In terms of sports training, the US learned everything they know from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and to a certain extent the Eastern bloc. There are great universities in these countries doing legit research on kinesiology and training and all manner of athletic practice and theory. The US lags well behind because the "studies" done in America are all funded by either drug or supplement companies. Having said that, US pro and college teams have adapted and adopted this knowledge far faster than anyone else. The major problem in the British football is that there is no coaching culture. It's bizarre but it has a lot to do with the amateur grassroots--parents are seen as adequate for coaching their kid's teams. And this is also true for trainers and physios. It isn't true for all sports in Britain though. GB runs train in sports like cycling and rowing because they have the best coaching and physio talent in the world working in these fields.
I'm not sure I buy any of that. Arsenal employs what has to be close to a dozen people just for the first team to handle medicine and health. We also spent quite a bit of money not too long ago to build world class medical facilities. Those don't seem like the actions of a club thats moto is "just get out there and play through it." A few years ago they even invited a bunch of Arsenal writers to come tour the facilities and talk to the staff to try to get rid of the "Arsenal has prehistoric medic practices" meme that had caught on. Obviously didn't do so well. I do think Arsene is horrible at keeping a squad with enough depth. We played a champions league game with no striker on the bench, multiple games with no backup cb, and that's just this year. All of the weird injuries problems we've gotten into the pass few years is just amazing. So yeah, Arsene doesn't rotate well, and a lot of times just doesn't have the players to rotate. As to training, I have no earthly idea. Some of the blame has to go to the players too. Ozil hurt it in the 2nd minute, and played an entire half? The medical staff can only help you if you let them. Same with Jack. Playing on with an injury doesn't make you a tough man; it makes you an injured, useless liability.
All the medical facilities in the world don't help after the player is already injured - thats the point! Wenger was already miles out of date years ago when Rafa and Fergus first started on heavy rotation. That's why Fergus like to have 4 quality strikers and loads of CBs The other thing is that you will get loads of injuries regardless and you have to plan for that. You can see the benefit that Arsenal has from having a decent pool of central midfielders for the first time. Even with Rambo AND Wilshere AND Ozil out, Wenger can still field a high quality midfield 3 Shame about the front line.
I just want to hear him say he'll take a penalty correctly next time. Everything else can go out the window.
Yes he should run correctly. That's my exact point. Not his stupid-stop-start walk up thing he does. It irritates me like no other. I just hate that style of taking penalties..its dumb to me and after watching 2-3 of Benfica's players mess up in the same way in the EL final, just reinforces the idea. I don't have any other gripes with him
The stutter shot works if you can get the keeper to commit. Otherwise you are giving up too much power. Keepers don't fall for it too much either. Me personally love the Carlos Tevez 20 step lightning strike PKs.
According to Wayne Vecsey, Arsenal taken 20-man squad to Wembley. Barring late change, sounds like Ox-Chamberlain & Jenkinson omitted from matchday 18. Diaby injured.
I also posted this in the match thread around a discussion of Özil, but I figure its more appropriate here: Centers, Catchers, and Chileans: The Trouble With Mesut Özil’s Unquantifiable Excellence (Grantland article by Mike Goodman)
I think Ozil had a pretty good game against Manure. I do wonder if Arsene instructs him to pull away from attacking action into space so that he has more time on the ball? It seems like he purposely drifts away from attacks when he is not on the ball and bids his time in space for the ball to come. Very interesting strategy from Arsene if it is true.
I never followed Ozil before, on his other teams, but I got the impression he just did this naturally. It's not like he's a lethal striker or anything. That said, it looked like his work rate was up yesterday, along with his defensive duties. All good.
I was begging for Ozil to shoot just before the De Gea save on the Alexis shot. It was on his strong foot and he had an angle to curl it far post.
Mesut does it naturally, Arsene does not need to tell him that. He floats into empty space, moves away from the ball and offers options and angles. It is a joy to see and is is not easy to discern right away. Just rewatch any Arsenal game and pay attention to his movement. Pure genius. Read this comment about Ozil on the Dailycannon, loved it! "Ozil gives the impression of floating through games as if he were Andy Dufresne in the Shawshank Redemption"
I have been looking for an opportunity to post this link. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...ing-to-the-side-so-why-is-he-called-lazy.html
Watch the replay then contrast that to what Fellaini did when Manu had the ball. If I was coaching this year, I'd tell any kid wanting to play midfield to watch him at all times. It's how you affect the game when you don't have the ball. Anyone who doesn't like Ozil's play is biased, only enjoys route 1, or doesn't understand the game.