Is Wenger changing his style in search of points?
Fast; one touch; perfect football – three phrases that have become synonymous with the Arsenal name for decades. As arguably the closest equivalent to Barcelona outside of Spain, the players that have participated in this phenomenon include some of the greats and the list continues today.
However, with an increasingly physical English Premier League, some might argue that playing pretty football can only lead to the inevitability of trying too hard to ‘walk the ball into the net’ whilst also making oneself more vulnerable to hacking opponents, desperate to stop the intricate play. With the club renowned for its incredible bad luck with injuries, would it be completely implausible that the Arsenal could take inspiration from the likes of Stoke or Blackburn to develop a new generation of tougher Gunners?
There are already some signs of a more robust Arsenal, with three dismissals in as many games at the beginning of this season. Of course, this isn’t the kind of forcefulness that we should necessarily be aiming for, but this does indeed suggest that the club isn’t the delicate and physically-vulnerable side it has been described as in the past few years.
Despite this, the determinism for an elegant and, at times, arrogant style is still very much present. With such a disappointing pre-season and league campaign so far, though, a subtle change in style could be one option to lift us out of the rut.
The lack of clean sheets as become a progressively-worsening issue, whilst Tony Pulis has been contently watching his squad concede just six times in as many games. This would have been far more impressive had the Potters not suffered such a heavy defeat, conceding four in that game, at the Stadium of Light last weekend. Though City have scored five fewer goals than the Arsenal, they are six places higher than the Gunners in the table and this surely suggests that their rougher style is paying off.
The big question is, would Wenger be willing to defy Arsenal’s philosophy completely, abandoning the need for perfection in the pursuit of points?
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Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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Playing soft doesn’t work these days. Chasing and hard work will win games. Wenger needs to sign players who try all the time and give it 110%.
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lack of clean sheets???? we have 3 out of 6 games played in the league.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Arsenal this January or next summer transfer season should buy Klass-Jan Huntelaar having him in the team along with Van Persie would be my dream come true, they both play together in the Holland national team and having them together in Arsenal would be amazing as they know each other very well in the pitch..plus…he wouldn’t be more than 10M he is a great striker !!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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@eldiablo I agree with u buddy !
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Admin – What you are saying is that the style we play doesn’t work, yet in the same article you point out that “(We are – in style) arguably the closest equivalent to Barcelona outside of Spain”. Now Barca are the CL title holders, and totally made Man U look like chumps in the final of last years CL. So I’m a bit lost. The style “does” or “does not” work against english teams?
I don’t think it’s the style that is the problem. It’s the lack of depth in our team in quality and maturity (specifically in defence) that is why we aren’t succeeding. Furthermore, we play football that everyone loves to watch – even our opponents agree. I submit that we will have the same problems, even if we change our style. Neither Stoke, nor Blackburn’s style has got them to the CL for 15 years. I say sort out what needs sorting – and it’s not the style of football we play, it’s the shortfalls in our team that is the issue.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I would get mark van bommel and gregory van de wiel , van persie would definitely feel at home
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Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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@ KickuPtheArsene
Buddy, well put and well said. I totally agree with you dude !!! Just a few twicks and additions to the team and we are up there challenging with the big boys. And to be fair, the boss – mr Wenger has agreed he has had to start rebuilding and fellas, we all know this takes time for everything to come together.
The club needs us now more than ever !!!
Gooners forever !!!
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Needless write-up.
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Mr. Wenger things have to change in our defence.
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