A guest post by Kelly Woods @kmwoods02
Aaron Ramsey had his worst game in 12 months against Everton. He tried too hard. He forced things. Yes, he scored a goal, but don’t miss the fact that his performance was poor. And speaking of goals, I’m worried that he’s publicly admitted that he set himself a target of 20 goals this season. Whoa, there, son. Remember, it’s not about you. I know you want to start taking games by the scruff of the neck, but remember to just play your game.
These are all things that have come across my Twitter timeline since Saturday’s game. And I follow positive, considered people, who really do support our players. I know they do. And I respect and value all of them and their opinions – at least I do since I cleaned up who I follow. I cannot imagine what the rest of Twitter is saying, and I really don’t want to try. But if you will, let me articulate how I disagree with almost everything in that first paragraph. And to ask that we consider what it is that we really want from players.
First let me get this out of the way – Aaron was not at his effervescent best against Everton. I support, but I’m not blind. The whole team was out of sorts, and most of what he tried didn’t come off. Also true of other players as well. But let me point out a few things, courtesy of the stats-tastic 7amKickoff and his By the Numbers column for Arseblog:
Out of 69 passes attempted (the most for the team), 12 were misplaced. All but 2 of those misplaced were attacking passes, trying to create a chance. 5 of them were in prime areas, where goal conversion rates are high. One of the aforementioned 2 was just horrible – it went straight to an Everton player and almost gave me a heart attack. Only 4 tackles attempted, 2 of which were successful, and no dribbles. And no chances created. Also, there was that goal.
Ok, so what do stats show? Not the whole story, I’m well aware of that. Aaron’s defensive game was a bit weak and his attacking game was ineffectual on the whole. I think that had a lot to do with not having Arteta next to him, and trying to compete with Jack and Alex for space in the middle. But the question remains – what was he supposed to be doing in this game, and did he do it?
I think we should all come to grips with this fact: Aaron is a flair player. He will always try the Hollywood pass. Some seem to think that he’s changed somehow, that he doesn’t do that anymore. And they see yesterday’s performance as a reversion to a previous flawed way of playing. Nonsense. He has always been this player. By all accounts it’s been so since he was 8 years old. Stories of him demanding the ball from older teammates abound. “Let me do it” has always been his way. His off-pitch personality belies this fact, perhaps, as some don’t expect shy, quiet, introverts to behave this way. But it’s been said of him forever that he “expresses himself on the pitch”.
But, Kelly, I hear you say. Arsene said he told him to simplify his game. To go back to basics. True. But Aaron said this in an interview when asked about that:
“It was a difficult period for me where things weren’t happening the way I would like them to, and he called me in and just told me to simplify my game and get my confidence back that way…I did that for a few games, and then obviously you get more confident as every game goes on, and, yeah, I’m thankful for that.” (emphasis added)
That says to me that simplifying his game was not intended to be a permanent change. At least he didn’t interpret it that way. And Arsene had this to say Saturday:
“He has the engine and he gambles on getting in the box a lot and he has that timing to get where you need to be. He got rewarded like these kind of players do.”
“Gambles.” He gambles. He takes risks. He gets rewarded. He has a “can’t win if you don’t enter” mentality. He has said that he wants to improve his ability to take big games by the scruff of the neck and change them. He has goal targets that he has set for himself. But somehow, all that is now being seen as a potential liability, some sort of indication that he is putting himself above the team. Don’t we want a player that is ambitious? That tries to change games? That wants to score? What do we want, if not that? One of the biggest complaints I hear in games like yesterday is “Somebody DO something! Move, or something!” Yet Aaron tries to do just that, and he has a “poor” game, because it doesn’t come off.
I know I am really preaching to the choir here. This is a supporting group of people, many of whom told me yesterday not to worry, that he just had an off day. But here’s the thing. I’m not worried about him. I’m worried about us. This is exactly what I was afraid would happen. His miraculous exploits last season were a joy to watch. But they won’t continue – at least not like that. He is a marked man now. Teams have found out he is good, he will be given much less room to operate. And he is, by his own admission, still trying to improve his game. I’m confident he will continue scoring us goals. But all this means mistakes will happen. Do we really want to start down the road about how badly he’s played, how he’s struggling for form? Why do we do this? “Uh oh, the old Ramsey is rearing his head. Hope this doesn’t mean last season was a fluke.” It’s like we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the bad thing to happen to us. Optimism reigns, until it doesn’t.
Here’s my fear. Suppose it doesn’t change? Suppose the next game is the same as Everton – he does a few things brilliantly, but at the same time lots of things don’t come off? What will we say then? Because the haters and naysayers will start in – they’ve already started I would imagine. Despair that we thought we had a “world-class” player, but of course we can’t have nice things, so look, he’s being shit again. I’m steeling myself for that, and I’m ready to defend him. I hope you are, too.
Positively Arsenal 
Jezez, that Matt Law spoof story about Giroud’s ankle sure sent twitter into a tizzy last night.
It showed up the types who think its a ‘blessing in disguise’ as now Wengers hand is forced into buying another striker. I had a lot of unfollowing to do.
Great stuff Kelly. All I’m asking from any Arsenal midfielder is to string a few 20 metre passes together. Of course I can see the bigger picture with Aaron and it was obvious no one else was going to run into the box for that goal.
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if any two of you all want to go to the game on weekend let me know as soon as possible…ill possibly have two tickets…pair seats. . east or west stand..up and centre….let me know asap you effing doomers….
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Hell! A wonderful piece by Kelly (cheerleading by Mike of course) and I am wasting my time on twitter with dimwits who love making fools of themselves.
Excellent job and I think the debate between you and Ronan is healthy. Keeps us on our toes. We can support for our players without a cult of the personality.
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Haha Hunter, you going to Leicster? Sounds like fun.
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C’mon Vengaaaaaaarrrrrrrgh. It’s Akpom time. Sterling schmerling.
Unleash the Chuba.
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yes…lol..meant against besiktas..hehe…..its still early dude…. looks like fukin february
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I’m no expert, I admit it, but did not Campbell look more lively when playing opposite Cavani at the WC. Obviously they are totally different players, different physiques etc. but did you all see that tackle from JC against Everton? He wants to play for the Arsenal.
Sanogo and Campbell to destroy Besiktas? If given the opportunity I believe they could do it, but I don’t think Yaya is fit, Campbell still settling in, so I think we’ll see JC off the bench tomorrow.
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lets try again …
if any of you parasite-doomers want to go to besiktas game ON WEDNSEDAY i will possibly have two tickets..seats next to eachother..either west or east stand..up and centre…let me know asap….
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I’m still hoping for some sunshine through September. It’s the thought that is keeping me going today.
That and Vengarrrrrggghhhh spending one hundred million dollars. On new boots for Chuba. A Swarovski and Kevlar combination that will avoid injuries like the one OG suffered in the future.
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Sorted thanks V13, hope you find someone – maybe Georgakis could pop down?
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hey andrew whats up? thing is the two tickets i have are not in my stand/block but elsewhere in west or east stand …….. so if anyone wants to to go and bring a friend/son/daughter ….there are two spare ones….plus they wont have to sit next to a madman …..
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Fins: for a self-proclaimed no-expert you talk an awful lot of good sense about this team.
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giroud out for 3 mos..???…oh shit….no arsenal fans no…the voodoo is for cesc
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Thanks FH but tbf it’s a good team.
Not hard to spot the qualities or to appreciate the talent at the club, or even the new signings like Chambers. Rumours of Arsene’s demise were greatly exaggerated by a bunch of stupid and patently xenophobic* twunts.
*their words. Not mine.
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There are a number of Loadsamoney Nigel Farage clones* masquerading as Arsenal fans who understand AFC, the huge and diverse fanbase, the status in world football of the relationship betweent the club and players like Wright and Rocastle, about as well as Di Canio understood Sunderland Football Club.
*I wasn’t the only one who had this thought when listening to the Friday Arsecast. The presenter himself was struggling to stop himself from making the comparison.
Pat Rice was welcomed into Highbury to train as a teenager at his own invitation (what a legend!) at a time when there were signs up in London saying: “No dogs, no oirish…etc…” DC and others could tell us more about the relationship between the Arsenal and the Emerald Isle, he could even write up an article for George *coughs*
Yet the Groaners conisistently attempt to heckle those fans from outside London. Can’t really take what they have to say about the footy seriously given that track record.
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One of the many reasons I adore this team and the way it tries to play is due to what I see as its fragile brilliance. At times we play football that is not of this world. But it is hard at times when we seem to be more fragile than brilliant. Poor old Giroud: not indestructable after all but neither is he (and nor is anyone else) indispensable. We have a lot of very good players, and it’s as certain as night follows day that his absence will be the big chance for another player to make his mark. I wonder who it will be.
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just checking….. whoever wants the tickets ..you got an hour left….
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george? when was the last time you came to a game ? …how far is blackburn?
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Understanding the transfer window is easy once we’ve realised that we’re always one signing short. If we bought ten the test for Wenger would be his willingness to buy the eleventh.
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V13 – these early games of the season have to contend with x% fans still away on hols so you may struggle to shift spares at short notice. I’d have been happy enough to sit next to a madman and not only for the entertainment value!
Merlot – that’s about the sum of it; whatever AW does will never be enough for some observers. Morons.
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The same kind who were groaning at he signing of Chambo, at the development of Walcott, at the three keepers who now all command first team spots in the PL (“Flappy” voted MOTM, again), who were cursing the name of Ramsey for so long, the type that said that Clichy or Nasri were poor players (please refer to last nights game), who constantly to this day claim that Vengarggggh does not do tactics, that one striker doesn’t work (four four fucking two, as Mike. Basset said),that Arsenals tactics are sterile whilst ignoring that City won the title and yesterday’s game playing a very familiar system, even using some of the same players. It is,when you think about it, it is quite funny.
There’s a reason why quality players like Cazrola and Monreal excel under these managers and I have a suspicion that reason is beyond the ken of the Groaning yet vocal minority who have friends that are frustrated agents, sorry, I mean bitter hacks.
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yep andrew, cheers however, no worries…ill find people…and its not about the money ..its these two spare season tickets we got in office to take clients out ( lol…. shhh… ) and my colleagues do no support arsenal and i dont want to give them to their mates who support west ham or whichever other rotten club……. just wanted to check here first in case anyone wanted…cant have non-arsenalists voodoo-ing us inside our own ground..right ?
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Keep me in mind for future games V13, as I’m sharing my season ticket again this year but can often/usually make games for which my mate has my ticket!
Enjoy tomorrow!
PS The U21 on Thursday night looks worth popping in for if you are around …
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Have just watched the press conference and much enjoyed it. It seems totally clear that the focus is absolutely on tomorrow evening (don’t get us thrown out of the competition by letting off flares, my little voodoo chile) and that the size and scope of any more transfer business is contingent on the result.
Top answers from Chambo, and easy to forget how young he is and how he too missed just about all of last season.
Which is why his almost namesake is to be nurtured and protected. I am going back a bit, but there is something about him that reminds me of Mark Lawrenson, who I used to enjoy watching down at the Goldstone Ground. If he turns out as good as that we will be lucky.
And I am delighted that there is a stay of execution on Podolski, who I would love to see in a two up front situation.
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Late to the party on this one Kelly. Very good article. Backed up by great stats.
I see your point, if Ramsey with all of his skill has an off -day it’s a big deal. It’s not all a loss though. We have other players who can pick up the responsibility of creating opportunities.
He does what he does, and he does it really well. As you say he’s a flair player, makes things happen in a hollywood style. I think the confusion comes in for some people as for a while he was asked to sit, or was pushed out wide. People either don’t keep up or have pre-conceived ideas on players. Either that or they just don’t watch the games (i’m really starting to think this with so many ‘big name’ fans).
The fact that you have to point out the fact that the job Ramsey does is a creative one and can sometimes be fruitless is such a shame for football support in general. Yet here we are. Luckily for Ramsey he is a lot more of an all rounder than a player such as Arshavin. When things didn’t come off for him, in lean spells it left him up a creak without a paddle.
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foreverheady – Ox is fantastic in a presser. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see him back in their more often. He gave good answers, without talking too much. Wenger will like that. Loved his answer on his future playing position. What a guy, very respectful and intelligent.
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“There are a number of Loadsamoney Nigel Farage clones* masquerading as Arsenal fans.”
I can totally see some of the readers at Le Groan being militant UKIP members.
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Balls! Will this comment make it through.
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Grr. My comments seem to randomly show/evaporate.
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Fins – that guy on Arsecast was a twat (the author?). He engaged me on twitter this morning, but didn’t follow it up. Horrible and sneaky points he was making.
Voodoo your offer of tickets on here was v kind.
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I think Joel Campbell would be a good replacement for Giroud. He can play the RVP style false nine Wenger likes and he is quick enough to put the opposition defence on their toes.
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That Arsenal FC is totally at one with players and supporters from all creeds, persuasions and backgrounds is why to me it is the greatest club in the world. I would like to think that support for it is as tolerant of difference, but there will always be groups who find it harder to move with the times. I suspect that Le Groan’s clientele are much younger, and enjoy the adolescent pleasure of finding fault with the old brigade.
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Preview of tomorrows game any of you Shakespeares ?
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Els
It’s incredible. If that strange sounding man really is a marketing genius then how did he advise himself to go on the show and make a complete Arse of himself? Exposing his sources to be anecdotal gibberish. Sure he knows his gullible audience, the type that read the Gooner, plenty of evidence for that. But this is a public exposure of his lack of credibility and his twisted stupidity. As Tony Atwood said on Untold when explaining why he set up his site, some of these extreme critics give the constant impression that they are unwell.
Though perhaps it is not kind to laugh at others’ misfortune, in this case I think we can make an exception.
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5:09 pm
we will win.
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Fins
It’s once again someone talking up there own take of events as pure gospel. So much that he said was conjecture. He bent half arsed thoughts around so that he could add weight to his overall point that Wenger is a dinosaur and wont spend.
The idea that he was saying Wenger didn’t want to improve the squad was infuriating.
Bloke writes a book, gets it published and people listen to it and treat it as fact.
Absolute bollocks.
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George
Not sure I have them there skillz. I would love to write something one day perhaps. I ain’t giving a match preview a shot though.
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i see wenger in the training pics and he is fucking serious….players better be too…whoever is selected…
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adrian durhahahaham on per mertesacker
” If he were English, he would be getting absolutely hammered by everyone right now.”
ah …like united’ city and chelsea’s english players get “hammered” ?
well how can i say this to adrian and be polite ? ….if per were english he would never have got a chance to land the greatest prize in football …….
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gunner_getcha,
Just tell Wenger who to pick and who you better not see anywhere near the team sheet. Talk about what tactics Wenger should use. Match preview done. When you get it completely wrong tomorrow, spout abuse and say that you hope we lose so that it teaches Wenger a lesson to never ignore you again.
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yes gunner getcha its no test …say whatever you want…..
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“I think Joel Campbell would be a good replacement for Giroud. He can play the RVP style false nine Wenger likes and he is quick enough to put the opposition defence on their toes.”
Interesting thought – he is also good at tracking back and supporting the defence. I forgot to mention it on here but I remember noticing at the Emirates cup how he was not too shy to be directing Rosicky to fill in the gap he had left on the right while he covered the middle given where they were on the pitch when Benfica had the ball. I was very impressed with his confidence and his defensive awareness.
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Look, it looks like Els is writing the preview!
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Voodoo
If you ever set up a twitter account with the sole intention of trolling Durham (I’m not trying to give you any ideas here or anything…) all you would have to do would be to remind Troll that this time last year (2013) he was nominating Dawson for the England squad. Comedy gold.
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just cause you track back dont make you a false nine….but a good teammate
if i have understood correctly false 9 is the scenario where the manager will play his ten (not just anyone) in most advanced position.
van persie could do it cause he is technically comfortable at receiving, turning, facing opp back four and do whatever he wants….joey is a quick and agile finisher who excells as winger/extreme ..
if i use the totti and messi examples of false nines …or even lowe with goetze in wc final or even del bosque with cesc in wc final south africa…….then sorry but joey does not even qualify.
henry was not a false nine scenario was he? …not that cambel is henry , thats not my point….my point is that a non striker playing up top does not necessarily make it a false scenario…its got to be a playmaker from what i see in the examples in football which have got results with it.
yari litmanen at van gaal’s ajax 95-96 was a false nine when kluivert was gone……no?
so, to conclude, i would reason that ozil is more qualified for a false nine scenario …not joey
why not play him as a totti/litmanen ( messi is unique) and have sanchez theo either flank killing off the opposition ? thats if we have to consider false nines and such……. IF.
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heh fins…i tried it once…but there is no point since they can block you…i was taking the piss of gary lineker ….
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‘I tried it once’
Of course you did (IBSF)
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George
Just in case Els has pulled a hammy I’ve attempted a paragraph or two and sent it through. Not much, but it’s all I could think of save a rant to Vengarrrgggghh about the missing Rosicky!
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and look ..durham is doing his job…..its not his fault media have become clickwhores…these clicks after all pay for his house and family food etc… if he or the media have identified the arsenal fans as easy prey then we go back to arsenal fans not having a spine and being mentally weak to block out ‘evil’ voices….
im certainly not excusing the prick but its our fans who aint got a clue and durham trolling them …besides..fuck durhma;s trolling..i use it to laugh …its those cunts at chelsea that are the problem….
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Voodoo
In case it wasn’t obvious I don’t care about some slobbering hack dwarf! It’s fair to say most Arsenal fans see Gazprom as the enemy, and have done for a while. Fair to say most football fans despise Gazprom and what they represent (special relationships with special agents etc…) no matter who they support.
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MK Dons take the lead! LVG needs to sub the ‘keeper!
Afobe to come off the bench and seal the win?
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in my ideal summer …and even with a false 9 scenario if you wish…
…………fabi……………..
sagna…per..kons..mon
…………….jack………………
…..ramsey….cesc………..
…theo……ozil…alexis…..
the above is the well famous ‘atomic bomb’ formation from my days in torino and clairefontaine…if youre asking…
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