I am a firm believer of DEFENCE WINS GAME. The buzz and thrill of our two season openers has masked a potential weakness of our team - the defence. The stats shows: we have scored an amazing 9 goals in 2 matches (12 in 3 if you included Community Shield), yet we can’t overlook the fact we have also conceded 4 goals in 2 matches. And that’s against Middlesbrough (without Southgate and Ehiogu) and Everton…
Make no mistake we can’t score 3 or 4 goals every game. The attacking players would inevitably have their off days. By then our defence have to stand up and to be counted.
Rumors that AW is still looking for a right back. For those who wonder why we still need a right back when we already got Lauren? Let’s flash back to 2002/3 season when we blew our title chance away. After taking a comfortable early lead in the Premiership, the crack started to emerge coincidenced with the absent of Ashley Cole, whom were out for a few weeks through injury. After selling Upson to Birmingham, AW tried first van Bronkhorst, then Kolo Toure to fill the left back gap left behind by Cole. Both failed. With new addition Cygan also struggled at central back, we lost 4 matches in a row, both in the Premiership and the Champions League. I guess it’s not being too harsh to suggest - the defence cost us the Premiership (if not Champions League as well).
Last season we regained the Premiership title. Ashley Cole, again, missed some part of the fixtures. But this time around, we had got young Clinchy who filled in the left back gap admirably.
So we have solved the left back cover, but how about on the other flank? Who’s going to cover Lauren? Judging from the preseason, I don’t think young Hoyte is ready yet. Kolo shifted to the right and covered Lauren last season when the Cameron International was out injuried for a period of time.
But I think the reason AW is looking for a right back rather than a central back like many suggested - is ideally you wish you can keep a stable back four to play together as much as possible. As a dependable defensive line needs a great understanding. That’s why coaches normally wouldn’t take off a defender or changing their positions under any circumstance in a match. When you shift Kolo Toure to the right, that means TWO positions changed at the back, and THREE defenders need to adapt and adjust to each other. First, the new central back needs to establish a partnership with Sol Campbell. Kolo Toure needs to re-adjust to right back position. And lastly, Campbell himself needs to adapt to his new central defensive partner… To just get ourselves a new right back, when Lauren is out, just get the new guy filling in his spot, it would not affect neither Sol or Kolo. Look at Man Utd, no doubt they have a bunch of “versatile” defenders, yet they have been shifting the players’ positions all over the place since the absent of Rio Ferdinand, to the end they have simply been confusing themselves.
I firmly believe we have the BEST attacking forces in not just England, but the whole Europe. But I don’t believe the “they score 3, we score 4″ theory. Newcastle tried that under Keegan, yet most likely it would eventually turn out to be “we score 3, they score 4″. In order to dominate the Premiership, and, especially, stand a real shot on the Champions League, we have to improve our defence.
10 Responses to “Defence is the key to our season”
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August 25th, 2004 at 7:46 am
I agree with you (again) that our defence needs to tighten up more, but I would not be too worried at this time of the season. Its around this time of the year that often throws up freak results and positioning in the league, lets not forget that even Sp*rs have sat at the top of the Premiership at the end on August, but its not what you do in Autumn (Fall) that matters it?s what you do from Christmas onwards that counts. Players are often still rusty after their summer brake and need a month or so to get back into the swing and we won?t get a true feel of things until late October. I know that bad habits can set in but we are talking about the team which had the best defensive record in the league last year, who are currently playing without their main centre back. I think we do need cover on the right because as you say if Kolo moves out to that side there are three changes being made, where as if we had cover it would be accommodated without too much disruption. Hoyte is still not ready and I think we loose more by moving Kolo out of the centre. I think we will sign Hatem Trabelsi from Ajax before the transfer window because AW is talking about a possible deal again, whereas last week he was dismissing it saying the deal was dead. (Anyone got any songs that rhyme with Trabelsi?)
The good news is that AW said today that Sol should be ready for selection after the International week, as will PV. So by the time we play Fulham on Sept 11th we could be back to a full strength defense.
So I would not be too concerned yet, if we are still talking about this subject in December then we do need to worry.
August 25th, 2004 at 8:17 am
This is the old Andez talking with facts and no showboating. Sir you right on points and as much as I can?t stand the new boring Chelsea boss he is taking a leave out of G. Graham?s book. Chelsea are crap but their defending is getting better yes and I said it. Let talk about football here and put Arsenal aside for a second. Look at the teams Chelsea play so far. I called them lucky but their defends is working. Sorry Palace I still love you but today is for my Gunners.
Our Defend is not that bad but needs to improve soon than later. And for someone to say this is because we missing Sol is not just a joke but plain silly. The point is no good team had to depend on one player. Liverpool 70 & 80?s, United 90?s won things as a squad and when I hear people talking about the whole PV crap I wonder why. These things happen and if what something happens to Sol. 4 goals in 2 games is not on.
Wenger is the best in the business put it nicely genius but one thing I still don?t get is letting Upson goes to B?ham and kept Pascal. French connection but Upson is 100% better than Pascal. At the moment the team is carrying CP around and each mistake he does cost us very dearly. We might come back and win some games after silly mistakes and having one good day out of four is not good period. 2001/02 comes to mind.
You have to give credit when necessary not because you support the team. He pulled Kolo Toure out of his magic hat but had to sort out the defense before is too late. Also believes defends win game and for those who might need some help understanding that check the record books.
August 25th, 2004 at 10:15 am
Teabag…. you are RIGHT ON.
I am not very concerned 2 matches into the season with our best defender yet to play in Sol… and our best defensive cover in midfield yet to play in PV.
These 2 players definitely change our defense in a large way… for the positive.
Cygan is COVER. He is not going to play alot with Sol and Kolo healthy… cover for Lauren would be nice… agreed.
You are NOT going to get a stud defender and then watch him sit on the bench behind our starters… it simply makes no sense to think that way. So, with the SAME DEFENSE as last season, which was the BEST IN THE LEAGUE… I don’t really see any problem after 2 matches. If Sol or Kolo are injured for a long period of time, then worry. If we are still conceding goals in November… then worry. Until then, sit back and enjoy the unbeaten streak for as long as it may last.
Please, lets not start worrying about things this early in the season, especially after 2 wins.
August 25th, 2004 at 11:43 am
right on stag133. however i do think that cygan needs to have more of an understanding with ashley and kolo like sol does. i think at times, he tries to do too many things at once and tries to be in many places at once and therefore ashley becomes confused. but we shouldnt worry to much what chelsea are doin because i watched them yesterday agianst crystal palace and a team with players like drogba and kezman up front they really should have demolished crystal palace. because CP were not playing well, they gave the ball every one touch and i thought that chelsea should have taken advantage of that but they didnt. i think mourinho needs to stop defending himself and his team for every critisism they get because at the end of the day it will improve his team. i think he is being stubborn like ferguson was last year and look what happened to his team. arsenal will improve and i hope that when we play chelsea in december we will show them who is boss.
August 25th, 2004 at 1:34 pm
sorry to break this post but i just got a very interesting quote from AW about dennis bergkamps future, it looks to me that this might NOT be his last season. this is what AW said
If Dennis Bergkamp had stuck to Plan A, he would have been putting his feet up for a well-earned rest while Arsenal embarked on their title defence.
Instead, the Dutch striker is enjoying one of the finest spells of his career after extending his stay at Highbury into a 10th season.
Bergkamp grabbed Arsenal’s first goal of the new campaign at Everton and sparked Sunday’s astonishing comeback against Middlesbrough with another crisp strike. His manager is understandably delighted.
“I’ve seen some great Bergkamp form down the years but at the moment he is playing very well,” says Arsene Wenger.
“He had a good preparation and has only missed one training session since the start of season. It is a long season but you have to use your players when they are on top of their form, and he is in exceptional shape at the moment.”
As ever, Bergkamp is providing more than just goals for the team. His eye for a pass remains unrivalled and his experience has helped atone for the loss of some of the squad’s senior figures.
“We lost a capital of experience in the summer with Ray Parlour, Martin Keown, Kanu and Sylvain Wiltord leaving the Club,” says Wenger. “Bergkamp can redress that balance.
“We have had a young side in the first few games with Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Edu all missing, so Dennis has had a real role to play and he knows that. All the youngsters look up to him.”
With Bergkamp in such prime form, could he continue beyond the end of the season? As far as Wenger is concerned, that decision will not be made until next Spring.
“I cannot say that this is his last season because that’s a decision we will make together in April or May,” he says. “At that age you accept that you go on in the short term.
“I didn’t exepct he would still be doing it now but we like stability and we like to keep the team together.”
August 25th, 2004 at 5:01 pm
THERE’S YOUR CLEAN SHEET!!!!!!!!!!
3-0 to the Arsenal…
43 IN A ROW…
No PROBLEMS AT ALL at the BACK!!!!!!!!!!
next?
August 25th, 2004 at 5:31 pm
Stag, believe me, I hope you are right. But I’m not talking about a few games, I’m talking about the whole season.
Last season we had the league’s best defensive record, but it also coincidenced with the fact we didn’t have any key defender who had out for a lengthy period of time. We can get away against teams like Blackburn, Boro, Everton, but can we get away from against Chelsea, Man U, Juventus, Real Madrid the likes should we have one or two key defenders out injuried?
August 26th, 2004 at 3:30 am
Sorry Andez but your point about no injuries to our defence is off the mark, because if it were true how did Clichy and Cygan win Championship medals for making the required amount of appearances. Apart from Kolo who only missed 2 games all the other defenders missed games as well as Vieira. Lauran (8), Campbel (3), Cole (6) and Vieira (9), but was it noticed?
How would Chelsea manage without Terry or Liverpool without Hypia and what about Man.U without Rio (oh that?s right they didn?t).
Relax an enjoy the wonderful attacking football we are playing at the moment and if you like clean sheets you got it last night.
August 26th, 2004 at 5:02 am
Note: I stated “lengthly period of time”, not “No” injury.
August 26th, 2004 at 12:19 pm
Did you actually SEE the match because there were a few ‘heart in mouth’ moments which were mainly due to that prize donkey Pascal Cygan! I really think he is the exception that proves the “Arsene Knows” rule but then I have erased a few other mistakes from my mind (Maltz, Mendez and Caballero to name three).
I would rather see Senderos than Cygan - at least he is young and can learn AND he saved Pascal’s bacon (or whatever donkey meat is called) LOADS of times in the pre-season match at Barnet! He is young, strong, tall, fast and seems to read the game really well but then I suppose you can’t put too many teenagers into the team at once because we all know you ‘can’t win anything with boys’.