A few thoughts after the match:
(1) Like AW’s tactical change the 2nd half, playing two wing backs in midfield, and brought in another two young full backs. I like the idea: It offered us width, while at the same time the two wing back cum midfield (Eboue and Clichy) would help to cover our defence better than Hleb and Rosicky. Also, it will open a door for the exciting young left back Traore to have more first team chances.
Not suggesting we should start the season this way, just it will offer us an interesting OPTION.
(2) Hleb is definitely better suited in a 4-5-1 formation. He looks much more comfortable playing in the middle.
(3) I also like what I saw from Bendtner. He blew away a few chances, but it’s more down to fitness and nerve I guess. Isn’t he the ideal “fox in the box” Henry been talking about at the past? He looks very much an out and out striker. With his presence, again, provides us another OPTION.
And the kid showed some good awareness as well, on what to do with the ball, and where to run. I believe he’s technically better than what we seen, as I don’t believe Wenger would go for a Peter Crouch type of striker. Wenger’s strikers are all technically sound.
(4) Strangely, at one time at the past we were guilty of collection wingers. These days we are loaded with central midfield players.
Diaby without a doubt will shine as a central midfielder. But in a 4-4-2, it’s unlikely Wenger will play him and Fabregas together in the central with no one to cover for the back. I guess that’s why Wenger has perferred to push him wide and play Denilson, a more defensive-minded midfielder in the central.
But it’s an awful waste to play Diaby wide right or left.
(5) Almunia will never make it as our number 1. For a ‘keeper, it’s a crime that you let opposing striker scored past you from the near post, when you already should have covered the angles. It’s not the first time he conceded a goal at his near post, he conceded a similiar goal in the Champions League final two years ago.
He’s a brilliant shot-stopper, but so does every other ‘keepers.
(6) Finally, anyone noticed Senderos seemed have slimmed down a bit? He looked fitter than last season. And Gael Clichy looked remarkably fit at this early stage.
34 Responses to “PSG post match - a few thoughts”
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July 28th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
yeah, sendy does look slimmer. hopefully with a big H, he surprises us and commits less senderos-style errors. i would be really thankful if he can.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
imagine clichy, eboue, fabregas, RvP, rosicky staying fit for 90% of the season.
imagine senderos playing all season like he did today ie. no blunders.
imagine walcott, RvP, bendtner, diaby and traore taking a giant leap forward.
that would make a great season….but only the third option is probable.
July 28th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
“yeah, sendy does look slimmer.”
thks for double confirm me that! i had that impression, but i wasn’t sure.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I heard Senderos is slimmer because he can’t eat or sleep. He is having nightmares about Drogba every night. He is still a stiff.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
That was a weak joke. My sincere apologies to all.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Hey, have you guys read that Eduardo has work permit problems. We can get on appeal but it looks like there is a big chance that he might not get it. And, was that the reason why he didn’t play yesterday, coz Wenger said that Rosicky, Ade and Theo are not fit to play, he didn’t mention Dudu. I know that you need a work permit to play in the Premier League , but this was supposed to be a friendly, right, how come he needs a work permit for that?
July 28th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
You need a work permit to “work” in England. A friendly for Eduado is still work.
That is why he could play in Austria but not in England.
In general I dont think it is something to be worried about. There is a specific rule about who qualifies automatically for a work permit (ie. 75% for the national team in the last 2 years).
If you dont meet this rule you are automatically denied. The club then re-applies stating why the player is a “special” talent citing past achievements. Dudu does have enough “past achievement” so i seriously dont think it will be a problem.
I mean afterall Denilson got in! Anderson at Man U got in. Mikel Obi and Kalou got in. Yakubu got in at Portsmouth some years back when he wasnt even close to meeting the requirements. And countless other rather inferior players at smaller clubs.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Sheed, from SportingLife (explains why Eduardo is not playing this weekend) -
Wenger is “confident” ahead of the appeal on August 2, and revealed the striker would most likely play in the Amsterdam Tournament next weekend, as that is not governed by United Kingdom rules.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
“You need a work permit to “work” in England. A friendly for Eduado is still work.”
Fred, I agree with that, but for him “work” is just training too, so does that mean he can’t train in England till he gets a work permit?
And yeah, I know that Denilson, Yakubu, Anderson, Obi Mikel and even Song got work permits, but this is the first time I have read that the player might not get it. In all those cases, in the media there were signs that the players will get a work permit on the appeal almost certainly and now I read that there are complications and staff like that. I don’t know man, we will wait and see.
July 29th, 2007 at 12:59 am
for those of you who watched the match, did you watch that over the internet or via satellite?
July 29th, 2007 at 1:06 am
ATVO. The feed from the site.
July 29th, 2007 at 5:30 am
I didnt catch the game but here’s my thoughts.
1.The tactical shift of having 4 fullbacks on the pitch can be used more as a surprise tactic. Its something like when Cole used to be here he would push up to left mid and Clichy would come in behind him. I believe that the greatest assets of Arsenal fullbacks is their pace and their runs from deep , specially Clichy. its because no one picks the run up does Clichy get into the box from so deep so often. Remember Evra’s cross for Rooney when we beat them 2-1 ..Evra burst forward suddenly and Cesc couldnt pick him up even though he was with him. Now playing LW he would have been picked up and the cross would(might) have been cut out. As a surprise tactic though if nothing is working this can be done.
2. 4-5-1 is ideal for us right now. Gilberto n Cesc will start and Hleb/Rosicky will fit in to the third slot. Diaby will not get much playing time unless Gilberto is being phased out gradually which he won’t.
3.NB — I’ll wait till I see him to make any comments. Lets see though…reports seem promising.
4. We have a glut of central midfielders, an absolute glut and some people still want a “dominant box to box midfielder”. Look at who we’ve got — Gilberto, Cesc, Diaby, Denilson, Hleb, Rosicky who can all play central and even Song for that matter and Djourou if needed. This is what will win or lose us the season IMO.
5.Almunia conceded near post again??? Isn’t that supposed to be the most basic goalkeeping? Cover your near post and force a shot across goal? lets see how WookAsh does. yep Almunia may not have a future here once Jens leaves but I quite like his other aspects. Seems a bit calmer than Jens and is also very brave coming out…doesnt come out for crosses too much ala jens though..prefers to wait on his line which is risky at times but a safer option if you have a good tall central defense(which we DO NOT)
6.Sendy slimmer??? he wasnt ever fat…come on
. Still I like Sendy I hope he succeeds.
July 29th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Andez, I’ve also thought that Senderos looked lighter and quicker than normal yesterday. Brendan K, I thought your joke was pretty funny.
Also, Peter Crouch is technically better than most give him credit for. Actually, I don’t think people sleep on his skills anymore. He’s proven to be a very good signing for Liverpool.
I was also thinking Almunia is having a good pre-season until he did the same crap as against Eto’o in the Barcelona game. I’m sure you all remember me slamming him about conceeding near post.
Lastly, I thought we should have atleast picked up Appiah in the Vieira deal. Diaby looks more and more like he might be able to do the job; with time. Appiah is still better all-around and has leadership qualities but we’ll give Diaby the chance to develop.
July 29th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Oh, I almsot forgot. I still believe Gael Clichy is going to be better than Ashley Cole.
And to be fair to Almunia, what on earth was Gallas doing.
July 29th, 2007 at 7:31 am
josh, definitely agree with u on ur accessment on Denilson in the previous thread.
July 29th, 2007 at 8:10 am
I watch many of the the matches on ITVN (setanta over broadband). They show a lot more matches than FSC and a majority of them Arsenal. I also use atvo for the other non televised matches.
July 29th, 2007 at 8:16 am
interesting article on the guardian:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2137288,00.html
says if dudu doesnt get his permit he will be returned (cos that is how is contract is written).
it also hints at possible interest in anelka. all vague though.
hope for a good game today and NO injuries…
now back to work for me!
July 29th, 2007 at 8:52 am
The start of the Eboue-right wing experiment looks very promising to me. A bunch of folks have commented that he basically has one move– to push down the sideline and outrun his cover man to cross– yet we saw more versatile moves already yesterday — cutting to the middle with intent and slicing passes to Bendtner, etc. Unlike Clichy, Eboue is an excellent crosser. I can also imagine more great combination play from Eboue and Hleb on the right side of the pitch.
He’s not the finished article, but it’s another example of Wenger’s ability to maximize talent. Eboue’s not quite Franck Ribery yet, but it will be exciting to see how far he can develop this year.
If Wenger’s idea is correct, the purchase of Sagna got us both a right back and a winger. ‘Hope he’s right!
July 29th, 2007 at 9:12 am
@live_dont_exist
Buy your own admittance you didn’t watch the game, so how do you know whether Almunia made an error or not? Actually, he had a very good game, he made several excellent saves and the goal was not his fault - Hoyte when completely missing, again, and the cross came in with Gallas right in front of his view, he didn’t even see it until was too late and there was no way he could have come out for it.
By the way, what I liked about Eboue is that he doesn’t just throw mindless balls in like Clichy, he tries to find his man, and if can’t he stops, waits for support then tries to pick someone out. That’s why I think he could play there successfully - now if he could only stop cheating.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Agreed on Eboue and Almunia, Danny.
I didn’t think the goal was his fault
July 29th, 2007 at 9:19 am
yeah Maryland, spot on.
i also like that little partnership between Eboue and Hoyte.
hoyte at the past gave me an impression that he was always “hestitated” on what to do whevnever he got to the oppostion half.
But on yesterday’s match at least, when Eboue having the ball down the right flank, the opposing defender tended to back off a few steps, as if they get too close to him that would play to Eboue’s strength, he would just drive past them through sheer power. And Hoyte would take the chance running down the byline, with Eboue releasing him the ball, and Hoyte, for once, didn’t hestiate yesterday just cross it first time. The same move repeated a few times. Hopefully they will be able to do the same in the future.
u r also very spot on on Clichy.
Clichy has improved tremendously well, surely more than I had expected. But his final ball is still lacking. He has that pace to charge down the left flank, but his cross was often too high.
I think that’s one area he should work on. I think he tended to cross the ball with too much power. Eboue’s cross, and Cole at the past were more soft. So the cross would land on a height our strikers could head it.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:31 am
As for Almunia, whether it’s his fault or not, u gotta admit if a ‘keeper keeps allowing strikers to beat him in near post, how much “confidence” u’d have on a keeper like that?
Note here: I am talking about CONFIDENCE. As defenders need to have confidence in their ‘keeper.
The goal conceded, as we already got a defender chasing the player down the byline, so there was only ONE WAY where the ball would head to, if the striker somehow managed to hit the ball at all- it gotta be heading towards the near post, NO OTHER possible angle. So Almunia, despite his vision may get blocked by our own defender, he should have “expected” the ball was heading towards his near post.
Perhaps i was a bit harsh on him. But i don’t judge things based on one single game. As I do remember he got beaten at near post in a few occassions, and i think the inability to guard ur near post well is a foundatmental weakness for a goalkeeper.
like David Seaman used to say - all the flash diving saves are one for camera. As if a keeper can’t make a reflax diving save, he wouldn’t be a keeper at the first place. As a good keeper, you need to be able to do the BASIC right.
July 29th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Iraq wins the Asian Cup!
What a great story.
Anyone know what Asian Channel the Arsenal match is showing on?
Sopcast? PPMate?
I would imagine a very changed line-up today… is Vieira playing?
July 29th, 2007 at 9:48 am
@ stag: http://www.myp2p.eu/index.htm
July 29th, 2007 at 10:14 am
PSG have beaten Valencia 3-0.
July 29th, 2007 at 10:32 am
@Danny: No I didnt see the game. I was just going on Andez’s quote that he got beat near post. But u got to admit he does get beat near post more often than far post. Strange actually , its something like that horrible 3-1 loss at Munich couple of years back when Kolo messed up on that ball over the top and Pizarro scored in the 5th minute. The ball over the top is supposed to be the simplest one to deal with but Kolo messed up and its not that he has a bad leap or whatever..it just happens. Maybe its a technical flaw in Almunia’s keeping…what do you guyz think?
Anyone know how goalies are trained?? That’d be an interesting insight.
July 29th, 2007 at 10:34 am
@nipuna: are they showing it live on ESPN or Star back in India ??
July 29th, 2007 at 11:03 am
LDE: No, but Zee Sports did show Iraq’s win over Saudi Arabia in the Asia Cup.
July 29th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I think Almunia has improved quite a lot in the last year. He’ll probably not be number one but we need good, reliable backup and he is that. Especially as Lehmann is probably having his last season so we need him to keep improving.
July 29th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I’m a goal keeper, and Almunia is not to blame for the goal yesterday. He did everything right in that situation. When a player is that close to the goal in a shooting position, goalkeepers can only do one thing… make themselves as big as possible and hope not to get hit in the nuts (refer to the save Boruc made when he was playing the MLS all-stars, the one where he got hit in the face). That goal was a result of poor defending. If a winger has enough time in the box to jog up to the ball, pick his head up and roll the ball into the path of his striker who is 3 yards away from goal, then there is obviously a problem with the defense, not the goalkeeper. Bottom line: Almunia had a pretty good game yesterday, the defense messed up once and PSG scored off it. I’m not trying to rip on the defense, 90 minutes is a long time to be perfect.
July 30th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Lucky it was Gallas and not Senderos at fault for the 2 goals we conceded in this tourney.
Bendtner - looked ok, if a little off the pace. I’m still not convinced he meant to knock the ball down to Flamini. He had a few good chances, but his finishing was very preseason. I actually thought he was meant to be a little quicker/more skilful than the player I saw.
Armand Traore - has been on the weights all summer by the looks of it, he’s a big lump now.
Diaby was very good in the middle, but as others have noted he’s unlikely to get the chance in 442 alongside Cesc. It may seem a little like heresy, but for 442 in the EPL I think I might prefer a centre mid of Silva-Diaby.
Clichy - top player.
Sagna - solid in the air, but MIA a few times in the 45 mins he played vs PSG. A lot better in the Inter game. Linked well with Eboue and Hleb.
Hleb - RVP apart, Hleb was a step up from the rest of the players in this tournament. I think he’s great and offers a lot more ‘end product’ than people realise because he plays runners in everywhere on the pitch, the downside is that he still loses the ball 2-3 times a game in dangerous positions. Playing on the right it’s less of an issue for us when he loses the ball and as good as Sagna was, I still think that the Hleb + Eboue flying past him combo is the best.
All in all, it’s difficult for me not to convince myself that as a team we are better 451, because it offers us more solidity in the centre of the park, allows Cesc more freedom, means we’re more secure when our full-backs are bombing on, gets the best out of Eboue, Clichy, Silva, Cesc, Rosicky, Hleb, Adebayor…
just random thoughts
July 30th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Is 4-5-1 the answer? Arsenal played this formation quite a bit last year and the team couldn’t score for toffee. Arsenal have to play 4-4-2, with maybe the odd 4-5-1 for particularly difficult away games.
July 30th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Well, we know our 451 works against the better teams as we tend to deprive them of the ball they are used to having, but I take the point that we couldn’t score for toffee…I think that was more to do with players missing countless chances rather than us not creating, but we should be good enough to beat the lesser teams with 442. I just see a few problems, notably height and agression, with our 442.
July 30th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I have to disagree, it was at home where Arsenal missed all the chances - all those stupid draws. Away from home playing 5-4-1 we didn’t create anything - it was a lost cause. It might work if the midfielders’ start scoring regularly but I doubt it.