The signings made in the summer transfer window past were, simply put, outstanding by Arsenal. The players acquired have no doubt played well for us; though at times so far this season, they have underperformed.
One player I’d like to highlight is German star Lukas Podolski. He is no doubt a world-class player and we have seen what he is capable of doing thus far in the Arsenal gear. But are we really getting the best out of the 27-year-old? No! not in my opinion anyway.
The German performs well in his non-preferred position out-wide, scoring seven goals in 19 appearances in all competitions so far.
But why on earth does Arsene Wenger play him in a position he is not fully effective in? And how is it that one of the team’s best players never finishes a game?
Fans have been crying out for us to revert back to our 4-4-2 formation that made us so successful in the past. Podolski wants to play as a striker, yet he keeps getting tossed out wide by Wenger. He could play up top with either Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott, depending on our opposition on the day/night.
Just imagine how much more we could get out of him if we play him in his natural position. Some may say, ‘no, the manager knows what he is doing’. But to be honest he may not be thinking straight. I mean playing Gervinho up top and Podolski on the wing – it should be the other way round right? With what’s gone on in recent weeks, in terms of results and performances, hopefully we may see some tactical changes and get more out of the German striker in the upcoming weeks.
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It’s slowly dawning on him that he’s come to club where the coaching is abysmal.
Spot on. It is said that some weeks ago … after a very good start with drilling the defence – and the whole team when out of possession – Bould ceased to be allowed the time to do so. We now read that while the top players are doing 2 tough matches each week … fitness training has NOT been eased off (in favour of skill work and organisation). Top continental teams do adapt training and our new overseas players are amazed that Arsenal do not. No wonder they look tired. I am reminded me of what Keown said a while back : – Arsene is a great manager but NO COACH.
After a lengthy and extensive analysis including statistical review and detail observational study, I have come to the shocking conclusion that the reason for our 10th place position is actually due to the fact that our players aren’t good enough.
I really had an “AHA” moment when I did a thought correlation, “RVP, Fabregas, Song, Nasri, Clichy = equals consistent top-4 finish…Wilshere, Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott, Giroud = 10th place” Eureka!!!
I think the reason that Podolski hasn’t lasted the full ninety minutes thus far is the culture shock of playing Saturday Wednesday Saturday.As for playing up front has he not won most of his German caps moving in from the left.As we have West Brom at home on Saturday we are likely to have quite a lot of possession-again~ so stick him in as centre forward. and see how that suits him.Surely Arsenal had a clear idea of what they wanted from him when they bought him.Here’s hoping that he becomes another Pires(who took a good while to settle fully) rather than a Jeffers
Wenger won’t change it. Once he has made up his mind … that’s it. Those inside the club say he really is as obstinate as his reputation.
If you truly watch Arsenal matches you should know that Podolski was played as a striker against Sunderland and again he was mostly a striker against Swansea, rotating with Gervinho. What happened? Was he a hit? NO. You may also want to note that 2 high profile coaches cannot be wrong at the same time. The last international match he was called for, he wasn’t even used as a striker in the absence of Gomez and Klose, Reus was preferred.
At the seasons start our friend gervinho was used as a striker and Podolski was preferred out left note the endless tracking back in support of the full back.As for the German situation Low has an absolute embarrassment of riches so not getting into that team is no slight. on Podolski
Podolski has already proven he is better than franny the fanny!!!
Podolski has always played on the left for germany and cologne. the only time he played through the middle was at bayern where he was not a great success. we might not be getting the best out of him but currently the options on the left other than him are no better. i too think that 2 up front is the way to go but it has to be a 4132 and the one has to be a more imposing defensive type player to arteta. capoue or mvila fit the bil nicely. arteta can then compete with cazorla wilshire ramsey rosicky santos diaby chamberlain and arshavin for one of 3 attacking midfield slots whilst walcott podolski gervinho giroud and chamakh would be after 2 slots
The problem with the 4,1,3,2 is the identity of the 1.At present there doesnt seem to be anyone at the club who can fill that role.As a consequence,opponents are able to get through to our defence too easily and we all know what the result of that is.It’s also interesting to hear the analysis of the tiki taka system and how our current imports are not schooled in the fine art of possession.Bar promoting youngsters from within as Ajax do, or arranging to take Barcelona’s reserve team onen masse most players you buy wont have that grounding certainly the ones whose names I keep seeing on these fan’s forums.The current first eleven should be good enough to get us out of this rut especially as we have a rather forgiving set of fixtures coming up.The key is finding the right man to fill the defensive midfield slot thus easing the back fours workload and letting wilshere cazorla etc concentrate on instigating attacks.Ps Flamini probably made a financial killing at Milan but he has hardly enhanced his reputation has he.
The problem for Pod is the same as for Gerv, Caz, The Ox,Giroud, Arsh and Art. Arsenal have a tika-taka tradition honed when Flamini etc were in midfield and continued more or less continually since. Movement off the ball is key. The players above were not brought up on it and- for one reason or another- can’t do it, at least not well enough.
In tika-taka several players show for the ball but there is always one simple/natural pass. It has to be played quickly to free up the movement for the next stage and to get the ball and team moving forward and build momentum. The above players cannot pass and move and as a result- are being outplayed by the work-rate of inferior midfielders. AW either has to play the players brought-up the Arsenal way in the attacking 6 or change to a longer ball with channel runners, flick-ons etc– a more normal British game. The present system does not work.
Very interesting and worth reading.
You’re spot on mate. Our problem in keeping the ball this last couple of season, especially this season’s main problem is off ball movement. Wenger keeps telling us these bunch of players are very clever but they don’t seem to understand how to move off the ball at all.
During the Bergkamp era, whenever we have the ball, there are always 3-4 option for him to past the ball to. We’re still doing that at the moment but these bunch of players don’t movement to the right place or moving to a place where it’s difficult or even impossible for the ball to reach and hence, whenever we were pressed, we looses out. We get rob far too often. That is the biggest problem.
On Monday night Neville and his co presenter highlighTed the fact that in terms of possession time in opponents last third etc we are statistically first or second in the league.Keeping the ball is still the heart of the philosophy and they are still able to do it.Dont forget that before Christmas in both of our double years some of the football was pathetic(anyone remember losing to Newcastle at home) The season before last when we gave man utd the league we had nasri fabregas rvp and still bottled it.Lets give this current mob a chance to show what they can do.Try and become the twelfth man over the next few weeks and make the home games a little less welcoming for opposing teams.Dont forget a decent next month could put us right back in the mix as none of the teams above us are world beaters either.I daresay Chelsea and Man city would probably like to be still in with a shout in Europe despite playing like we are just noe
Don’t think this argument is entirely justified. Poldolski plays on the left also for Germany, don’t think you can say that he is ineffective. I think Wenger puts him there to cover for Gibbs/Santos. Poldolski is such a hard worker, he tracks back every time and his never say die attitude is more than welcome in our emotional flat team. Gervinho has great movement and he’s slick and has speed, although his ball control could improve a bit more.
I personally think Poldolshi gives us better balance between offense and defensive. Whereas Gervinho is more dynamic, he’s able to get to the byline more often then not.
Personally, I think our poor form is down to the players not hungry enough. They are just treating
it as a job nothing more. We need more passion, we need more character and most of all, we need more heart!
COYG!!!!
usual story. value buy. can play on the wing, and has insurance value with RVP’s departure.
To borrow a phrase from the book fever pitch gervinho looks like someone who has won a competition with the first prize being a spot in our first eleven.Considering his status at the club some of his passing control and decision making is that of an amateur