Given that Arsenal have ended another season without any success in terms of trophies, it would thus appear as if there is a need of some change within the squad, and indeed that is an idea that surely has at least an element of truth to it.
Arsenal drop off in form towards the end of every season, and it is clear that there needs to be a greater consistency from March onwards in the future. Therefore, either the team need another way of playing in the big games at the end of the season, or there needs to be greater squad depth of players who can perform similar roles to the one vacated by an injured player for example.
It is a criticism often levelled at the team that they have too many of the same type of player, but this is not actually the case. The issue is that Arsenal only have one style of play, and therein lies the difference. If the season was played from August to December, Arsenal would be infinitely better off in terms of trophies, and this is because the style of football that Wenger wishes to apply is used by the players he has signed primarily to play it. The problem is that members of the squad such as Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby and Marouane Chamakh are not necessarily bad players, but when they are obliged to play in a system which does not suit their particular style they appear poor.
Whilst any Arsenal fan would be reluctant to bring up Barcelona as an example of a team to whom to aspire to, they do define that upon which this team needs to work. They are a side with no plan B. Throwing Pique up front is the closest they come to it. It does not matter though, because their first is so effective, whilst everyone in the squad plays exactly the same way, and can fit into the style of plan A seamlessly.
Arsenal do not have this – for example, they may well have Robin van Persie injured, and one of the two other strikers will replace him. However, the replacements are not remotely similar to him, yet it is almost as if the team pretends they are, and attempts the same things in spite of the evident differences. Van Persie likes the ball to feet, whilst Bendtner thrives upon good crosses and balls in the air, and as a consequence, whenever he plays, his weaknesses are exposed and his qualities are ignored.
This is a problem which runs through an awful lot of the squad – the first team is unbelievable when it is available, but they do not alter their style when different personnel are playing to an adequate level. The summer shall be so important for this simple reason; if Arsenal are to improve upon a third place finish, either there needs to be clear instruction of how to play when different members of the squad are in the first team, or there needs to be a clear-out of the players who do not fit into Wenger’s principles. Whether any action is taken shall be interesting to see.
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Great article.
fab article but I think Bendtner is miles away from being Arsenal quality. Diaby too. As well as players like Denilson, Squillaci, Unfortunately Rosicky(who has been ruined by injuries), Almunia and Fabianski. I think we should give Vela as many opportunities as we give NickyB52 and we will be reaping the rewards of a potential Messi-like forward. I also hope we get Bojan. He is perfect for us plus he’s young and might come as a cheap alternative. We actually fare well without RVP but we need someone to make us fare better. I personally think 3 or 4 signings will make Cesc want to stay coz hate it or love it we will suffer without him and may well have to break the bank to replace him(and unless were getting Xavi or David Silva we never will). We crumble without Cesc. Not Ramsey, Wilshere or even Nasri can replace El Capitan. I say keeping him will be vital but I think we’ve already lost out so gooners better start planning on life without him. Another thing, If Wenger doesn’t buy we may even get relegated. Every team(Including the likes of West Brom, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manure, Shitty, Chelski) will be strengthening and unless we follow suit we might even miss a Europa league place. Strengthen Arsene, or leave it to someone who will..
In Arsenal(NOT ARSENE) we trust..
Favourite Squad ins
Pato 40mil
Bojan 10mil
Lloris/Akinfeev/Neuer 15mil
Hummels/Subotic(or both)10mil each
Phil Jones 8mil
Fabio Contreao/Aly Cissokho 12mil
Lass/Inler 10-15mil
Ganso/Kaka/Ozil/David Silva 20-25mil
Hazard 15-20mil
Davide Santon 8-10mil
Total 165mil(we have the money so spend it already)
Outs
Bendtner 15mil
Denilson 10mil
Squillaci 10mil
Almunia 5mil
Fabianski 10mil
Clichy 12mil
Eboue 6-10mil
Rosicky 8mil
Arshavin 15mil
Nasri and Cesc(ONLY IF THEY WANT TO LEAVE) 25-30mil and 40-50mil respectively
Total 175mil.. We still win and still give the fans what they want so go ahead and overhaul Wenger. We need it.
The writer is correct, we need to learn how to play with other players like Chamahk, Bendtner, Diaby and so forth. The fact is Arsenal only know one way to play and some players in the squad can’t play that style. We need to adapt our style and accommodate the other players.
Champior League football every reason under Wenger, unless he’s suddenly forgotten how to manage then why the hell would be relegated? I think it’s clear to everyone that Almunia isn’t Arsenal quality, but Fabianski? After this reason and the matches against Wolves, Everton and Man City? Be realistic. You may like Szczesny more, but you can’t choose the No.1 when they’re yet to compete for the spot. And Fabregas is no Johann Cruyff, he’s most certainly not irreplacable.
wow prince what a great idea.. and these players new layers will take another six years to bond tohgether.. and if that doesnt work but anither set of 11 players.. yea..
and who will pay 5mil for Aluminia…???
If reserve players are so different from those they replace, that tactics go awry, there must be something radically wrong with the coaching system. Surely it must be relatively simple to adjust the shape and purpose of the team to cope with the changed line-up.
After all, it is probably rare for a manager to field his preferred XI more than half-a-dozen times a season.
Good article pinpointing that we pretend to have a uniformty in the style we play when there are differing quality in personnel. Another is also that we dont have system that utilise different skills possessed by these different peronnel which makes us predictable when we are less than perfect.
Change is inevitable if we need to get it right. 2 CB are necessary one of whom must be English. A DM is needed as having Song alone has been a weakness either by over-playing him or not being able to shut up shop.
With Fabregas gone, we need another topnotch player and another top striker and with Fab stay we still need 2 topnotch players upfront coz VP is prone to injuries.
Those strikers dont need to be any more than a scrapper like Campbel at Blackpool or any other preditor but to make us really top club we need a real scrapping, with good ball skills like Tevez or Liverpool new boy.