So, how do we crack such teams that we are no doubt going to encounter frequently throughout this season? At our devastating best, no team can stand in our way, but what about the times when we miss some personnel? The times we are at 90%? How do we overcome defensive walls then? I thought it would be an interesting problem for us to discuss and put forth ideas during this this inter-lull. We are not privy to Wenger’s ideas so let’s just have some fun and discuss solutions that will ultimately have no bearing on how Wenger lines up the players.
At times during the Leicester and Palace games, there were six to eight of their players in their back-line. Even if you have Mesut Fucking Ozil, he would not be able to thread many through balls. Especially when the opposition back-line drops back to leave a space of only about 10 yards between them and their goalkeeper. What about the chips over the top we tried? Yes, they are inventive, but that can’t be our sole answer and the goal keeper has a head start over the striker to sweep up.
Wilshere, Cazorla, Ramsey and Ozil tried one-twos inside very crowded areas and ran into traffic. This is definitely a possible way through and if successful, it puts a player one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Though it has greater chances of failure, it is something I would encourage the players to try as we are very, very good at this. Again, this cannot be completely relied upon. How about pulling the defenders wide and putting crosses in? With Giroud out, we don’t have that kind of presence in the box for knock-downs anymore. Welbeck and Sanogo might disagree with me.
How effective is pace if there are six – eight players defending in the box? What about a front three of two wingers and one striker? Could work (personally, I like this idea), but it also leaves us with a three-man midfield. With Cazorla on the left, him and Ozil swap positions and at times the extra playmaker counts.
In conclusion, I have no idea, and can vaguely say that our best chance to score is probably to try a variety of ideas and not be one-dimensional. Also, tempo! Tempo! Tempo!
On another note: One of our wise contributors to Positively Arsenal, ZimPaul has been sick. He is one of the guys who will keep his cool when everyone else is losing their heads. We would like to wish him the best and a speedy recovery, and will miss his contributions until he comes back here.
***
Message from George:
I can’t begin to express the distress that Paul’s post has brought to me (see below). It seems so horribly final. I hope for once the great man has chosen his words poorly or that I am reading them wrongly.
It’s clear that I’m not alone in holding Paul in such high regard, he truly is a prince among men and should be an inspiration to us all.
Love you Paul.
Pedantic george.
“ZimPaulSeptember 6, 2014 at 7:08 pm Edit
Hi folks. I’m just writing to say hello. It is not clear whether or when I could post again. Long story, medical-related. I’ve been in intensive care unit for some weeks, now home.
I just wanted to say what a lovely experience it has always been, on PA and the earlier vintage, meeting you, chatting and engaging. I consider a number of people here my very good friends, over many years.
Wellbeck was always going to be controversial, AW and Co settled on 16m, a tidy amount so rest assured AW rates him extremely highly already. I doubt, like a few deals it was any kind of a short term damage control idea, but an idea AW has been mooting for a while, fast-forwarded by the injury. As usual, shrewd.
We haven’t played to potential, and yet, with a tricky start, we have not lost. Now a testing run to come! We look good. Theo to come, a few fitness issues here and there.
Otherwise, a team to truly admire; balanced, fast, exciting, bold. I have to say I have been impressed with Jack too, even though he has been criticized. His work rate is good, his passing and movement is better then one thinks (he makes it look easy). He is a star, and he will get better as he gets playing time.
Chambers is probably the best buy and most important decision we have made, all things considered, exceptional, immaculate, controlled (player) and clever (the manager). I tip my old hat to AW! I never heard of him. I am so impressed at his game.
Bye Arsenal friends!
Love you lots!
ZimPaul “
Positively Arsenal 
Early on, i think hard distance shots at the opposing teams bollocks might eventually clear a way through.
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ZP Get well soon, I totally echo the comments made here and on the last post about your fantastic contributions and like George will be made up to see you in full flow again.
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One aspect of our game that would assist in every game is being less wasteful with free kicks and corners.
There are few things that frustrate me more than earning a free kick in a good spot or a corner, watching Per and Kosc trot forward for a spot of grappling in the box, only for the ball to go absolutely nowhere near the danger area, and all too often nowhere near any Arsenal player, too long, too short etc. The chance of scoring is lost and even worse our two centre backs are in the wrong half of the field.
We have very good footballers who pass the ball beautifully in open play – don’t tell me we cannot find one who can reliably deliver a dead ball onto Per’s head.
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In those tight games we must move the ball at pace to give the player receiving the ball more time to move it on or take on a defensive player.
We are also not as effective on counter attacks as we used to be
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Every team in the world struggles with a massed defence.Thats the game.
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Anicoll5 – have always wondered about this but realised recently that at the Emirates the ‘run up’ the players take for corners is actually located on quite a severe, albeit short, slope. When wet (which is usually the case) I imagine keeping your footing is at least a part of the challenge. I keep meaning to compare botched corners by our lot home v away and also whether the opposition are also distracted by the pitch falling away as it does.
***
I initially thought the interminable Interlull had successfully taken the shine off this weekend but now realise the sad news from our friend in Zimbabwe may cloud our entire season; hoping for the very best for Paul, from here in North London.
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This was forwarded to me by Yogi. I’d like to thank him for it.
http://www.zimbojam.com/articles/art-craft/arts-issues/item/1732-book-cafe-founder-paul-brickhill-hospitalised
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To zimpaul,dont say “goodbye”. we need your insightful posts.quick recovery brother
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I’m a real Danny Welbeck fan. I do think Welbeck is one way to beat the parked bus. Historically Man Utd were particularly good against the “parked bus” as were Barcelona (hence winning titles). For me the way to beat the parked bus is never the lone striker method. I see Welbeck and Sanchez or particularly Sanchez and Campbell playing close to each other up front, so they are always in a pair and never isolated. Barcelona beat the “parked bus” by having players in groups, close to each other (and the inimitable Messi of course). The “parked bus” method tries to take the “heat” out of the game, making it slow, predictable and messy. Bursts of intensity and movement are needed by the attacking team. Slowing and slacking in response to the “parked bus” always deflates the momentum. Sideways meaningless passing is often called patient football, but in the “parked bus” scenario it usually equates to lack of ideas. At Man Utd, Sir Alec would never let his players play slow gutless football and he demanded an intensity. He lived off intensity. That is why his Man U teams got so many late winners. Anyway in Welbeck we have a perfect “Arsenal” player.
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I just popped over to have a look at Yogi’s comments and saw this too:
http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2014/08/25/book-caf-boss-survives-cancer
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Good stuff SA, and deejay made me laugh!
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You would hope that scoring first would make a big difference. If the bus has to leave the terminus, there ought to be a way past it. But in practice, some opponents seem content with damage limitation even when they are losing.
And because we play such a patient game, it sometimes feels as though we need a goal scored against us to sting us into action.
(Heartfelt wishes to ZimPaul.)
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ZimPaul-the best of luck in your fight with this horrible disease,we all love you on here,keep going mate.
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Just like to echo all the best wishes to ZimPaul. Always refreshing to read his thoughtful and upbeat take on matters Arsenal.
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The slope by the corner flags is a bit odd and rare as far as I know in football stadiums AA – I cannot see how it helps anyone to take a corner to have to run up a slope to hit a ball. However if it really was a problem surely Arsene, not to mention the pack of highly experienced players, would have ironed it out ?
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–
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Theo targeting a return to first team action in the NLD !
Has the man no pity for our neighbours ?
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–
Latest AAA meme being regurgitated into cyberspace:
Vengarrrrrghhhh’s lost it. First he signs Gaziddas, the bastard.
Choosing his own yes men.
And now these self-appointed pawns are telling him what to do. It’s true.
–
Comedy Gold from the non-professional trolls that are experts in PR.
When will the uber-bloggers, the great and the good, muster up the footballs to call these people out?
Bit by bit some have siad what needs to be said, but really it’s not good enough.
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You would indeed think that if the slope was a problem it would have been ironed out by now but actually the slope exists right around the pitch, and isn’t present only at the corners. I’m pretty certain it’s to do with assisting drainage matters – you never see puddles on the pitch and there is a collection drain running round close to the pitch-edge but at dug-out level.
***
SA – apologies, I omitted to add my tuppence worth to your thought-provoking piece which I enjoyed reading. The whole bus-parking syndrome is something that, as has been said, has to be dealt with by all the biggest and most successful sides. I’ve never considered myself an apprentice tactician, let alone a master one but the two tactics I’d like to see employed in addtion to the working in pairs approach, is as simple as it can be effective.
Firstly, any team with pace must be able to attack the byline and pull the ball back into the penalty area; this nullifies offside and doubles the space to be defended. So many of Gary Linekar’s England goals were scored in this fashion following great flank work by others.
Secondly, running at pace with the ball into the penalty area invariably strikes real fear into the hearts of the bus staff on duty there; there’s always the chance of a penalty award and providing players are on hand to help mop up in the event of a successful defensive tackle, the move can often be kept alive.
Certainly passing sedately side-to-side achieves little and affords ever more time for the opposition to finesse the parking of the bus. Lifting the ball over the heads of defenders stands more chance of success from the sides of the penalty area rather than the front as the goalkeeper can indeed easily sweep up.
So that’s my simplistic blueprint for dealing with tight defensive formations – which is one reason why I was so excited by the signings of the pacy Sanchez and Welbeck and even Debuchy (who attacks down the wings with great effect) and the returning Theo. Certainly, the last time we had such a pacy attack (ten + years ago?), we seemed to have more options against the ultra defensive teams – which in the time of Thierry et al, were a frequent locking hazard, frequently unpicked by the Invincibles.
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Holy hell. No wonder George ordered me over to PA.
I am in shock at reading the post from our very good friend Zim Paul. He is one of our dearest friends at PA. We all know him from the old days at A Cultured Left Foot when he was one of of the early on-line fighters against intolerance, xenophobia and ill-concealed racism that reared its ugly head as the doomers and the media savaged AW and AFC for embarking on the youth project which as we all know was necessary to help pay for the stadium. Although being on diametrically different sides of the Atlantic, given our shared experiences with the anti-colonial and post independence struggles of our two countries, I have always shared a close on-line bond with Paul. I hope he is able to read this and is able to draw on my best wishes and heartfelt hopes that he can recover from this serious illness. You ZimPaul, deserve our love and solidarity as you fight to regain your health and strength. As it was in the past and shall be forever: A Luta Continua.
PS: George – Please extend my thanks to YW for providing those links to Paul’s public life in Zimbabwe and news of his ill-health. Paul made no secret of his life in the arts but we all know of his love for The Arsenal, which was forged in those early years working on construction sites in London. Forgive me SA, for not responding to your excellent post but the football is not that important at learning of the personal struggle of a dear friend.
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Excellent piece SA thank you, very difficult to focus on football when one of our own is fighting a far more serious fight but here goes.
The comments which frustrate me most when we play against the parked bus defence are these:
1) We need to attack at pace.
How the hell do you attack at pace when your forward players receive the ball in the congested final third either facing or surrounded by massed ranks of defenders? You attack at pace when countering, end of story.
2) Sideways passing is a waste of time and only done when the team has no clue what else to do.
This one is utter balderdash. We are keeping possession (the single most important thing on a football pitch is of course possession, without the ball you can do nothing) and stretching the defenders pulling and teasing them testing their positional sense tiring them burning off their concentration while simultaneously looking for that opening, that darting run. It usually works, usually very late on and lets be honest it worked against Leicester – just unfortunately Aaron is not at his confident best and when clear through he opted for a tame header back to the keeper rather than the control and clinical finish he would have produced had he been back on top of his game as he was for much of last season.
As to what we should do, well, I don’t think the tactics are wrong, the fact that they almost always work is clear testament to that, I believe it simply comes down to players reading each other’s intentions, not giving the ball away (the moment we do that the pressure valve hisses and the defending team relax and get their shit back together) so that we keep building pressure which inevitably leads to defensive panic and mistakes.
In short it isn’t the tactics it’s up to the players to execute the tactics correctly, this will get easier and easier once all the new signings which everyone drooled, dribbled , barked and clamoured for have become settled members of the team. To throw in so many new faces when our very game plan relies on an a telepathic understanding between players is bound to lead to disruption in our otherwise beautiful play. That will only improve over the course of the season.
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Stew, I have been banging on about this for years. The result does not mean the tactics were wrong. Its more likely that on the day the players did not execute them well enough. Or heaven forbid- the other team played better.
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And George lets not forget the crucial thing people overlook. We usually win against the bus parkers.
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And for that we get zero credit Stew, All we get is people calling us “flat track bullies” I’d flat track them give half a chance.
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Manchester United usually got 98 minutes and a sympathetic ref itching for a chance to give them a penalty at the stretford end.
That’s how they dealt with bus parking when fergi was in charge.
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Wholeheartedly agree with you Steww but I also have seen (as you will have done) the problems caused when, say, Ox or even Theo dribbles directly into the box to ask a question of a defender. And hitting the byline and pulling back is the best way to negate offside that I can think of. As you rightly say, once all the new personnel are up to speed in the tactics then all these approaches can be applied with devastating effect.
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… with the penalty coming from having at least hit the penalty area (even if the next phase, the inevitable dive by Rooney/Young etc was the final phase of their ref-assisted assault …
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Get well Zimpaul, your posts were always a great merge of substance and eloquence. Not rare here but I believe the consistency is unrivaled.
Good read SA, thanks. And great post steww. I always enjoyed watching us moving from left to right and so forth, shifting tempo, trying to stretch the lines and find a sudden weakness against the bus parkers. It is a rare beauty to see a team act as one body with one sole purpose. And we didnt lose our points against leicester because we couldnt break their line. We lost the points because we let in a cheap goal. When we score the first goal against bus parkers we need to maintain our calm and go into our counterattacking mode.
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I think we have improved in our approach to using the whole pitch to stretch the opposition and get the ball to the bye line. We used to be shocking for cutting inside time after time with almost no variation.
I don’t quite think we have a player who can dribble like a Hleb or even the crazy randomness of Gervinho – Santi is probably the best but he is still of the referees black list.
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We also failed to win against Leicester because we were denied a penalty that was a much stronger claim than the one awarded to Liverpool earlier that afternoon. A similar thing happened to Manchester City the day before when Stoke frustrated and ultimately beat them, so it seems to me that getting into the box and creating several penalty opportunities is essential. You need several to wear the referees down it would seem. But getting into the box is easier said than done against massed ranks, so it is also important that players like Wilshere are praised for running into trouble in the final third, rather than criticised for doing so. Eventually they will find a way through or create space by so doing, but it is difficult and requires skill and support to do so successfully.
Despite the problems of the sloping corners it is easier at the Ems because the pitch is well-watered, quick and slick which speeds and suits our move and pass approach. What makes life difficult is when teams park the bus at home on slow pitches that could do with a cut, and I do wonder whether we need a different approach for those conditions. I am told that at Ballydoyle there is a special gallop that exactly replicates Tattenham corner and if true the number of Derby winners from that stable would suggest that it is a good idea. I sometimes wonder if our players are ever forced to practise on difficult pitches, and whether team selections are ever based on forecast conditions.
And thanks SA for such a positive and welcome post, and to George and Fins too for the links.
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Andrew – the race to the byline just inside or near the edge of the area followed by a pull back to the onrushing midfielder is one of my favourite moves on a football pitch too and I think it’s the kind of run Debuchy often looks for but his team mates are still passing wide to Sagna who of course isn’t there any more!
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Yes indeed Steww – the intricate nature of so much of AFC’s play is one reason the bedding in process is so critical for the new players in particular, and for the team as a whole. AW’s preference to not introduce too much new blood in one go is well known and I’m sure it’s because it takes longer to get the machine whirring smoothly again.
Slightly off topic but it took time for the signings of Kos and Per to be seen as great developments; I’m convinced summer 2014 could be seen, retrospectively at least, as one of Arsene’s greatest. He bought for the here and now as much as for the future. He spent widely but not wildly and each signing looked terrific value (admittedly the shenanigans at United have somehow made Wenger look even better than he normally does). For two defenders – Debuchy and Chambers – to be generating as much interest and excitement as our two new forward players is truly remarkable. Ospina doesn’t look too shabby either; been a while since I’ve seen such consistently consistent distribution(!) on top of the periodic worldies.
Quite an achievement; all round – Arsene’s summer, I think.
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get well soon zimpaul, my african brother from another mother. as we all here are all positive gunners, i’m positive you will win your battle against cancer. dont keep us waiting bro. we want to hear from you soon.
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Hope this blows over soon, ZP. You have always been a great inspiration and I always deeply enjoyed your thoughts on not only Arsenal but just about everything. Get well soon, Paul.
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George and Stew, as SA pointed out its not that the tactics are wrong or we dont indeed have success against the sit back and hope teams, but that on the occasions when were not at our best what should do. As the cliche says winning while not at your best is title form.
In those games when sides are enjoying turning the game sta. it is then when the movement around the pitch must be quick to open up those small pockets of space our team enjoys. I know this easier said than done and very often the SH normally sees us up the pace, so the problem has been identified and is often cured. However there are times when we slow the pace and seem to struggle.
A5, The slope is not really issue Highbury was the same and the Bould/Adams partnership at corners was legendary. I just think as defences has become more knowledgeable corner variety is more essential
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Thanks everyone. Enjoying the discussion so far.
Shotta, no need to say anything. This is for ZP.
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Thanks George for posting the links Yogi and Cbob linked to in the comments at ACLF. I came over to do so in case they hadn ‘t made it here. What a testament they are to qualities we all recognized from his superb posts. ZP hasn’t posted there in a long time but he is universally respected and I always found his writing musical, poetic, insightful, original, compelling, erudite and influential. All the best, ZP in your struggle and best wishes for a full and complete recovery. You are much appreciated in the Goonersphere.
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So so happy that the recovery has indeed started for ZP… trust it will be thorough.. Will continue to pray for him to be made every whit whole – SPIRIT SOUL and BODY… Take your time to get well.. we gunners are patient people and await your next post no matter how long it takes…
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PG, I am very sorry to hear about ZimPaul. ZimPaul lives far from The Emirates, but knows how to support HIS team.
Parking the bus, was a Mourinho creation. What Mourinho did with his first Chelsea team, had not been seen before. a dynamic structure, aggressive with aggressive transitions.
Mourinho believes 4-3-3 will always better 4-4-2.
Van Gaal, believes a vertical pass, goal to goal, is not a risk. With a horizontal pass, touchline to touchline, a team is more at risk losing the ball. BUT, but, Van Gaal believes in attacking the opponent, with continuous circulation of the ball, until the moment that, with a change of direction, a space opens up between two midfield players.
With at least 8 players plus the goalkeeper, all grouped with 30 or 40 yards and keeping their formation, it is easy to write or talk on how to breach the defensive wall..
The gift is to tantalise the opponent, make him look silly, make his lose his manhood, so that even the opposing supporters turn on their own player(s).
You must admit, it is a simple game!
Retreat to the foxhole..
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I’ve been out of the loop for a few days, so I haven’t had a chance to send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to ZimPaul. Here’s hoping you feel stronger every day. My thoughts are with you.
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I would like to also send my best wishes to ZimPaul. A voice of calm and reason in the ocean of the Internet and a valued poster on our very own PA. The world needs more people like you. All the best to you and your family in this difficult time.
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ZimPaul
Thinking of you and wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
Thanks for this post and the replies.
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What in God’s name goes on in England training sessions ?
Last week Danny W was a doubt for the Norway game because of a knock in training, then Sturridge is injured on training after the Norway game and misses the Swiss match, this morning I read Henderson has also managed to pick up an injury and is likely to miss the match.
FFS Roy the idea is that they spill blood in the real game, not training
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Well we will hardly see a parked bus vs City this Saturday. They will be very motivated to do well against us after losing in the Community Shield. Cue the media’s hyping of the “big test.”
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Get well soon ZimPaul.
wish you a speedy recovery.
Now onto the post.
If a team has parked bus, then there is very little opposition can do. even tactician like Mourinho (the prick himsefl resorts to such tactics) doesn;t break them.
Tiki Taka might definitely not work. Not to mention that fact that, one wrong pass can lead to blistering counter attack. (something which we are not good at defending).
I would say, players like cazrola and Ozil should start taking their chances from 30 yards or so. fi the goalkeeper fumbles then we wil have our man to kick the ball past the line.
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He is a very shrewd, very good manager is Mr Pelligrini. After the unexpected upset against Stoke last week there will be a little more pressure on the vistors than he would have hoped for but I expect Citeh to set up for the point rather than for a win.
It will be interesting to see who he chooses as a strike force. Aguerro is the better player, quicker, more potent but Dzeko the steadier percentage player if he is going for the draw.
And it will be a big test Shotts, especially for Citeh who face us, Bayern and then Chelsea over a busy week
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I don’t know how many others watched Germany Scotland last night but it was a great game. Very unexpected as even with a bit of changing the guard for the World Champions I thought they would be much too strong for the Jocks.
But no, not only did Scotland work hard to deny the Germans space and time when they did win the ball they used it intelligently. On another night they could have had three goals as Naismith missed a couple I thought he would slot.
And congratulations to James Morrison and Christopher Kramer on the “rock, paper, scissors” solution to who received the ball after Reus was injured late in the 2nd half. I can imagine Mourihno bursting a blood vessel if a Chelsea player did that.
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Coll – If there are no injuries after international duty then it will be the best City XI available.I think he might go with the 4-1-3-1 with the Aguero up top.
Didn’t get “rock, paper, scissors” solution.
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I see from interviews with Sepp Blatter that, aside from going for another term of office he’s planning on bringing forward technology trials to allow managers to make two appeals per half of each game for which the ref would consult with a pitch side video monitor.
Presumably this will mean that both managers will ensure they are alertedby a colleague prior to any appeal to double-check the appeal will be successful. Providing the appeal ends up being handled by the fourth official rather than having the main ref trotting to the sidelines every five minutes, this could be a very exciting development. Blatter’s talking of having this ready for the next World Cup but presumably if initial trials go well it could be introduced into mainstream leagues way before then.
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Missed the Scotland game last night Andrew – was fearing a bloodbath so well done to them for making a go of it and competing.
Is there anybody left uninjured playing for England tonight?
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