More Defensive Issues

This topic contains 7 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by The Oracle The Oracle 7 years, 4 months ago.

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  • #1305534
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
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    Once again we were found wanting defensively against The Spuds. Whilst their defence looked solid and well organised ours was all over the place again. Both full backs were constantly missing and both central defenders were poor, Mustafi was given the run around from early on, poor decision making and caught out for pace time and time again. Koscielny went back to his old self by giving away yet another penalty and his reckless tackling cost us the 3 points. There’s not much positive to say about the game really, no one played particularly well and The Spuds without a number of players looked the better all around side. Whenever Monreal plays the opposition attack down their right hand side because they know he’s a weak link. Iwobi should not have been recalled, he has been off the pace for some time, Walcott came the closest for us but he didn’t look fit and Ozil and Sanchez were bogged down throughout. Our goal was lucky and to be honest I’m glad we managed to get a point out of the game. I’m worried now about the Man Utd game although we seem a lot more dangerous away from home where we get more space, at home against sides that know how to defend we are short of ideas and our build up is far too slow. What this game really told me is neither side have what it takes to win the PL. Sadly I can’t see any further than Man City or Chelsea for the title unless Wenger miraculously sorts our defence out and he’s has 12 years to do that so I won’t hold my breath.

    #1305729

    Jeff
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    The problem is that neither Walcott nor Iwobi ever bother to track back and the latter’s casual play is becoming irritating. About time he had a breather I feel. Monreal has been off the pace for much of this season, but defensively he’s more solid that Gibbs will ever be and covered pretty well today without any help from Iwobi. I’m the Ox”s biggest fan but what a nightmare 20 minutes that was for him- appalling. Looks like he’s taken the lead from Giroud at coming on as sub and feeling he should not be on the bench- at least he didn’t get sent off like the Frenchman earlier in the season. We had two very good chances that were missed. Ozil and Iwobi in the first half, but overall I’m grateful for a point as we didn’t play well apart from 10-15 minute spells in each half. Why that was who knows- we did not start off as though we were really up for it and given the Spuds midweek display we should have been confident. Where was that “spirit” that our manager often goes on about? Now for United in two weeks time- who’s confident about that given our record at Old Toilet?

    #1305993
    the specialone
    the specialone
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    I don’t think we have that many defensive issues like you keep harping on about every week, but yes our defense can be better mainly mentality wise.There is honestly nothing to suggest our defense is as poor as you make them out to be.We managed to keep the most clean sheets in the league last season, and have conceded the second fewest goals in the league this season.

    What I’m worried about is our ability to hold possession and look less nervous.We start with Coquelin and Xhaka,but can they really hold onto possession between them.I don’t think it’s the best partnership, if we’re starting with two defensive midfielders we need to keep a clean sheet as simple as.Otherwise we might as well start with ramsey or should not have loaned out wilshere who’s a direct replacement for cazorla in terms of style of play and even quality.

    Also,unusually I have to credit spurs.People can say what they want but defense is the main foundation to win titles.You need to be able to achieve what you want and in their case they came for a draw and got one.Their organization was fantastic and this was probably the first time they tried out the five defense system.
    Again the mentality comes into question,I don’t think we lack the quality but if we want to go places and get the draw can we get them?Never.And PL game where I bet wenger would take a draw right now against Mourinho will be another telling situation.

    All in all it was not the worst result, but I felt we needed the win and this is yet another dent in our title hopes realistically.Maybe last year this would’ve been a good result where other teams were poor, but clearly some teams are just scintillating (Liverpool,chelsea) and city under their world class managers.I ruled out our club even before this season started only because how competitive the teams around us have become.

    #1306242
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
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    Again TSO you demonstrate your lack of football knowledge. If you honestly think that our defence is secure then you simply don’t understand anything about the game. This shouldn’t be news given the number of other posters who have said the same thing to you. Quoting pointless statistics as you often do, and often getting them wrong, merely underlines your lack of understanding. As Jeff repeatedly asks you, how old are you? I have another question for you. How many football matches have you been to, if any.

    #1306452
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    You really are a numb nut on here you know that.According to you Absolutely no one can disagree with you, and anything and everything you say is right.

    You come on here and criticizing the defense every week.By me Saying that Arsenal kept the most clean sheets in the whole of last season, or that they have conceded the second least amount of goals this season is a pointless statistic?We are discussing about the defense you moron, and I’m making most essential stats in relation to our defense.

    I think you need to take simple literacy classes to actually read a whole post before coming on here harping on about things.Where have I said our defense is secure you fool?I said they are nowhere near bad as you make them out to be.And that we can be better espsescially mentally.I’m honestly done arguing with posters like you and your idiotic friend jeff(who seems to post exactly like you, and won’t even admit when he gets things wrong).No wonder why you too keep posting to yourselves.

    Oh and By the way you two idiots,I don’t need to tell you my age,I’m 100 % more mature than both of you and definitely more capable of having a sensible debate where you actually understand and respect other’s opinion.Not going to waste my time arguing with you anymore.

    #1306476
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
    Participant
    • :

    TSO, It’s a waste of time talking to you so I won’t bother in future. As everyone else on here has stated previously you’re a baby. No wonder Jeff asks how old you are. Go away and grow up, and try going to a few games, you might learn something child.

    #1306695

    Gooner54
    Participant
    • :

    “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments. It is also sometimes colloquially used to doubt statistics used to prove an opponent’s point.

    The term was popularised in United States by Mark Twain (among others), who attributed it to the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

    Compliments of Wiki.(Was not Dissi, my comment).

    I come in peace gentlemen.Good morning,

    We were poor yesterday and allowed too much space in central midfield to the spuds. This “hole” has caused us problems in the past. It allows the other team to play past the cover and then attack diagonally at the fullbacks space, who are normally out of position too far up the field. I agree that the players who allow this are Iwobi and Walcott, although Walcott has been better previously, but yesterday, not so. They then can drive at the back line. Covering back has always been our weakness, this is a management problem.
    I feel we have good players but badly set up, as this was proven by the spuds tactical approach. We also, never seem to cross the ball quickly and tend to try to work it. Is this due to our lack of aerial height, or no target man available. I would like to see the “stats” for crosses for the game yesterday! The Ox was very poor, should be farmed out, I like him, but needs educating and mentoring, before it’s too late for him.
    Anyway, I guess it’s the way we play, but sometimes we need to change, we are often too predictable. After a midweek game we always drop off, so was not holding great hope for three points. However, we need three against Man united next, not debatable.

    In closing.

    We are all Arsenal supporters, right or wrong, we love this team. Yes, the make us mad, happy, sad, angry and lift us up then throw us down.
    Yet, we come back for more. Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.
    If we don’t agree, debate, if we still don’t agree, respect, and agree to disagree.

    By the way, I’m sixtytwo, my wife says, I’m an old fart, but that’s her opinion.

    Go well,
    Gooner for life.

    #1306869
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
    Participant
    • :

    Yes lack of tracking back by the ‘so called wide’ players is an issue but we could end up with a situation where Walcott & Iwobi end up playing full back which is pointless. Given neither Bellerin or Monreal can actually cross the ball, not that we do cross the ball that often, is there any point in them getting that far forward so often. I’d be far happier if they concentrated on defending instead of occupying Walcott and Iwobi space thereby forcing them inside. When we had the likes of Lauren & Cole with Ljunberg and Pires it worked but with the players we currently have it doesn’t and it leaves us exposed, Son was able to run at Mustafi all day long and the German couldn’t cope with him at all. Bellerin and Gibbs can get up and down the pitch, Monreal can’t and he offers nothing going forward, although he is better defensively than Gibbs. Wenger may well have to buy another more athletic full back if he continues to play this way. I didn’t think Xhaka offered anything yesterday, whether Wenger’s stupid comments about his discipline affected the player I don’t know, he was solid but offered nothing. How is it the likes of Spurs and Chelsea can just switch systems and make it work and we persist with a system that doesn’t work, totally inflexible and that comes down to managerial flaws.

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