Well it looks like after a great start to the season we are now for some reason playing over negative football?
Why did Wenger feel the need to change it?
Everything was going well, playing some quality football scoring loads of goals and starting to look solid at the back. But what did Wenger decided to do? Switched to a negative 4-5-1 and started to play players out of position. In the last 3 games we have played 4-5-1 and we have NOT won any of them. Surly that tells you that it’s not working. Why is Wenger doing this?
And Why is he playing Diaby as a striker or on the left when he clearly is not up to that job? Yes he looks a decent CM but he has never looked a striker, What baffles me even more is that he is playing Dudu wide on the left at the same time???
Dudu came to us with all us hoping that he was the “fox in the box” that we have all been waiting for and his record proves that he is a natural goal scorer. But yet Wenger has this mentality that he can convert players into something they are not. FFS Wenger play the guy up front and lets get back to 4-4-2 FAST…We are in danger of losing our momentum if this carry’s on.
I just didn’t see the need to change anything, Yes RVP is out but surely all we needed to do is replace him with Dudu or Nic and stick the formations and style we were playing that was working.
If thing start to go bad for us in the league now the person to blame will be Wenger.
Wrong Tactics, And Players Out of positions , So much for all this Wenger knows CRAP
Posted by Sinbad on The Gooner forum
November 8, 2007 at 3:20 pm |
Stop your whinging your beginning to sound like a plastic manc
November 8, 2007 at 3:21 pm |
this article is the biggest piece of shit i have EVER read. perhaps the reason we haven’t won these three games is because we have been playing liverpool, utd and tough trip to prague with our reserves? maybe we didn’t lose because wenger played 4-5-1, have you never thought of that? as for eduardo, he’slooked off the pace, which is to be expected for a new signing, which is why wenger has used him sparingly. he’ll come good, but wenger knows it’ll take 6 months t fully adapt.
i cant actually believe after the last 11 years and especially after the blistering start we’ve made this year that idiots are actually still questioning wenger. you’re an embarrassment to the club
November 8, 2007 at 3:22 pm |
Stupid stupid stupid stupid blogger…
Who have we played in our last 3 games?
Manchester United, Liverpool and an away game where we only need a draw in Prague.
That tells you it all.
Dumb F*ck!
November 8, 2007 at 3:24 pm |
Tripe.
November 8, 2007 at 3:25 pm |
Tit
November 8, 2007 at 3:26 pm |
Sinbad – I’m thinking you should stick to sailing! Obviously this is some bizarre attempt to get hits up on the website as the content is absurd and borders on blasphemy! Have you ever been to a game by the way?
November 8, 2007 at 3:28 pm |
What a load of rubbish.
November 8, 2007 at 3:28 pm |
Give the gaffer a break, we used this formation before but still won games, at least we are not losing, our carling cup team got a bit more experience (never know when that might come in handy with few injuries), we are in last 16, 1st team got a rest for Reading on Monday, which will see us back to our tempo and still with a game in hand. so back the team, ARSENE KNOWS..
November 8, 2007 at 3:29 pm |
IM SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(not with Arsenal, we have been bloody great)
YOU ARE A SHITE FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 8, 2007 at 3:29 pm |
Not even accurate. Believe we played Sheffield United in between Liverpool and Man U and beat them 3-0. Still perhaps I was dreaming. I’m all for freedom of speech but you should be ashamed of this piece of cr*p.
November 8, 2007 at 3:30 pm |
well said goofle. i am raging as well. i’m just so fucking angry
November 8, 2007 at 3:30 pm |
seems this guy has recently started supporting Arsenal. Next season it will be another team, which ever will be doing well. I find its incredible that you question a man who has proven time and again, he can weave magic.
November 8, 2007 at 3:30 pm |
Which formation did we use to get to the Champions League final?
I can’t remember, Im sure the great Sinbad would know.
November 8, 2007 at 3:31 pm |
here here goofle, i am too upset to work right now
November 8, 2007 at 3:32 pm |
hmmm i cant remember either goofle. what was it? ah yes 4-5-1. sinbad you’ve ruined my day with this crap
November 8, 2007 at 3:32 pm |
you don’t seem to get the idea….
yesterdays performance can be defended, all arsenal needed was a draw. and why does he change it? to give players some rest.
4-5-1 was used against liverpool and man utd because they’re one of out biggest rivals. he didn’t want to go gung-ho and lose..
I can bet one of my valuable testicles that he will play 442 on monday.
stop blaming the guy until he gets a bad spell in the PL. after all, a point at anfield is not that bad. neither is a point against man utd in such deadly form. the only criticism i had to that game was the pace of the first half, and some of the defending..
November 8, 2007 at 3:36 pm |
i bet one of thor’s valuable testicles as well
November 8, 2007 at 3:36 pm |
i would like to bet one of my testicles that sinbad is a spurs fan
November 8, 2007 at 3:38 pm |
any raises on thor’s testicles?
November 8, 2007 at 3:40 pm |
you would probably need to ask thor?
November 8, 2007 at 3:44 pm |
wat a zit!
wenger knows son dont worry bout it!go back to spurs!
twat!
November 8, 2007 at 3:44 pm |
sinbad – go sc**w your mum you f**kin scum bag
November 8, 2007 at 3:47 pm |
Sinbad – what type of name is that you twat?
Change your name to CUNT and we’ll be happy
November 8, 2007 at 3:52 pm |
Isn’t Sinbad the same monkey who started the Palacio prank?
Don’t get fooled by this moron… ignore him…
Gunners on the rise!
November 8, 2007 at 3:52 pm |
You are a tool of the highest order. If this shiteicle was to provoke some kind of response then stick to what you know you stupid spud lover supporting a crappy team going nowhere.
Cunt.
November 8, 2007 at 3:52 pm |
Why don’t you hand in your CV into the Grove? You seem to have this football lark sussed.
CLOWN!
November 8, 2007 at 3:53 pm |
YeeeeaHHH BoooYYY!
November 8, 2007 at 3:54 pm |
prick
November 8, 2007 at 3:56 pm |
Does your mum know your dad Sinbad?
November 8, 2007 at 4:09 pm |
Your are a cunt and you know you are !
November 8, 2007 at 4:10 pm |
You don’t know what you are talking about. The only reason we didn’t beat Slavia was because we made 8 changes. As for the previous games it was right to be cautious as our main aim was to not lose against Liverpool or Man U.
November 8, 2007 at 4:11 pm |
What a disappointing article!
Dudu plays out wide because Wenger bought him to play there and as a striker, that’s why he didn’t by Tevez.
November 8, 2007 at 4:13 pm |
Maybe the reason hes playing 4-5-1 is because RVP is injured,and lets face it Dudu needs a little time to settle in, instead of being thrown in at the deep end then having a bad couple of games and then the media getting on his back an then never getting his confidence back.Heal quicker Van!please.Until next season where well be the newly crowned champions and have 3 world class strikers to choose from,now thats a problem i would like.
Believe in Wenger,in Wenger we trust!!!!!Hero!
November 8, 2007 at 4:15 pm |
You clearly dont know shit
November 8, 2007 at 4:21 pm |
What a Muppet.
We played the same formation in preseason!
I bet you are one the the people who moan that we don’t have a plan B, now we’ve got one you MOAN.
Shame on you
November 8, 2007 at 4:25 pm |
Sinned in Bed, have you got anything to bet with that you are not a spud fan? I bet with my valuable girl friends’ tit that you are a spud, you moron
November 8, 2007 at 4:30 pm |
sinbad let me take your job off you,an we can talk seriously about arsenal for a change.
such as is this the perfect time to offload gilberto and get 10million off valencia rather than letting him waste away for a year and get no return.
or can Mad jens please just go gracefully
or can we please just buy queresma so we can show fucking poser ronaldo what real portugese skill looks like,where he uses it to actually beat players.!!!!!
November 8, 2007 at 4:39 pm |
We’ve all taken the bait and posted loads and loads on this blog. He is getting a brilliant response.
His article is truly shit
November 8, 2007 at 4:49 pm |
who the f*ck wrote this sh*t article, alex ferguson? go f*ck yourself u dumb f*ck, what the hell makes you think you know better than wenger? asshole
November 8, 2007 at 4:55 pm |
its not queresma bro its … di maria (if you know anything about euro football ahem!!)
November 8, 2007 at 5:01 pm |
The pb is not so much of the system, it’s actually more to do with Ade’s form.
We are just playing without any natural striker. Without the form of Fabregas, we could have lost the last two Premiership games. I think we should revert to 4-4-2, resting possibly Ade and partner either Eduardo/Bentner or Eduardo/Walcott.
I am not happy with Walcott on right either; any rb will always suffer as the result. Another pony shower is Diaby; he should be sent on loan like Song did with Charlton. People think that the reason is playing poorly is because he’s been played out of position. No, not at all! AW is aware of Diaby is taking needless risks by often attempting to beat players where a simple pass would
do and gives away ball in very dangerous area. This is one of many reasons why he can’t play him, as a defensive midfielder who is very close to our box.
Almunia had to make a rather lucky save after Diaby lost the ball while the defence was already out of position.
November 8, 2007 at 5:05 pm |
so that will be the sytem then?
November 8, 2007 at 5:10 pm |
THE ARTICLE IS CLEARLY OVER CRITICAL, HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. AS MOST FANS FELT PRIOR TO THE SEASON WE ARE LIGHT WEIGHT UP FRONT. THE 4 5 1 IS A RESULT OF WENGERS LACK OF OPTIONS UP FRONT NOT SOME TACTICAL GENIUS. BENDTNER & WALCOTT AREN’T READY AND EDS SIMPLY LOOKS LOST AT THIS LEVEL. SINCE RVP HAS BEEN INJURED WE HAVE LOOKED FAR LESS DANGEROUS. AGAINST BOLTON WE STRUGGLED WITH 4 4 2 BUT STILL WON, WE PLAYED 4 4 2 AGAINST PRAGUE AND SHEFFIELD AND WON COMFORTABLY, BUT THE COMMON THEME IS THAT WAS 3 VERY POOR TEAMS. WHEN WE HAVE DONE THE 4 5 1 WE HAVEN’T WON AND HAVE LOOKED VERY AVERAGE IN THE FINAL THIRD, EVEN AT ANFIELD WHERE WE PLAYED PRETTY FOOTBALL WE DID NOT LOOK THREATENING AND HAD FEW SHOTS ON GOAL. I THINK THE WHOLE 4 5 1 ARGUMENT IS SECONDARY TO THE DISCUSSION OF WHETHER WE ARE SHORT OF TOP QUALITY FORWARDS WHO ARE CONSISTANT AND GOOD ENOUGH TO COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. I LOVE ADE’S ATTITUDE AND COMMITTMENT BUT IN MY OPNION HE TOO IS NOT A CONSISTANT TOP QUALITY PERFORMER. IT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN BUT WOULD LOVE TO SEE US BUY A QUALITY STRIKER. WE ARE TOO RELIANT AND FAB AND RVP AND THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CATCH UP ON US.
November 8, 2007 at 5:13 pm |
Didn’t we play 4-4-2 in the last game and draw ??? Didn’t Eduardo play as a target man ahead of Bentender and Eduardo still didn’t score ….. Wenger might have made a few mistakes like starting Diarra and playing Eduardo ahead of Theo as a striker and bringing in Eboue on the wing but accept of that there was very little he can do … bottom line is the subs aren’t yet ready to handle big games as a team … maybe individually they would be great subs but to play all together in one game at the same time they are still not ready to handle it
November 8, 2007 at 5:15 pm |
4 5 1 tends to work with 1 big striker and wingers…. we don’t have the latter.
AW knows this. when he plays 4 5 1 he doesn’t want to lose although he may not win.
i would say if you need a point, want to blood the kids and must not lose then its quite an effective strategy?!
November 8, 2007 at 5:25 pm |
Some people will never be happy…..if you know better yu should apply for his post and see what they say….
November 8, 2007 at 5:28 pm |
I agree that this article is quite extreme and in places just bad but you can’t deny some of the points. Yes against Anfield away playing a 4-5-1 when RvP was injured is a shame, but it’s a very reasonable decision. Against Utd at home I feel it was the same. It made sense tactically, but it is frustrating to see us with a 5 man midfield when it rarely seems to get the best out of the team (regardless of if RvP is injured) but once again it was still an understandable decision. But against Prague it was simply baffling. With Bendtner and Dudu on the pitch at the same time we only had one up front and he was totally isolated. Diaby has played on the left a lot this season and has looked a little better there than he used to recently, but instead of chucking him on the left, using Giberto and Denilson in the middle and Walcott on the right he just strangled our own team of space. I know Arsenal play very well in tight spaces a lot of the time, but it regularly happens that when we play a 5 man midfield either one or two of our central midfielders becomes swamped by the numbers and has an anonymous game. Until recently that’s been the case with Cesc, where he’s usually been pretty silent in a 5 man midfield. Yesterday Denilson barely got in the game because he was in limbo between Gilberto doing defensive duties and Diaby doing offensive duties.
It’s not that we don’t have the players to play a 5 man midfield, but most of the time when we do the midfield barely support the forward at all, which is useless in all honesty. Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for our fabulous Fabregas getting forwards this season we’d be in the same situation as last year, not scoring enough and not getting in the box.
We can’t depend on Cesc to save us every time we don’t bother making runs into the box from midfield because one of these days he’s going to stop this scoring run he’s on and at the moment without RvP on the pitch in a 2 man strike force we look pretty hopeless .
We don’t NEED RvP back to score (as the home game vs Prague proved) but if we’re playing only 1 up top I seriously am worried about the drought Adebayor is having. He needs to be scoring AT LEAST a goal for every 3 games to take some pressure off of Cesc but he’s not scored in something like 7 games- which is worrying.
On the topic of the game last night though, shit performance, decent result. I think we can all just be pleased that the hard work is done so early even if there are some disputes over our general playing.
November 8, 2007 at 5:29 pm |
Don diego your saying di mario is better than quaresmawho the fucks di mario?next youll be trying to tell me gareth barry is a better player than fransesc….you must be fucking mental,he is the best left sided/right sided winger playing in europe,and he would do anything to come to us?he skinned eboue countless times in the UCL last season and that is not an easy thing to do, ronaldinho couldnt do itin the UCL final.please that would give us attacking power on both sides of the pitch,as it seems on right the most chances are created.you agree? and as much as i love clichy who should clearly be the first choice
LB for france he cannot cross a ball.
November 8, 2007 at 5:31 pm |
The best thing to do to Sinbad is to send him to Bagdad. I understand the joy of winning all our games but we have to be realistic and no one is better than Le Boss at that. It was crucial for us not to lose to LPool & Man Ure because THAT would’ve killed the Momentum. As far as Slavia’s game, you have to lookat the whole picture. We got the point we need, we rested about the entire 1st team and we did not lose even though playing with our reserves against a team at the top of their league.
G4E
November 8, 2007 at 5:32 pm |
P.S. with any luck our first team will be back- with a 4-4-2 against Reading on Monday and we can hopefully just sit back and enjoy the kind of show tat they’ve been putting on so regularly in the league this season!
November 8, 2007 at 5:36 pm |
At least pretty clear that Sindbad doesn’t KNOW
November 8, 2007 at 5:36 pm |
ash … di maria is the bigger tallent. and we have more chance of getting him, so u should be happy. but thats off topic.
November 8, 2007 at 5:41 pm |
4 5 1 is what got us to the CL finals in paris.
AW has finally understood tactically the long game. he made the right decision in the last 2 matches. it will be 4 4 2 and a bloodbath against reading.
i really think it helps to watch a bit of euro foot and EPL lads. generally speaking the EPL is bereft of tactical acumen. you will understand later why we are using it now.
November 8, 2007 at 5:44 pm |
gunnerfor ever, i think you could say that the momentum has certainly been affected already we have won one in the last four games against a very poor sheffield team and by the time we play a tough away game on monday we will behind utd and if chelsea beat everton only one point ahead of them. (which is still very good and unexpected i may add, however expectations have now been risen again). the comments about not losing against man utd / liverpool, i find strange in that we beat these teams last year when we were very average then why are we now more concerned about not losing to them rather than beating them.
November 8, 2007 at 5:47 pm |
i am not sure why you think it will be back to 4 4 2 on monday, he isn’t going to play bendtner or walcott up front and eds looked so poor last night not sure i agree. only when rvp is back can we be sure it will be 4 4 2, which it would have been against liv/man utd had he been avalaible, which is why the tactical arguments people put forward are a crock if you ask me, which i know you are not.
November 8, 2007 at 5:56 pm |
dan – because 4 5 1 we use is unlikely to produce a goal at either end (ie a win). i assume AW prices the risk of employing 4 4 2 against MUFC and Reading a little differently.
November 8, 2007 at 5:58 pm |
Awful post. What a load of guff.
November 8, 2007 at 6:09 pm |
Fuck off, you miserable cunt.
November 8, 2007 at 6:15 pm |
don, you are missing my point. i think the 4 5 1 is based on players not tactics, if rvp was fit we would have played 4 4 2, as he is not fit i guess that it will be 4 5 1 again on monday. time will tell. i think he doesn’t think bendt/walcott/eds are good enough yet to be playing regularly.
November 8, 2007 at 6:51 pm |
Its shitheads like you that bring shame to the otherwise great arsenal fansmanship..We’re unbeaten this season and all you can do is fckin moan..you clearly ought to be spud
November 8, 2007 at 8:05 pm |
ohh dear..hear we go again…weall think its so easy dnt we …..martin jole and co did so too and c what happened eah…y dnt we look at it as he is trying different options so dat wen going gets tough he is no one trick porny like sum other managers in the league ..rmeber wen rooney and ronaldo were out what happend to man u…get a life man
November 8, 2007 at 8:07 pm |
Sorry but this article is nigh on ridiculous. I realized that when he stated that Diaby was playing ‘as a striker on the left’. Wrong. If you are going to slate Wenger’s tactics it would be more credible and acurate if you actually knew what they were. Diaby played as a left midfielder. The ‘left striker’ was none other than Eduardo. Don’t get me wrong I am not 100% pleased. For a start I am never entirely pleased when we do not win. Yes it was a dire performance (undeniable). I also think AW’s made a bit of a gaffe considering we need to win this group as the 2nd placed teams we would play are much easier.
But to use ‘Arsene does NOT KNOW’ (caps lock and all) is ludicrous – especially when you take into consideration that we have qualified before virtually any other team bar ManYoo. Chavs have not yet, nor have Pool (far from it) and even Real have not. Seriously chill out and support the club.
The time for coming out of such guff will be the season’s end if we are out of everything in March once again and 20 pts off the leader. But we have an outstanding manager in charge. Seriously that was extremely childish of you to write, based on a nothing game.
Did you almost slit your wrists when we lost the Charity shield to ManYoo a few years ago? Jeez…
November 8, 2007 at 10:23 pm |
How old is the author?. If you’re over 16, you should be ashamed of yourself. A disgrace to the club.
November 8, 2007 at 10:38 pm |
I really wanna beat you up
November 8, 2007 at 11:15 pm |
Tosser.
November 9, 2007 at 12:18 am |
DIABY looks good going forward in central midfield but is clearly a liability on the left where he fails to provide effective link play.
DENILSON is a good all round midfielder and I would like to see more of him.
DIARRA is a big talent. He is a very useful defensive midfielder in the “Makalele” role, guarding the defence, and has shown strong talent at right back. He is the best tackler of the midfielders at the club and rarely gives the ball away.
When playing 4-5-1, I think we have great threat with both Cesc and Hleb linking midfield to attack. The key is to make sure one of them is pushed up enough to not leave ADEBAYOR isolated.
I would like to see ROSICKY used as a second striker at times in a 4-4-2, to see if he can be a good link with midfield. He seems slightly isolated on the left of midfield. H
HLEB is superb at moment. He has a good partnershi with Sagna on the right, and with Clichy on the left. Surely pushing Cesc all the way for player of the season.
TRAORE could be our “secret weapon”. If ROSICKY fails to shine, and with WALCOTT still learning and growing, TRAORE on the left oof midfield in front of CLICHY would give us a physical impact, a decent crosser of the ball, and provide defensive cover when CLICHY makes his excellent forward runs.
November 9, 2007 at 1:40 am |
I suppose you’ll want to sack Wenger if we lose a game. Dickhead.
November 9, 2007 at 3:19 am |
I think they changes were necessary because of the importance of the league games. At Anfield I agree with 4-5-1, but not at home to Man Utd, as we beat them last season playing 4-4-2. Still, Arsenal scored twice, which some might say should be enough to win the game.
But yes, Wenger should now revert to 4-4-2, as playing Adebayor up front on his own not only limits Arsenal’s chances of scoring but isn’t good for his confidence – and he’s very much a confidence player.
I do agree that Wenger needs to change tactics for certain games though, over the years he has played 4-4-2 no matter what and the team has paid for it, especially in Europe where quite frankly Wenger has been a tactical joke compared to other managers. The only time we got anywhere in the Champions League was when Wenger was forced to revert to 4-5-1 because of injury, and then he used it in every away match even when he did not need to, like the Villarreal semi-final when we made them look good and needed Lehmann to save our ass.
Still, everyone has their weaknesses. After Arsenal’s start to the season I see no reason for complaint whatever tactic he employs as he’s getting results.
November 9, 2007 at 3:35 am |
Worst article I’ve read in months…
Clearly someone who can’t enjoy the majesty of our football this season.
If you want a club with no clue I suggest you head up the Seven Sisters Road. What possesses someone to write such dross?
November 9, 2007 at 3:44 am |
yes, i think 442 is more attcking than 451 but depends on the situation. if defensive, 451, if attack aim, 442, simple.
diaby i agree he is a central midfield rather than anywhere but let him to try if have time, so many central midfield at times, diarra is also central midfied but let them try another position is good decision if can, wenger knows better better better than u much
November 9, 2007 at 11:35 am |
Dilshan’s got a point – developing strategy B.
I also think that we got through the truly tricky week of Liverpool and Man U relatively unscathed. The team will now be able to play 4-4-2 against Reading away. Reverting back to the favoured set-up will invigorate the team, as they will all feel more comfortable.
Expect Eduardo to start. He was terrible against Slavia Prague, but with the first team in a 4-4-2, it’s all over.
Arsene knows.
November 9, 2007 at 1:43 pm |
Sinbad = W**ker
November 9, 2007 at 1:55 pm |
i’m not sure you made all the points in the right way SINBAD and for sure this article has not been popular, but I agree with your point that we should have played 4-4-2 against man u at home and in hindsight so does wenger as he felt Ade was isolated.
my only issue at Liverpool was the timing of the subs being so late. we had them on the ropes when the changes were made with only 10 minutes to go.
November 9, 2007 at 2:27 pm |
We scored 2 against Man U and should’ve scored 3 against Liverpool if it weren’t for empty-net misses. The conditions in Prague wouldn’t allow a team stacked with Maradonas to score.
I guess one way to promote your blog is to write rubbish and give it an inflammatory title.
November 12, 2007 at 12:37 am |
Wenger does know. But you don’t.
November 13, 2007 at 5:06 pm |
ade bad game finally ended last night , well done . his bad day up front against MU and yet the boss getting all the blames – silly . If the togolese scores at the emirates in that game – this questionable article might not even exist….