Is Wenger pointing the finger at his captain? (26/3)

[gooner.ed]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/exclusive/index.php?id=569

usual thread starter… everything is of course in the interpretation. In fairness to gallas, I’m not sure kolo covered himself in glory at the bridge either. I’ve a memory of the first goal being a result of disorganisation in adapting to chelsea’s change to 4-4-2 with anelka appearing. Both defenders could have the finger pointed at them for the second. An extra body was needed to deal with the aerial threat and with hindsight, it might have been worth chucking Gilberto on once the arsenal bench saw anelka being readied. Arsene’s not much of a tactician though, which is why we have taken so long to establish ourselves as a force in Europe. I just hope we have learned something from this game, even if it’s the need for a new centre back in the summer.

[26may1989]

In fairness to gallas, I’m not sure kolo covered himself in glory at the bridge either.

I'm not a particularly big fan of Gallas but the author, Mark Halfpenny, is putting too much of his own views into Wenger's email. Of course, Gallas is one of the people being criticised when Wenger says we failed to defend adequately on Sunday. But, as gooner.ed observes, Kolo had a distinctly off day as well, and was, in my opinion, one of those at fault (with Gallas) for the second goal. Clichy gave the ball away in the build-up to that goal and Almunia should have saved it. All of them share in the blame for that goal.

And then there is team-defending. We all know defending isn't only done by defenders, and various players underperformed defensively on Sunday: Flamini, Eboue, Hleb, Cesc, they all gave the ball away too often and generally lacked concentration.

I don't think we deserved to win on Sunday, we didn't play well enough, but we shouldn't have lost either. And the blame for that should be spread pretty widely amongst the players, as well as Wenger himself.

[chriscatchpole]

don't forget that Drogba nearly had his first when terry lumped it route one down the middle. were it not for the fact that the ball came off his knee into Almunia's arms we'd have been one down much earlier.....

where was the positioning, the tracking, the anticipation? I mean we don't lack for pace in the centre of defence....

and yet the danger went unheeded until they did score.

Andy Gray (for once) hit the nail on the head when he said that after we had gone one up, that we could not simply shut up shop and defend the lead like we used to, and like Chelsea of today can...

[I Hate Hleb]

Agree 100% with 26thMay1989. I think the author's imagination is working over-time.

Well done to him though. With interpretation skills like that, I'm sure it won't be long until the tabloids come calling to offer him a job on their sports desk!!

[Gunnerz4life]

After Anelka came on and they started playing 4-4-2, we simply couldnt deal with their power and pace. The injury to Sagna didnt help matters either, and we conceeded the equaliser before we could settle ourselves. We started defending deep and it led to our downfall. I dont think Gallas is soley to blame for that, Toure was kicking air which resulted in the second goal. Clichy gave the ball away a few times at dangerous positions.

But having said that, I feel the time has come for Wenger to scrutinize the Gallas and Toure partnership. It doesnt work for me.

[BT]

I agree - i think its more about how the partnership works and Kolo has looked slightly rusty since ACN. The Sagna injury didnt help and what about Almunia's punching the ball?

I think since Birmingham, the press won't drop the Gallas strop issue and despite doing it most games, thats the first time they've filmed the 'huddle' - probably to fuel further criticism, and give sky-watching chelsea fans something to chew on. No one complained about the pre-Milan huddle. I personally like him as a captain and other players have praised the way he fires them up. He's more of the Adams mold than Henry ever was.

[gooner.ed]

i am not sure about the wisdom of letting the cameras into the intimacy of the huddle. just seems wrong somehow, although it was interesting to hear gallas talk about playing football rather than maiming the opposition. if chavski had such a heads together, i'm not sure john terry would be accentuating the finer points of the game.

[I Hate Hleb]

NOT SURE THEY HAD MUCH SAY IN THE MATTER GOONER.ED, UNLESS GALLAS WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP HIS CUSTOMARY - YES MEDIA, HE DOES IT BEFORE EVERY GAME!! - PRE-MATCH HUDDLE TO USHER THE CAMERAMAN AWAY. EVEN IF HE HAD, SOME WOULD HAVE USED THAT AS AN EXCUSE TO BEAT GALLAS WITH!!

I AGREE WITH BT. EVER SINCE THE BIRMINGHAM GAME - WHERE I THINK GALLAS DID LET THE SIDE DOWN WITH HIS STROP - THE MEDIA AND SOME ARSENAL FANS HAVE BEEN LOOKING OUT FOR REASONS TO LOB GRENADES - MUCH AS THEY'VE DONE REGARDING THE ADE/NIC INCIDENT SINCE THAT HAPPENED.

[Chippy]

I think the most interesting thing about this story is the fact that AW did single out a specific area for criticism. This is very unlike him and I honestly can't think of a previous occurence. (However lots of brain cells being lost to alcohol .

I will actually go further than the author and expect to see some fireworks between AW and Gallas, up to and including him being dropped v Bolton or even leaving in the summer. Looking forward to my call from the Sun.

[jay.asnl4life]

Now, every one is pointing fingers at the defenders, but don't forget, players like Gallas and Toure can easily improve their skills in the air, such is their quality and no complaints about the full backs, they're the quickest in the league. But what about the attack, we lack cover there. Personally I think the game would have been very different had Rosicky or Eduardo been present. Can't blame Adebayor (bad run of form) or Van Persie who is making a comeback after a long layoff, so what we needed was more threat (serious threats) from midfield. Hleb scored last against Reading at the Madejski, Fabregas is due a goal so is Flamini, it's best to leave Eboue out of this discussion, he ought to concentrate on discipline first.

I have serious doubts over the quality of Abou Diaby. The lanky Frenchman is definitely not a winger and we desperately need cover in that area. We cannot rely on Rosicky until his hamstring is operated on(only solution left.)

I strongly am against Wenger's transfer policy. We definitely need seasoned professionals if we want to have any chances in the Premier League or the UCL

[donaldo]

There are a lot of players Wenger should be pointing his finger at. Helb who has played one good game since the new year v Milan. Fabregas what has happened to his great early season form.Clichy who keeps having losses of concentration. To blame everything on Gallas is crazy.The truth is too many players have lost form and there are no good enough back up players to replace them

[BT]

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?this ... iam+Gallas

in case people havent seen it yet