Last night’s game was a cracker, and it must be pointed out that we didn’t lose the game and we created the more and better chances. However Wigan, who have proven themselves to be a very good side this season, played a blinder as well, deserved 2 penalites, and didn’t deserve to lose either.
Offensively the passing and fluidity were back, but the finishing was just a bit off. Henry on any other day would have slotted at least one or two of his shots past pollitt into the bottom corner. But more than anyone Henry is allowed an “off-finishing” day (if that makes sense).
Too many kids and not enough experience?
Maybe, but I think the real problem has been the poor performance of some of the experienced players that we expected to rely on this year. I’m talking about Gilberto, Campbell, Ljungberg, Pires, and to a lesser extent Bergkamp. If these players had performed as expected, then I don’t think everyone would be talking about how a lack of experience has cost us.
Gilberto - Vieira leaving has exposed him as the limited player he is, but I think Fabregas has been badly let down by having Gilberto next to him. Fabregas has been outstanding this season (esp for an 18 year old), and any criticism of him is unfair.
Campbell - I can?t believe how sudden his decline has been. Last year he was injured most of the time, but before that he was unbelievable. Strong, quick, sharp, powerful and forceful. I can?t believe how much pace he has lost.
Ljungberg - While I think he has played ok this year, he has never been renowned for his team play and assists (like Pires for example), but for his ability to get into dangerous positions and score. His record of not scoring a goal in the league this year says it all.
These three players have no excuse - they should all be in the prime of their career (CBs are known to be at their best in their early 30s).
Pires and Bergkamp on the other hand, we can’t expect too much from, and Bergkamp playing another year looks to be a mistake in hindsight. Pires though has chipped in with a few goals, but has been frustratingly inconsistent. But he was always destined to play the part coming off the bench this year to change things, like Giggs does for ManU.
On the other hand, Jens, Lauren, and Henry have been excellent.
Re the young players, some of the criticism on this site of Senderos has been unbelievable, and most of you think he won’t get any better. This is the same player that last year stood firm at the back and enabled us to go on the run that got us into 2nd place. He’s young - give him a chance he’ll come good again.
Van Persie - Class
Flamini - a good squad player, I think he’ll be as good as Ray Parlour ever was.
Fabregas - our best midfielder by a mile this year, almost as good as vieira was last year (which wasn’t great).
Reyes - finally starting to show what he is all about. In terms of a replacement for Bergkamp, Reyes is the closest we’ve got - his eye for a final pass recently (as well as his link up with henry), has been outstanding. When he tries to dribble and go past players though is when he makes poor decisions. Arsene just needs to find a system that plays to his strength. Hopefully he can re-discover his shooting boots soon as well.
Hleb - while his close skills are awesome, sometimes his passing is shite. Jury is still out.
I think Ljungberg and Campbell have it in them to get better. Gilberto I’m not convinced about, and hence I think we still need to fill a big void in midfield. And not a replacement for Vieira, but a someone to complement Fabregas. Can Diaby be it? Not yet which makes me think in the summer we need to strengthen there again with a tough tackling Gattuso-like midfielder.
Anyway the team is not as far off as everyone thinks, and offensively I think we have enough now for the next 1-2 years.
3 players is what we need. A versatile (gallas like) defender, and a tough tackling experienced midfielder, and maybe another keeper (although Jens looks like he can go on another year. Out with Gilberto.
Despite what you all say, I really don?t think we are that far away from challenging for title (or at least 2nd place), and if one of Diaby, Walcott or Adebayor make a instant impact then I for one will be looking forward to an exciting year at Emirates!
Keep the Faith!
13 Responses to “The kids aren?t the problem, it’s the senior players who have let us down…”
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January 25th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Well said. I’ll pretty much back all of that. I’m just concerned that Wenger will not make those crucial buys.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Having DB one more year was not bad probably also helped intraining etc.
I will demote Freddie and Sol from the first team. Senderos should go out on loan where he can play weekly. Flamini is just not good enough, we should dump him, along with Cygan and Gilberto. Pires should get a year, no more. Recall Bentley to give us an option on the right, and I hope Justyn Hoyte hasn’t learned too many bad habits at Sunderland.
Then we need three new signings, an experienced CB and midfielder, and a top class wide player.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
Well, one of your comments stumbles onto something. “If these players had performed as expected, then I don’t think everyone would be talking about how a lack of experience has cost us.” Unfortunately, these players are now performing AS EXPECTED. Only a team like Chelsea can replace stars with stars. Therefore, we are left with attempting to field experienced players even when they are off form — with no one to realistically push them for their positions.
Our problem is in the back/midfield obviously. Pace in the back, and someone other than Gilberto who does something in a defensive midfield role. He doesn’t even take up space well. The heart and soul of a team comes from the back or midfield. Regardless how well TH does up front, strong play and presence at the back is what fuels confidence throughout the team IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL. See Terry-Maka (and Rio-Keane and Sol-Viera when they were playing together and well). These were the spines of the dominant teams over the last 5 years. This is precisely what we are lacking.
It is clear that our backline lacks pace in the middle when Sendy and Sol play. They are one in the same. I feel Kolo would have snuffed out some of the problem, but why shouldn’t we have 2 backs with pace and strength in the middle? Clearly if Sol is not up to par, then Viera him and send him packing. I’m not suggesting giving up on Sol now, as he has earned some time to recover. But if he cannot put it together by season end, I hear Real want to sign some players. If we must play them, then we must give them some cover.
So the question remains, what about our weak spine? Here’s an answer. When you play 5 in the midfield away from home, play it right — with 2 defensive midfielders and pace on the outsides. Two defensive midfielders provides defensive cover, especially for a Sol-Sendy combo. Just look at where we keep getting burned. Defensive lapses and no pace to recover down the spine. I wouldn’t mind seeing Diaby and Flamini as the 2 DMs with RVP the offensive CM and TH on top. RVP is the more mobile option and he tracks back. Reyes and Freddie on the wings.
There’s a ways to go yet!
January 25th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
i have to agree on pretty much all of that. 1 thing after last night that I was shocked about was witnessing first hand the lack o pace and physical presence campbell has lost. Roberts bullied him…..so has Sol got nothing mnuch left…Senderos also tends to foul too much also…not sure what to do but look to summer to get a viab=able long term option because no matter what the Torres, midfielder talk comes about it is THIS defensive problem that could hurt us most in the new era. Gilbert fantastic talent though and Djourou for that matter.
gilberto shd be deported back to Brazil, he has played poorly ALL season and everyone knows it, yet he is supposed to give guidance to the talented Fab and leadership.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you stated we need some experience esp when we’re saying our best and most determined polayers seem to be youngsters starting out.
January 25th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
i wouldn’t [play 4-5-1 every game we have played that, sp away has been atrocious.
I think also that you ‘re spot on about a spine. Even spurs have it now. Robinson, King, Davids, Mido. And with that comes carrick and Dawson who have been superb. We have Lehmann (year or so left) Sol (year or so but fading fast), Gilberto (awful) and TH14 (who hopefully is staying). Not sure who but Wenger needs to develop hese kids in the next year or 2 fast or we risk having transition periods for the next year or so while they get to the high standard their potential expects.
January 25th, 2006 at 8:21 pm
I agree with the needs to fill. But on the veterans - I don’t think its simply down to them - or the youngsters either, though I’d prefer to have more experience in this team. I think it’s a bit of both.
I remember how when we sold Vieira and only brought in Hleb and many Gooners perhaps hoping lightning would strike twice more than believing it, recalled how we only brought in Lehmann prior to the Unbeaten Season.
True enough but with two major differences. First that team was older more experinced and had played together for a number of years - hence the chemistry they had and their football had as well. Second we didn’t sell as critical a player to everything we did as Vieira still was when we sold him. No matter what you think or thought of Vieira and how he played last year, clearly his absence is the primary difference between our team last season and this season. Its no mistake that the new central midfielder in his place to partner Gilberto was an 18 year old. Kind of symbolic of the problem.
Our team is no longer on the same page all over the pitch or even close to it. The almost telepathic ball- and man-movement that characterized the Arsenal side all the way back to when Henry and Pires joined Vieira at Arsenal and the rest of the team joined around them to play some of the most brilliant football any Arsenal side has played is seen sporadically at best. Mainly because so much of that play ran through Vieira or Edu in Central midfield, and without them and with the diminished pace and skill of our wide players, the ease of play and dominance we all - players and manager included - eventually took for granted, is going if not completely gone.
We need the youngsters to grow up fast or for some new veteran blood in the team and soon or we have to gamble on several seasons like this. And if one season like this could lead Thierry Henry to leave(if he indeed does), then several could lead several of our prized youngsters to do the same, ruining our plans to field an unstoppable side in a few years. That is a scary prospect.
No more long-term buys and planning until we sort out the short -term issues. The future is now. I think they’ve made a bit of a mess of that right now at Arsenal.It can be fixed and quickly, but remember that it has to be too.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Agree with most of your analysis except for the part on Reyes. He was brought in for amongst other things, his speed to get past players. Other than playing the nutmeg, his ability to get past players is sadly lacking and with the propensity to fall down at the slightest touch, he tends to lose the ball more often than he should. I do agree that his final ball has Bergkamp stamped all over it - maybe Wenger needs to play him to his strength. And his strength is definitely not as a winger like Robben, Ronaldo or a young version of Pires.
If Campbell thinks the previous summer was a tough one for him, wait until he finds he is not even on the bench for England in the World Cup this summer. It is amazing his standard has dropped so drastically that he is not half the player before his injuries.
I am not sure what Wenger can do to motivate the other senior players like Gilberto and Ljungberg. Dropping them does not appear to be the Wenger way though I think it is the best way to see how our youngsters fare and how our senior players will respond.
I am glad van Persie has signed a long term contract. His hunger and last summer experience have made him a better player though he is still not the finished article.
I don’t think Sendoros should go on loan - how will that benefit Arsenal as we do not exactly have a surplus of CBs currently. In the absence of Toure and the loss of form of Campbell, Djourou should be given the chance to play.
With the recent display of Gilbert, our right back position now appear to be in pretty healthy state with Lauren providing yeoman service this season and Hoyte learning his trade at the wrong end of the table. Plus there is Eboue as well. Maybe Wenger shud convert one of them to left back in the event Cole leaves for RM.
The lack of performance and leadership of the senior players this season may force Wenger to throw more youngsters into the fray this season and to try and win a CL spot. It is unlikely he is going to bring in an experienced player in Jan having already spent alot on young potentials. We might sneak in at 4th spot but it will be very tough given we have not played away to ManUre and Pool yet. Also I am downgrading our prospects in the FA cup (though I think we can sneak in a 1-0 win at Bolton) and the CL this season. This is increasingly looking like a barren year - and it all started with the departure of a certain Patrick Vieira.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
Good Post.
But I’d say the lack of depth and lack of options is the problem. There is no competition for places, so the senior players are not being pushed or threatened at all for their spots in the team.
COMPLACENCY abounds.
Its apparent that Freddie and Pires have lost a very important step or two, and the speed is gone on the wings for us.
Cole’s injury shows how important a player he is to the team… as WITH him, most of our offense came from the left side with him at the back overlapping runs and threatening on the break.
Vieira. We are seeing just how important he really was. Especially to Gilberto Silva.
Now? well… I think Wenger’s made his moves in the transfer period. I haven’t even heard a peep about anything else. Hopefully there IS more to come. Because the 3 moves were geared 100% toward the far away future, not NOW… not even tomorrow.
We ARE far away from challenging in my opinion, behind Chelsea, United and Liverpool. We haven’t won a big game against a good team in a long long time. We could be a COUNTRY MILE away from even contending for any silverware if the poor play continues and our best players depart.
Then all the kids will get their chances all the time. That might make some of you happy, but not me.
At least their effort might be a bit better. I can’t take the crap effort that we sometimes see on the road. Its just not acceptable. Especially to those faithful Gooners that travel across the country in the cold to see them give half a rat’s ass.
That has to change, and that starts and ends with Arsene Wenger.
January 26th, 2006 at 2:32 am
Wicked points but will dis-agree here -
Despite what you all say, I really don?t think we are that far away from challenging for title (or at least 2nd place), and if one of Diaby, Walcott or Adebayor make a instant impact then I for one will be looking forward to an exciting year at Emirates!
What we need now are players with experience to fight for places no more kids and inexperienced guys sitting like a duck in some comfort zone. We have to change fast and I take Wenger’s comments about his priority regarding the FA cup as a sign of change. The excuses have to stop.
We can’t blame the kids and can’t even blame the vets but the Manager. If there is no space for competition players become lazy. Looked at Chelsea and Liverpool even Spurs. They know if they don’t play well they will be drop for the next game.
That is the diference finishing first or second.
January 26th, 2006 at 4:04 am
Indeed. Campbell has been a huge disappointment for me. If he is out injured for more than 20 minutes, it seems to take him over a month to get going again. He’s like bambi on ice trying to maneuver his frame about. I know Senderos has been awful next to Super Sol, but surely the more senior player has to step up and help the youngster out. Thank fack Keown is at the club, he can kick some sense into one or two. But if Beattie and Roberts can bully our two centre-halfs, I bet Kevin Davies is wetting himself with excitement…
So I was delighted to read that Campbell will ‘not be risked’ against Bolton, because Senderos looked much better alongside Djourou.
January 26th, 2006 at 7:20 am
“What we’ve got is two or three players who are probably a year from not being good enough in the Champions League,” Hill-Wood told the Daily Star.
“And to replace them immediately is incredibly difficult.
“Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Sol Campbell. “What we’ve got is two or three players who are probably a year from not being good enough in the Champions League,” Hill-Wood told the Daily Star.
“And to replace them immediately is incredibly difficult.
January 26th, 2006 at 10:15 am
I think Arsenal’s top brasses do see the problems with the current team and are very worried about the prospects of no CL football in the new stadium next season. It is reassuring for the Chairman to come out and point the finger at the senior players though I thought he shud have included Gilberto in the list and excluded Pires as Pires looks like not getting his 2 years extension. His message could be aimed at Wenger to light a fire under Wenger.
No matter what, it is upto Wenger to fix the current problems and it looks like the Chairman will support him if he were to bring in more experienced players in Jan.
January 26th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
And has Bentley made himself a regular in the Blackburn team, scoring loads of goals and plenty of assists? No, I don’t think so.