Lessons we have learned - part 1 - Blackburn

[SteveO 35]

Given that this was undoubtedly the Summer that Wenger was going to prove all the doubters wrong and iron out all the familiar frailties of the past five years, I thought it only fair to compare the calamaties of last season to what happens this year.

Apparently this year we are "ready", "not where we were 3 years ago", "more mature" and as he said last year the problem was down to "a lack of efficiency defensively"

So, Blackburn away - certainly some very obvious lessons to be offered up from there last season.

First 30 minutes - 1 goal up, cruising, wasteful in front of goal
End result 1-2
Goals conceded owing to a complete lack of defensive organisation, an inability to defend set plays, and a goalkeeper unable to withstand any form of physical offensive at corners.

And guess what ? They'll be doing all the same things next week. Nzonzi, Samba and co. - 6'5" mountains, standing in front of the keeper, pushing and shoving at set plays, and the under-rated Pedersen one of the best deadball takers in the League. And if Arsene needed it confirmed then watch the highlights of their game away at Birmingham yesterday.

So, a predictable team, with obvious threats and defensive "inefficiency" ironed out over the Summer. So should be no problem for us ?

[g88ner]

So, a predictable team, with obvious threats and defensive "inefficiency" ironed out over the Summer. So should be no problem for us ?

I see what you're saying, but one game in isolation proves very little.

The only way to know whether lessons have been learned, is by looking back at a collection of tricky away fixtures at Blackburn, Bolton, Stoke, etc. and assess whether we've dealt with them better.

Either way, even ManUre and Chelsea concede goals at set pieces - every team does - so it's not about eliminating that threat completely, but improving our record.

[SteveO 35]

So, a predictable team, with obvious threats and defensive "inefficiency" ironed out over the Summer. So should be no problem for us ?

I see what you're saying, but one game in isolation proves very little.

The only way to know whether lessons have been learned, is by looking back at a collection of tricky away fixtures at Blackburn, Bolton, Stoke, etc. and assess whether we've dealt with them better.

Either way, even ManUre and Chelsea concede goals at set pieces - every team does - so it's not about eliminating that threat completely, but improving our record.

Agree with you which is why this is just Part 1. However, he has had several years to work out the Allardyce threat and wouldn't you expect at least better defending at set plays regardless of the result. Wenger is constantly lauded as one of the most 'intelligent' managers in the world so you would expect at the least a response to last season's shambles

Stoke away is another one where we will see what progress we've made together with the home and away's against the Chavs and the Mancs.

[crocit]

remeber it was Sol and Silvestre at the back that game but still i am not confidnet going up there, they will bully us of the park, strong tough tackles going in, we have to be at our top for this game if we want the win from Ewood Park, oh, and Sam Allardyche is a *word censored*

[BournemouthRED]

remeber it was Sol and Silvestre at the back that game but still i am not confidnet going up there, they will bully us of the park, strong tough tackles going in, we have to be at our top for this game if we want the win from Ewood Park, oh, and Sam Allardyche is a c**t

agreed, this is big sams favourite fixture! i wanna see us tear em apart the right way! and in turn giving big sam nothing to smille about!!!!

[MK Gould]

Hope we get a decent ref this time as Sam is bound to adopt the same tactic!

[rigsby]

Yeah both their goals had more than a hint of a foul. A decent ref would have ruled out both. What we have to do is just blitz them with pace and passing. I would absolutley love to see us hammer that cheating walrus into the ground

(Chamkah with a dodgy header as well please)

[Connolly55]

If we are ruthless in front of goal we shouldnt have any problems.

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

We did ok at Bolton and Stoke last season so we can defend properly in the intimidating grounds.

Blackburn is a club we have a decent record against and on Saturday I expect a thumping 4-0 win for Arsenal, I just think we will score early and rip the apart....

[g88ner]

[Agree with you which is why this is just Part 1.

Ah, yes - good point!

[AFCWozza]

Looking forward to this game, we have massive competition throughout our squad now, baring in goal, hopefully the signing of Squillaci will give Wenger something to think about. I would personally play a back 4 of Clichy Vermualen Koscielny/Squillaci sagna, a midfield 3 of Diaby, Song and Fabregas, a bit of beef in there, Van Persie, Chamakh and Arshavin/Nasri/Rosicky/Walcott/Vela, That would mean we'd have seven player who are 6ft or taller. Judging by Blackburn starting 11 at the weekend we'd be set up simulary to them phsyically, and its blatently obvious that technically we are far far superior to them.

If we get it right, we will smash them like a few years ago..

[Block91Broox]

A few years ago (about 2or3) Wenger employed a tactic against the likes of Blackburn & Bolton which I had been crying out for, for ages.

You basically put the biggest players we have into the team, this nullify's the oppositions strength i.e hoofing it, and just trust that our players superior technical ability to win out.

We won both games. Then we stopped doing it?????

imagine taking this team to Stoke:

Pending the imminent signings and fitness:

Schwarzer 6ft 5"

Sagna 6ft
Squillaci 6ft 2"
Koscielny 6ft 1"
Vermaelen 6ft

Song 6ft
Diaby 6ft 3"
Cesc 5ft 8"

v.Persie 6ft 1"
Chamack 6ft 4"
Bendtner 6ft 4"

That team could deal with as many set pieces and long throws as you like, yet still pass the arse off a bunch of Neanderthals for fun.

[Block91Broox]

Blimey Wozza. Talk about on the same wave length. The posts were even at the same time!

[AFCWozza]

Blimey Wozza. Talk about on the same wave length. The posts were even at the same time!

LOL! I suppose if Wenger ever does go, we can put in a joint application for the job I'm sure wenger will do something along the line of what we are trying to explain here. Technically Blackburn are inferior, even probably compared to our reserve side. Match them phsyically and they have absolutly nothing else to attack you with.

[MK Gould]

What's this obsession people have with height....

Some of the most intimidating players over the years have been the short arses with chips firmly on shoulders.