Earlier this week, Arsene Wenger told the press:
‘I don’t think we are weak defensively, but we are an offensive team. Sometimes that exposes our defenders a bit more than other teams.’
I’m sorry to say this but he’s wrong.
Last season we were weak defensively. We made too many mistakes at the back and conceded some stupid goals. Hopefully we have resolved the keeper situation now with the emergence of Szczesny, who actually wants to play for the club and is good as well.
The defence really needs a kick this season, and I still feel we desperately need to bring in the likes of Gary Cahill, Chris Samba, or both if possible. Thomas Vermaelen is back from injury which is great to sees and actually captained the side on Wednesday’s outing against Malaysia XI. There are rumours flying around that the Belgian international will actually play at left-back this season. However, this remains to be seen. We should also not forget youngster Carl Jenkinson, who we brought in fro Charlton. The 19-year-old also took part in Wednesday’s game in the Far East and, quite frankly, performed pretty well.
I believe our midfield looks alright to be honest; assuming that we keep Nasri and Fabregas. If we lose both, then we will need to replace both of them.
Strikers. I think we are good in this department as well, I just hope that RVP manages to stay fit. I like the signing of Gervinho, as I think he will be a great player for the club.
Wenger had the following to say about Arsenal’s new front-man:
‘He has qualities that are interesting, He has good movement off the ball, he is very quick. He can play up front, on the left or right, He can score goals, can provide and had the best assists in the French league last year. I think he can be a great contribution to the offensive efficiency of the team.’
He added:
‘He has qualities like Theo Walcott. They have good movement. Theo can play on the left, right and up front. He has a similar type of pace and finishing.’
All in all, as most Arsenal fans will agree, our week point is our defence & possibly our keeper situation.
Let’s hope that this season we can change that and, with 5-6 weeks left to go until the new campaign begins, lets try and nab a couple more players to strengthen our squad.
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Wenger chats shit! I am getting fed up with his usual crap
arsenal 1 green town won 1 arsenal concede on set pieces again lolx and wenger says we are not defensivelly weak arsenal won’t win anything untill the defence is improved……………..o w8 we have the emirates cup!
I actually think that made defenders that come to Arsenal struggle in the 1st season,not necessarily because of No EPL experience but because of Arsenal playing style.They tend to be great in the 2nd.I won’t be surprised at all if we buy Cahill and he struggles in the first season,although i think we need a CB and a LB, and then sell Squillaci.
no it is a weakness…but not an issue of personnel.
there was a period last season where we were very very good defensively, and that was when the whole team was pressing the opponent after Man U taught us a lesson in how to press. toward the end of the season we tired a bit and lost morale and then we werent pressing. just needs to be a greater effort from every player, not just the back 4.
Well said, Mark.
I would add however that the current defence (in contrast to that which played in Wenger’s trophy years) has not been drilled to operate as a tight coordinated unit. There does not seem to be a leader of a defence which : –
> ball watches too often,
> can keep a ragged off side line and
> is not called out or back in unison. This last according to whether or not the oppo has time, unpressured, to look up and pick a pass.
At the start of the transfer window i thought people who called for Wenger’s sacking were getting ahead of themselves-that they had to give him a chance as we all know he’s drinking at last chance bar…I’ve now chnaged my mind. Its now crystal clear that Wenger’s feet are nowhere near the ground!
He goes about his business like nothing happened yet for 6 years he’s failed to deliver to deliver a single trophy! He should simply just go!! Go whilst we still remember the good he has done for the team-overstaying his welcome as i see him hellbent on doing will make him the most hated man to have ever associated with the team!!
it obvious that we need a cb because the 2 that started the game aren’t good enough to challenge tv5 or kos so there is no comp. fimpong looks top drawer and jenky is a good buy gibbs had a great day, so just get a cb an get chamah hypnotised into having the confidence he started last season with. wilk an ram are top of the range but for the amount of chances we create we shud score alot more.
watched the second friendly and wit djourou and squiallaci we wer so shaky. a chinese team in a shit league wer getting in on our goal wit so much ease it was scary. and then they scored from a set piece. haha. ya have to laugh at wengers blind faith in this defence.
IF wenger does not buy a defender then arsenal are in the same trouble as the last six years. simple as. watchin the game i decided to myself that nasri really isnt a big loss if gone. when wilshere song and ramsey started the second half we wer so so much better on the ball in midfield. we wud do just as well wit out him i think and 20 mill can buy a solid defender me thinks.
or use the money on mata since today i hear 20 mil will get him.
with the sale of nicky b and almunia thats a rumored 12 mill rite there. so we bought gervinho for 12 mill and that means wenger actually hasnt used any of his transfer budget at all yet.
………I WUD LOVE TO KNOW WHY NOT???….
There must be so much money there to spend and he just wont.
if arsene wenger rfus 2 sign anx defenda we’re in mes ds seasn.
hedgewire i agree with your comments, we need a good, experienced and strong center back to partner tv5, a defender that can organise the back line, tv5 at left back is a no no for me, i think he will be wasted at left back, if we can bring in samba or cahill to parrtner tv5 at center back then we would be pretty strong, aramnd traore is our best option at left back and hes getting better, we have plenty of options in midfieldand attack so no problems there.GO GUNNERS
This man should go. The activity he promised has not materialized. He lives in a continual state of delusion. He is simply not good enough for the Arsenal.