defence - which we all know needs addressing (and looks like it is under some changes) - as we conceded too many goals. We also need to defend better as a team for sure.
But for me, the system is/was well suited to our style of the play and the players we have - it was just a shame RVP wasnt around (who is the main focal point of the 4-3-3) to allow us to reap more benefits.
Sure, the 4-3-3 system did suit us at times, and allowed us to rip apart teams on certain occasions, but i feel as though our biggest downfall was the fact that we didn't change this formation and our tactics to adapt to a particular match. For instance, by going with the 4-3-3 clichy was left exposed way too much at the back, denilson was not fulfilling the hilding midfielder role at all and so we had a scenario where our defence would literally get torn apart from all areas of the field.
The 4-3-3 works well, but also on many times really failed as it doesn't give enough protection to the full backs, our DM's are not yet good enough to play the role efficiently; and it also stops clichy from being able to make those ovrelapping runs which he used to make 3 seasons ago.
selsdon wrote:How did the system 'work' last season?
Did i miss something?
You speak as if we finished mid-table.
The system worked brilliantly, it allowed Song to concentrate on what he does best, and gave Fabregas the time and space he needed to put his marker on matches - hence his goal and assist record. We scored a lot of goals, despite our best stiker being injured, because of the attacking nature the system we have allows.
Where it did fall down was the defence - which we all know needs addressing (and looks like it is under some changes) - as we conceded too many goals. We also need to defend better as a team for sure.
But for me, the system is/was well suited to our style of the play and the players we have - it was just a shame RVP wasnt around (who is the main focal point of the 4-3-3) to allow us to reap more benefits.
Sure, the 4-3-3 system did suit us at times, and allowed us to rip apart teams on certain occasions, but i feel as though our biggest downfall was the fact that we didn't change this formation and our tactics to adapt to a particular match. For instance, by going with the 4-3-3 clichy was left exposed way too much at the back, denilson was not fulfilling the hilding midfielder role at all and so we had a scenario where our defence would literally get torn apart from all areas of the field.
The 4-3-3 works well, but also on many times really failed as it doesn't give enough protection to the full backs, our DM's are not yet good enough to play the role efficiently; and it also stops clichy from being able to make those ovrelapping runs which he used to make 3 seasons ago.
Yep agree with your points, we do need to be more flexible - i think Marounne will be an outlet there as from what I hear, he could be useful in a 4-4-2 / 4-5-1.
Clichy had a poor year, and Sagna didnt have much of a better one - so I think their personal performances were often to blame as for geting hit on the break. Add in the lack of cover for Song (who along with Cesc and RVP were vital to the system) and its not hard to see why we didnt succeed - but i still think the system is a good one personally.
selsdon wrote:We conceded goals because the personnel of Sagna (Eboue), TV, Gallas (Campbell), Clichy (Gibbs) wasn't good enough and Wenger is now addressing that?
Or
We conceded goals because we need to defend better as a team suggesting the system employed doesn't work?
Which is it?
Both!
Defending as a team is essential whatever the system! It is to do with working hard, which many were were guilty of not doing. Arsenal are an attacking side, so we will concede goals, as MM9 says it was the lack of ability to "close games out" and as i said, some poor indivdual performances that cost us - which would be evident in any system we may have played.
selsdon wrote:How did the system 'work' last season?
Did i miss something?
You speak as if we finished mid-table.
The system worked brilliantly, it allowed Song to concentrate on what he does best, and gave Fabregas the time and space he needed to put his marker on matches - hence his goal and assist record. We scored a lot of goals, despite our best stiker being injured, because of the attacking nature the system we have allows.
Where it did fall down was the defence - which we all know needs addressing (and looks like it is under some changes) - as we conceded too many goals. We also need to defend better as a team for sure.
But for me, the system is/was well suited to our style of the play and the players we have - it was just a shame RVP wasnt around (who is the main focal point of the 4-3-3) to allow us to reap more benefits.
Sure, the 4-3-3 system did suit us at times, and allowed us to rip apart teams on certain occasions, but i feel as though our biggest downfall was the fact that we didn't change this formation and our tactics to adapt to a particular match. For instance, by going with the 4-3-3 clichy was left exposed way too much at the back, denilson was not fulfilling the hilding midfielder role at all and so we had a scenario where our defence would literally get torn apart from all areas of the field.
The 4-3-3 works well, but also on many times really failed as it doesn't give enough protection to the full backs, our DM's are not yet good enough to play the role efficiently; and it also stops clichy from being able to make those ovrelapping runs which he used to make 3 seasons ago.
I agree! At times we needed a plan B.
Although, some of that doesn't help when personnel change.
One example For instance. I think Song was missing for the ManU game at home (?) and Denilson took he's place. The goal came from a break away and the shocking thing was seeing Tommy V overtake Denilson who was jogging back. Tommy had gone up for a corner yet the player tracking Rooney was Denilson just gave up. By the time Rooney was clear and in the box Denilson's last ditch run was too late. So simple defensive errors costs us.
Infact you can blame Almunia for the first.
So the squad needs strengthening not just in depth of numbers but in Quality.
The best way to do that is to address the weakness and strengthen quality in that area.
At the start of the season the 4-3-3 worked because everyone was fresh and willing to pressure high up the field. Into the latter stages of the season, we tired and essentially didn't put pressure on the ball and we got punished for it. That's why many have called for a more defensive minded midfielder to accompany Song and let Cesc do his stuff.
Schwarzer?
Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Clichy
Song Melo?
Fabregas
Van Persie Chamakh Arshavin
I'd expect to line up something like that, probably without Melo but it was just an example.
The system isnt the problem but I feel that Wenger sould be more flexible with it, and not rigidly stick with it like he did when Arshavin was played as the lone striker.
