Arsenal and Wenger have finally grown up
When Arsenal played ‘direct-ball’ against Everton, and especially when Arsene Wenger talked about the change in Arsenal’s tactics as being necessary, it marked a very special moment in Arsenal’s history.
For a start, after a couple of poor years (by their standards), Arsenal are now a side brimming with confidence. It is this confidence that allows them to step on a pitch expecting to win the game; it is this confidence in Arsenal’s players that is taken as arrogance by supporters of other clubs (including yours truly) and it is this confidence that will sustain them in their title scrap with Manchester United.
More important than the confidence is the change in Arsene Wenger’s own philosophy. After years of whinging about opponents being overtly physical and sticking to their one ‘true’ style of play, Arsenal have changed this season. They’ve added a physical element to their game, something that enabled them to get out of away games without losing. Instead of complaining, Wenger and Arsenal have learned to fight back.
And the Everton game marked the most significant and visible change – instead of sticking to their default game, Arsenal were flexible, tactically aware and intelligent on the pitch. They should that you could win – and win pretty, if you see how Adebayor and Rosicky combined for that last goal – if you change gears play more direct.
The press keeps talking about Arsenal’s team as being ‘young’ but this is a grown-up team both in age and in mental strength – and that shows in their game this season. What’s probably gone unnoticed is the change in Arsene Wenger, as he’s evolved as a manager as well and imbued a new level of toughness and flexibility in his charges.
Topics: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger
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Very good piece. Period. You are spot on….If Wenger told the boys at the intermission “Ok….we are gonna play English football” I can only imagine the shock on the players faces. All the pundits I have heard have said that the score was unfair in describing the game……very untrue. I think that the direct thrust of the 2cnd half approach shocked Everton into the errors. We took 2 reserve strikers and rammed the ball down their throats! I am sure that the Everton players thought”Ok coach….we did what you said…..now what?!” This was obvious in the fouls with Lescott on Eduardo and the shot to the head of Hleb by Arteta(yes…Hleb…on a dead ball in the 74 minute….before the Cesc incident).
At the beginning of the season I was a little worried, like most, that we were sending out children to do a man’s job….then I saw a replay of the 2004 FA Cup Final….there was Cliche and Van Persie. This team for the most part has been together for a while and those that are new(except for Sagna) have been brought in carefully.
Wenger stuck to his guns and so far is proving everyone wrong…..truly a genious.
January 1st, 2008 @ 13:04Even though I like how the Gunners are playing, I feel sometimes Cesc and Flamster take the physical bit to the next level(beyond football decency). Still no complaints as it is bringing us the results. As for the change in Wenger, he is where Fergie was around 8-10 years back. Experiences do change even the most inflexible ones……………
January 1st, 2008 @ 13:56What a game against the Hammers! A classic opener goal followed by a slightly lucky poacher’s goal. This team has come of age and i just pray that they keep it going. Finally it looks like we do have the backup bench in case something unfortunate happens………..
January 1st, 2008 @ 17:37The game against the Hammers was one of the most controlled performances (especially in the second half) I have seen against a team this season. Arsenal showed power, pace and also mental strength. This team WILL win the epl and WILL win it with ease. Mr Wenger has done a splended job with this mob, and it would be a shame if they aern’t successful this season, a true shame. GO YOU GOONERS
January 2nd, 2008 @ 05:33Ahmed – I appreciate this article you wrote. Can’t imagine how hard it was for you to write it
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As for the performance against Everton, what a match that was! I actually didn’t see the first goal despite watching the TV closely. It just came out of nowhere! Only when Eduardo was sliding to the ground celebrating with the team did i go ‘holy fuck, what just happened!’ Great performance after some shockingly bad play in the first half.
I just wanted to add that i think ‘Les Boss’ has started to come out of his shell more so this season than any other season before & i like the fact that he’s starting to show more tactical flexibility on the pitch. The French Lion is beginning to show his teeth.
January 2nd, 2008 @ 06:36Some comments on the comments on this thread:
a) of course Arsenal controlled the game Vs West Ham, WHam had their entire midfield and forward line injured. Most teams will beat W Ham in the coming weeks until we get some players back. Arsenal are a great team – just saying that beating W Ham at present is not proof of anything.
b) The Emirates is an amazing stadium – best in the UK by a mile. However, the Arsenal “fans” are without doubt the quietest, dullest bunch of supporters in Britain. They made no noise for the entire game. I thought Old Trafford was bad (just ask Ferguson) but really the ‘fans’ at the Arse are an embarressment to their fantastic team. I am not having a dig for the sake of it – but having attended matches for about 25 years now around England it was the quietest crowd I have ever witnessed.
January 2nd, 2008 @ 13:43I’ve never been to Emirates in person, but I have to admit that I’ve gotten the same impression a few times while watching on tv. Highbury was noisy though………
January 3rd, 2008 @ 06:55ignadirshah
LoL – “Highbury was noisy”… Highbury was known by opposing fans as “Highbury the library”. One of the many West Ham chants at Emirates was “it’s still a library”. But even Highbury was slightly louder than the Emirates.
Good fans – they had big crowds even before the time of George Graham when they didn’t win anything for a long time – just strange history of being quiet which has now become almost complete silence.
January 3rd, 2008 @ 17:19being a united fan it pains me to even say this but the fact is that i do admire what arsene can do with kids and this season is a testament.. he knows what he is doing… people really forget very early, arsene’s unbeatables (as they are called- still remember the ruud missed penalty) were physical when they needed to be and it was arsene who decided this year that these kids have grown up and now that they can play football they should start learning how to fight and scrap….
it showed at times last year (united games) but now they have started to do it on a regular basis… it is not that arsene learnt, i think it is now that he decided that the kids should learn
anyways in the begining of the season i had thought that this seasoon for arsenal would be very much like united’s last, i think its showing and like the departure of ruud henry has also played his part in leaving the club.. the only difference will be that united will still get the title, january is an interesting month.
January 4th, 2008 @ 18:23