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.
tonysaunders wrote:I really wish Wenger would use these matches to try something new. And by 'something new' I don't mean playing Vela at centre forward, or playing Rosicky in central midfield - I mean like a different formation. The way Greentown are set up, it's actually decent preparation for the majority of teams we're going to be up against this season. But, we're sticking to the same old tactics and it's not working. It seems as though, offensively and defensively, nothing has been learned since last season.
When it comes to tactics, Wenger has brain freeze.
We WILL play 4-3-3 regardless of circumstances again this season... until the panic at the end of games when we throw everyone into attack at the same time. It's the Wenger way.
But for what it's worth, I agree; I'd like to see us being much more flexible and pro-active this season, but I think I've seen enough in pre-season (which is this game only) to know all I need to know about our tactics for the coming season. We're that predictable, I'm afraid.
Last edited by g88ner on Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Getting bullied like that by a Chinese team tells you a lot about that Arsenal team!
I'm trying to look at positives but seriously I can't: we don't know how to defend, that formation is fuckin' useless, we can't get past the center-backs! We're all so predictable! We're absolutely fucked if we don't sign at least 2 defenders but alas we've already made all our summer signings!
And why on earth does Wenger keep giving the likes of Vela or Rosicky a run? They'll never make it as Arsenal players...
Well let's hope for a better 2nd half
Last edited by Chips and Chocolate on Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
tonysaunders wrote:I really wish Wenger would use these matches to try something new. And by 'something new' I don't mean playing Vela at centre forward, or playing Rosicky in central midfield - I mean like a different formation. The way Greentown are set up, it's actually decent preparation for the majority of teams we're going to be up against this season. But, we're sticking to the same old tactics and it's not working. It seems as though, offensively and defensively, nothing has been learned since last season.
Totally agree - a packed defence, with most, if not all their players behind the ball and yet instead of attacking at pace on the break to try and get through while they are out of position we play one-paced one two's with a little flick which are being easily cut out.
tonysaunders wrote:I really wish Wenger would use these matches to try something new. And by 'something new' I don't mean playing Vela at centre forward, or playing Rosicky in central midfield - I mean like a different formation. The way Greentown are set up, it's actually decent preparation for the majority of teams we're going to be up against this season. But, we're sticking to the same old tactics and it's not working. It seems as though, offensively and defensively, nothing has been learned since last season.
Agreed, RVP looks so isolated upfront this half. Vela is starting after playing pretty well in the last game, and yet he's now starting on the right wing. A naturally left footed striker playing right wing...
We're crying out for a 4-4-2 or at least more of a 4-3-3 than it seems we're currently playing, but Wenger won't change it.
Chips and Chocolate wrote:Getting bullied like that by a Chinese team tells you a lot about that Arsenal team!
I'm trying to look at positives but seriously I can't: we don't know how to defend, that formation is fuckin' useless, we can't get past the center-backs! We're all so predictable! We're absolutely fucked if we don't sign at least 2 defenders but alas we've already made all our summer signings!
And why on earth does Wenger keep giving the likes of Vela or Rosicky a run? They'll never make it as Arsenal players...
Well let's hope for a better 2nd half
Whilst I think that we do need to buy a centre half or two, I'm not sure that's necessarily the problem. Vermalen is a class defender and Koscielny and Djourou aren't bad players. In my opinion, the problem isn't so much personnel, it's the way they're coached. It's hard to judge because you can't quite put your finger on what exactly is wrong, but it seems like bad decisions are made - a lot. There's always one player who forgets to squeeze up when they're trying to play offside or there's always one player napping when a free kick comes in.
The defence needs organising and I'm not sure Wenger is the one to do it. He's not going anywhere until the end of his contract (sorry, but it's true) so the only thing I can think of is getting some kind of defensive coach.
1-1
