In seasons gone by, Gooners would look upon a defensive set up by the home team on trips to the bus stop in Fulham or the Theatre of Snores, as a mark of deference to our attacking prowess, but more recently this Gooner sees this as evidence of how easily a pragmatic manager of a (possibly) slightly inferior team can beat a more talented and creative side.
Sunday’s match demonstrated that Ancelotti’s team (even though Ray “Butch” Wilkins was in charge of preparing Chelsea for this game this was very much the way Carlo would have done things) could adopt a cautious and slightly defensive approach to the game. This stemmed more from a confidence that Arsenal would allow gaps to form behind the attacking line which-if possession was conceded-allow the home team to break at pace, due to our tendency to build up attacks slowly, while more and more midfielders/forward players get involved.
While it’s true harking back to the halcyon days of TH14 and the pace he gave us is of little use when our paciest player has only recently started to develop into a goal scorer, there must be an alternative to the tendency by the team to dwell on the ball and persist in attempting to find the ideal pass through a claustrophobic central portion of the final third of the pitch.
Think back to the games at the Theatre of snores and our place last season against the original Manks – again the opposition played with a lone man up front and crowded the midfield, but more importantly they were happy to concede possession in midfield knowing that the tortuous forward progress of Arsenal attacks would not threaten their goal unduly.
Back then it would seem the obvious interpretation to this would be Fergie acknowledging his team couldn’t match our midfield passing, but as I now believe it is more that Fergie didn’t see us as having meaningful or effective possession that would be of material danger to his team’s chances of victory.
So the two teams who have consistently beaten us in recent years have worked out a way to exploit our predictability, however how much of this perceived weakness can be attributed to Wenger’s approach, if any?
While I don’t agree with some who say that Wenger does not place much emphasis on the defensive side of the game I feel there is some truth in Wenger being fallible to the human trait of concentrating on that part of a task that is most interesting to him. It’s this enthusiasm for creative midfielders that are small, nimble and technically gifted that has made the possession game a hallmark of Wenger’s team; however when a strength becomes so overriding it can become a weakness.
So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind;
Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily;
Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness;
Sometimes one is up and sometimes down.
Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.
Lao Tzu (c.604 – 531 B.C.)
In my opinion great teams always have a combination of skill and power which allow a flexibility and adaptability to counter differing types of opposition and match conditions.
There is no denying when all parts of the Arsenal passing game combine and/or are allowed to combine by the opposition and/or referees the team is unstoppable however a saying I’m fond of “The bigger the front the bigger the behind” is relevant here.
This means that, for example, the more a person seems to be arrogant and has a lot of “front” the more likely it is they are in reality nervous and lacking in confidence and have the “behind” of self-doubt. With regards to our passing game the more the reliance on that one aspect of our game the more debilitating the effects of not working on our ability to win matches and play the game our way.
The question is firstly has Wenger actually presided over the development of this teams makeup so it is over reliant on a methodical and measured build up to attacks orchestrated by midfielders of a certain type?
If so then why has he done this? I feel perhaps the zeal to create such an identifiable playing style is being given undue importance.
Perhaps a little pragmatism from our no doubt deep-thinking manager would go a long way however having worked in Japan for a number of years in which he gained an appreciation for the oriental way of life and thinking I feel he may figure the solution to the squad balance conundrum out for himself.
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning all, the above post was part inspired by an exchange with RedA in the comments section here yesterday.
Morning chary,
You ask some very reasonable questions that should not be dodged by even the most steadfast suporter. I hope the comments received will discuss the content rather than the author’s motivation.
A very interesting read Chary.
I was disappointed when he dropped Keown as defensive adviser after part of one season. If I remember correctly it was 4-5 years ago, maybe when we got to the CL final. Keown was brought in to work on our defense and did great, we really tightened up.. but the next season he wasnt kept on and I think our defense hasnt been the same since. Maybe AW feels a tight defence gets in the way of the attack and he will sacrifice one for the other, thinking he will gain far more than he loses.
Agreed Raspers, I expect some will only red the title and the first bit and not read it through to the end where they will find my take on the status quo.
Thanks London, I often try and tie in what I see on and off the pitch to other things, in the way that I see the football arena as a metaphor for life, without trying to sound like an entry into “Pseuds Corner”(from Private Eye.)
BTW – I had to “like the post” myself, nothing like tooting your own horn.
Hi CharyB,
put me down as a “like” then! 🙂
It is true to say that many of my “non-blogging” friends seem to be saying much the same thing about a sense of Deja Vue when watching Arsenal play, over the last few years.
The personnel may change but the style tactics never do.
For any one doubting the lack of exhilerating speed in the team and their approach play, compared with times past, have a look back at a recording of Sunday’s game.
One thing, in particular, stands out to me, in this respect. It is the image of little Arshavin with his little legs going like pistons making herculean efforts to out pace the taller rangier opposition, only to have to check back and try a give and go instead.
This run, check and pass is repeated over and over again by a number of our players.
They are NOT slow, but neither do they have the searing, scintillating pace that we used to luxuoriate in.
The result is that there are insufficient incisive breaks being made and the ball, out of necessity is being passed, seemingly endlessly, back and forth across the face of the massed ranks of the enemy. Sorry opposition! 🙂 Sun Tzu has me in his grip. 🙂
CharyB and I are as one on this observation. Or are we? 🙂
It’s a case of “madman seldom differ” on that RedA.
Good observation about Arshavin sprinting but then checking back, as if he’s been brainwashed into passing via a give and go rather than opening up the Chav flanks with a run to the bye line.
It’s been suggested the GPS packs theplayers have are remote controls for players, if they don;t pass within 5 seconds of getting the ball they get a little electric shock.
just like to LOL charybdis1966 for the electric shock1 good1;).
Im a young arsenal fan and only really grasp the game while watching thierry playing for us.. he didnt have the ball skills of nasri but had enough pace to kick the ball along side any defender and beat him with pace.. we still have that in walcot and he seems to have evovled this season however if his gonna be injured for 40% of the season i dont know cause i dont the little russian master has it in his pants to perform like olds anymore.
we need some1 wo can be penetrative from the bench or who can start when walcot or arshavin is injured or who can take thier place in the side when they not performing.. I dont want to turn this into a transfers blog but ive been praying to see jesus navas or edin hazzard in our squad, maybe maartin stekelenburg.. and 1 more decent defender i think the blokes we now have they are all right.. and will mature faster in the premiership sice they have been thrown in the deep end of the pool..
AND ALSO I HAVE READ SOME OF YOU GUSY IDEA’S AT BLOGS AND HOW CAN WE GET THESE IDEAS TO MR. WENGER REALLY.. WE FANS NEED TO BE HEARD AND I DONT WANT IT BECOMING SO DESPERATE THAT FANS HAVE ANTI-WENGER BANNERS AT OUR HOME GAMEZ.. sorry for shouting..
Ghena,
Interesting viewpoint.
There are a number of reasons why we are having problems turning our beautiful football into a consistently trophy winning team.
Blistering pace is one of those things but I do not see anyone in the reserve or youth teams who have this rare commodity. And I do not think AW is about to open his cheque book again in the Jan Transfer Window.
Morning All,
Belatedly from yesterday, as I’m just catching up. I agree wholeheartedly with Rocky’s point – “I don’t understand the argument that we never looked like scoring”
Apologies Chary, not read your post yet, but will do.
Welcome Ghena, you have every right to shout if you feel frustrated with things regarding our club and who wouldn’t want to see genuine pace on the flanks regularly? While I have my doubts about who, if anyone, will arrive in January I cling to the hope(albeit an irrational one)that a world class,ready to play, player or two will arrive.
Hi Red Arse,
I think we will buy a keeper in January.
Interesting read Chary. I happen to think that AW is striving for an almost perfect way of playing – one best epitomised by Spain and Barca (and they’re not too shabby). It has been an at times frustrating experiment
for us fans, but I, for one, am prepared to let it play out a while longer because if it ever really finds it’s feet it will be awesome.
Rasp,
If we bought a really first class GK in January, I would welcome such a transfer.
If it is a desperate old Schwarzer I would rather not bother, frankly.
Oh dear RA, I think it will be Schwarzer 😦
Raspers, I want you to be wrong and the new goalie to be someone other than MS – Reina, Neuer ,Steklenburg but I think you will be right.
R lives – I waver between your view on Wenger’s approach to the team dynamic and the opinion I tend to in my headline post. Even a smidgen of pragmatism would reap dividends and I’m sure most Gooners would not object to adapting to the opposition’s strengths occasionally.
Chary, believe me, your post expresses all the secret fears that I myself have about our current approach. I’m keeping the faith, but there’s a Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder telling me to wise up. Today Jiminy happens to have materialised in the form of a certain Charybdis1966…
chary – I want to be wrong! The only reason I can see to recruit Schwarzer would be in a coaching role or if AW thought that Szczesny was one year away from being our first choice keeper.
As regards my view of the team, manager and tacics, I agree with you and rocky and disagree with myself 🙄
R Lives- I switch between Pinocchio and Jiminy to be fair as when our system works I feel so proud, but when it doesn’t a touch of despair hangs around me(OK, dramatising a bit there.)
Because this question causes me so much confusion I aimed to gauge the reaction to my take, so far it appears to be a conundrum that will vex greater minds than mine.
Talking of paradoxes/conundrums -good view on your opinion Raspers, disagreeing with yourself !
Bloody telegraph, one of their hacks seems to have ripped off my ideas in today’s post ! This just came up on Newsnow: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/jeremywilson/100012847/why-arsenal-keep-getting-it-wrong-against-both-chelsea-and-manchester-united/
Can I claim for plagiarism?
Rasp: “I agree with you and rocky and disagree with myself” – that just made me splurt out my morning coffee. Fantastic.
Chary – there’s one line in that Telegraph piece I don’t agree with: “For all their (Arsenal’s) moments of dominance on Sunday, the better chances fell to Chelsea…”
Not true at all. Drogba’s goal was not even a half chance, it was a quarter chance brilliantly converted, and the other goal was a free kick. The only other clear chance they had was when Anelka went round Fabianski and put it wide – but that was when we were chasing the game at 2-0 down. We had the better scoring chances throughout the game.
That’s right R Lives, we had the better chances but the Chavs executed their shooting more efficiently and utilised their lesser opportunities to the tune of 2 goals realised.
Obviously the bits that made sense in the Telegraph article were ripped off me! 🙂
Absolutely Chary – I’d sue if I were you.
I suppose I’m banging on about the chances created/converted issue because an awful lot of Gooners are seeing Sunday’s defeat as yet another in a direct pattern with the previous four defeats and with the defeats to ManUre. But I thought I saw the beginnings of us changing the patterns in key ways (like not being physically out-muscled, being generally more sound in defence). There’s still much improvement to be made, but I guess the divide between us at the moment is whether you think we’re stuck in the same rut or whether we’re starting to plough a new furrow.
I’m a Furrower (?). Does that make you a Rutter?
Not sure R Lives, but as long as it doesn’t make me an “uphill farmer” I’m happy !
🙂 🙂
Rasp,
I worry for you if you have a Jiminy Cricket the size of CharyB on your shoulder, you will join our magnificent manager, mentioned in the Post title, in being unbalanced. 🙂
Get off CharyB! Or at least withstrain any desire to trump while you are up their! 🙂
Their = there.
Heir, hair, here, hear, there, their, bear, bare beer, beir.
Don’t you just love English? 🙂
RedA – it’s not Raspers who has the Jiminy, it’s R Lives.
Too many people beginning with “R” on at the same time!
Why do I suddenly want to start humming the theme to “It’s the hair bear bunch”?
Our good friends at 7am Kickoff have come up with this piece today highlighting some tackles from De Jong and Karl Henry, some very disturbing stuff – particularly from Henry
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/de-jong-and-henry-nothings-shocking/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+7amkickoff+%287amkickoff%29
Afternoon everyone.
I think a good word for many is “frustation”. We all have our own opinions,but when you look around and also talk to fellow gooners, many see a same pattern emerging as these last few seasons.
As fans,we can express what we see on the field.
Many have said if only we had our first choice 11 out there,things would or could have been different on Sunday.
Others are more critical and are saying things that AW must go(which isn’t going to happen as he is firmly entrenched within the club)However,suppose if we had a situation where he left the club, whoever took over couldn’t change things dramatically, if we are to believe that only a certain amount of money is available each year, and like it or not,we have to be for the moment a selling club.
I never expected us to beat Chelsea,regardless of possession(we have several times gone 1-0 uponly to eventually lose)but we have become too predictable and the loss to WBA was far more damaging.Look at the game again, they dominated us,played fluid football and bar a penalty miss we would have been 4-0 down.
I don’t expect us to have a squad made up entirely of world class players,but there are question marks about several players with regards to their attitude and standard of play and most of all consistency.
I don’t like to see us lose any game,but when you see one or two of our players laughing with the oposition as they go off the pitch, it makes me sick.Imagine Adams or Viera doing that.
loyalty counts for nothing anymore(as City have already found out,with fat wage packets, flashy cars and no real interest in the team, only themselves.)
People are saying we miss theo, who after over 4 years and several injuries had only just started to live up to his expectations and was showing more confidence,yet he has hardly played a handful of games.
Then there is Arshavin, still living on his 4 goals at Anfield.I rate his skill immensely,but he is a lazy player,can we afford a player like that in our team,who also on a weekly basis through his own website is forever going on about one thing or another.My guess he will be off this summer with of course our main man Fabregas.
The keeper situation has been done to death, and Fabianski had a good game, but I reserve my judgement.
Nasri is a great player but again not consistent.
Diaby: opinions are divided about him,and i don’t think even AW knows his best position.
of the new boys,Chamakh obviously bring a new dimension with his heading ability, but has he actually got a shot ? time will tell, but I feel not.Put him in the line up with RVP,that may be another thing, but how often will RVP be available.
Kos is better than Senderos or Djorou, but to me looks too error prone for the quality expected at this high level.
Squ looks the better bet, and again to be fair without vermaelen(who is due for a long absence) he has a lot to carry on his shoulders.
I said after the game that to me it was a risk to pay Song so high up the pitch,others disagree.
Jack on the other hand, matures with every game,is a natural talent and I don’t think we can afford to rest him at the moment.
Then there is chippy Vela, who gets 3 minutes when we are 2-0 down.What was the logic in that ?
One thing that has gone very quiet is of any proposed takeover, any ideas anyone ?
Chary I believe that players like Rosicky and Arshavin and to an extent Nasri have been brain washed into tippy tappy football, and to an extent their natural game or policy to shoot on sight is not on the agenda.
We are as near to the bottom as to the top and IMO look exactly a mid table side.Sorry if it is a bit blunt,but that’s how I see it.
Raspers – Tim @7am is hot on exposing lunatics like de jong, Henry and Shawcross.
Looking back on site stats we’ve gotten onto this weight loss tee sight somehow in the “Interesting websites” list on the right.
http://www.greenweightlosstea.net/do-you-have-a-favorite-wu-yi-tea-brand/
CharyB,
Are you saying that it is Rocky and not Rasp who is unbalanced? 🙂
Thank goodness they did not call it “the heir of the bare bear hair bunch”.
I’m going to check with your great chinese philosopher, Won hung Lo, to see what he has to say about it all. 🙂
Hi chary, yes I met Tim with you at the Emirates – what a great guy and extremely knowledgeable about everything Arsenal.
I always have a look at where our links come from and there are often strange connections.
Kelsey, that’s an honest assessment and there’s little there that does not have more than a lot of truth in it, except I would hope Arshavin –for all his failings – stays with us.
Rosicky and Nasri were natural “shoot on sight” attackers when they arrived at London Colney and who knows if the laboured attacking style was imposed on them, whether subconsciously or overtly.
I don’t think Wenger needs to go, only that he compromises slightly on his principles of the metronomic passing style and becomes less rigid in his tactics and formations.
Hi kelsey
That was a bit of a rant!!!! I think that the chavs could have upped their game at any time on sunday if we’d scored but also if we’d had our first choice eleven on the pitch from the start they may not have felt so confident about giving us so much possession.
All that aside – had we gone 1 or 2 up early on they would have had to come out more instead of waiting to hit us on the break.
Thanks for the reply, chary.
peaches “if” but it didn’t happen.it wasn’t a rant it was a fans point of view from far flung distant places 😉
Hi Kelsey,
You seem a bit down but variations on your valid comments are being expressed by many somewhat disillusioned gunners.
One point I will put forward where I disagree is Squid over Kosser. (I would not have bought either if I was manager, but we have what we have).
Squid is far too light weight and again in Sunday’s match was knocked off the ball far too easily. I know that has happened to Kosser too, (hence my bracketed comment above), but Kosser is far better at defending the ball in the air.
On Sunday’s performance? Squid 5; Kosser 6.
Gnat’s arse stuff I know, but it will cheer you up telling me I am a buffoon! 🙂
Well done chary for the post, I believe that AW has searched for and developed the kind of player that will be able to fit this system. The shame of it is, as many have said today, that we only have a handful that are excellent at the passing game and that when they are unavailable we have no plan B and WE ALL MISS THE PACE THAT WE HAD WITH HENRY IN THE TEAM WHEN WE COULD COUNTER ATTACK WITH EASE.
Fan From Far Flung Place – how are you 😛
chary,
I’ve mentioned many times how we seem to ‘coach’ the shooting instinct out of players, but then again, it didn’t happen with the invincibles – quite the opposite. It does appear that there has been a change of emphasis in our style of play over the last 5 years.
Red Arse,
I actually agree with you about both Kos and Squid aren’t really good enough,but perhaps with true leadership on the field things might change.
Rasp,
but apart from cesc, we don’t have the quality of player from 5 years back., and sometimes this season I get the impression that the team tires more easily than in previous years,but maybe all that possession is eating their energy up.
Fine peaches, thank you.
Thanks Peachy, and it proves to those who thought I favoured the girlies as I wasn’t waiting for you to crack the whip like I usually do as Raspers asked me to write the post.
Hi kelsey,
I do believe the quality is improving (not over the Invincibles) in the form of players like Jack, Theo and Nasri, but I worry that we have too many who are injury prone.
I hope so Kelsey, because they are going to be with us for the next 3 to 4 years!
Arsene won’t let them or any other player go easily. Unless they retire or refuse new contracts Arsene never seems to say “sorry mate you are just not doing it, bye”.
In this, his temperament will out; he is far more reactive than proactive.
Kolo and Barndoor wanted out. Even with Gallas and Campbell Arsene was waiting until THEY made THEIR minds up, before going for Squid and Kosser.
Oh Arsene, the shame of it. The Club before any player, PLEASE! 😦
I had a chinese (meal) for lunch, and I’m pretty sure it included a far flung plaice. Spooky eh? 🙂
“far flung plaice.”……………nice one 🙂
Rasp,
I am always cautious of disagreeing with you as your ideas are invariably based on sound observations, but here goes! 🙂
I do not for one second believe that the shooting instinct is coached out of our players. It is a counter intuitive view and simply does not compute Mr Spock.
Rather, I think it is the consequence of the way we play without spring heeled wingers or CF’s. My comment above already states my own belief that little legs going like pistons does not necessarily equate to pure speed.
We pass to one side of the penalty area, then pass to the other side of the penalty area, in front of the massed ranks of defenders, and any shots are then blocked or are just not “on”.
That is why we have so few shots on goal.
Sorry Rasp. 🙂
There you are Kelsey, we have cheered you up. 🙂
I don’t know guys; there are ideas, views arguments all spewing from my finger tips; pace, tactics, analysis and, apart from CharyB, no one is agreeing/disagreeing/arguing telling me I am a widget?
I am going to take my ball and go home if no one is going to play! 🙂
RedA, I thought we were talking about what we say to inveterate lotharios : ”Hasn’t your fling flung itself yet?”
You’re included in the “Authors on AA” widget RedA, but you are not technically a widget yet.
I think your blogging pace is too much for the others, although I too am struggling to keep up at times.
CharyB,
I would love to be described as a Lothario and behave in a selfish way in my sexual relationship with women, but sadly they have always been totally immune to my overtures! 🙂
Now if you meant that you think I am an invertebrate, there are many who might think I am a spineless pillock. 🙂
Not wanting to upset either Red Arse or Rasp I have to say that you are both right and wrong – I agree that Rosicky, Arshavin and even Cesc have been guilty of not shooting but Nasri does seem to be intent on wiggling himself into areas of space and unleashing a shot.
I’m quite happy for one of the earstwhile sharp shooters to have a go – Denilson for example, if he’s far enough forward – but when Clichy has a go its always a waste.
We need to bring an element of surprise into our game.
Red Arse,
Read your own comment back 😉 you have explained the reasoning as to why the player’s shooting instinct is ‘coached’ out of them. The style of slow build-up play that we coach allows the opposition to get so many men behind the ball that “shots are either blocked or just not on” = it’s as a result of our coaching…. n’est-ce pas?
Perhaps I should have said a “persistent lothario” , although I didn’t mean you, it was merely a pretext to haul out the old “flung your fling” gag.
It makes me laugh anyways, RedA. 🙂
CharyB,
I do not deserve to be anywhere near a list of AA authors. There are so many others on this site who have refreshing and interesting ideas and views.
My pedantic scribing is sometimes an embarrassment to me and I have withdrawn from writing posts for any site until I have learned how to do it better, by reading the comments of others. 😦
Agreed – its as a result of our coaching.
If AW wants it to be played like that then he can’t complain when oppositions know exactly what we are going to do – reminds me of the brilliant idea to send a long ball over the top to the lazy one who almost always gave away possession.
No peaches – he was just offside 😛
RedA, you stand amongst the list proudly sir !
If anything my navel gazing self-indulgence doesn’t deserve to be posted up in preference to most of the others, yours included.
Anyhoo – offski now, catch you all later.
I disagree Red Arse, a post can just as easily be an original idea – very brave – aswell as an amalgamation of the thoughts of others.
You know you are very welcome to submit a post to this site.
In fact … we need something for tomorrow!
Peaches, Rasp,
my response to Rasp was not intended to be provocative, but I think I may need to expound on my disagreement.
I stand by my demurment with Rasp’s coaching critique. What I said was that shooting was not coached out of our players, it is the consequence of our style of play, which in turn is the result of our physical lack of searing pace.
No pace, hence check, pass back and hope for a give and go. Give and go invariably results in cross field passing, giving the defences a chance to regroup, cutting down the chances of shooting, blah, blah.
Ce n’est certainement evidente mon ami?
Hi Guys,
Really enjoyed the post Chary & enjoyed your views Kelsey too. I feel Kos is the better bet for the future & thought
Squid seems to be making more errors from the commentaries I’ve heard of late (internet not up to speed at the mo’).
I still feel that AW’s missing a side-kick who he will accept critique from, especially one with defensive skill. Maybe DD was that man but Pat Rice certainly isn’t.
Hi Pat7,
long time no sea as the cod said to the kipper. 🙂
My stay in Cyprus (part business) was splendid particularly with the gorgeous weather, as you promised! 🙂
I do not believe Arsene would refuse advice from any qualified person, but he would still do what he wants regardless. So would I, in truth! 🙂
CharyB, you are far too modest about your Posting!
Peaches, you and Rasp always make people welcome on this site and credit to you for that.
I am no longer writing for the reasons already stated (no doubt to the relief of many), but you have so many excellent authors I am sure someone will come galloping up with a sparkling new Post for you! 🙂
Cul Rouge,
Don’t worry, you’re not being provocative at all, it’s an interesting point.
I would say that if action ‘A’ leads to consequence ‘B’ then it is fair to blame ‘A’ and not ‘B’. You appear to be blaming our recruitment policy (small players without searing pace) for us getting into positions around the goal where a pass is a better option than a shot.
a-t-il du sens?
Are we really as shot-shy as some of you seem to think? In most matches our ‘shots on target/off target’ far exceed the opposition’s (even Sunday was a case in point) and our goal attempts often number in the 20s.
Frankly I don’t want to see our players shooting straight into the legs of the defender in front of them. If the shot’s not on, don’t take it. Move the ball on and try to find an opportunity elsewhere.
Taking the hint from my friend CharyB’s 4:52, I will bid you bon soir, mes amis.
Jusqu’ a demain.
Rasp, just seen your comment, before I departed.
Yes, without the players with searing pace, a la Henry, Walcott, the consequences are as stated; it is not a coaching issue at all.
Bye.
By the way, in keeping with the Chinese theme on here over the last couple of days I have a question:
Given that Alex Song’s uncle Rigobert was also a pro, does that make our wandering midfielder part of a Song Dynasty?
rocky,
There are so many parameters you could weigh up to assess our ‘shooting policy’ – time in possession of the ball has to be one. Presumably if we are always probing and passing to create the perfect shooting postion, we should have a high percentage of shots on target.
Interesting, very interesting …….. the thing is all teams have players that take a shot – a bolt from the blue if you like – some work some don’t.
Red Arse – do you think that AW has changed his tactics because he lost the searing pace of Henry or because he fancied doing it another way?
Au revoir Red Arse,
I hope you realise this was all very much tongue in cheek.
I thought to do a post about shots/shooting/goals last week but the research put me off – and before you insist the research is still going to put me off.
Bon soir Red Arse – maybe you’ll check in later peut-être?
😆 rocky re you’re @ 5:30
We missed a trick with your post the other day, we should have called it “Where does Song Billong?”
Wheres 26may when you need him?
Rasp – “Where does Song Billong?” That’s pure class.
When we do a post on our number 2, should it be called: “About Diaby”?
Better than “Donkey Diaby” rocky
Bon soir mes petits felou’s,
Oh no, that’s a little yoghurt I think.
In line with the Chinese thing, I am pretty certain that Confucius say something about many goals scored against Gooners are on the bweak, and like spawwow hawk, Gooners need to attack at speed when stwiker has vision of goal clear and uninterwupted like still dew on morning gwass.
Know wot I mean
I do think it would be interesting to see some stats on goals scored on the break against those scored against the massed ranks of a defence. It seems to me that we are always asking goals to be found having threaded the ball though the eye of a needle.
I think that I am very juvenile and it is probably a very good thing I cannot hang around tonight. I put it all down to the medication!
Nothing wrong with a little juvenilia every now and then MDi89.
Fucking masterpiece that Chary !! Top top work.
I’ll have a read up of the comments, and like Rasp said, lets hope you got/get the response that quality piece deserves.
Thanks S Sure, I’m glad you liked it even if you may not agree with it completely I hope it will have got you thinking.
Next post I’ll try and incorporate something from the Rig Vedas.
Whilst stil marvelling at the eloquence of your work, I have to disagree with what I think is its central theme, namely that Chelski and Man IOU sit back in the belief that we can’t really hurt them. I disagree and tomorrow I’ll tell you (all?) why.
If there’s a slot for tomorrow Peaches, then I’ll have something for it. Having said that I’ve yet to read thru todays comments so its partly dependent on my points not having been debated to death/covered already.
Rasp: Donkey Diaby 🙂
You’re on top form today!
Post in drafts for tomorrow if you need it. Pictures would help, lots of them, its quite short, although, I’m guessing in a couple of days time posts will be so scarce that if someone were to write the word “Arsenal” that will enough for a head line post. The pictures would be good though lol.
OMG (said in a very loud shrill American women’s voice)
I have just noticed that Sharkey has offered to do a post, I will gladly stand back.
No worries London….
I’m happy to leave it to Peaches/Rasp greater authority to decide.
Agreed, Donkey Diaby was a pearler…but there really were too many to mention to start singling them out….oh..??
Rasp
You should have kept Where does Song Bilong? It was too good to waste.
Guvna no 2 here – Sharkey have you written something?
London can yours wait a day or Sharkey can yours wait a day?
I was thinking that by the weekend we could just have some pictures and play the ‘What happened next game?’ followed by ‘Spot the ball’ and ‘Give us your memories of this player’
London’s definitely follows from today and maybe Sharkey’s will too so …….. it’ll be a surprise ……… but I can’t wait to read Sharkey’s.
Thankyou London 😀
Nearly there Peaches…..
“can’t wait to read Sharkey’s.”
eXPECTING A TYPO FEST ARE YA…
Oh dear…just bloody too ironic to correct !! Lol
A Typofest indeed 😉 can you email it to arsenalnuts@live.co.uk when you’re ready Sharkey please
Done.
You’re a star Mr SharkeySure – thanks xx
Peaches, SharkeySure sent it to me for the once over from a sane and rational mind.
I’ve rewritten it completely, and resent it directly to you on his behalf.
Sharkey, no offence mate, but dont give up the day job ! 😉
Nite all
Morning all,
The medication is wearing off, so may I begin to day by ending yesterday as I should have.
Charybdis, that was a terrific post.
Donkey Diaby and Where does Song Bilong are both so good it hurts. May have to go back on the pills.
Mickey…Me and Frothing will have any spares that you don’t use
Karl Henry “Having watched it again I can see that it looks horrific and realise that it was a deserved red card,” he told the club website.
“I’ve already apologised to the manager and the boys, but I’d also like to apologise to the supporters.”
So no apology to the player who’s ankle you nearly smashed to pieces then..?? Nice. Wot a shitbag that guy is…
Thanks MDi89 – but I think it may be about time I did one of my anti Mank/Fergie rants.
S Sure – I’m glad that you have inspired to write a post at long last, I knew you had quite a few posts in you and I’m sure they’ll be spiffing good.
Morning all
Theres a NEW POST from a new and long awaited author
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