Arsenal Thread 2013/14

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Has there ever been a bigger load of bottlers in history? Year in year out, this happens. Gutless wonders.
 
Ronuja said:
City Raider said:
The reason you get torn apart in your important away games is your back four get minimal protection. A Fernandinho type was who you needed, not Ozil.
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I have sunk many hours into pondering why we've performed so shamefully in some of those big away games. Although player selection has been an important part of it, I think the basic problem was always mental rather than personnel-related, which is considerably more worrying since that's not a problem that can be fixed though a transfer window. I feel that mentally we just don't prepare well enough for these games away: there's no reason why we should beat Liverpool at home 2-0 and then get humiliated like we did at Anfield. Same applies with Chelsea. I count the game at the Etihad as a different category, because although we were well outplayed by you guys, it was at least a competition for a decent part of the match. It was not a total humiliation against a truly excellent side.

Besides the mental preparation aspect I think there's also been a tactical failure on the part of the manager going into these games. More than exposing the back four I think the problem is how much license our full-backs are given to bomb forward. Time and again we've seen how that enables top-class opposition like Liverpool and Chelsea to hit us on the break and create four-on-two situations leaving our center-backs helpless, a little bit like your goal the other day: it was the center backs who were hung out to dry. I think with more defensive discipline and positional awareness from Gibbs and Sagna -- who otherwise our excellent players, I think that could happen a lot less. Who knows, maybe they're doing it Wenger's urging, but then I'd hope that he would learn to adjust for those harder games, because all though it works fine against weaker teams, its like Kamikaze against top-class opposition.

The exposure of the center-backs in that way is partially attributable to Mikel Arteta losing much of his pace compared to last year (when he was our main CDM), but I would argue that Flamini is just that defensive anchor we need in the midfield ( which was why it was disappointing to see him on the bench against Chelsea). I'm not absolutely sure about the role Fernandinho plays in the City team, but from what I understand he takes over more of the defensive responsibilities, allowing Toure to rampage, is that correct? Flamini's steeliness, energy, and aggression- bordering on overzealous at times - makes him, in my opinion, the best player to take up that kind of role, if he were given the opportunity. Some of our best performances this season have come when Arteta and Flamini have been paried together in a more stable defensive midfield platform like in our home win against Napoli.

supercrystal7 said:
Tactically Wenger has been very poor and naive in the big games. Leaving the team completely exposed. It's not a problem when you have a team with the quality of Barcelona, but Arsenal are not Barcelona. At least for the City game he set up the team with more balance and got a better result despite missing a number of first team regulars.
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We're mooted as a possession based team but the days when we could keep the ball almost interminably are long gone. Barcelona, on the rare occasions when they loose the ball do very well to get back quickly. I think the failure to do this is what has cost us the most in the big games, in addition to poor tactical set-up and team selection.
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Everton were superb today. I thought Arsenal would win, but it was a convincing and deserved Everton win

However at least Ramsey returned, and he looked the business again, though it's going to take 2-3 weeks surely for him to get back to anything like the level he was

Everton have some difficult fixtures. I think Arsenal will do it

I think the problem Arsenal have in these games is not bottle or quality, but defensive organisation. I like your defenders. They are really good individuals, but there's no protection in front of the back 4. Fernandinho, or Garcia sit in front of our back 4 and protect them. They pick up the loose balls, and stop the runners. I think that's all it is. Wenger just doesn't seem to want to put a player in that position.

Sorry that you are feeling down about your team, but you are still in 4th and have the FA Cup at Wembley to look forward to.
 
MC ID said:
aguero93:20 said:
baildon blue said:
Wheres Gooner2 I haven't heard from him since Christmas .
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Banned. Pity....
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Didn't have shit on THFC6061 in the insane rival fan department though.
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Actually his words were prophetic.
we the team to beat
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What happened then?
Everyone bar the two thundercunt clubs beat them.
Fucking Visionary.
 
Fabianski says
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Just back from Goodison Park

I have been to 6 Arse away games this season and have yet to see us win

In those matches in every game the home team scores first

The games away are City Liverpool Chelsea Everton Southampton and WBA

We lose 4 and draw 2

I have seen us in those games score 7 and concede 23 goals

To say I'm pissed off is putting it mildly. Giroud is a big slow uninterested lump. Arteta is painfully slow. Monreal can't defend. After Theo got injured and was not replaced in January FFS we have no pace and every team crushes us because we are so fucking easy to play against. Press high condense midfield and watch us play so stupidly it hurts.

I don't think the players are doing it for Wenger.

If we fail to win the F A Cup and at the moment we couldn't beat Scunthorpe (no disrespect ) let alone Wigan, or we fail to gain 4th spot then I think Wenger should go.

I'm going to Norwich last game of the season and if nothing else, can I see a fucking away win?!!!

I can't stand this shit
 
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