ARSENAL V Legia Warsaw

[GunnerDude]

Was that really our first team defence, really? from dm-gk? REALLY?!

Its a sad day when we conceed goals against a forgien team that have taken set-piece tips from Fat Sam's tactical box. My word, I had major flash backs before that 2nd goal went in.

Regardless of who was playing we conceeded 5! and these players are likely to start against Liverpool and a couple other games this season, so anyone going on about no Cesc, Song, Diaby, e.t.c so its okay to conceed 5 in a pre-season has LOST THE PLOT!

At this point I am willing to sell a kidney to help sign a new goalkeeper and center back, even a defensive midfielder

If defensive negligence was a crime then Arsene would be put away for life. He might aswell sign Suarez and put him in goal since he likes to concentrate on attack alone.

[g88ner]

Was that really our first team defence, really? from dm-gk? REALLY?!

Is that aimed at me?

If so, I said it was our first choice DEFENCE - Song is midfield, and Fabianski is a goalkeeper. Yes, they're part of the defensive unit, but I was referring to the back 4 - and, yes it was our first choice back 4 - Sagna, Koscienly, Vermaelen and Clichy.

My point wasn't about conceding goals, because I'm fully aware that Flappy has a shocker, BUT I was more referring to the way the back 4 defended as a unit, and the way they didn't seem to have a clue where the other members of the back four were. They should be working as a team, but I didn't see any of that - it looked like every man for himself, in my opinion. Too much space and not enough organisation at the back. It was a horror show.

[GunnerDude]

I really should start making who am talking to clear. No it wasn't ment for you, unlike some, your points are valid.

[franksav63]

Sorry, but I've only just gone through the last few pages of this thread, and can't believe that some on here are still rosetinting all over the place.

We have beaten a Polish side 6-5 (conceding 5 yes, fucking 5 goals, with a back 5 that could start against the bin dippers, in 8 days time.

What else has Wenger got to witness, the Wigan 3-2, debacle, the Blackburn surrender, still fresh in his memory from late, last season, if he goes on like this, today's win, (well the 5 goals against, will be forgotten by him by tomorrow)

[augie]

Didnt see much of the game (only first 20 mins or so) and agree with rebs that the camera view was shocking

Obviously as a result of that I can only go on what I am reading on this thread from other members and of course it goes without saying that I'm worried shitless right now I dont see the point in blaming kos for being shit for ton ite (as seems to been the case) cos yet again it is as a result of wenger's square pegs into round holes......we all knew that we need an aerially dominant centre half and it was well established that this wasnt kos's area of expertise so why play two similar centre backs to play together ? Wenger's thinking sometimes is ridiculous

Can anybody tell me how our young polish keeper played in the 2nd half btw ?

[GunnerDude]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl9aKcZ4Ayg

Thats all you need to see Augie.

I honestly cant get the scoreline out of my head and I reallly want to know what Arsene has to say about this.

[donaldo]

Didnt see much of the game (only first 20 mins or so) and agree with rebs that the camera view was shocking

Obviously as a result of that I can only go on what I am reading on this thread from other members and of course it goes without saying that I'm worried shitless right now I dont see the point in blaming kos for being shit for ton ite (as seems to been the case) cos yet again it is as a result of wenger's square pegs into round holes......we all knew that we need an aerially dominant centre half and it was well established that this wasnt kos's area of expertise so why play two similar centre backs to play together ? Wenger's thinking sometimes is ridiculous

Can anybody tell me how our young polish keeper played in the 2nd half btw ?

He made two excellent saves especially a save to stop the score being 6-6 I know he is inexperienced but given the choice between Chesney and Clown number 1 and Clown number 2 i would choose Chesney

[g88ner]

Can anybody tell me how our young polish keeper played in the 2nd half btw ?

Didn't have much to do, so it's difficult to judge really.

[Nick Bendtners Ego]

Only caught the text commentary of the game near the end and yet to see the highlights and so in normal circumstances you reserve judgment til evidence in all its gory/glory is seen . In this case All bets are off . Bloody hell , I'm worried . For a variety of reasons this does not bode well for the Season . Kos may yet come good and we even become a tighter unit but that's no use if its going to take a while and if a few games in, we've already fallen behind the usual suspects . We can't afford to rely on the others being equally as shit and unpredictable as we did last year .
It seems Alarm Bells are ringing every where except the hallowed walls of the Emirates offices .One week to KO and it seems we're in serious total disarray at the back with no sign of of defensive Cavalry in the form of a New proven keeper and a commanding CB . As a lot you you guys point out , what does it bloody take to make it more obvious that we ain't going to move on to a new level until we remedy these Issues .
The defensive malaise obviously has been gnawing away at the team for a while now and the Managerial powers that be, have to long hard look at their decision making .
Signing TV whilst shrewd only papered over the cracks in the Arsenal defensive wall . Gallas and his previous physiological unpredictability ,
Djorou largely unproven and Injury prone , Sol whilst a great performer
in the tail end of the season but was always a Gamble and as has since
proved , would only be short term . Then there was the signing of Silvestre . Saving a few bob on a Fergie off cast that again was only ever going to be Short term . Where is the Vision and Fore sight in the above ?
Surely it wouldn't have taken a lot to work out last year that by season
2010 we would only have one tried and trusted Center back . Should we
not have had a Kos type unproven player embedded in the system since last year knowing that he would be integrated (or other wise) for this Current Season . Not to mention the fact that the World Cup was coming around and making possible transfers a slow and long drawn out process
all the while the Clock ticked nearer to Season start with obvious deficiencies not being resolved . There's not much more to be said
about the Goal keeping situation . It's best summed up by "... we have no
NO.1 ....." a few weeks ago and yet.....................................
I have never questioned Arsene Wenger judgement up to Christmas 09 and i sincerely hope he knows more than a lot on this Forum . Right now i hope his mercurial powers of old are not on the wane . It could be a very messy start to the season .
Right now , 1-0 to the Arsenal looks a very desirable Scoreline

[QuartzGooner]

Just seen highlights.

Defensive horror show.

As a priority I would bring back Keown as defense coach, because no matter who we sign there was little effective organisation in defence.

[Dan_85]

Just got back from the match, probably the most crazy game i've been to for a while.

More negatives than positives yet again though i'm afraid. To ship 5 goals against anyone, is almost unforgiveable. Some of the defending today was the absolute worst, most abysmal i've seen in ages. It seems to be getting worse every week. Why the f*ck we still havent bought the necessary reinforcements is beyond me. It's absolutely ludicrous that Wenger is flat out refusing to address the areas we can all see need strengthening.

Nice ground & a decent enough atmosphere though

[g88ner]

Just seen highlights.

Defensive horror show.

As a priority I would bring back Keown as defense coach, because no matter who we sign there was little effective organisation in defence.

Quartz, a defensive coach of real quality is essential, but that's been the case for quite a while now, so regardless of how bad things get, I seriously doubt anything is going to change in Arsene's thinking

When Wenger arrived, he was fortunate to have guys like Adams, Keown, Bould, Dixon and Winterburn in the squad. They didn't need defensive coaching as they were already masters of the art. As players gradually came through into the team (Cashley, Lauren, Campbell and even Toure) it was relatively easy as the old guard had so much knowledge to pass down. They were almost certainly coaching the younger players.

Sadly, as time has gone by, the old guard, and all that experience, has been discarded and never replaced. We're now left with a new defence that has never won anything, and has no experienced experts to coach them and give advice.

It's a disgrace that it's been allowed to come to this, and I'm scratching my head wondering what Wenger's problem is?!

Just out of interest, WHO ARE THE DEFENSIVE COACHES AT ARSENAL??

[Its Up 4 Grabs Now]

Just out of interest, WHO ARE THE DEFENSIVE COACHES AT ARSENAL??

General Custer.

[Rob]

Just got back from the match, probably the most crazy game i've been to for a while.

More negatives than positives yet again though i'm afraid. To ship 5 goals against anyone, is almost unforgiveable. Some of the defending today was the absolute worst, most abysmal i've seen in ages. It seems to be getting worse every week. Why the f*ck we still havent bought the necessary reinforcements is beyond me. It's absolutely ludicrous that Wenger is flat out refusing to address the areas we can all see need strengthening.

Nice ground & a decent enough atmosphere though

-" SIGH" - from the horses mouth.

Didn't see the game but we are clearly a defensive basket case with 8 - just EIGHT ! - days to go before the kick off !

[g88ner]

Just out of interest, WHO ARE THE DEFENSIVE COACHES AT ARSENAL??

General Custer.

That explains it

I just don't get it, though. Football is a pretty simple game, based around attack and defence, and both disciplines are equally important, so why why why would a top manager (being paid £millions) for a top, top club (who aim to be the best in Europe) neglect the defensive side of the game??

It makes no sense.

Surely you do everything in your power to maximise your chances of success. And if your main talents as a coach are attacking, then you bring in a world class team of defensive coaches! - it's common fucking sense!!!

This isn't about money, because coaching staff are cheap as chips compared to even your most retarded level of Premier League player, so there's no excuse. They NEED coaching!!!!