Roaming Robin the focal point in Wenger’s master plan

September 23, 2009 at 2:30 pm | In Arsenal | 21 Comments
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Robin van Persie’s new role at the tip of the Arsenal front three is sought to bring more variety to the side’s attacking play.
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Few would have had Thomas Vermaelen as Arsenal’s top scorer in the early stages of the season, not least because he is a defender but the Belgian had also yet to kick a ball in the Premier League before his £10million move from Ajax and who others decided against signing because of his height. And while it would have been surprising to him also, Arsène Wenger will argue it was all part of his master plan all along.

Wenger had been preparing for this current campaign towards the end of last season by switching the formation to a 4-2-3-1, one born out of necessity after the Gunners faltering title challenge but also allowing him to experiment from within. Games against Chelsea and Villarreal at home saw his side pressuring up the pitch at a high tempo; Alex Song and Samir Nasri dropped deeper while he was preparing for life after Emmanuel Adebayor by opting not to go with the Togolese striker for the final two games of the season.

But rather than go like-for-like with Nicklas Bendtner or “fox-in-the-box” Eduardo, his replacement was to be Robin Van Persie, the forward who had found his best work to be as the second striker. But in that the Dutchman had also found what was his most productive season, (largely because of staying injury free of course) making 10 Premier League assists and scoring 20 goals in all competitions. However it wasn’t a case of exaggerating his star performer’s skills but rather an attempt to make his fluid, attacking side more effective.

Arsenal had just gone through a frustrating season with teams like Stoke and Bolton knowing that men behind the ball could seriously disrupt their play. They were fully aware that Arsenal would only play one way and that was to play through them therefore all they had to do was to sit deep and stay focused for the full ninety in the hope of getting at least a result.

In anticipation of a potential repeat, Arsène Wenger has looked to alter the way his team works but still retaining the one-touch, pass and move style of build up. The switch to a 4-3-3 is more than just a means to accommodate the plethora of central midfielders in the side. It allows his team to pressure high up the pitch, bring the game early to opposition and allows more angles in the pass to keep the ball moving.

Robin Van Persie’s role as the central forward is key to this style. Fabio Capello says that “in the modern game, the only formation is 9-1,” which means teams must defend and attack as a team but also acknowledging the importance of the forward as a base which to build play around.

In this position the Dutchman is not necessarily inhibited by playing a role that he is not used but rather allowing him to do the things he is best at. He can drop deep, drag defenders out and make space for others to run into. There is so much space a team can deny behind you which invariably means conceding greater space in front. And with players like Fabregas who thrive on having the ball in such areas and the chance for others to interchange the potential danger becomes unexpectedly larger.

Pep Guardiola talks about the ‘llegada’ (arrival), a late arriver into the box who can progress beyond the forward unmarked, causing much surprise to the opposition defence and such a tactic is now a vital part in Arsenal’s game. “It can get a little bit lonely for him (van Persie),” says Wenger. “But that depends how quick and how massive the support is we give him. I believe that we work on that, you know? That he gets quick support and he needs people around him because he’s a combination player, more than a physical player. That’s why the distances within our side are important, that he’s not isolated.”

The unpredictability gives greater depth to attacks and makes it hard to mark players. In more than a couple of instances against Wigan, van Persie dropped into the centre circle and instantly Eduardo and Eboue darted in from the flanks and sought to take advantage of the space left behind. Late arriving midfielders is still a ploy which many teams find hard to deal, giving an element of surprise to attacks and more goals.

And as fitness improves, so do the demands of players therefore the next evolution in football is likely to be how the different players interpret their roles (maybe the return of the sweeper is on the cards?). For example Cristiano Ronaldo played on the left of a fluid 4-4-2 in Man United’s 2007/08 triumph but was expected to carry the same goalscoring duties of a striker while on the other side, Park Ji Sung despite playing in the same position per se, was more defensive, tracking back and pressuring but also expected to get in the box. We can see in the centre of midfield, while still a diamond in the rough, Diaby’s importance, as defensively he covers for the left forward and makes tackles for the team while his strong, late running is considered one of the best by Wenger.

Other subtle changes to the Arsenal set-up can sometimes see Alex Song drop back almost as the third centre back. The application and desire has improved among the ranks and the Cameroon ace has certainly shown the necessary advances to become a vital part of the team, stopping counter attacks by reading the game well. The full backs look to be more aware of transitions and are expected to squeeze the space against wingers and pin them back. And after having been criticised at the start of the season for lacking size, the Gunners have notched seven goals from free-kicks and corners as Wenger has realised the value of set-pieces and has fielded some of his tallest sides in recent seasons.

The French manager has also talked about the importance of distances and Arsenal need to make sure they are not being too stretched defensively. That means pressuring high and squeezing the space by pushing up. This is the area where Arshavin may be key as although his fitness levels are not the highest, the Russian puts in a hardworking shift closing down early on while his dynamism adds balance. “When you play with Arshavin you are never on your own, when you play with Theo Walcott you are never on your own,” Wenger told The Daily Telegraph. “Playing with strikers depends on the support you will get from the rest of the team. I wanted to see how it works because we have many offensive players and maybe we have to tighten up a bit in midfield to keep balance between offence and defence and I wanted to see how it works. I am quite happy with it.”

There is still much work to be done for the tactic to be a success in the long run with van Persie acknowledging there is still room for improvements in his all round game. And there will be days when things fail to click therefore Bendtner’s and Eduardo’s more orthodox manner will be called upon more centrally. But with 25 goals scored in eight matches (not including Carling Cup) and a hat full chances that could have gone either way in Manchester there’s every chance that Arsène Wenger has this time found the right formula.

What’s different about Arsenal’s new-look 4-3-3 system?

August 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm | In Arsenal | 39 Comments
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Arsene Wenger has traded the 4-4-2 with the 4-3-3 for the new season in order to reinvigorate his side but what is different about the new system?
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The problem facing Chris Barnard, the first surgeon to successfully perform a human-to-human heart transplant was rejection – whether the patient’s body would accept the new organ.

He had no other choice for the situation was necessary and for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger switching to the 4-3-3 will have posed a similar question (though to a lesser significance). The Gunners were ordinary last campaign and much to the risk of becoming stale, Wenger was forced to abandon his customary 4-4-2 for a fluid 4-3-3 this season. “We will play the formation and system that most suits the players and the balance of the team,” he says. “That means it’s not rigid. It can evolve throughout the season, depending on circumstances and personnel.”

At first glance that 4-3-3 can look like a 4-2-3-1 and at other times, when Arshavin moves closer to the striker it can look like a 4-4-2. Indeed that is the thinking behind the system change – it gives the fluidity and the freedom that Arsenal’s pass-and-move game so greatly desires. There are more triangles in the pass, an added bonus of having the left-footed Vermaelen at centre back while the three pronged attack allows greater pressure in the final third. “I wanted to play high up the pitch and it can change in some games,” said Wenger. “But overall I believe we can play high up and we can bring the threat to the opponents half very early in the game.”

Different Bodily Functions

The key to the early success has been the players willingness and attitude, which can bring different interpretations of their roles. Taking the matches against Celtic and Everton as the example, it was Alex Song who played the most deepest with Denilson to the left of him and Cesc Fabregas higher but towards the right. Here each have their own and subtly different functions.

Fabregas is the dictator and is seen as the one to create chances in the final third while Denilson provides the double back with Song and also has the duty of covering the area on the left which Arshavin vacates. Indeed at Portsmouth it was Diaby who had this role and because of the tireless manner in which he went about his job, it seemed like Fabregas was the deeper midfielder when in fact it allowed him to dictate more easily.

Rebels or Robots?

What is important to realise is that for a team like Arsenal, players should not be governed by the mere physical arrangements of players. It helps explain the shape especially from a defensive viewpoint but difficulty arrives when comparing the two different systems of Liverpool and Arsenal (both said 4-2-3-1’s yet Benitez may argue different especially as he describes Gerrard as a striker).

That is particularly true of Andrei Arshavin who is a second striker by trade and the freedom Wenger gives him on the ball cannot be stuck to the left or right touchline. Eduardo was the player furthest to the left against Portsmouth and instantly the Croatian had a better performance in that position than he has had before. The idea here is for that midfielder to play as a loose forward starting from the left and cutting in to support the forward. This in turn poses great questions to the opposing full back; whether he should remain tight particularly as the space can be used by the left central midfielder or the surging left back.

And on the other side is Nicklas Bendtner, who is the more direct threat but his height presenting the full back with an altogether different proposition. In Rinus Michels’ book Teambuilding, he suggests that the build-up to an attack “needs to create situations to be able to play the ball deep as quickly as possible.” Wenger is experimenting this season with one creative wide player and the other more direct, to allow greater variety and that outlet to get the ball forward quickly.

He has the option of Bendtner, or Walcott to get in behind quickly or he can opt for the double creative ploy using Samir Nasri because as Martin O’Neill says ” the more creativity you have in your side the better chance you will have.” (Before his injury, Nasri looked likely to play as the second central midfielder with Walcott on the left).

The Universal Striker

It was the former Brazil manager, Carlos Alberto who predicted that the tactic of the future may see no fixed striker. And it was Roma, then Manchester United who brought the ’strikerless’ formation to the forefront and now it seems Robin van Persie is playing such a role for Arsenal.

Much has been made of the goals, or rather a lack of goals from the forwards but recent developments of fitness and movement means goalscoring is to be shared. “It can get a little bit lonely for him (van Persie), but that depends how quick and how massive the support is we give him,” says Wenger. “I believe that we work on that, you know? That he gets quick support and he needs people around him because he’s a combination player, more than a physical player. That’s why the distances within our side are important, that he’s not isolated.”

The manager feels his Dutch forward can fulfill two roles; one as a provider and the other as a more orthodox striker once he further develops that part although at the same time he knows he also has the option of Eduardo to provide a more higher threat.

One can see the importance of the midfielders in the new system, with it revitalising the attitude and application of such players. Pep Guardiola talks about the ‘llegada’ (arrival), a late arriver into the box who can progress beyond the forward unmarked, causing much surprise to the opposition defence and such a tactic is now a vital part in Arsenal’s game. “I feel we create good space for our midfielders to run in and to go into the box,” Wenger says. “On that front we look more dangerous. If you analyse our goals at the moment our strikers provide more than they score. That is maybe down to the way we play as well.”

And perhaps that is the new system’s greatest strength – the fluidity and flexibility in turn asking much greater questions to the opposition.

The 4-3-3 system as used against Celtic and Everton.

NB: I’ve decided to cave in to consumer demand and accept this is a 4-3-3 as Wenger has actually confirmed this. However the beauty of the system is that it allows much fluidity and interchange and can look like a 4-2-3-1 to allow Fabregas to operate more ‘between the lines’.

Arsenal: young, slick and a love for all things passing

July 30, 2009 at 12:45 pm | In Arsenal | 24 Comments
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As Arsenal’s football becomes more fluid and pass orientated, the demands become greater especially against the changing nature of the modern game.
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It was only a pre-season friendly but with Arsene Wenger anxiously pacing the touchline during a match against third-place Hungarian outfits Szombathelyi Haladás, it showed just how crucial next season will be. He seemed satisfied with the cohesion and application shown in the end by the Gunners as they came out comfortable 5-0 winners.

Interestingly, four goals were scored in the first half yet the second half was the more impressive.

The opening period saw Arsenal line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Song the deepest midfielder and Denilson and Ramsey to the right and left of him respectively. It was blue collar stuff; hard-working and unfashionable at most times but then Arsenal committed white-collar robbery – two quick breaks, one headed in by Bendtner and the other fantastically finished by Eduardo, while the Croatian also scored a free-kick to make it three. Haladás played better than the scoreline suggested and although the fourth goal was a thing of beauty the more functional Arsenal showed their superior class.

In the second half, Arsenal played in a 4-4-2 with Senderos holding and the forward players playing with much more flexibility than the first. One goal was scored but the Gunners pushed Haladás back for much of the game and kept the ball almost monopolistically.

That Arsenal were the more impressive so why is it then that they found it more difficult to score in the second half?

Arsenal consumed by their success

Indeed, Arsenal have always played a similar brand of football but in the years between the Invincibles last one a title and now, the Gunners have only won one trophy. In an article for Four Four Two, Paul Simpson attempts to explain Arsenal’s four year demise by referring to business writer Danny Miller’s Icarus Paradox.

The theory argues that once a business (or in this case, team) taste success, they contribute to their own downfall through their own strengths by devoting more time and resources to what made them successful. Therefore what made Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal – youth, fluidity, intelligence, pace and confidence in possession – have effectively taken over the team and other factors such as organisation, strength and ruthlessness have almost been swept under the carpet.

That is however, slightly unfair on the club – Arsene Wenger didn’t choose the direction of youth voluntarily, more as a result of the move to the Emirates. “The decision was to go for more youth when we decided to build a new stadium because we are not in a position where we could spend £30m or £40m on players,” said Wenger. “Whether people accept it or not is one thing but, today, we have a good side, we make profit and we pay our debtors back. People are scandalised when banks lose money but I’m scandalised when football clubs lose money. For me it’s the same process. I’m not against spending money; I’m against losing money.”

The interesting point regards organisation. As a side’s football becomes more about flexibility and freedom, the more difficult it is to maintain the shape. Coupled with the fact that the physical development of the game means it has become harder for teams to play such an expansive passing style as opponents pack the centre. Transitions and set-pieces have also become ever more important but ultimately it is all about controlling space; Carlo Ancelotti is about to embark on his Chelsea journey playing in a 4-4-2 diamond because it allows him to “put more zonal pressing” and this is something which the ‘Invincibles’ did very well.

Controlling Zones

With a combination of either Edu/Gilberto and Vieira in the centre and Bergkamp in the ‘hole’, the adaptable formation was  argued to be a 4-2-3-1, a 4-4-1-1 or even a 4-2-4. With such ‘between the lines’ players’ Arsenal could control operational areas that are considered key in unlocking the opposition’s defence.

Mattheiu Flamini had a fantastic year in 2007/08 because of his mobility and positional awareness, patrolling the area between defence and midfield expertly. Arsenal’s game has always been about fluidity and possession and if the Gunners lost or indeed had the ball, he kept the shape.

Therefore going back to the 5-0 against Szombathelyi Haladás, it was obvious Arsenal were more comfortable in the 4-4-2. Although only one goal was scored, on another day that could have been more while they were less troubled by the Hungarian’s as opposed to the tense first half. The most noteworthy point of the match was the performance of Philipe Senderos who remained disciplined in the centre of midfield and allowed the forward players to sustain the pressure.

Although the Swiss is not a realistic candidate for the spot, his positional awareness and strength allowed him to control the zone better against ultimately inferior opposition. If a defender could operate the zone so well then what’s to say a new midfielder is needed especially with the talent at Arsenal’s disposal already? Arsenal have always excelled in a 4-4-2 although with Cesc Fabregas, it is always him plus one meaning his partner has had to be very mobile. Defensive responsibility is bound to the team as a whole and it will take that understanding to bring back the balance in midfield.

When asked a question about Steven Gerrard when Real Madrid director during the Galactico era, former AC Milan coach and master tactician Arrigo Sacchi had this to say about the Liverpool midfielder. “We had some who were very good footballers. They had technique, they had athleticism, they had drive, they were hungry. But they lacked what I call knowing-how-to-play-football. They lacked decision-making. They lacked positioning. They didn’t have that subtle sensitivity of football: how a player should move within the collective.

“You see, strength, passion, technique, athleticism, all of these are very important. But they are a means to an end, not an end in itself. They help you reach your goal, which is putting your talent at the service of the team, and, by doing this, making both you and the team greater. So, situations like that, I just have to say, he’s a great footballer, but perhaps not a great player.”

Fast forward to Wednesday, and Arsenal completed their fourth pre-season game against Hannover 96 coming out 1-0 winners. Arsene Wenger stuck with the 4-3-3 once again but this time had the luxury of calling up Cesc Fabregas, one of the most intelligent players in world football and a master of dictating play.

Arsenal were better in the match than against Haladás using the same formation but with the departure of Fabregas at half time, were not the same threat. Song’s positional play became suspect and the formation was shown to be more rigid. Work still needs to be done with this set-up but the thinking remains that this formation will give greater control of zones while allowing more or less the same fluidity.

Time will tell, but the conundrum for Wenger will be whether to stick with the 4-3-3 which is the more orthodox or return to the 4-4-2 which suits Arsenal passing game but could be the more difficult to organise. You can’t help but feel all there needs is a little understanding……

A Season In Review – The Defence

June 4, 2009 at 1:10 pm | In Arsenal | 7 Comments
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Arsenal’s new found stability at the back during the second half of the season may have come about because the Gunners were less effective higher up compared to season 2007/08 .
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The difference between Manchester United and Arsenal hinged on the respective club’s defensive record according to Arsene Wenger and in the first half of the season, it was disastrous.

The 14 starts Mikael Silvestre made in all competitions in the first half of the year saw Arsenal let in 22 goals but rather than pin the blame on the Frenchman, there has been a number of reasons for the improvement in defense.

Johan Djourou was brought in and instantly the Gunners looked more assured at the back. He created a complementary partnership with whomever he line-up with because of his size and it seemed the Swiss international was the answer. However, height was never the main issue. Djourou displayed some strong performances in the early period and the second half starting with the game at Chelsea (2-1) but rather, Arsenal as an attacking force was causing too much strain on the defence.

Arsenal were not any less effective in front of goal regarding chance conversion, the build up play was just lacking bite. Keeping possession was a form of defence last season as it denied any pressure on the backline while also creating pressure at the other end. This season after the loss of key creative men the Gunners were forced to find their chemistry again. In patches did we see that although Arsenal were now playing a bit more direct and getting the ball forward quicker especially with the pace of Walcott. This is not necessarily a bad thing but not having the same intricacy meant, the ball would come back more often and therefore teams were able to attack the space where Arsenal were not as organised in. The matches against Tottenham, Fenerbahce, Man City and Aston Villa were clear examples.

Playing an attacking game and one that seeks to retain possession means the back line must push up but with the increasing regularity of the attack breaking down, there was simply too much work to do.

“At one stage we had conceded too many goals, so we encouraged our defenders to be a bit more cautious,” says Arsene Wenger. The full back area, when they push forward exposes the channel for counter attacks. With teams sitting deep this was especially a problem in the early part of the season. “Transitions have become crucial,” says Jose Mourinho who tries to keep a minimum of five behind the ball. “When the opponent is organised defensively, it is very difficult to score. The moment the opponent loses the ball can be the time to exploit the opportunity of someone being out of position.”

The affect of making the full backs more cautious has been fourfold: The space vacated by Clichy and Sagna was being exploited less (1) , it alleviated some of the strain on Denilson who had to cover a lot of ground (2) (although Wenger then moved to a 4-2-3-1), and also the centre backs (3), who had to push up to make up the space. And they are also stopping crosses coming in to the box, long thought to be Arsenal’s Achilles heel.

So while it improved Arsenal’s fortune’s at the back, it meant Clichy and Sagna were never going to match the heights of the previous season. Both were solid defensively but when they got forward often their crosses had been of a poor quality. Gibbs and Eboue have been able deputies this season and arguably have been better in the final third. Gallas and Toure were more assured at the back with the latter able to have the confidence to make his trademark forward bursts. The attacking play has improved recently with Arsenal getting back some of their intricacy and the defenders more positive. The most curious partnership has been of Djourou and Song, maybe one for the future?

In goal, Almunia has been mightily assured, his decision making on when to rush out and when not to has been of top quality. The Gunners have a peculiar playing style which means the ‘keepers must be adept at running out and kicking to keep play flowing and at times act as the sweeper. We saw two sides of Fabianski, one with confidence and one without but both were riddled with the same flaws; a lack of decision making, usually too eager to rush out but it shows the Polish stopper just needs more games to get an understanding.

Ratings: Almunia (7), Fabianski (5), Sagna (6), Clichy (7), Gibbs (8), Gallas (7), Toure (7), Djourou (8), Song (8), Silvestre (5).

Age old problem of balance has proven difficult for Arsene Wenger

May 12, 2009 at 5:56 pm | In Arsenal | 2 Comments
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Arsene Wenger’s tactical experiments in trying to secure a balance between attack and defence from his young side, has not gone all to plan this season.
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With that defeat, Arsenal’s 21 game unbeaten league run came to an emphatic halt. And perhaps fittingly, that run which started at Chelsea and ended against the same club, reveals how much the two clubs have come since then.

On the face of it, a great deal hasn’t changed from the Chelsea under Luis Felipe Scolari and the one currently managed by Guus Hiddink. However the Dutchman has made the Blues hard to beat again, instilling a more cautious and efficient approach to their play which in reality is just like the Chelsea of old. Against Arsenal they were counter-attacking, letting their opponents to do most of the running before hitting them with a sucker-punch. The return of Essien has been most important and the Ghanaian allows the team to be more dominant in the centre and control space better.

Scolari on the other hand wanted to make Chelsea the expansive, ball-hogging side that they were not suited to, especially without the injured pair Joe Cole and Deco. Tactically they fell short, as the Brazilian coach never look to deviate from the same style of football even when the game was being chased. Nevertheless even with these adjustments Hiddink has made, it is easy to see this side is running it’s course and look more likely to struggle than Arsenal next season if much of the team remains the same.

And indeed, Arsene Wenger has admitted signings are to be made next season, who more importantly are to be players of experience because the club is overflown with stars of the future. But for some, that reinforcement should have come before the start of the season when it was apparent in the previous campaign that a lack of depth was the reason for the derailment of Arsenal’s title charge. A lot then was placed on young Denilson’s shoulders to carry the fight after a slow start but while Arsenal were decent in attack, they were not great, even Fabregas’ return couldn’t bring back the flowing football.

Five defeats and the Brazilian was at the forefront of fans’ fury, some stating he was playing in Cesc Fabregas’s areas. The truth was, that the Spaniard was playing even higher up in order to repeat the previous season’s heroics thereby exposing the young(er) midfielder.  Pressuring was a team game but the stats actually showed Denilson was mostly (and quietly) leading the charge. The handing of the captain armband to Fabregas was part of the turning point; the playmaker became a bit more disciplined and started dictating proceedings all the while adding balance to the line-up. And with the club leaking goals, Wenegr urged the full backs to be more cautious.

“At one stage we had conceded too many goals, so we encouraged our defenders to be a bit more cautious,” said Wenger. The affect of the change has been fourfold: Early in the season (though not just limited to) Arsenal were being attacked in the space vacated by Clichy and Sagna (1) while at the same time putting too much strain on Denilson (2) and the centre backs (3), who had to push up to make up the space and contribute in creating the pressure in the other end. And they are also stopping crosses coming in to the box (4), long thought to be the defences Achilles heel.

A first half barrage at the hands of the Chelsea wingers and the Arsenal defence survived with only one goal conceded. The second half saw a Van Persie double inspire the Gunners to an important win but little did he know his role would become even more crucial in the coming months. Fabregas exited injured as Arsenal lost their main creative force. “When he’s there, everything goes through him but when he’s not it can take a while to adapt because the game goes through different ways – it’s plural,” said Wenger. “When it’s Fabregas it is more one-way traffic at the start of the build-up.”

Indeed it took a while and required some tinkering, no less helped by Arshavin’s arrival. Wenger responded to a barren run in front of goal by focusing the play on getting the ball wide and up the pitch quicker. The opponents were being pressured higher up the pitch due to assurances given by the cautious full backs and the midfield shield. Nasri moved to the centre in a 4-2-3-1 and mixing the above factors together, Arsenal produced their best senior performance of the season against Roma.

Fabregas’s return saw the skipper take up the Frenchman’s role but to mixed success; while Cesc was the more incisive passer, Nasri added better balance by supporting play better. Another good performance at home to Villarreal seemed to suggest the 4-4-1-1 to be Arsenal’s best system. However with the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, the hard work was becoming undone and the defensive shield proving irrelevant; good against the smaller clubs but against the bigger sides it meant it invited the opponents forward. Of course Arsenal were pressing higher up the pitch but if that failed (and a simple long ball could easily undo it) meant exposing the midfield cover.

Which invariably led to the Chelsea game. The high pressure exposed Song and the back four were left with too much to cope with in front of them. It required a bit more discipline from Fabregas or Nasri (at times it was difficult to fathom who was the deeper midfielder) who without that player operating as a number 10 were all too eager to move there. Arsenal produced their best attacking display without the finishing against the best defence in the league but the balance was wrong. “I believe we have quality defenders and it’s more a case of balancing the team defensively than the quality of our defender,” Wenger explained. “I still feel I was more worried in February when we were drawing 0-0 without creating a chance. It’s always easier to correct what doesn’t work defensively; if you don’t create chances you are always more worried.”

With players like Hleb, Rosicky and Eduardo last season Arsenal were able to share creative duties while the mobility and tireless work of Flamini was priceless. The Chelsea defeat, although large shows that while the attacking part of the game was less complete the defensive side, as a team required a bit more fine-tuning. Injuries have meant the constant changing of the line-up to find the right balance and with everything the team has learned over the season, can surely be displayed with a complete performance away to United on Saturday.

Walcott’s anonymity shows wingers’ freedom of touchline is no more

May 1, 2009 at 3:30 pm | In Arsenal | 8 Comments
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Theo Walcott’s anonymity in the first leg against Manchester United showed why there is a lack of natural wingers nowadays and as the game has evolved, so has their skill set.
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Arsenal Wenger has normally never played with traditional wingers. Overmars was probably the first and ultimately the last until Walcott came about. Pires and Ljungberg were both converted attacking midfielders while Hleb and Rosicky have always shown their creative roots. But even with their differences, all including Overmars, had more to them than just being able to run past defenders; all thought with their head rather than their feet.

“I like to have one behind the striker, and one or two on the flanks who come inside,” said Wenger. ”I always feel that if you have players who can deliver the decisive ball in all areas of the pitch, you have many more chances of being creative. If it’s only focused on one central part, where it’s usually more concentrated, you have more space on the flanks to create.”

Arshavin and Nasri both fall into the category of ‘Wenger style’ wingers but with Walcott’s increasing integration to the starting line up perhaps there is a slight change of philosophy. Against Chelsea, the manager started with Van Persie on the left and Walcott on the right as he wanted to play with ‘wingers,’ as he put it but in the end were too orthodox. Only at the beginning when Van Persie interchanged with Diaby were Chelsea most threatened and incidentally when the goal came about. At Manchester United, the Red Devils packed the midfield, Rooney then forced Walcott back with United’s early attacking impetus and after the goal, vigorously closed down the winger.

Most of today’s game is about space; pressing to deny space and to make best advantage when you get the space. Former Ecuador manager Luis Fernando Suarez argues the physical development of the game and the packing of central midfield means that more emphasis should be placed on the wings. Around a quarter of goals  from open play come from a cross and teams are quick to stop that happening.

If that happens wingers are effectively phased out unless they have more in the locker to get themselves out. Hence the decrease of the natural winger; someone who will come back to the dressing room with chalk on their boots but will actually have one good game in five. Unpredictability is the key weapon in today’s game and it is better to have those that can maximise the spaces. Rinus Michels speaks of ‘operational space’ and that is where the big sides excel in (think Manchester United’s front four last season).

There are many good wide men but in an utilitarian game coaches prefer to have those players that can not only stick to the touchline but can come off the flanks to exploit the space that is potentially on offer.

Tactical View: How to beat Manchester United

April 29, 2009 at 3:21 pm | In Arsenal | 2 Comments
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Arsenal Column have identified three key areas which could determine whether Arsenal return from the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford with a result.
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1. Midfield shield must keep tabs on United’s attacking quartet

Wenger may not have advocated the midfield shield before the start of the season but there is no doubt that the role has helped steady the ship this campaign. Manchester United’s forwards like to operate in the area between midfield and attack and especially Berbabtov who is likely to start because of his hold up play.

Like Porto and Liverpool before them, being organised and denying space in front of the defence will be the first step to an Old Trafford result. It will be interesting to see who Arsene Wenger deploys in central midfield, as he has a full set of options to contend with, and whether to play Fabregas, as predicted, behind Adebayor. Arshavin’s unavailability will probably mean Nasri will play out wide but at Middlesbrough he showed great positional awareness which Wenger may be tempted to call upon.

Possession will not be key in this game and with the tempo both teams play with, the ball is likely to go back and forth between each end though mostly in United’s favour. Expect a 55-45% possession advantage to the Reds but with the counter-attacking nature of both sides, it will be how each team is set-up when possession changes hands that could decide the outcome.

2. Press Carrick

This job will be up to whoever plays behind Adebayor, most likely to be Fabregas. If Arsenal can get the England midfielder searching for the ball, then it could open up gaps for the Gunners to exploit. Carrick is a fantastic passer of the ball but with the way United attack, which is like a 4-2-4, the forward quarter are almost looking for the midfielder to feed the ball to them at every opportunity.

Cutting Carrick out may not necessarily mean cutting off the supply line; United are a pressure team looking to force the opposition on the back foot with the angles they attack from. Nevertheless, denying Carrick space will open up spaces for Arsenal to attack in and create uncertainty to the back four.

3.  Effective wing play will be key for both sides

Last season in the FA Cup Arsenal were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by United as Hoyte and Traore were run ragged out wide. Although with Sagna on the right this may not happen it is less assured on the left with Gibbs doubtful which means Silvestre may deputise if he also passes fit.

Ferguson will have identified this as an area of Arsenal’s weakness therefore could be tempted to play Ronaldo there. Wenger on the other hand may want to deploy Diaby to offer added protection.

However the past few games have also seen United frailties in defending quick, pacy players especially if the wingers do not offer enough protection. Evra v Walcott may well be the defining contest and on the break the winger can be deadly. Manchester United will want to force the England man as far back as possible to deny him the opportunity to run at Evra. On the break Arsenal had the back four on the back foot at the Emirates in October, with the centre back pairing having to make up positionally for others.

Predicted Line Ups
Manchester United (4-4-2):Van Der Sar – O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra – Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs (c) - Rooney, Berbatov.
Subs:Foster, Rafael, Evans, Park, Fletcher, Scholes Welbeck, Tevez

Arsenal (4-2-3-1):Almunia – Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs – Song, Nasri – Walcott, Fabregas (c), Diaby – Adebayor
Subs:Fabianski, Silvestre, Eboue, Denilson, Ramsey, Vela, Bendtner

Fabregas still the key in Wenger’s quest for domination

April 23, 2009 at 3:59 pm | In Arsenal | 8 Comments
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The Gunners are still ever reliant on Cesc Fabregas to pull the strings with Arsenal’s passing game having suffered this season, especially against the stronger clubs.
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The passing stats after the thrilling 4-4 draw at Anfield read Arsenal 281 successful passes and 44 unsuccessful. Contrast that to Liverpool and they made 327 successful passes and only one misplaced pass less at 43. Last season, the 1-1 draw on the same ground saw the Gunners culminate a massive 432 accurate passes compared to Liverpool’s 201. The Red’s made it hard to play with their direct style but how different was it to last season? Nevertheless it is marked difference from the possession kings that is known as Arsenal.

With Rosicky and Fabregas out for large chunks of the season, and Hleb  having departed in the summer, Wenger has recast his side to a more quicker team, able to get the ball from A to B swiftly especially with Walcott and Arshavin on either side.

Wenger has always liked his sides to keep the ball; pass quickly with great off the ball movement and dynamism, his ‘Invincibles’ side arguably perfected it. The current side seems to have perfected only half of the formula and while being more dynamic is not a bad thing it means the ball will come back more. Against the lesser sides, the Gunners are comfortable at moving the ball around (although matches against Fulham and Wigan showed their limitations) but when faced up against the stronger sides, Arsenal are more counter-attacking.

As shown by some of the great attacking teams of recent times, keeping the ball is a great form of defence as well, denying pressure on the back line. Barcelona and Manchester United are relentless pressure machines and although they may be open at the back at times, more than balance it out with their ability to keep ball and suffocate space. Liverpool and Chelsea on the other hand are more direct and while capable of keeping the ball, it too means the ball will come back more often than for United and Barca. However that’s why they are the masters of space and efficiency; never giving an inch while looking to make best advantage of what’s available.

When Fabregas is not dictating play from the central midfield role, the Gunners are less possession based and when the skipper is moved higher this means someone must take a greater mantle in circulating the ball. As shown against Liverpool, the side failed to string together a long enough sequence with the ball. Which is not to say Fabregas is not good enough for the number 10 role, he needs the movement around him and capable passers. The modern day game sees the ‘universal playmaker’; it is a team duty just as it is to defend.

Wenger admits his most greatest influence was the “Total Football” Ajax team of the late 60s and early 70s. A team which was built up with a core of players from the academy and played revolutionary football, interchanging positions and keeping the ball.

Samir Nasri may be the player which typifies his vision, which is most likely to be in a 4-4-1-1. The Frenchman’s cameo in a defensive midfield position at Liverpool underlines Wenger’s faith in him, as the manager could easily have put Fabregas back. Maybe it was so that Fabregas could still thread the defence splitting passes but Nasri showed that he has the ability to be a worthy central midfielder or even deeper.

The Bergkamp role seems tailor fit for Van Persie who in that position, has made the most assists in the Premier League and could allow Walcott and Arshavin to play out wide. The team has great potential but one which is still over-reliant on Fabregas to pull the strings but when everything gels, should see a dynamic yet ball-hogging Arsenal side.

There is every chance the Gunners will click with each other very soon but while the team is still young, there is every chance that it may take longer than expected. In the meantime however, Fabregas is still king.

There is no greater game of chess than Chelsea v Liverpool

April 15, 2009 at 2:30 pm | In Arsenal | 4 Comments
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For a pure tactical encounter, there is no game better than Chelsea and Liverpool, and the two clubs once again provided an engrossing match up.
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Usually a game to massage the ego’s of both opposing managers, the matches between the two sides have always been tight, tense, tactical affairs with the slightest deviation from the gameplan enough to win or lose the game. However last night’s game had more than one and although Chelsea won the tie as a whole, both teams can leave with the heads held high.

It was perhaps fitting that on the eve of the Hillsborough disaster, Liverpool produced a heroic performance that matched the occasion. Two tactical masters pitted their wits against each other and although Benitez bared the scars of the last leg defeat to Gus Hiddink’s side, the Spaniard entered the game with much confidence.

Each goal represented a press of the chess timer and by half time, Liverpool had already won two pieces. With the king, Steven Gerrard out, the Reds needed a pawn to step up and step up they did. Lucas Leiva was fantastic in the captain’s role but it was left back Fabio Aurelio who drew first blood with a piece of genius. Spotting the ever-growing vulnerable Petr Cech off his line, the Brazilian whipped a low free kick into the bottom corner of Chelsea’s near post. Xabi Alonso, who was superb in dictating play put Liverpool two up from the spot after Branislav Ivanovic had hauled the same man down.

The Blues could not cope with Liverpool’s nimzowitch and zugzwang tactics; the pressing and causing of mistake by Chelsea. Both teams played with near identical formations but Mascherano and Lucas hassled and harried the central midfield and denied them the space to play. Liverpool’s old style play of Steinitz was still there (the focus on positional play to allow for the platform to attack) but threw a bit more caution to the wind.

The Chelsea wingers were forced back by Liverpool’s two of Kuyt and Benayoun as the two looked to come inside and support Torres thereby shifting Chelsea’s full back’s inside and creating space out wide. Arbeloa and Aurelio were then able to attack freely down the channels hence creating more work for Maluda and Kalou, who was taken off early for Anelka to try and pressure Liverpool higher.

Somehow Chelsea summoned unlikely energy to force a goal back although with a little help from Reina. Anelka’s cross came off Drogba and in turn came off the out of position goalkeeper. Alex blasted in the equaliser and Lampard added another to put Chelsea three in front on aggregate. However Liverpool never gave up; Torres went off for Riera moving Benyoun to the centre while in the latter stages Benitez took off Arbeloa for Babel, playing an old fashioned, attacking 3-5-2.

Lucas pulled one back with a deflected shot and Kuyt put the Reds in front on the night though still one behind with a header. Liverpool could dare dream but Lampard finally buried the coffin with another late run into the box and finished off superbly. And with that goal, Hiddink reached over and pressed the timer for the last time to seal Liverpool’s fate.

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With thanks to Studs Up.

Wenger transplants a more direct approach after losing creative brains

March 19, 2009 at 2:00 pm | In Arsenal | 8 Comments
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Wenger has recast his Arsenal team to a more direct and quicker side this season after the loss of key creative midfielders.
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Arsenal received the bad news this week of another set-back to perennial sick note Tomas Rosicky or it would have been even worse had their not been another little figure orchestrating proceedings. The ‘Andrey Arshavin factor’ is in full flow with the Russian displaying the right amount of creativity and dynamism that has so been missing for the last couple of months and indeed maybe even the whole season.

With Arshavin and Walcott operating out wide against Blackburn and Hull City, it is quite a marked difference from the wide men of Hleb and Rosicky of last season, who making up for their lack of directness interplayed with quick, one touch passes. The creative abilities of the wide men often accused Arsenal of being over-elaborate but the movement caused much uncertainty among opposition defences.

“I like to have one behind the striker, and one or two on the flanks who come inside,” said Arsene Wenger. “I always feel that if you have players who can deliver the decisive ball in all areas of the pitch, you have many more chances of being creative. If it’s only focused on one central part, where it’s usually more concentrated, you have more space on the flanks to create.”

With Hleb and Rosicky both preferring to cut inside it resulted into the more pass-focused play and while the ‘Invincibles’ were the original pass masters, with Ljungberg and Pires wide, had greater dynamism and penetration to go with it. For most of this season Arsenal have had to use Nasri and Eboue but as both prefer to come inside, to play such a passing game requires players to play around them and that is where Fabregas has been missed.

“When he’s there, everything goes through him but when he’s not it can take a while to adapt because the game goes through different ways – it’s plural,” said Wenger. “When it’s Fabregas it is more one-way traffic at the start of the build-up.” As a result their has been an over-reliance on the front four recently which requires quicker build up play and more directness from the wings. The possession keeping when teams have taken the initiative to the Gunners is as of yet not as strong as it can be; a lower percentage of possession to both Fulham and Aston Villa would have been blasphemous last season. The shield of Denilson and Song/Diaby have improved immensely but as of yet not as expansive as the Spaniard however they are slowing gaining in confidence  and the signs are good.

The partnership raises an interesting point; Arsenal have always had a midfield shield in front of their defence but who also had the creative potency but with Fabregas it is always him plus one, maybe leaving the team open at times. He has created plenty of goals and has been the heartbeat of the side but ultimately the club’s trophy haul during his  years at the club suggests he wasn’t success. Of course it is an absurd statement given his talismanic status but if Fabregas pushes up could put a lot of strain on the defence hence Flamini’s impact last season. However both Denilson and Diaby have shown they can match the Frenchman for industry both clocking up 15,000 metres against Roma and are still under the age of 24 (when Flamini made his breakthrough). Fabregas has shown, upon given the captain armband that he can undertake a more dictating role to achieve a greater balance while his tackling has always been understated.

The more direct play have grown naturally but given Wenger’s statement on how Arsenal have had to adapt without the Spaniard, it seems more manufactured. After the match against Hull, Arshavin stated Wenger wanted the team to play more quicker in his half time team-talk. “He told us that while we were doing the right things, we needed to speed up a bit to get the result.” The late Renus Michels, who was former Holland manager during the ‘Total Football’ era feels such a counter attacking style has shown to be most efficient when ’short term success is desired.’ In his book ‘Teambuiding: The Road to Success’ a team in phase two will usually implement this style as their main style while those in phase three master what he call ‘ball circulation’ something not many teams can do.

The team must master the ‘ball circulation’ component to be able to determine the correct moment to start the attack. However, ball circulation is a means, not a goal in itself! To carry the play on the opponents half of the field places high demands of the build-up. There is not much time and space to work in and you have to deal with high defensive pressure. Fast combinations and excellent positional play are a must. Circulation football!

To lose possession close to the middle line when building-up is almost ’suicidal’ in this risky style of football. One touch passing is also a must in the building-up team function of this strategy. This demands additional tactical insight from the players as situations quickly have to be surveyed. Each player has to anticipate even more.

To carry the play means that one time you choose to play in a high tempo and the next time you use delaying tactics to slow the play down. A play-making team must take full advantage of the space and must have defenders who can quickly change the point of attack, wing forwards who remain on the outside, etc.

The transition from defence to build-up must be executed very quickly. The team tactical manpower in the centre of the field(central defenders, midfielders and striker) is of great importance.

During the build up, the tactical coherence between the central defenders who must be thinking of playing the ball forward, the attacking midfielders and the central striker is very precise work. When possession is lost, it starts in the opposite direction. Good ball circulation puts high demands on the quality of the positional play, the mastering of the tempo and the speed of action.

In terms of style Arsenal can be classed to be in the middle of the two as they rebuild but with the players Wenger has at his disposal they can offer the correct blend of circulation football and dynamism that the ‘Invincibles’ perfected. Arshavin has only to adapt to English football and the teams understanding, Samir Nasri is still developing his dribbling to be a more effective winger but has the capability to deputise for Fabregas in the near future. Defensively the team is as strong as ever, maybe due in part to the more cautious approach and as the team are young, can get even better.

Arsenal should continue to develop momentum and with a good end to the season and pre-season to adapt to each other, the team has the variety, interchangeability to be potentially beautiful to watch and explosive at the same time.

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