England share similarities with Arsenal… to a point
Fabio Capello’s England have experienced some miserable results in the past year or so, such as the humiliating 4-1 defeat to Germany and the disappointing draws to Switzerland and Montenegro. For a national side that is so steeped in history and success, scorelines from certain matches haven’t matched the players’ unquestionable ability.
In many ways, England’s recent run is similar to Arsenal’s. So much hype surrounded the squad in 2010, with both sides looking to win major tournaments but failing to do so in sometimes embarrassing fashion.
Even the recent squad revival can be quite easily compared. Following last night’s 1-0 victory over Spain, Theo Walcott talked of the impressive England team: “Our back four was absolutely fantastic – but not just them. Players who came on fitted straight in… Sometimes, it changes the flow of the game when you make substitutions but everyone took their chance.”
Capello chose to create the fifteenth centre-back pairing for England seen in the past 12 months, with Jagielka and Lescott putting in a near-flawless display to stop the world’s most dangerous team with impressive confidence and composure. Similarly, Wenger has brought in Mertesacker and Koscielny in the past year, players that are now looking to be members of one of the most in-form defences in the league. Scott Parker’s recent impact on the England performances is evocative of Mikel Arteta’s impressive displays that have allowed the Gunners midfield to tick-over this season, despite the absence of Jack Wilshere for both teams.
The only comparison that is difficult to make is the absence of the star striker. England dealt admirably without Wayne Rooney and managed to score and attack thanks to the threat of replacement strikers Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck.
Park Ju-Young and Marouane Chamakh may be competent against lower-league Carling Cup opposition – the Luxembourgs of club football – but could Arsenal really rely on them to be a reliable alternative against the bigger sides like England now can?
Trackback: trackback from your own site.
COMMENTS GUIDELINES: ANY COMMENTS WITH SWEARING OR PERSONAL ABUSE WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT EXCEPTION: PLEASE DISCUSS THE SUBJECT IN A FREINDLY AND OBJECTIVE MANNER. SERIAL ABUSERS WILL BE BANNED. PLEASE BE NICE TO YOUR FELLOW GOONERS!




Honestly lost for words with this post?!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
26
0
WTF… ??????????????????
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
17
3
Rubbish. Sometimes if we don’t have anything intelligent to say, let’s not say anything.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
8
5
I’m not gonna lie, I confused myself with this post too. This interlull is horrendous.
Rate this comment:
8
0
An embarrasing post.
Rate this comment:
4
3
uhhhmmmmm…
Rate this comment:
1
1
What do you mean with Luxembourg of club football. If you don’t know any facts, you better don’t have to say, resp. write anything. With Greetings from Luxembourg.
Rate this comment:
0
2
Lol you must be bored.
Rate this comment:
3
0
is this an underage boy comparing a donkey n a ferrari8
Rate this comment:
2
1
Sorry Luke T, but this is the worst article I read for a very long time. It is not only a bad read, but also sound childish
Do you want to compete The Sun newspaper in regards to writing bullshit?
Think twice before you embarrass your self and this forum.
Please punish yourself.
Rate this comment:
0
1
hope next time you will find a better place to do your idling
Rate this comment:
0
0