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 
A tiny story in the world of football Shotts but it caused me to smile.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/germany-vs-scotland-watch-christoph-kramer-and-james-morrison-duke-it-out-in-a-battle-of-rock-paper-scissors-9717762.html
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Big day today, 50 years ago this very afternoon I was getting exceedingly excited about my first trip to Highbury;
http://www.11v11.com/matches/arsenal-v-blackburn-rovers-08-september-1964-77991/
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Jeze
50 years watching the Arse, Andrew. Congrats!
– but next you will be claiming a sense of moaning entitlement over the rest of us johnny-come-latelys
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Do you think Roy is dumb enough to spilt up the training into them-vs-us groups where club rivalries would overrule national teamwork?
Or is Phil Jones just going around Mungo’ng anyone he can reach within kicking distance?
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I guess there are some angry Dortmund fans out there – Reus out for four weeks, his second serious injury on national duty in successive games.
No Reus, no Lewandowski – Kagawa returns
Shaping up nicely for the 16th
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What did Phil Jones do?
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Hesitant England tonight – terrible lack of confidence – I blame Roy
Obviously
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ARSENAL score for england
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We have a striker!
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Commentators choking on trying to say “two goals for England from Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck”
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Another shocking performance from England – Amazing what a difference two goals make though.
Roy is a genius
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Loved the fact DW23 ran stright over to his new club team mates…
UP the Arse!
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That is nice, Dex. Didn’t ‘t notice that right off! Save some for City, DW!
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Arsenal will beat the blue manckers on Saturday Limey!
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No doubt, Dex. Wish I could get tickets but they sold out right quick. Should be fun popping down to Highbury to watch at a pub though.
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Not sure which is the most entertaining right now on Twitter – either:
The Manure fans who can’t believe LVG just gave Danny Welbeck away to one of their biggest rivals …
Or
Fans of AFC previously moaning at AW for signing Welbeck now suddenly swinging right behind him like he might, just might, be a decent signing after all.
I almost feel sorry for Manure fans though AFC fans have less of an excuse imo.
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Amazing how much the Ox does look like a teenage mutant ninja turtle. Proud to see so many Ardrnal players publicly associated with the anti-homophobia in football campaign.
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Ooh, I can see Welbeck scoring a shit load with service from Santi and Ozil.
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The discussion before this week-end’s Madrid derby revolves around Ancelotti deciding whether to play James as a ten or a seven. Apparently Carleto wants to drop Bale to the midfield and put James wide right up front the same way Mou played Ozil.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AUORlreCXg
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England in danger of having some semblance of a team there, Ranteta. Certainly they will become much more exciting when Theo, Gibbs, Ox and Chambers are added to the nascent, post Lampard/Gerrard etc, mix.
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I said a few days ago that 20+ goals per year awaits DW @ the Arse.
I have absolutely NO DOUBT (barring injury) he will achieve this.
LvG wil be cursed by the red mancunians for years to come
Selling your soul to the devils of Wall St is one thing,
unnecessarily handing a home-cooked-just-about to shed off the last layer of rough diamond to your biggest domestic competitor in the modern game is unforgivable!
At the very least he has to make the top 4 or else.
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Q: was/is Adebayor any better than Welbeck ?
AW just knows.
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Aman – funnily enough someone on the radio speculating that Welbeck’s sale may prove to be LVG’s greatest managerial error. At the very least he has a degree of bridge-building with the Manure fans to do which isn’t the greatest of starts.
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It begins, AA, as expectected….heehee!
Campbell’s next.
Can’t believe all the bs about his agent venting against AW.
Le Prof’s easing him in slowly while he rebuilds Jack’s mojo.
Can’t unleash all our weapons @ once
Ditto TR7 & VAD24.
The league will be won in a completely new fashion.
The joga bonita’s going to be stupendous…mark my words.
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I hope Hayden, Hector & Chuba get to contribute a lil’ somesome…especially Isaac.
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Is it Akpom setting the new speed records?
I’m certain we’ll see young Hector this season – at the very least in the League and FA Cup competitions; Hayden could well be the same.
Fascinating season becoming ever-more intriguing.
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Sanogo scoring in 2 consecutive France U21 games.
Wenger knows.
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T’was Hector methinks…
Can’t forget LeCoq. This year will decide so much for him.
AW’s given him a great opportunity.
Yes AA, a fascinating season indeed
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Aman: thanks for this clever perspective and in particular thanks for setting me straight and reassuring me on Joel Campbell. I hadn’t quite looked at it like that, and can now see what is happening. I think you are right about LeCoq too: I have real hope that he will become a fine player for us.
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Positive words from Paddy Barclay
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/patrick-barclay-england-win-offers-plenty-of-positives-for-arsenal-fans-9720199.html
Blimey, it’s actually a nice day to be a Gooner.
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its payback a little for rvp although rvp was even more complete when we gave him to them!
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You’re welcome foreverheady,
I just hope Coq can iron out the 1 or 2 things wrong with his game both mental.
“Being too rhythmic a player”, he needs to improve his ability to “break rhythm”.
Its a quality Denilson had in spades.
I hope his year @ Freiburg made him realize what he had @ the Arse and that he wasn’t really as “ready” as he thought he was.
Injuries can affect a young man’s psyche and cause over-defensiveness.
FC’s been thru his…..but the worst hit was probably the Frimp who I hope will get his career back on track…(and get the f**k off social media).
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I think the purchase of Welbeck is a coup. For me, he’s much better than Remy and just as good or better than Balotelli. He has power, speed and can finish.
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Haha so it looks like Jack Wilshere is going to become the central defensive ‘beast’ the moaners were clamouring for.
Who’d have thought it?
Arsene, that’s who.
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Jack Wilshere to be Arsenal’s D**M?
Oh no! Arsenal are doomed.
Vengaaaargh has still lost it. John Gregory may talk about the values of English football at AFC but he’s obviously not been listening to the Arsenal’s self-appointed PR experts.
Vengarghhhhhhh is senile/ old/outdated, take your pick. Arsenal are doomed. Gazidis is in control. The AKBs have lost. It’s all over.
–
It’s all over
For the unknown Gunner*
It’s all over
*the self-declared PR experts nominated scapegoat of the month
Wait until the war is over
And we’re both a little older
The unknown gunner
Break your fast when Sky news is read
Television children fed
Unborn living, living, dead
Dildo strikes the helmet’s head
And it’s all over
For the unknown gunner
It’s all over
For the unknown gunner
Hut
Hut
Hut ho hee up
Hut
Hut
Hut ho hee up
Hut
Hut
Hut ho hee up
Comp’nee
Halt
Preeee-zent!
Arms!
Make a grave for the unknown gunner
Nestled in your hollow D**Mer
The unknown gunner
Break your fast when Sky news is read
Television children fed
Dildo strikes the reporters head
And, it’s all over
The war is over
It’s all over
The war is over
Well, all over, baby
All over, baby
Oh, over, yeah
All over, baby
Wooooo, hah-hah
All over
All over, baby
Oh, woa-yeah
All over
All over
Heeeeyyyy
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I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed Danny boys gunslinging celebration with his fellow gunners.
Good stuff.
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fins
I think a bit of voodoo13 has entered your brain.
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The infamous twelve (or thirteen) pins voodoo magic technique.
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Fins: have you just changed your dealer?
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“Q: was/is Adebayor any better than Welbeck ?
AW just knows.”
Or does he? I thought according to the Twitterati that DW was forced on him by the Board?
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Rosicky’s good but it’s not enough.
Need to see Arsenal play football. Soon. With the new striker! And Alexis. And the rest. Can’t wait.
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Czechs deserving of their lead as Dutch as lively as on old clog
Bizarre name check for YaYa Sanogo from Clark Carlisle after Dutch frontman Nardingh failed to connect with a ball dropping over his shoulder
As though Clark Carlisle was anything but a semi skilled scuffler among the lower leagues (?)
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Anyone would think that Yaya is the only striker to miss a goal chance! He has just scored 3 in 2 internationals for the under 21’s and as a young striker pre his injury troubles he was quite prolific. But let’s not let reality get in the way of a cheap laugh and lazy narrative, especially at the expense of an Arsenal player!
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Passenal,
the twits don’t know jackshite!
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A great performance from Tomas tonight – constant movement and passing kept the Dutch off balance and the Czechs deserved their win.
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I wonder whether any comment from Hoddle or DeBoer on the lack of any contribution tonight from Van Persie ?
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No Robben No party
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Rosicky defies the aging process. Such a player. But Rambo limped off in the last minutes under a bad challenge. Hope it is just a knock and he ‘ll be ok.
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Just thought I’d make the ton.
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