…wins championships. Yes, it was indeed a sight to behold yesterday as Arsenal played some very nice champagne football. Great, one-touch passing as three, four and even five players poured forth into attack.
But let’s not forget what great runs are built on - a solid defense. Through eight EPL matches the Arsenal have allowed four goals. That is how you string together five wins and climb into the top four.
A potent offense, as we have seen over and over again in many sports (Yankees anyone?), doesn’t always click. Just a little glitch can wreck the finely tuned machine. But if you have a solid defense you can get over the bad patches without losing everything you’ve built. At some point the offense will sputter. Maybe Cesc will be burned out or Henry will get injured. Perhaps Hleb and Rosicky will just ‘be off’ for a couple of games. If the Arsenal can still get results in those situations it will be because of the defense.
29 Responses to “Offense gets the glory, defense…”
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October 23rd, 2006 at 10:59 am
You can twist these things all day long Rick to support your argument and your 100 % right in what your saying, however one argument and easily be intertwined with the other to substantiate either point.
Perfect example is the importance of the first goal. We’ve seen with arsenal how important the first goal is to our confidence. It’s often the difference between us playing like sublime and playing like shite.
Now, what if you have an average defence and have a great attack which gets you the first goal in the first 15 minutes? All of a sudden the other team loses shape and discipline and doesn’t have the composure to expose your potentially dodgy defence, and your great attack goes on to get further goals. The other team may get a goal back but you’ve already put the game out of sight.
On the other hand, if you have a very good defence but have a powder-puff attack, your defence is constantly under pressure to keep a clean sheet to get something out of the game, and this is excaberated by a wasteful attack gives them no respite.
Arsenal have been powder-puff in attack in the last few years against Man United and Chelsea away and have had a decent defence, albeit liable to the odd mistake. What happens? We miss our best chances, our attack runs out of ideas, and our defence finally cracks, like it did against United and Chelsea on a few occasions recently. if we had been a goal up our defence would have been more relaxed and not made those mistakes.
It’s an issue that can drive you insane, such is the amount arguments and counter-arguments available.
October 23rd, 2006 at 11:45 am
I am with you on this Rick.
Telling tale are the Yankees… its just fact. You can post a great record with the offense, but when it comes to title time, defense (and pitching!) win.
Our defense has been a bit shaky at times, even thru the wins… but we’ve managed to get the job done… plain and simple.
Against the better teams in Europe and in the EPL… we’ll see how far our defense can take us.
But you HAVE to like what we’ve seen recently from the team… great stuff.
October 23rd, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Gallas, Gallas, Gallas, Gallas, Gallas, Gallas, Gallas,
October 23rd, 2006 at 1:45 pm
You make an excellent point. Which brings me to my greatest fear for this season. GILBERTO.
He does all the dirty work when the attacking five (and sometimes two fullbacks) are in the opposite half. He breaks down opposition attacks and passes the ball to one of our attacking players.
But recently, his game has been quite poor. He loses simple tackles. He can’t put together two successive 10-yard passes. I desperately fear that, sooner rather than later, it is going to cost us. Remember last season at Blackburn?
The fact that he has no replacement makes it even worse. How I wish Diaby was fit. He may not be the perfect person for the role, but he can do that job.
October 23rd, 2006 at 1:56 pm
If he is playing so badly… (which I disagree with)… then who cares if he has no replacement. If he gets injured, we won’t miss anything, from what you are saying.
He is excellent at shielding the back 4 and positional play. Not just good, EXCELLENT. If he were to go down, we’d be in big trouble. He is vastly under-rated.
October 23rd, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Mazza,
My point is, even if you have a great attack, sometimes it isn’t going to be clicking. Sometimes other teams (Chelsea, Man U, Milan, Barca, etc.) are going to shut you down. On those occasions you better have a good defense. Of course it would be great to get a goal in the first minute all the time and put pressure on the other team early, but realistically how often is that going to happen - especially against quality opposition.
Sure, occasionally you can run the table with a great offense and sub-par ‘D,’ but more often than not you’re going to come up short in the end. This is a universal sports truth - baseball, basketball, American football; I’ll take the team with the tough defense (Steelers 2006, Ravens 2001(?)) over the great offense (Colts, Manning Era). I’ll take pitching (Tigers, Marlins) over hitting (Yankees). Maybe not over the course of a long regular season, but when it is crunch time, give me the tight defense and an offense that can convert their one opportunity (Greece, Euro 2004). It may not be pretty, but sometimes pretty isn’t possible.
October 23rd, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Rick I was just about to write that same thing about how Kolo Toure and Jens Lehmann are real deal bad-asses. There’s not a CB in the world you can line up next to Kolo and say this is why this CB is better than Toure. He simply never gets beat. And Jens makes not a good save but a spectacular save every single game. I was and still believe that Buffon will come next year but with Lehmann’s form, there’s not a keeper I would rather have sporting an Arsenal kit; this year or next year. To Jens, I say one more year.
October 23rd, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Gilberto is a fine player and does a fabulous job for the team. Sure he had a few misplaced passes but he was outstanding for the team last night. Exactly how many attacking chances did Reading have? When they did look like mounting an attack, who was on hand to snuff it out? Gilberto got it done last night. Sure, he’s not as pretty on the ball as others but you’ve got to respect what that guy does. Gilberto’s been bashed on this and other sites before when people didn’t respect what he did. I remember when we had to play without Gilberto and how sorely we missed his presence.
It’s easy to pass derogatory judgement when you don’t see the work someone allegedly does. Unfortunately for Gilberto, the camera focuses on the ball and his best work is done off the ball. Because of Gilberto’s tactical awareness, Fabregas and others are allowed to focus on producing that delightful display we witnessed yesterday. Nip, you’ve been around long enough so I know you know better. I’ve got to agree with Stag 133 on this one.
October 23rd, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Gallas was the worse defender of our back five yesterday.
October 23rd, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Well, when you put it like that…..;^)
October 24th, 2006 at 12:22 am
well said.
i urge the naysayers to go back and watch the game and count all the successful passes gilberto completes. not just the ones he doesn’t.
also take notice that he started the move that led to the opening goal with a 20-30(!) yard pass to hleb on the right.
and his awkward lunge for a high ball at half-field sprung rosicky into the exchange that led to hlebs goal.
relatively anonymous he may have been, but he certainly played his part in the goals.
now i know as much as anyone here that gilberto is good for a few wayward passes in every game. some are worse than others.
but all of our players make bad passes and lose the ball. especially the ones who always see the ball.
and gilberto isn’t one of them…so ease up a bit.
it is time to recognize what this man brings to our team.
recognize how he allows our flair players to do their thing.
and cease with the magnifying of weaknesses, real or perceived.
October 24th, 2006 at 12:42 am
I appreciate what Gilberto does. I also understand that it is mostly a thankless job. But at the same time, I can’t turn a blind eye to his poor passing. I fear that one of these days, it’s going to cost us. I’d be happy if he makes such mistakes against Reading rather than Chelsea or Bolton.
Remember the Moscow game. Twice he lost the ball in the midfield. On both occassions, Toure bailed him out by covering Carvalho/Love. Once in a while, you can accept mistakes. Hleb too played badly in that game. But Hleb did splendidly against Reading.
Let’s not forget that defensive mistakes are punished a lot severely than offensive ones. That’s why I fear. Only time will tell. If I am wrong, I’ll be obviously delighted.
October 24th, 2006 at 4:56 am
Some would say the reason Chelsea won the titles over the last two seasons has been their defence.
We now have one of their best players and that is making our defence even better.
Last season the back four was chopped and changed, this year there is no clear back four yet, will Clichy play LB? Will Senderos start? Who will play RB? All of these questions encourages the defenders to perform even better, as they know one poor game and they might not play again for a while.
I would like to think come January we would know our back four for the run in.
October 24th, 2006 at 8:39 am
OK, the real squad has been published, disregard the ones from Arsenal-Mania, Tribal football and even the BBC. Fabregas and Toure were never going to play/ attend this one.
OK so the back four will be young and probably there will be a debut there.
Denilson will start, probably alongside Song, however Traore or Clichy could play down the left and Flamini on the right.
I expect Adebayor and Walcott to start up front.
Hopefully a new star will be found tonight, the likes of Eboue, Van Persie have impressed in this cup.
October 24th, 2006 at 8:51 am
If Aliadiare doesn’t start tonites game…. he should leave the club!
Unless he is injured, he should be playing in Carling Cup and even FA Cup matches against lower division teams…
The guy has had a long and winding road due to injuries, loaned out against his wishes… and has fought for a spot by playing in the reserves this year. Lets see if he can play. He’s got 5 goals in reserves, I think the whole team has 10?!
J.Aliadiare… better be on the starting line-up sheet!!!!!!!!!
October 24th, 2006 at 9:28 am
If he does get picked then we will play with three up front, Adebayor down the middle with Walcott and Aliadere on the wings. A defensive midfield line up of Song, Flamini and Denilson.
Personally Walcott and Adebayor are better than Aliadere, injuries or not.
Reserve football is not the same as Carling Cup, FA Cup or any other 1st team game.
October 24th, 2006 at 10:45 am
Chalfie… its your opinion, which I am VERY big on people giving… and allowing for it…
but my opinion is… Adebayor is average at best… and Walcott isn’t quite ready to be starting in the EPL.
I think Aliadiare is better than both of them.
If he gets his chance… I’d say he’ll prove it.
The bloke just needs his chance to play.
I like Walcott a lot… think he’ll be super…
but you can have Adebayor… he’s a poor man’s Kanu in my books.
October 24th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
Ali Ali Ali Ali!!!!!!
1-0 Arsenal … goal by J.Aliadiare!!!!
October 24th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
Oh god, that goal breathes new life into your ali campaign. No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
October 24th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
By the way, as anyone got the new arsenal home kit? Just want to know the style of it, is tight-fitting or is it loose? Of course Tottenham’s kit is too tight -like a thermal vest- but I tend to think tighter fitting jersey’s look less tacky and more classier. Cheers.
October 24th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
And ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 GOALS FOR ALIADIARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 24th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Ali…. Alia… Alidia…
ALIADIARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ali Ali Ali Ali
2-0 to the Arsenal… both goals by Jermaine Aliadiare!!!!!!!!!
Lets get him into the first team NOW.
He’s better than Adebayor AND VanPersie.
Its just fact!
October 24th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
gotta agree with stag on this one
after tonite he definitely deserves his chance in the first team
to see how he gels with henry, vanP and henry definitely dont compliment each other too well
though i def dont agree with stag on adebayor sayin he's a poor man's kanu…thts got to be a joke..doubt u'd be (or indeed still shud be) sayin tht after OT
his finishin often leaves a lot to be desired but he works really hard for the team and gels well with henry, and unlike kanu has pace and strength to go with skill!
October 24th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Ummmm…
Kanu has 6 GOALS this year…
He leads the ENTIRE LEAGUE in scoring… (tied with Andy Johnson of Everton)
So… at the moment, I don’t think Adebayor can carry his water jug!!!!
Not to mention… Kanu is playing for Portsmouth… not Arsenal. He’s playing with players that are not close to the level that Arsenal have. Gotta give Kanu his props!
October 24th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Adebayor was taken off injured so maybe Aliadiere will get his chance to play 20/30 mins as sub for Van Persie on Saturday.
Not convinced by Aliadiere but happy to have him at the club as fourth choice striker. He has pace, understands the way we want to play football and he qualifies as a locally qualified player for European competition.
Good result tonight. Senderos and Clichy get ninety minutes. Connolly, Song and Flamini get a run-out. Would be interested to hear how Denilson did. The BBC minute-by-minute report seemed to list a number of free-kicks against him.
Also good to see Randall and Traore get a run-out.
October 24th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
his name is jeremie not jermaine…
he is NOT better than adebayor OR RvP.
if he is PROVE it !!
October 24th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
come on man…thts really funny logic…by that logic henry sheva rooney (and pretty much everyone else in the league)will all have to be in line to carry kanu’s water jug!
seriously…we all know adebayor is better than the present kanu. anyways my only point initially was tht adebayor is no plank and he has earned my respect after performance at OT!
October 24th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Stag, stop being an anus. You make a punt on a player and he has scored 2 goals in the Carling Cup - now your inferiority complex has gone on overdrive. I like Aliadiere, but when he’s scored less goals in the Arsenal first team in 7 years than Adebayor has in about 4 months. And as for Van Persie, Holland are building their team round him, so I doubt that your assertion that Aliadiere is better than him carries a great deal of weight.
It would be nice to see him get a proper chance in the first team, maybe he deserves it, but he’s proven practically nothing yet. Even when he went on loan he was a disaster, unlike Lupoli and Bendtner I might add.
October 24th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Adebayor hasn’t been at Arsenal 5 minutes - he came back late from the African Nations - so he only really played in the last few months of the season. He was also cup tied for the Champions League, so he couldn’t play in that. Neither has he played from the start in every match either. Despite that he scored the winner at Man Utd and got a clutch of assists and goals towards the end of last season. So it’s bollocks to call him a poor man’s Kanu, as so far I think he’s done quite well and has a lot of potential.