I suppose, but 4-5-1 with the best striker in the world up front on his own was the best team Arsenal could put out that year. In 05/06 Reyes was struggling badly, Van Persie was very unreilialble and incosistant and Bergkamp was certainly on his last legs. Putting one of them in place of a midfielder would have weakend the team and they would have had less of a chance of scoring. Also, Adebayor was cup tied in Europe that year and Bergkamp wouldn't travel away. They were attacking at home to Madrid and Juve and understandingly defensive away. Villareal caused the stifling, poor games in the semi final. There tactics consisted of defending and giving it to Riquelme.
He was in his prime. The last 5 or so years, no. But between about 1988-2000 he was fantastic going forward.
If people wish to call Roberto Carlos the best left wing-back ever then feel free to make your argument. He most certainly is not the best left-back ever, a position that requires a higher level of defensive ability. Rubbish. While Cole was not at his best for a variety of reasons he was far from shite. Even an okay Cole is still better than most. Now that he has had his leash removed and his life in order he should return to one of the premier left-backs in the world. The early signs as promising. So you agree that their 'successful' run was on the back of a change to more defensive tactics?
[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aziAGL5zaGo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aziAGL5zaGo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube] Con los "huevos" de Vargas!!!!!!
The best at going forward maybe, and the most spectacular certainly. But defensively speaking he was far from being the best. Among the other left-backs of his generation I would pick Maldini and Lizarazu over him any day of the week.
I think the thread has already been 'jacked by all the Peruvian posters who have voted on this poll. I like Vargas too, but he's simply not as good as Cole, Evra, etc.
As Ashley Cole?, I think currently the Peruvian is definitely better than the English, but was more debatable about Lahm or Evra.