One of the key reasons resulting in Madrid’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal, in my opinion, was their static attacking line. Each one of their attacking players was playing by himself. When one player having the ball, the rest of his teammates standing still ball watching.
People often describe Arsenal as a great passing team. Yet no team can pass the ball effectively without good MOVEMENT (off the ball). Perhaps Wenger could use Real Madrid’s example as a lesson for us to learn.
Many people are disappointed by Alexander Hleb’s performance this season, some accused him for keeping (dribbling) the ball too long. The way I see it though - it’s more like a case that he couldn’t find anyone else to pass. Hleb had earned a reputation of a midfield playmaker in German. And from watching him play early of the season, I’d noticed Hleb did have a great playmaker instinct - often looked for a killer pass.
From 2001 to 2004, we had a great attacking force. What made it so effective was not only because of our brilliant passing game, but also the fact everyone of our attacking players never stopped running to create space for teammates.
Thierry Henry remains as one of my favourite Gunners. But I’m disappointed towards his workrate, or rather lack of this season. So often he was caught standing still ball watching. Be it his teammates had the ball in midfield or down the flank, Titi often just stood on the edge of the penalty box calling for the pass. Yet with Titi’s reputation, he often drew two or three defenders’ attention. What used would it be passing to him when he was surrounded by opposition defenders?
If Titi cares to run a little bit more when he DOES NOT have the ball, he would inevitably draw two or three defenders away with him, thus opens up a lot of space for his teammates.
With our main man and top striker remained static (when he’s without the ball), and often we were playing ONE striker (Titi himself) upfront, we have even less room for our midfield playmaker to explore for a killer pass. So in a way it has resulted to the drop of our goal-scoring rate this season.
By the way, this is NOT fact, just my own observation and opinion.
9 Responses to “A REAL lesson to learn”
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February 23rd, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I agree with Andez’s obervation. I don’t think Hleb has received nearly enough credit. He is a very exciting player to watch and if he can just improve on his final ball, I think he could be a great player. His close control is amazing (ASIDE:- those of us that play Winning Eleven or FIFA 2006 can testify to this).
On a different note, I think that Arsenal gave a great showing yesterday, without RVP (fast becoming my favorite Arsenal player) and A. Cole. Henry signing a new contract . . . ? (Fingers Crossed)
February 23rd, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Agree. People, by default, seem to instinctively have an indifference to Hleb that puzzles me considering his great dribbling ability and potential that has not yet fully been realised due his lack of confidence and players like Henry staring at him almost waiting for him to score a wonder goal before doing him the privelege of making a run.
People want him to pass more but then if we wanted that we would just play the modern day Pires, who it seems can only do that these days. Hleb’s ability to eat up 20-30 yards is a great asset and that’s why he often seems to be standing there with that ball at his feet not knowing what to do, when in fact he’s working out whether one of his slaloming dribbles are possible. It may frustrate at times but we, as a team, should pander to him more if he continues the way he left off on Tuesday.
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:11 pm
I don’t think Hleb is helped by the fact that he’s wide right tbh. He can’t cross and cuts inside moreso. I love his dribbling but he has been hesitate in giving that killer ball or indeed shooting…bu it’s only been half a seaon…he’ll find his feet and a natural position which cd be the DB10 role, or i think for him to flourish in a midfield 3 like on weds. There he was more central but still aided Eboue on the wings defensively…he showed heart and i was impressed…i’m certain he will develoip now he may get a long run in the team….
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Also, it seemed that Thierry moved back in the hole (between the front and midfield) which allowed the wings, Freddie and Jose, to attack with speed and kept Real on their heels, hinting on what Andez said about the effectiveness of Henry moving and not waiting. Personally, Hleb hasn’t impressed me either, his pre-season form seemed to look very promising, but I’m still not convinced yet that his form can improve much more, even with the game he had Tuesday.
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:31 pm
I think many fans are harsh on Helb’s performance considering this is his first season in a new league, in a new country and playing in a new system. There is no question he has the talent and the tenacity to succeed in Arsenal. We would love to see him shoot more often or release the ball faster - I am sure he will learn over time not to hold onto the ball for too long, especially in the EPL. Having said that, his close ball control and dribbling are really superb. His tracking back to defend and tackle for the ball against RM shows his committment to the cause. He will grow into the role and very likely take over from Pires.
On a different note, I thot playing Ljunberg and Cesc in the middle of the park with Gilberto in front of the back 4 was a very good tactic. Ljundberg’s drop in speed means it would be better to use his experience somewhere else and what better than to help out Cesc in central midfield. With Reyes and Helb providing the attack down the wings, Henry was not so isolated compared to previous attempts at 4-5-1. It helps when the opponent did not play a pressing game.
Against Blackburn this Saturday, it will be a very different game. With pr*cks like Savage and Todd, we can expect a much more robust game. Hopefully we will see a more resilient Arsenal win against one of the dirties team in the EPL.
February 24th, 2006 at 1:09 am
Arsenal’s work rate has certainly come down in the past two years - be it Pires, Ljunberg or even Henry. RvP does not seem to be the “run all 90 minutes” kind of player. Neither does Hleb. I have seen only Reyes do it.
February 24th, 2006 at 6:14 am
It’s really amazing how people all of a sudden forget what’s been going on even events as recent as a few weeks ago have been forgotten. I can’t say that i was pretty excited…and i know that if real keep up wit that pansy play they’ll lose at highbury..
we all know that arsenal has trouble against premierleague teams due to the physical aspects of the game..
real were not physical in anyway..they were absolutely pourous..we were practically walkin through their defense..
one thing we did well was playin the counter attack game..due to the fact that we had a lone striker it was inevitable..i prefer arsenal playin the long ball because henry is really quick and has great control…infact if arsenal kept playin this 4-5-1 system it would be great…
fabregas has great passing and so does pires..
best system would be..
——————————————————henry
with this system an the long ball we would do better off..
February 24th, 2006 at 6:28 am
It’s really amazing how people all of a sudden forget what’s been going on even events as recent as a few weeks ago have been forgotten. I can’t say that i was pretty excited…and i know that if real keep up wit that pansy play they’ll lose at highbury..
we all know that arsenal has trouble against premierleague teams due to the physical aspects of the game..
real were not physical in anyway..they were absolutely pourous..we were practically walkin through their defense..
one thing we did well was playin the counter attack game..due to the fact that we had a lone striker it was inevitable..i prefer arsenal playin the long ball because henry is really quick and has great control…infact if arsenal kept playin this 4-5-1 system it would be great…
fabregas has great passing and so does pires..
best system would be..
——————————————————henry———————————————————–
————————–reyes——————ljunberg——————pires/hleb————————————————————————————————————–fabregas——————————————————————————————————gilberto———————————————————————————————————–cole————campbell————–toure——————eboue————
with this system and the long ball we would do better off..
February 24th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Madrid’s defeat was down to a few key elements.
A) Style of play… they allowed us lots of space and didn’t pressure us or play physical football.
B) Tenacity on our part. We played hard and with intensity and were all over them from the first minute.
I am not dissapointed AT ALL in Thierry Henry. I am dissapointed in Wenger and the board for not surrounding him with the talent necessary (proven) to get Arsenal to the next level TODAY… not in 2009.
He’s a striker for f’s sake… that doesn’t change. He isn’t supposed to run like a maniac all over the pitch to exhaustion. He didn’t need to do that when he had proper service in recent years.
Jury is still out on Hleb. Thats wonderful what he can do in a wide open match with no pressure from the other team… like in Madrid… like-wise Cesc and all the others in our team. That suits how we’d LIKE to play all the time. We don’t play in Spain however.
Talk to me after Blackburn brings the black and blue brigade to us on Saturday. Quite a different kettle of fish.