Having gone to the game yesterday, here are five things I learnt from the Arsenal:
1. A TOP striker is required
We have at our disposal the likes of Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo, Joel Campbell and Alexis Sanchez (if you can classify him as a striker, which I don’t) but we still urgently need that forward to come in and strike fear into opposing teams and one that can bag goals on a regular basis. Sanogo started yesterday and didn’t even get a shot on target. Giroud came on in the second-half and done the same.
2. Wilshere needs to be benched
Jack isn’t the same player as he was two years ago and this is perhaps due to the injuries he has suffered from then until now, but his off-field antics are also a cause of his poor performances. His development has stunted as a result and he has merely become a body in the side. He may need time on the bench to get his s*it together and come back a better player because the midfielder is not offering us anything at the moment.
3. Mertesacker has a tough job on his hands
Despite his age, Calum Chambers has shown that he is more than capable of starting for this Arsenal side and this isn’t good news for Per Mertesacker. The German defender should be back for next weeks game against Everton and Arsene Wenger now has a dilemma on his hands – does he put Per straight back into the side or keep faith with Chambers who has been immense in the centre-back role since his arrival this summer from Southampton. It is a good problem to hand but we may see Mertesacker take a backseat for the time being due to Chambers recent displays.
4. Zonal marking does NOT work
We again conceded from a set-piece and this was down to two reasons. The first one being that no one was standing on the back post and the second being we still use zonal marking. Hopefully Wenger realizes that this defending system simply does not work and could continue to be a thorn in our side’s chances of winning bigger games.
5. Arsenal still need reinforcements
I know we were without a numbers of players, like Theo Walcott and the three Germans in particular, but we still lack one or two top players to push this team forward. Don’t get me wrong, we do have a strong side, one capable of challenging for the title, but if Wenger can tweak one or two areas of the side before the end of the transfer window then we will be in better shape.
I agree with you on all five of your points (although less the case on point 1 unless we are talking Falcao) .I would also like to make five further points of my own:-
1) A midfield comprised of Cazorla,Arteta,and Wilshire is offensively innocuous and defensively flimsy.There isn’t enough pace or dynamism when these three look to move the ball forward as they slow the play down and therefore negate the forward line.We still require a proper holding midfielder capable of protecting the back four and able to move the ball FORWARD in a quick uncomplicated fashion when required.
2) Sanogo frankly isn’t good enough and has little value except as a nuisance to opposition defences.He is clumsy and unless he is given space to run into he doesn’t have any idea how to play off the opposition defence. Against sides that look to line up with two banks of four in order to stifle Arsenal’s attacking ideals,Wenger should be looking to play two up top.Only under such circumstances can I see any proper role for Sanogo….although my preference would be for Sanchez and Giroud or Walcott (when fit)
3) Gibbs seems to be almost as physically flimsy as the ubiquitous Abou Diaby and unless he can maintain a proper level of fitness he needs to be replaced.Monreal shouldn’t ever be considered as a first choice left back as Everton will undoubtedly prove,once again next week.
4)”Chesney” needs to look carefully over his shoulder.His organisation from set pieces was somewhat frantic,and his judgment somewhat lax.
5)As impressive as Chambers has been,so far, we are still a Centre Back short and an injury away from disaster.It is clear that Wenger doesn’t fancy Miguel and we have to find someone capable and willing to act as back-up CB (and likely to compete for 1st choicei) as well as,possibly,back-up left back.Howdes would have been ideal but is obviously not interested.
Absolutely spot on mate…u sure have a keen eye and wondeful knack for analysis!!! But i have to say this,we played a very malignant and obstinate palace side who impressed under Tony Pulis but i also believe JW10 needs to get his bony has glued to the bench to to make him get some sense,for Alexis he can only improve.
Really,friends I gree wholesomely with you that Sanogo is asleeping giant for arsenal.How can a clinical finisher fail to threaten atleast twice agoalkeeper?.Wenger must opt for areal clinical one but not faith in his French forwards at arsenal.
I agree with Joel For Arsenal to win things there’s need of Falcao period.
Here is why Chambers can’t take Per’s spot yet – he can’t organize the defense and neither can Kos. Kos is without a doubt one half of the partnership but the Hengeland goal is a perfect example of Kos’s inability to be a leader at the back. Per is usually directing the backline and shouting at players to cover certain players and areas. If either or Kos or Chambers were better leaders they wouldn’t let one of the shortest players on the field mark the tallest. Mert would have stuck Yaya on the post but it was every man for himself on defending that corner. Per’s spot is still secure because you can have 4 of the best defenders in the world but if they’re disorganized then you have nothing.
Yes i agree, we need world class striker and holding mid fielder.wenger must ensure you have the depth .lack of deprh costed arsenal title last season,he must not wear out the players .until they donot have energy to finish the league.some arsenal players appear to be physically unfit.it s not clear why Gibbs get injuired so often. Wenger should be tough on them jf olayers not strong enough they should ship out .Wenger should not spare any ine who makes silly mistake like sczeney.he shouldbe benched to make him. Wake up.
Joel Campbell is a better player, by far a better player than Sanogo, and has a cracking shot from 25 yards out, which was missing in the palace game. Sanchez took too much on in his eagerness to score on his debut, being crowded out time after time, at times he drew 5 palace player’s onto himself a little tap left or right would have put any number of Arsenal players in space but no he kept going forward time after time only to lose it in the Same fashion. Take nothing from palace their game plan was working heavy in defence and try to take us on with the occasional break, but their only chance really was from a set piece which they took most gratefully. That’s how teams beat us last season, everyone of Chelsea’s 6 was born out of an Arsenal attack. Team selection or substitutions has never been AWs strong point so make that 6 points for your list.
Yeah we need central miedfield, striker if we have this two arsenal we lift the trophy.
i feel wenger might try chambers out at cdm(if we don’t sign a dm) and see how things go. provided mert and debuchy are fully fit.
Spot on guys.
I hope Wenger read these analysis.
yes it’s true we need a clinical finisher who know where the net is , then i dont think that our fitness coach is doing well plus our team doctors they are faking us coz our players are getting many injuries.