Ahead of Walcott/Gerv for sure and maybe Podolski. Play Podolski-Giroud-Deuce in games like these last two and Gerv ahead of Pod or Dempsey if you need a counterattacking option.
That was a clear strategy imo. We need more solidity at the back, how many times have we been caught for numbers on counters?? Jenks isnt half bad in the air either so he did an ok job of dealing with long clearances. He was allowed more freedom to push up in the last 15mins when we were getting desperate. Im seeing a lot of subtle changes in shape in the first two games. Its all very encouraging
it's almost similar to, i think, 2-3 seasons ago? we were bleeding goals and, mid-way through the season, you could tell that the left and right backs were told to stay at home more and keep shape.
Just finished watching the match. I like the look of our defense so far this season. Gibbs seems to be progressing well. Even Jenks. I liked what Podolski did for us on the left. Looks more at home out wide than through the center. That's supposed to be common knowledge though isn't it? I'm not sure if Cazorla maybe ran out of spark in the second half or if Stoke did a better job crowding him out, but he was certainly less involved and you could see the difference in our play a little bit. He's very good. He's dripping with quality from every angle, every situation he finds himself in. They key for us and him will be to keep him buzzing and involved. I like Giroud.
I'm worried that the final 3rd, yet again turns into a stand-still with tons of passes and not enough movement. Stoke were beatable, but racing up the pitch and then stopping to let them regroup and park a bus of defenders in the 18yd box will not make it easier for us to score.
When we play Liverpool Cazorla will come alive. We haven't played a team yet who may attack or isn't about playing football. When that happens I think we will be much better.
We're too slow in attack - the timing in attack isn't there yet, and so the quick, incisive passing that Wenger loves doesn't exist right now.
The business part of the season will be over soon and we will better see what we have. Note how we haven't seen Cazorla and Walcott together yet. I'm more worried about depth all over the place.
Diaby can take some of that blame. The second he touches the ball I swear my tv goes into slow motion.
The thing is though, I now fear that even the likes of Liverpool and Man City will play bunker against us, and surprise us on the counterattack. They've done it in seasons before with success from what I can remember.
Wouldn't that game plan be a waste of energy if a team already seems toothless? Im expecting all out attack by those guys.
No he can't. The ball moved through the middle third of the park extremely well. Its only when we got to the 18 where is slowed down. And even then he was the late runner making decent runs into the box. If you want to lay blame for the speed of our attack, its with the front three not knowing where the other 2 were going to be, and balls play behind the run. You don't have to look fast to cover ground quickly. Carzola looks quick cause his legs pump, but Diaby eats ground. All game he did what the 3rd mid was there to do. 1) provide an outlet 2) supply the play maker 3) Win the ball back a little higher up the pitch than Arteta I forsee him being an important part of the attack when the team is alittle more comfortable with each other.
These forwards will have a hard time scoring without good service. Our service game is $hit. Has been $hit for many years, although to be fair, Sagna had improved a lot last year. You can overlap wing runs all you want but without good swinging balls into the box, Poldy and Giroud will have trouble. At least over the short term.
mancini has always played defensive against us, relying on the outstanding qualities of their 2-3 attackers to counter. as silva said, united does the same thing.
Last year, they usually played with two DMs in Yaya and Barry but Yaya has free reignto push forward when he likes.
Wish I had a good vid of Jagielka to Fellaini assist of past weekend to insert here. The utube version sucks. We have a tall CF but who will hit him in the forehead with a missile like that one?
Martin Keown excellent article about Carzorla in the DailyMail. Arsene Wenger has seen a few creative players leave in the past year but he has a new jewel in the crown in Santi Cazorla.The Spaniard looks a fantastic talent and his class is there for everyone to see straight away.He is Liam Brady and Cesc Fabregas rolled into one: he has Brady's shooting ability and Fabregas's vision. He's better than Fabregas with the ball too - he moves it so quickly, which is shown by the fact he's had more touches in the opposition half than any player so far this season. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2194394/Santi-Cazorla-better-Cesc-Fabregas--Martin-Keown.html#ixzz24nBWjIwq
There's many instances where he simply looks a better player than Cesc. That feeling means absolutely nothing however. We still know very little of him. Love him so far though.
Man united always dominate us with wide play and last year valencia and welbeck fcuked us up at the emirates down their right.....at old Trafford they smashed us, poor jenkinson. Last year city beat us but they have changed to an awful wing back formation that isn't working. If they use that Walcott will merk them. Also they seem to be miss using yaya as a deeper mid, he was one of the best players in the league last year as an attacking mid with a free role.
I finally got around to finishing the game...boy, watching a 0-0 is tough when you know the result. I'm really pleased with the clean sheet, I think that will be more important going on than scoring goals. Goals tend to gloss over defensive frailties and NO, I repeat NO, team wins anything major without a solid defense. Clean sheets give defenses confidence just like goals give to offenses, so take these two clean sheets as a positive going up to Anfield. As for the lack of goals so far, it's pretty clear that this team is just not "gelled" yet. Giroud made a lot of good runs, Podolski's positioning was good and Santi was keen on getting players through and keeping the defense in check with shots from distance. Diaby just does nothing for me. He had a few good moves, but the game slows unbearably when he picks the ball up in midfield. He just seems to be concerned with beating his marker vs. finding the quick outlet to advance the ball. He also does not hustle much which is frustrating. Gervinho is doing the same on the wing...rather than making 1 move and then crossing or shooting he keeps cutting back and forth. Unfortunately, we have to be patient with a new lineup once again. The excuses from AW have already started. They are valid, but he and management are the one's to blame so I'm tired of hearing it: