Arsene Wenger is not known for nullifying the opposition, but against West Ham he took steps to do just that by starting Francis 'Cockles' Coquelin alongside Mathieu 'Flames' Flamini. No wonder the 2-1 victory at Upton Park warmed the cockles of Arsenal hearts!
The returning Laurent Koscielny heralded some much-needed defensive solidity to the back four, but I fear the France international may be in and out of the team unless he has completely recovered from the Achilles problem that has dogged him this season.
What made this victory all the more impressive was West Ham's ascent to nose-bleed territory in the Premier League. This was a game where mistakes would be punished, so Arsenal duly stepped up to the plate.
Danny Welbeck, amongst others, showed why he was one of the bargains of the last transfer window, by scoring the winner and causing West Ham problems with his pace. I'm not sure why some say the jury's still out on him, as his industry has already completely won me over.
Other strange things I've read on the Internet include 'Gibbs and Chambers can't defend'. Okay, they didn't start against West Ham, but I still maintain both will become Arsenal legends.
Chambers had a blistering start to his Arsenal career but had had to backpedal a bit of late, since being moved from position to position in the back four. I see him as a centre back personally, so I'd be loath to play him at right back against a quick
left wide man (especially with the pacy Hector Bellerin waiting in the wings).
Gibbs is another kettle of fish entirely. Very few Gooners prefer Monreal to Gibbs at left back, but Nacho is more experienced and perhaps earned his selection based on that. Additionally, Gibbs may have needed a rest, which maybe the real reason he was left out.
Whatever the reasons behind the mildly curious team selection, it's time to enjoy 6 points from two games against London opposition.
Next up is Southampton, who have just taken points from league leaders Chelsea. Perhaps this will be the toughest test of this festive period so far, given the way they knocked us out of the League Cup (if I'm allowed to still call it that!).
We'll soon see if Wenger rates them or not, as I'd suggest a team with Flames alongside Cockles will show Le Boss is taking the Saints seriously. The only drawback is if this midfield partnership continues to prove itself successful, it will discourage Wenger from spending on the transfer front.
Still, it's results we want, not necessarily extra bodies. Unless we're talking about Mats Hummels, of course, who I see as a necessary addition to the back four. What a fine late Christmas present the Germany international would be for the Arsenal faithful, particularly if Podolski moves to Inter Milan on loan leaving the Gunners with one less World Cup winner in the squad.
Before I sign off, let me suggest that Wenger makes the following New Year's resolution: to buy players when necessary and not to always try to paper over cracks with stop-gap solutions.
Having said that, Cockles deserves another Arsenal chance, which makes the likelihood of a recruit in central midfield quite remote. However, here's wishing for a top central defender and a trophy for 2015 (and I don't mean the Emirates Cup either!).
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Monday 29 December 2014
Friday 26 December 2014
There's no dampening Arsenal's Flame
There's only one 'Eternal Flame'! And I don't mean The Bangles' tune. Of course, I'm talking about Mathieu Flamini.
I feel like writing about 'Flames' after I read some of the stick he's getting online. I do respect Gary Neville's opinion, but to say Flames neither screens the back four nor presses the ball is more than a tad harsh.
The truth is Flames is overworked. He's expected to cover every position in defence and he gets next to no support from his fellow midfielders. Against QPR Tomas Rosicky performed reasonably well from an attacking point of view; however, token defensive jog backs to the edge of the box are laughable. Except if I were Flames I'd feel like crying!
One player who has upped his game defensively lately is Santi Cazorla. Quite impressed with the Spaniard of late. More of the same from the rest of the midfield please to give Arsenal fans a Happy New Year!
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I feel like writing about 'Flames' after I read some of the stick he's getting online. I do respect Gary Neville's opinion, but to say Flames neither screens the back four nor presses the ball is more than a tad harsh.
The truth is Flames is overworked. He's expected to cover every position in defence and he gets next to no support from his fellow midfielders. Against QPR Tomas Rosicky performed reasonably well from an attacking point of view; however, token defensive jog backs to the edge of the box are laughable. Except if I were Flames I'd feel like crying!
One player who has upped his game defensively lately is Santi Cazorla. Quite impressed with the Spaniard of late. More of the same from the rest of the midfield please to give Arsenal fans a Happy New Year!
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday 7 December 2014
Back-to-basics approach required for Arsenal
Under Arsene Wenger, defence has never been the best form of attack. Of course, he was lucky enough to inherit a solid back four when he first took over, but since then he has struggled to give Arsenal defensive solidity, despite all the trophies won.
Those shortcomings can be overlooked when the silverware is being collected, but when there seems little chance of adding to the club's list of honours, that ineptitude becomes higher profile.
Steve Bould, if he's allowed, surely knows how to fix what's wrong. Hector Bellerin is young, but he shouldn't be going to ground in the 6-yard box unless he has no other choice. The result: Stoke's opener. Okay, Calum Chambers missed a header too, but that can't be coached out him. It was a technical error. Bellerin's decision to go to ground was a mental error. That's not to deny Bellerin's huge potential. With the right coaching, he can learn a lot from his mistakes and go on to become a legend at the club. That's what I'm predicting, although it's a bit premature to expect that much form an obviously talented and extremely fast youngster.
Meanwhile, Mertesacker's inability to track runners is even more of a cause if concern. If he lacks the pace to do it himself, he needs to assign his man to someone else. His failure to do so was costly, resulting in another goal conceded against Stoke. Tracking runners is fundamental to defending: surely Bould knows that too.
Finally, Martinez's luck in goal has finally run out. Credit must go to the concentration of the players in front of him prior to the Stoke debacle. It's too early to decide how good Martinez will be, but he has shown promise. This defeat won't be bad for his long-term development, despite how catastrophic it's been for Arsenal's remote title chances.
Perhaps that's why Wenger allegedly says Arsenal can win the title in 2017. It looks unlikely that this side can do it before then, unfortunately, despite Sanchez's ability to score or hit the post out of nothing.
'Nothing' is the operative word, as Arsenal are set for more barren years, trophy-wise. Hopefully, Champions League qualification will still be assured, keeping the bean counters happy.
Yet it could be so much better. Back-to-basic defending plus Sanchez could be the answer. Let's see if that can be introduced before the transfer window opens and more expensive solutions (which Arsenal will only flirt with, like Mats Hummels) present themselves.
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Those shortcomings can be overlooked when the silverware is being collected, but when there seems little chance of adding to the club's list of honours, that ineptitude becomes higher profile.
Steve Bould, if he's allowed, surely knows how to fix what's wrong. Hector Bellerin is young, but he shouldn't be going to ground in the 6-yard box unless he has no other choice. The result: Stoke's opener. Okay, Calum Chambers missed a header too, but that can't be coached out him. It was a technical error. Bellerin's decision to go to ground was a mental error. That's not to deny Bellerin's huge potential. With the right coaching, he can learn a lot from his mistakes and go on to become a legend at the club. That's what I'm predicting, although it's a bit premature to expect that much form an obviously talented and extremely fast youngster.
Meanwhile, Mertesacker's inability to track runners is even more of a cause if concern. If he lacks the pace to do it himself, he needs to assign his man to someone else. His failure to do so was costly, resulting in another goal conceded against Stoke. Tracking runners is fundamental to defending: surely Bould knows that too.
Finally, Martinez's luck in goal has finally run out. Credit must go to the concentration of the players in front of him prior to the Stoke debacle. It's too early to decide how good Martinez will be, but he has shown promise. This defeat won't be bad for his long-term development, despite how catastrophic it's been for Arsenal's remote title chances.
Perhaps that's why Wenger allegedly says Arsenal can win the title in 2017. It looks unlikely that this side can do it before then, unfortunately, despite Sanchez's ability to score or hit the post out of nothing.
'Nothing' is the operative word, as Arsenal are set for more barren years, trophy-wise. Hopefully, Champions League qualification will still be assured, keeping the bean counters happy.
Yet it could be so much better. Back-to-basic defending plus Sanchez could be the answer. Let's see if that can be introduced before the transfer window opens and more expensive solutions (which Arsenal will only flirt with, like Mats Hummels) present themselves.
Sent from my iPhone
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