Playing wide/playing centrally

[flyerhawk]

Let me start off by saying I am not looking to disparage the Arsenal and that I am very happy with their recent play.

But it seems to me that we are trying to put a square peg in a round hole a bit with our squad. It seems to me that Arsene is making a concerted effort to play with more width than in the past. Not sure why. Perhaps because of our new home, perhaps because he wants to become more dynamic. Dunno. But it does seem clear that he is trying.

So my question is, does that style really suit our players. Right now Rosicky seems to be our LW. But he really is more of a central player that likes the left side. Hleb is certainly more of a true wing but even he prefers to go towards goal and deliver a pass from the top of the 18 over going to the corner and delivering a strong cross.

So if we are going to play with width would we be better off sending the strikers out wide and letting the midfield attack the middle. Would you rather see this....

--Henry---------------------RVP/Ade----
------Rosicky---Cesc--Hleb--------------
-------------Silva-----------------------

or this......


----------Henry--------RVP/Ade----------
Rosicky--------Cesc----------------Hleb--
---------------Silva----------------------

Note: I'm assuming a 4-4-2 rather than a 4-1-4-1 that we also play.

Seems to me that the first formation allows for more outside shooting and gives our strikers attacking lanes. If the defense bunches into the box then we are providing a solid perimeter attack without sending our midfield deep. The latter formation just doesn't seem to suit our strengths as Rosicky and Hleb both tend to drift inside which allows the defense to bunch up.

Thought?

[Cannon]

You seem to be missing the role that FBs play in our attack. They provide the width as Hleb/Rosicky more towards the center. Your preferred attack leaves an empty box which is the real problem we've had in the past. Our best and most varied attack is to have Adebayor in the box and occupying CBs, henry doing his float left and come deep thing, Hleb working with Eboue on the right, Cesc coming up the middle, and Rosicky and whoever is at LB trying to work the left flank like Hleb/Eboue do the right except with Henry floating left and working with the LB Rosicky can come further inside than Hleb.

[Arsenal_pwns_all]

The problem with having our midfielders bunch up in the center is that it makes their attack extremely predictable and easy to stop. Teams know that our midfielders will attack from the center and try to make the perfect through ball; that is what which caused us to struggle for the start of the season. I like how we have been trying to use our width more and throwing crosses in the match against Porto; you can see that we have been creating more chances that way. Even though there are a lot of room for improvement (i.e our strikers are not getting into the box often enough) it's a good start.

[surfcam]

You seem to be missing the role that FBs play in our attack. They provide the width as Hleb/Rosicky more towards the center. Your preferred attack leaves an empty box which is the real problem we've had in the past. Our best and most varied attack is to have Adebayor in the box and occupying CBs, henry doing his float left and come deep thing, Hleb working with Eboue on the right, Cesc coming up the middle, and Rosicky and whoever is at LB trying to work the left flank like Hleb/Eboue do the right except with Henry floating left and working with the LB Rosicky can come further inside than Hleb.

Good points. Its just like war, as nobody wants a war on two fronts. A strong central attack coupled with some width and crosses from the flanks will help to spread the defense and open up more opportunities. Sticking to one attack method (up the middle or along the wings) makes it easier for defenses to defend against it.

[flyerhawk]

You seem to be missing the role that FBs play in our attack. They provide the width as Hleb/Rosicky more towards the center. Your preferred attack leaves an empty box which is the real problem we've had in the past. Our best and most varied attack is to have Adebayor in the box and occupying CBs, henry doing his float left and come deep thing, Hleb working with Eboue on the right, Cesc coming up the middle, and Rosicky and whoever is at LB trying to work the left flank like Hleb/Eboue do the right except with Henry floating left and working with the LB Rosicky can come further inside than Hleb.

I understand the role of our backs. However it seems that too often they are delivering crosses to no one.

We aren't an aerial team. So why try and make ourselves one?

[antifan]

I understand the role of our backs. However it seems that too often they are delivering crosses to no one.

We aren't an aerial team. So why try and make ourselves one?
Exactly, who is going to score from all these crosses? Henry? :rolleyes:

[impalemeplz]

Exactly, who is going to score from all these crosses? Henry? :rolleyes:

im getting a shirt with "i saw thierry henry score a header" printed on it.

[flyerhawk]

Exactly, who is going to score from all these crosses? Henry? :rolleyes:

All of these crosses? We've scored precisely 2 goals from crosses this season in 8 matches.

I'm not suggesting that we stop providing crosses. I was asking a QUESTION as to whether it is the best strategy for us. I was also wondering if changing the attack form would perhaps increase the number of people who might be available to RECIEVE the cross.

But I guess I should have expected snotty responses.

[antifan]

All of these crosses? We've scored precisely 2 goals from crosses this season in 8 matches.

I'm not suggesting that we stop providing crosses. I was asking a QUESTION as to whether it is the best strategy for us. I was also wondering if changing the attack form would perhaps increase the number of people who might be available to RECIEVE the cross.

But I guess I should have expected snotty responses.
Yeah, who else could recieve a cross? Maybe Adebayor, or Baptista? Personally i think its good that the team has added a little variety to the attack. Everybody complained about us trying to pass the ball in constantly, now you're not happy that Arsenal is varying the attack? Honestly, i don't get it.

[Rewinder]

If baptista started behind henry, it would give us a lot more reason to start crossing.

[flyerhawk]

Everybody complained about us trying to pass the ball in constantly, now you're not happy that Arsenal is varying the attack? Honestly, i don't get it.

Let me repost the VERY FIRST sentence I wrote in this thread.....

Let me start off by saying I am not looking to disparage the Arsenal and that I am very happy with their recent play.

I completely agree that if Baptista were playing more that crossing would make more sense.

Then again I'm not suggesting that we stop crossing the ball. I'm suggesting that, due to the players we have, we should plan to have a midfielders play a little narrower and deliver wide to the striker or go straight to the net. By doing so they could potentially draw the defenders towards them and away from the strikers.

Also having the strikers play wider that allows the forward attacking players like Rosicky and Cesc more room to operate in the middle.

[mpeabody]

All of these crosses? We've scored precisely 2 goals from crosses this season in 8 matches.

I'm not suggesting that we stop providing crosses. I was asking a QUESTION as to whether it is the best strategy for us. I was also wondering if changing the attack form would perhaps increase the number of people who might be available to RECIEVE the cross.

But I guess I should have expected snotty responses.

Whether it is the best strategy is probably best summed up by surfcam's response.

I believe you should provide a varied attack regardless of formation or players.

And it wouldn't think I was on the right board if there weren't a lot of "snotty responses":)

[tmaker]

"Gallas crosses...and there's not a single Arsenal player in the penalty area."
"Well, you beat me to it, Martin. I was just about to comment on that."

I can think of at least six instances of this in the past three games. The point would seem to be that the problem isn't with crossing (finally), it's with getting into the penalty area before a cross arrives.

And does everyone here really think that all crosses have to be aerial? Or that the only use of a cross is to provide an immediate header?

Oh well...continue.

[surfcam]

"Gallas crosses...and there's not a single Arsenal player in the penalty area."
"Well, you beat me to it, Martin. I was just about to comment on that."

I can think of at least six instances of this in the past three games. The point would seem to be that the problem isn't with crossing (finally), it's with getting into the penalty area before a cross arrives.

And does everyone here really think that all crosses have to be aerial? Or that the only use of a cross is to provide an immediate header?

Oh well...continue.

No, not every cross is aerial or set up for a header. Plenty of goals have been scored on crosses that were on the ground and the oncoming player slotted it home. And sometimes there is a break up the wing, a cross, and nobody in the box. That is football. I think the initial discussion topic is whether the play should be wide or central. I believe it needs to be both.

There were many times last season (and even the beginning of this season) where all play was directed through the middle and teams would put 10 men in the box and cut off all lanes. Spreading out the play, bringing the ball up the wings, and then up the middle at times spreads the defense and keeps them guessing.

And yes, you are becoming increasingly cynical. ;)

[thebigman]

emirates is much wider than highbury also

[michaec]

im getting a shirt with "i saw thierry henry score a header" printed on it.
I'll have two ;)

[tmaker]

No, not every cross is aerial or set up for a header. Plenty of goals have been scored on crosses that were on the ground and the oncoming player slotted it home. And sometimes there is a break up the wing, a cross, and nobody in the box. That is football. I think the initial discussion topic is whether the play should be wide or central. I believe it needs to be both.

There were many times last season (and even the beginning of this season) where all play was directed through the middle and teams would put 10 men in the box and cut off all lanes. Spreading out the play, bringing the ball up the wings, and then up the middle at times spreads the defense and keeps them guessing.

Quite so. And not just last season: I think it became noticeable in 2003; we just didn't show as much concern about it then because our team was firing on all cylinders. I'd say that the presence of a healthy Pires and a rather quicker Ljungberg as wide midfielders who would make runs into the penalty area from deep and or wide positions was always our strongest point in offense four, five years ago. As both began to lose step, our offense (particularly on counterattack) also lost its ability to stretch and unlock defenses.

Even against teams that packed it in (Leicester, Boro, Southampton), we could still score when our one-touch passing was quick, then held up (if necessary) by a player who could then deliver a perfectly weighted pass to split the defense. But with the sharp decline of Bergkamp, we lost this, too.

But I digress. Clearly the solution to all our problems is to purchase Harry Kewell.

And yes, you are becoming increasingly cynical. ;)
But of course.

[mcc410x]

Clearly the solution to all our problems is to purchase Harry Kewell.

and jermaine jenas ...

or maybe we could get kieron dyer and lee bowyer? :D

we could take the show on the road, make oodles of money ...

[tmaker]

and jermaine jenas ...

or maybe we could get kieron dyer and lee bowyer? :D

we could take the show on the road, make oodles of money ...
We could even place bets on which one of Bowyer's teammates he'd punch first. Bowyer v Lauren! Ladbrokes would love us.

Unfortunately, most of the coin would probably be spent on physiotherapy...or in Bowyer's case possibly psychotherapy... ;)