oneteaminwalthamstow wrote:That is annoying.
I've just come here to vent. Apologies to those who have already read many similar posts.
I two major pet peevs when it comes to Arsenal's defending.
The first is that the entire Arsenal team should never form one back line and leave opposition midfield players free just outside the box. The defenders should be trusted to do their job and the midfielders should pick up the opposition midfielders. Otherwise the ball in to the box wiill be defended and fall to an opposition midfielder who will have time and space to shoot.
The second is that players on the edge of the box should be closed down more quickly.
I think Olympicaos's first goal could be attributed to the second problem, and their third goal can be attributed to the first problem. The problem was compounded on their third goal because, after most of the Arsenal defenders had formed an impenetrable wall on the edge of the six-yard box, five of the six players all ran to the ball (under-12s style) leaving the Olympicaos goal scorer in a completely open position. Surely they must be taught that this isn't a good idea.
I am a staunch Arsene Wenger supporter, he's put the club in the position to compete (at least in transfer fees) with the best in the world so he deserves his chance to use the money in the way he sees fit. But can somebody tell me, please, that he coaches midfielders to NOT drop so deep that they are in line with the centre backs, and that they MUST close the ball down quickly when the opposition is in possession around the final third.
And breath...
Welcome.
Sorry for this and I respect your support of a man who has failed this club badly for almost 10 years now and is gradually moving Arsenal furhter and further from Europe's football elite, season by season.
Sadly, Wenger doens't coach players. He is on record as saying that he wants them "to work it out for themselves". so your points above will NEVER, i repeat NEVER be addressed.
This means that Wenger believes that thick footballers are expected to learn from their mistakes. 99.9% of footballers don't learn by self analysis or introspection as they are neither intelligent enough or attentive enough to do that.
99.9% of footballers expect to be taught by their manager or coach or both. In Arsenal the manager/coach/etc is Arsene Wenger.
Wenger teaches people nothing. Nada.
Ergo, Groundhog day.
TBJ. the ONLY thing which will remove Arsene is fans removing themselves from all things Official Arsenal FC. When the board stop getting millions in revenue from the fans, then and only then will we see change.