Written by MickyDidIt89
Having professed to know the reasons why we have failed to land any trophies for the last 5 years in a rash comment on Arsenal Arsenal recently, I was challenged to put my keyboard where my mouth is and write a post to justify this claim! So here goes ……
Seasons come and seasons go, and always the same old criticism – no plan B, outmuscled and always trying to walk it into the net. Let’s look at last season’s league campaign. We were twelve points from the title. We drew six games. So, if you concede one fewer goal in each of these, you are Champions. Or alternatively, score one more in each; same story. Just six goals to score or avoid conceding.
Now this is very simplistic, I know, but it does highlight two things. The fine line between success and failure, and the importance of goals is the other. Strangely, all too often, the focus is on elements of the game that are too far removed from the ultimate and basic objective of goal scoring/defending.
The essence of my piece is that we are not as far away as some would have us believe. Have we strengthened the defence? I believe so. Have we strengthened the attack? No, not yet. Why not yet, because last season we had Bendy around for some of the time when RVP was injured. This term, both are injured and Chamakh is playing. So effectively, same numbers. Had RVP been fit all season, and Chamakh on board, we would have been very close indeed. We have not won anything since we last had a consistently fit striker.
At the other end of the pitch, we all know about the goalkeeper issues. However, one all too often overlooked aspect to the winning team is the on-field leader. It was pointed out recently that when Arsene describes coming Third as a Trophy, he is instilling a losing’s-ok mentality. I have always found in life that peer pressure, values and expectations are the driving forces that really get under my skin. Would drawing any game have been acceptable with Tony Adams? Would you have wanted to be in the dressing room with Tone after the WBA game? How about in there with Almunia or Cesc as Captain? Thought so.
My two solutions are thus. One, find a Captain. I am hoping that Verm will be the man, and two, sort out the injuries. Are we overtraining? What’s with the medical team? RVP being sent for placenta treatment. Give me strength!
It is not a compilcated game. I can’t speak for my fellow bloggers, but I get sick of the constant “Arsenal have no Plan B” bollocks constantly levelled at us by commentators. I take criticism very badly (apart from when its about my spelling, when I totally ignore it), and when people criticize The Arsenal, then its personal.
Can I give you my version of Plan B. We do not have one, and we do not need one. Nice, crisp and clear. The reason we only need one plan is that we do not play to lose and we do not play to draw. Therefore, you put eleven men on the pitch, using roughly similar patterns. Then you have a few spare players who sit next to the pitch on expensive faux leather seats. Finally, you have a Leader who wears a tailor made suit of sober design with a shirt and tie.
It is my belief that had Verm, Cesc, Theo and RVP all been on the pitch against Chelsea, or sitting in the expensive faux leather seats, then we would have beaten those tall, heavy, overpaid chavs.
I can only think of one tiny flaw, and I am reminded of the words of Mr Ron Atkinson. He had just taken over at Sheffield Wednesday (I think) and it was the eve of an important local derby, when he supposedly said that he missed the “good old days, before all this tactics bullshit, when we turned up on Saturday, had some lunch, played football, had some beers, then went home”. Sadly for my theory, Big Ron’s team lost. He got fired.
If there is anything of any value whatsoever in what I am saying, it is this. I believe we are very close to domination, and we will do it The Arsenal way. Our way.
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Hi MDi89 – the answer is “Azerbaijan” !
CharyB,
And the question to your answer is;
Where does CharyB like to spend his summer holidays?
Me too! (not) 🙂
Nice one Micky, 🙂
You are right in pointing out that the difference between success and failure is very finely drawn.
The commentators fallback moan;
“Arsenal do not have a Plan B” should not bug you.
They are inadvertently agreeing with your thesis;
— we go all out to win all our games, no need for plan B.
The words of Mr Wenger was ‘you dont win championships conceeding 40+ goal’. We have now played 8 conceeded 10, with this ratio we will be at 40 goals against and played 32.
We need to make song sit and defend, he breaks forwards with sagna/eboue and clichy/gibbs bombing forwards as well, means we are exposed against teams which are quick on the counter, the only central player we have with speed to recover a quick counter attact on us is diaby and nasri depending on wether he plays that deep. therefore teams like west brom exposed us with thomas and odemwingy. we already have the players in atack to cause damage song needs to protect us from other teams doing damage to us.
Cheeky RedA – of course I was answering “where is our Tone?”
Talking of TA06, I like this snippet I found out about him:
And by his own admission, Tony is not a “people’s person”.
“I don’t actually like people. I’m a loner and if I had my way I’d just walk my dogs every day, never talk to anyone and then die,” he said following his dismissal at Portsmouth.
Morning all
I challenged Micky to give us his solution and fair play to him he put together a good read.
The lack of a number one leader on the pitch is always going to be a problem. Tony Adams was followed by Patrick Vieira both fantastic leaders but since them AW hasn’t felt the need to go in search of a player to fill their boots. Much as I loved Thierry he was never a good captain in my mind. Cesc sets a fine example with this his work-rate but is missing the ‘je ne sais quoi’ to be a complete captain.
I agree about Vermaelen being a possible future captain
hi CharyB, 🙂
At least Tony did not refer to himself in the third person, a la Fat Sam. Just imagine.
BREAKING NEWS:
Tony Adams interviewed on Sky News, said;
Tony: “Tony Adams does not like people. Tony Adams is a loner ….”
Interviewer: “What do think of Allardyce, Tony?
Tony: “Tony Adams thinks Fat Sam is a winker, Tony Adams would like to kick Fat Sam’s fat arse”
Morning chary – he was obviously just feeling sad and lonely
Mould Jack the lad into a future captain! I see him on the pitch instructing the likes of Arshavin and Chamakh.
Morning RA – wasn’t ignoring you ……..
Morning Peaches, 🙂
I have a confession to make; taraa, I did not really rate Squidgy as the type of player we wanted or needed. But; sitting/standing in the ground on Tuesday, I had a damascene conversion!
I now really like the guy. Squidgy was talking/yelling at the defence around him, trying to organize them, particularly Eboue and Clichy.
Eboue is too much of a free spirit for anything to influence him, although I thought he played O.K. with no end product, as usual, though he did appear to be listening to Squidge.
Clichy totally ignored the puce faced Squidgyman, much to his annoyance. More yelling produced little response.
But the squidger has won me over! 🙂
Anyone know how to open tabs on a mac?
I agree RA, Squidgy might be the one for the job too. Must be hard for him though, a complete unknown coming to the mighty Arsenal and handed the armband – obviously I’m wrong and AW went out and bought himself a captain.
Eboue must’ve been that excited to get a start again he wasn’t going to listen to anyone and Clichy just wanted to get on the score-sheet after his miss on Saturday.
Good thing we didn’t go to sleep like Inter did last night or we wouldn’t be able to laugh at the scum being so pleased with themselves.
I’m not mocking TA06 RedA – he’s my 2nd favourite player of all time behind DB10, I just was interested in how he’d changed after his addictive phase was over. That 3rd person way of talking is absolute shite agreed, I remember the Whore started talking like that in the last few months of his time with us – a sign of impending madness if ever there was one.
The Squid to me seemed a calm, authoritative presence along the back line on Tuesday with a good reading of the game. Eboue is a maverick and I noticed how often he was forward in advance of where you’d expect a RB to be.
To be honest I am a bit dubious that we need a “captain” as much as someone who will dominate the field physically. As a recent article here said we are just too small. Where is our Vieira? Our Storey? Our Adams and Keown?? Not only do we not have a midfield intimidator but no one is scared of our defense! Draogba and Davies wouldnt have been so effective against a CB pairing of Adams/Keown or Keown/Campbell or Bould/Adams!
On a personal note I once met TA in the players lounge after a match and he was really charming. Gave all the fans a few seconds when he signed autographs, unlike Cole who literally walked through the lounge, scowled when people asked for his signature and spent perhaps 2 minutes there tops. Other really nice guys, on the face of it of course, were Keown and Edu.
Hey, who write this? Dnt mind me, i disagree with d cal 4 new captain & d talk of d closer to dominace soon are all wishful thinking. We must change things but not captain. Our goal keepers are terrible, 2 many below average players & our players are collection of dafts & thiny bodies. All these must b corrected 2 have any dominance of any sort.
CharyB,
I know what you meant about Tony.
I was just flabbergasted that Sky or anyone could have broadcast such an utterly cretinous, self delusional rant, spoken in the 3rd person, as that which Allardyce gave attacking danny Murphy last week.
Neamman, the sizeist article i think you are referring to, is one I wrote, and without re-opening those arguments, I agree with your point, obviously.
But I was genuinely pleased and surprised by the Squidger, despite his lack of bulk. Shakhtar did not have big guys though.
On the other hand, Djourou is a young giant, and has skill, but although he played pretty well too, on Tuesday, I hope he toughens up by playing more games, because if anything, he is too gentle, in the manner of “after you Claude”, rather than “oops, was that your head I trod on?” 🙂
I didn’t hear about the Walrus’ rant RedA – he’s a good honest, Brit pro – so he’s obviously calling it as he sees it.
I think I get what you mean MDI89. But not having a Plan B justs mean you make substitutions only as like with like because of player fatigue.
No IMO, The Arsenal will be come too predictable, as the Chavs already know. This weekend, on the other hand, I’m hoping that The Arsenal will spring a surprise. If Arsene Wenger just goes up there to attack, attack, attack, they will not be able to hold onto a lead, coz that Plan B wasn’t there to implement, i.e consolidate.
But the good thing, either way, is that its only a couple of days till we find out.
Is the Togo Taranchula available 😉
The fella on Untold Arsenal looks a bit like Quentin Crisp 🙂
GG9,
Whether or not the TT is available, Mancini might prefer to leave him out as he has not played well this season (or last). 🙂
Fort William? I like the place but climbing all those blooming locks is a bore. Still the steam train back is fun! 🙂
CharyB,
No, fat Sam was calling it, wrongly, as someone called Sam Allardyce saw it.
You might have guessed, I am no fan of either of them! 🙂
RedA, the interviewer should have asked “To whom am I speaking now?” when the Walrus talked about “Allardyce says this…allardyce says that..”
Who is the walrus? Is it paul?
mr neamman sir
kevin davies has not been effective against us
he has scored once in 21 games against us
a goal up there that turned out to be a consolation in 08/09 which we went on to win 3-1 thanks toeboue
Gnarley, it’s Fat Sam Walrus-face Allardyce.
cont…bendtner and denilson
eduardu has scored twice in 2 games and 27 mins against us
bett to praise that gentleman than the knuckle dragging saviour of english football
MPH
I think that Davies has pushed our defense around for 3-4 years allowing other people chances to score. The number of goals he scored is not an indication of his impact. Like him or not the past 3-4 years he has lead Bolton’s line well given he doesnt have the most skilful of players around him. But be that as it may my point stands I feel, our defense is not intimidating.
CharyB,
99.9% of the footie bloggers on here will not be interested, though I seem to recall you might be, but anyway the NY Yankees won last night. Yaay! 🙂
We are in a 7 game series playoff with the Texas Rangers to see who gets to the Final. we were 3:1 down and if we lost last night it was Sayonara, Yankees. Can’t wait for the next game now, whereas I was expecting the worst!
I think John Lennon said he was the Walrus! 🙂
We don’t even have a Plan A in my opinion, these players go out there and adjust to whatever is happening, that is what Wenger wants.
I don’t think we need much to win the league, I am confident we would have won last season hadnt it been for the stupid amount of injuries to key players at a crucial stage.
We would have won in (2007-2008?) hadnt it been for the Eduardo/Birmingham/Gallas incidents that messed up our players up and could not win anything afterwards after leading the league for ages.
We will win something, maybe not this year, hope we do though.
Fat Sam 🙂
chary/red A
I learn something new every day on Gooner Blog World. I’m going to hit the sack now. Adios Amigos
I agree with you, we dont have plan b. Because, its funny to rely on an injured player, and thats, where wenger makes mistakes.
Afternoon,
Congratulations Micky on a fine debut post – your name now appears in the list of authors on AA.
I don’t think AW values the position of captain, but rather uses it as a motivational tool as in the case of TH14, Cesc and Almunia. I know he has said that he wants 11 captains on the pitch but that is never going to happen with young players.
I think/hope that TV will be our captain in the future, although I fear his achilles problem is worse than first thought.
Hi Erik,
I’m sure you are correct. We play one way/the same way in all of our teams from the youth teams upwards – it’s Arsène’s way
When are you mugs going to realise it dosnt matter if you have plan ab or c we will not win anything untill its our turn, i hear you all saying if Wenger does this or buys him or did that we would be champions, listen in the game against Chelsea when the dog scored there should have been a free kick, no a blatent free kick we didnt get it and they scored and thats how it goes in every game, its not what we do but what the authorities let us do, there are lots in the papers about match fixing and i honestly beleive thats why we dont have goaline technology!
Thanks ateve,
Your comment is interesting although I think it is a conspiracy theory too far. We’re a friendly bunch here so try not to refer to us as mugs in the future and we’ll get on much better.
… or should ateve have been Steve?
Ah RedA – you’re thinking I may have some transatlantic connection because of my blogging over at Tim’s place and my American TV series gravatar.
I’m actually an Essex boy and have never been west of Cornwall. Sorry 🙂
Micky. Fine post and no arguing with the sentiments. I agree we are not far away, but with the emergence of MC and the current strength of Chels, we are as far away as we were last year – which is not good enough.
I hope I am wrong
I totally agree with TJA, Song is a defending mid. Should stop “singing” forward. If he can’t listen put him on the bench. We are being exposed too much.
neamman
kevin davies has had 2 good games against us in 4 years and our last defeat against bolton 4 years ago was not 1 of them
he.was average that evening as he was in the 1 game that he has managed to score against us in 10 years.
he was below par up there last season as well
his 2good games were the06/07 fa cup tie at the emirates and last season league game at home
clichy was as good in both games as was vermaelen and sagna last term. the damage was done in the defeat by a very good diouf who was only matched by theo on our side that evening and the superb anelka.
anelka has 6 goals against us in 17games and his guile has caused us far more problems than lumpy old davies
mind you rvp has 2 in 5 against anelka
so maybe he should worry about us
MPH
I think you are missing my point. Which is big strikers, like Davies, Drogba seem to push us around, in my humble opinion.
But as I am mainly in China, Canada and Thailand I miss many games or only see highlights. so I bow to your superior knowledge.
I’m with you Neammann on this, sorry MPH.
It’s all a question of opinion and so who knows what is right? But Kosser has been jostled and pushed off the ball more than he should have been, by smaller players than the Drog.
In fairness Kosser has admitted himself that he needs to beef up, and is working to that end.
CharyB, I like you the way you are! 🙂
No, I did not think you had “damn yankee” inclinations, but if it was not you, there was someone else who recently surprised me with a deep knowledge of MLS and NLF goings on. Still it let me share my happiness with you. 🙂
RedA I may have mentioned something about the wage cap structure in the NFL/NBA, but it was purely as a means to suggest a way in which we could avoid the Premier League becoming merely a battle of bank balances.
The only other bit of NFA knowledge would be “Win it for the gipper”?
Great post Micky, with a good and convincing argument. However, I do wonder how much we really know about Cesc’s style as a captain. He seems to do plenty of talking on the pitch. None of us know whether he’s inspirational in the dressing room or just sits in the corner fiddling with his DNA; or whether, after a draw or defeat, he lays into his team mates or just chats about the latest Playstation game.
Whoever wrote that post was on drugs. Fact.
Rocky,
Hardly “good and convincing”. Next time, if our leader gives me an additional five minutes, I will give you “Arsenal World Domination For Under A Tenner”.
Now, be honest lads, doesn’t that picture of Tony Adams leave you feeling just a little gooey, in a very masculine kind of way. Works for me!
Is anyone else beginning to think that, given a run of games, Djouru might be very good indeed?
Micky,
You are only asking that question about Djourou so you can skive off cooking for five more minutes!
Actually I agree with you, although doing so with both fingers crossed, which is why typing is such a problem! 🙂
I’m going to flick through my new book. Dream Gardens of England….zzzzz
Micky,
Is that the one by Barbra Baker? I’m just looking at …… zzzzzz
RA,
Son to piano lesson…then cooking!!!
Who would be your CB pairing of choice?
Damn it Micky, now you’ve woken me up! 🙂
I would probably go for TV and Djourou, if both were fit. The little and large show. TV would help mentor Big D and it could well be a win win.
I agree with TV & JD should JD continue in his improvement. If not perm 3 plus TV.
Tonight I am off to see ZZ Top supported by the Doobie Brothers. An excellent night of nostalgia and rock ‘n roll. Can’t wait and I am sure 90% of the audience will be men over 50!!
Who do rate more highly, Squil or Kos?
RA, and some bearded women, so watch out!
BR,
For a second there I thought you had written 50% of the audience will be women over 90.
probably my dyslexia, or is my sdexyzail. 🙂
Oi Micky, I’m not going, I’ve got hair! 🙂
Anyway what’s wrong with bearded women they tickle and keep you warm.
Kosser over the Squidger for me.
Whoever came up with the word Dyslexia was plain cruel.
Totally different players Micky.
For the short term I prefer Squil but as a long term partner to TV or as a replacement during rotation Kos. Kos will become a very good player, but as yet he is not the strong arm man that Squil is
lol Micky
Admit it , you would like to be in the mosh pit with me and 2000 smelly old Danish men when ZZ play Tush….. and there are sure to be a scattering of Danish Heavy Metal girls who are lithe and smell of patchouli – my favourite combination ( well it used to be, now it is lithe and smell of Chanel no 5!)
RA,
You were bigging up Squil’s leadership qualities. My feelings are that, in the light of Gallas, it is not the best two individuals, rather what works as a defensive team, and we have had so many mix and matches this season that I really do not have the answer. Hence my question.
Lovely picture of Big Tone. I really wish him well in Azerbaijan. Can’t ever see him as AFC manager material but would love him as defensive coach
BR,
Ha Ha. I know exactly what you mean. At what age do men, unanimously, switch to Chanel No5?
I’m not sure he is stronger than Kosser, BR.
The Squidger is uglier though, so maybe that counts.
Enjoy the show tonight BR, I’m sure you will be rockin’ all over the world ……. or is that another group? 🙂
BR,
We should unleash Big Tone into the dressing room five minutes before kick off. Same thing at half time.
Micky,
I have not gone back on my comment about the Squidger, but the questions were, a) who is better Kosser or the Squidge; b) who should play alongside TV?
Actually, they may not have been the questions, but I could not be arsed to scroll back and check, and I am gambling you won’t either! 🙂
And Micky, I will never wear Channel No 5. When did you switch? 🙂
Yup. TA, Keown and PV should be the motivational team at THOF
Night All. Peeing with rain here and a 40 min cycle to the gig. Lovely ….
Right. Piano lesson.
Nite RA.
BR, better start sweating up! Essential to aquire the appropriate odour.
Yeah yeah RA. Read my comment back, and saw that one coming. Trust you to let me down!
Really off now.
Nite Micky, BR.
Saw Adebarndoor score his 3rd. Plonker!
On a more positive side, its going to be a lovely sunny day :cool:.
MDI89
Were you on drugs when you wrote that piece involving Arsenal’s Jimmy Nail look alike? Mullumbimbi Madness by any chance 😛
OI!!!! WAKE UP BLIGHTY!!!
Morning gnarley – sorry, you been talking to yourself 😉
Theres a NEW POST ………….
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