so then you drop Denilson, and have Cesc manning the center midfield on his own? or you'd leave Denilson there (since Cesc is out) or we just go without a winger? or go 3 defenders in the back? im just curious, what formation would work with Nasri playing behind the Bayo and van Persie? because I cant see it working and Nasri is showing that he has not adjusted to England, so far... im not ready to hand over the team to him yet...
With the penalty, I kinda do blame Gallas. He didn't have to make that tackle, from the position and angle Gabby was coming from, he wouldn't had much of a chance to get a good shot at all. At most he would've had a pass, if another Villa player was making a run.
and I have never said otherwise... he had the angle on Abonglahor and could have steered him to the endline... he didnt, and made a bad situation out of it... its similar to Clichy at Brum... he made the tackle and all, but should have never allowed that to happen in saying, in both instances both Clichy and Gallas made the tackle
no one is suggesting to hand him the team. Since cesc is out, you could try nasri in this type of formation (when walcott returns): ..............ade....rvp walcott...nasri...song...eboue/denilson Walcott can switch and alternate with the right wingers throughout the game. Song more defensive, nasri more offensive. And though Denilson is out of position, nasri would be more effective for the team playing in the middle. And if one of the two strikers are injured/suspended, have nasri play as supporting striker, similar to hleb during some games last season. Im not suggesting do it every game but wenger should atleast attempt it.
I blame the pen on all of them, they should've communicated better, at some point Alumunia and Kolo had to let Gallas know, that they had the needed coverage. I don't know, no need stressing it anymore. But communication needs to improve.
That won't work, if they play Nasri in the middle, they will have to play with two straight up CM's sitting behind him, like Boca do with Riquelme, Madrid does with Sniedjer/Van Der Vart, and Pool do with Gerrard. Nasri Song Denilson
in this formation, you are suggesting giving Nasri the team... he doesnt look like he likes defensive responsibility on the wing, im not sure if he can handle it here... playing him in a 4-4-1-1 if either Bayo or van Persie are out is interesting tho... we could try that when Theo comes back... has Samir even played 90 mins this season for us, in the premiership? I just cant see that working... especially since you are calling him an ACM... this has been a real problem this season... I dont think our defenders have confidence in Almunia, or vice versa... they either ignore dude and clear the ball out even tho he is in position to make the play, or he doesnt speak up... I really think they dont have faith in each other... I do agree, that we should just move on from it... exactly...
No...I think that says it all about you. The only time we looked vulnerable in the second half was after the penalty. To say you didn't think we would win after being up 2-0 and dominating every aspect of the game says everything about YOU.
It would suit Nasri better if there were two cm's behind him but denilson is subject to constantly go forward which would leave only Song to hold down the middle. So like I suggested in the other thread, it would be best to have two defensive minded cm's if nasri is CAM. Otherwise, he could be a box to box cm paired along with a more defensive mid.
in that formation, we would have one true wide player as well... or would goto a 4-3-3 I just dont think Nasri is physically (or mentally) ready for that right now in the EPL...
Ouch. No. Certainly not dominating every aspect. It just became somewhat of a stalemate. It was too good to be true with this team. I figured Villa would get two or three more big surges of momentum and assistance from the crowd. If they were to capitalize and get one, a draw looked very plausible given how they dominated us earlier on. Of course they got the penalty. Their belief was restored, and the second came due to shocking defending. The penalty was in the 65th, so we looked vulnerable longer than we did not in the second half is what you're saying. The same could also be said for more of the first half. Maybe that's why I thought a draw was on the cards. We were outplayed and the most die hard of fans could have told you Villa deserved a draw. I love this club more than anything and I was a mad man when our two goals went in, but I'm not blind to the fact that the current squad is simply scrapping for fourth place and severely flawed in more than one area.
what I meant was that once we went up we were the dominant team in that game until they got the penalty. So with 25-30 minutes left in the game, we're dominating, we hit the post that would have made it 3-0, and you still felt like we wouldn't win?
Had the 3rd gone in, sure. When we didn't score on that occasion I even said it would come back to haunt us. I just knew that if they got one they'd get another. Our defense is that vulnerable. For about fifteen minutes we were up 2-0 and outplaying them, yes it was beautiful. Even then though it was more a free flowing open affair, then a dominant one by any one side. This is just my opinion.
Just going to say that this game reminded me that I will most definitely have a heart attack during an Arsenal game at some point.
Just curious how many times you had to watch a slow motion replay in order to determine that Gallas did get the ball? I only watched 2 replays and i couldn't really tell, so i wouldn't expect a ref to do better.
even in the french league nasri would always have m'bami and cana behind him. even cheyrou(not the ex-liverpool player) used to help out in the d more than nasri.
This game reminded me why 2 - nil is definitely the most dangerous lead to defend. Villa will not be in the CL. And if for whatever reason they manage to squeeze in, they'll be gone in the first stages. Their current run of form will drop eventually, mark my words. I've nothing else to say, well, nothing nice about Villa and O'Neil that is and I was taught that if you've got nothing nice to say...
No kidding, I'm THIS ----> <---- close to starting smoking again, thanks to Arsenal's uncanny ability to blow leads this season!
Whew luckily I've been in Vancouver snowboarding and missed this match. I probably would've been very pissed if I saw the game. Now I'm very sad because we did not get revenge on ashton villa.
If you think you were gutted by this result, consider this guy: http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2009/01/02/arsenals-form-costs-one-supporter-795k