Lack of Tactical Understanding Amongst The Players
Rio Ferdinand on Arsenal's tactics against West Ham:
“When you play against a team that just come and sit narrow in their penalty box, you have to move them out to areas where they don’t want to be, where you can create space within the back five."
“You get wide - Man City do it remarkably well."
“They get their two wingers and they can stay wide for the good of the team so the defenders have to come out and spread."
“Once you get people spreading then you can get runners to go in the space."
“Arsenal today played into West Ham's hands."
“They played narrow, they played through the middle where West Ham were strong."
This leads me to the next problem:
The Lack of 1 vs 1 Players
Who does Arsenal have, except Sanchez, who is great at 1 vs 1 situations? None, if you ask me. Once again, take a look at Manchester City. Sterling, Sane, Agüero, and Jesus. For the above tactic to work, you need players like this. You need players who can dribble past a man or two. Iwobi, Walcott, Welbeck, all have speed, but they are simply don't possess enough technical skills to do what's needed. Of course, it makes sense, that we are not doing what's best for the situation we saw yesterday when we don't have the material for it.
Xhaka
In games like this, you simply don't need players like him. He spreads the ball wide, but that could have been done by any player. What we need are players like Wilshere, Ramsey etc, who runs the ball, but still capable to act as a playmaker. Cazorla, we need you. Players like Cazorla is a perfect example. Technical, can shoot, can run with the ball, and sees everything. Xhaka still hasn't impressed me. Neither is he strong defensively, and neither does he create chances or benefits the team in the build-up phase.
What do you think went wrong?
Image Sources: Facebook page of Arsenal
Maitland Niles was good yesterday. his crosses were accurate. but the problem was that he's a right footer playing lb position. He has to switch his legs inorder to cross the ball, so the defenders got enough time to cover giroud. maybe try him as rb would be great. bellerin has been out of form for some time now. dont know why wenger's still starting him. and yes xhaka is a waste of space. Even jack is better than him defensively. Jack won the ball several times yesterday and made succesful tackles too.
Its just depressing to think Burnley is above us after 17 games and that we're 19 points off the top. :'(
Agree! Very great comment! I agree with everything you say, and hopefully Maitland Niles is given another chance.
Yes true. He is physically very strong and also good with his feet and has been putting up decent performances. He deserves another chance.
The main issue that I saw against West Ham was the lack of pace, both with the ball and players.
Xhaka was the main culprit as his passes were too slow and needed to be much quicker.
The lack of pace in the team meant that Arsenal couldn't stretch West Ham and create more space in the attacking third.
Its a shame for Arsenal as I feel they are going backwards under Wenger and if he loved the club as much as he says he would leave knowing that he has taken the club as far as he can.
I don't agree with that. I agree that we needed to stretch it, but that doesn't come with pace. Pace is not that important when playing teams like West Ham away. Only pace with the ball is, I think. Fast players was not important against West Ham as there were no spaces behind them where we could use it. And yes, Wenger has to leave after this season.
Why do you think that Man City are so effective? You need a combination of both pace with and without the ball to be a real threat otherwise everything is played in front of the opposition.
Pace is very important especially in today’s football balls can be played in behind, space will be created as a result, and you also have the option of quick counterattack’s.
When Man City played West Ham that’s how they beat them using deep runs behind the defense.
I don't think City are great because of their pace without the ball in a situation like we faced against West Ham. I think City are so great because of the creativity from De Bruyne and Silva, and Sterling, Sané, Agüero and Jesus ability to dribble past a man. Speed is important, but we didn't lose draw against West Ham because of lack of speed, is my opinion. This discussion got you a new follower ;)
We have to agree to disagree on this occasion!
Thanks for the follow, I look forward to having more interesting discussions about football with you :)
WHU are not bad in last matches. Win against Chelsea, just 1-2 against City , 0-0 wis Arsenal.
P.S. Didn't watch the game. But thanks to Monreal for his 8 points in fantasy league)
I would rather say that the teams were inefficient, but yes, West Ham has been good the last couples of games, but most likely due to the other team's inefficiency.
Its time for wenger to go
I agree.
Already done resteemed@arsenal49
my favourite club arsenal.I am always support arsenal.and I love arsenal @arsenal
Upvote and restreemed complete.
Now your nickname makes perfect sense ;)
I [aka @meanmommy33] used to be a crazy football fan, but not anymore as much - but I always enjoy a good game! If you say this one was a frustrating one, I would have to trust you ;)
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that WE ARE LIVE !!!! CopenSteem coming up ;)))