Wenger needs to give his players a bollocking

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
05 Nov	1:30 PM	P	West Ham United (A)	0	1	Lost

Arsène Wenger has spent 10 years cultivating a great reputation and commanding great respect both in England and abroad. He is now in danger of losing some of that respect if he doesn't concentrate on his team and ignore the opponent when things don't go well.

An American report released earlier this year concluded that football is the most exciting game in the world based on the fact that results in football remain less predictable than other sports where the bigger team or player generally tends to win. Arsenal should not expect to win games just because they play better football. That's the beauty of the game. The manager needs to remind himself and his players of that.

Opponents can be annoying, unambitious and even unfair but we can't move Arsenal to the Spanish league so we have to deal with it. Referees can be incompetent, fans can to stupid and opposition managers can be provocative. It is frustrating but that's what professional footballers are trained to deal with, that's what they get paid for and trained to handle with better dignity than a layman like me.

West Ham had a good game. West Ham came to play and it should have been perfect for Arsenal. Within 12 minutes of the game, Fabregas, Rosicky and Henry had already been roughed off the ball.

van Persie and Gilberto however decided to get tough as well and Fabregas followed suit. The rough tactics quickly died down as Arsenal toughened up thanks mainly to van Persie who refused to get bullied several times and was unfairly booked by Rob Styles. It was exactly the kind of response that I wanted to see from Arsenal during a tough game. When Sheringham and Harwood turned up, the physical tactics started again but Arsenal were tired by then.

Yesterday, Wayne Rooney collapsed in the box and got a very cheap penalty against Portsmouth and then another cheap free kick gave them the second goal. Had Arsenal appealed in the Hleb situation, we would have got a penalty. Henry stood by passively and walked away. Referees look at players' reactions.

van Persie has been hugely responsible for Arsenal's high pressing in the past 2 games and Henry has been guilty of only half-trying and then whenever he does, he expects all of the Emirates to stand up and thank him for doing his job.

The way we played against Moscow hid the fact that we have problems with making goals. The chances that we are actually making now are created by midfielders and midfielders are the only ones at the end of their own chances. It's a bit like playing with no striker.

Fabregas is tired and needs a rest, Hleb works so hard in the first 60 minutes that he tires. Rosicky needs more people to play one-twos with. van Persie needs to stay on the pitch on the evidence of the last two games. He has worked extremely hard and I can fully understand him being pissed off at being substituted because it was Henry that should have come out. Adebayor is the only Arsenal striker with decent movement so he needs to play but at the moment, not at the expense of van Persie. Eboue is back and Clichy is doing really well.

Wenger needs to work on his team's goal scoring and pace with counter-attacking. As I keep saying, in the Vieira, Bergkamp days, Arsenal used to counter-attack and score in 7 seconds through one side and then to the middle for the last ball. Our counter-attacking are now slower and 20 seconds later after moving the ball unnaturally from left to right, the opportunity is over.

Wenger doesn't give his players too much bollocking so he takes it out on the opposition when things don't go well. He needs to go and have a chat with his team this time. Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto and Rosicky cannot keep working hard for static strikers and we can't keep wasting set pieces and crosses when we know how important it is to get the first goal.

User Comments

Nazry

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 09:08 PM - Reply

i think maybe right now is the best time for fabregas to take some rest. his performance in the last 2 matches not good enough....plus, he is still young, wenger cannot laid too much pressure or hope on him..

d

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 07:34 PM - Reply

there needs to be a way for arsene wenger to read this.

renzo

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 06:29 PM - Reply

I agree with Rombosia, Wenger should play his players in their favoured positions. Van Persie caused so many for teams when he played on the right and arguably scored one of his best goals from that side too.

Who knows what Wenger is trying to do. I do know that he has to find out what works best for the team sooner rather than later or it will be regrettable.

One thing for sure is if Arsenal are going to win things this season, they need to start playing as a solid unit, fight for each other and put the blasted ball in the back of the net. They know they can't rely on teams to come out and play or the ref to give them calls that should be in their favour. They should just put the ball down and play the way they know they can.

derek maguire

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 02:14 PM - Reply

i agree entirely with your article and its contents, Henry was a passenger and at the moment is not committed. The joking with reo-coker in the tunnel before the match showed this. Would you see roy keane, vieria, terry or gerrard doing this, no way. van persie was rightly aggrieved to be taken off. Against moscow was unbelieable footie and still nothing. We are a 'one trick pony' and when it dose'nt work there's no plan b

donaldo

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 12:06 PM - Reply

The main problem is we have to score the 1st goal in the game we are a team that likes our opponents to attack us that is why we had such a great performance at Man Utd. If we dont score early or go a goal down we lose our shape and there is no plan B. Also we havent got a replacement for Dennis, Van Persie is not a team player he would rather shoot than pass to a teamate in a better position.

clockendjim

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 12:03 PM - Reply

I regret having to agree with everything you have said. The saddest thing about our current situation, is that if we had the Henry of the last few years, the goals would be going in, there would no talk of crisis and the rest of the team would be gaining even more confidence.
I cannot understand Henry's thinking just now. All his posturing and glowering at his team-mates is really rich when at times lately, he has been the worst Arsenal player on the pitch.
I think it most unfortunate that Baptista got injured when he did; he is just the kind of player we need up front to bludgeon in, a la Drogba, some of the many chances we are making.
I don't think Wenger is brave enough, but certainly Henry should have come off at West Ham instead of Van Persie - that would have sent out a few signals.
We were all so relieved when Henry signed his new contract; I now look wistfully at the £50m that Barcelona were supposedly willing to pay.
That could have bought an awful lot of Andrew Johnsons, Dirk Kuyts etc. I do think he is missing Pires more than anyone and that Aliadiere could be the natural replacement given the chance, but he wasn't even on the bench Sunday.
In defence of the team on Sunday though, they did look tired after a draining Wednesday match against CSKA Moscow.

DAryl

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 10:34 AM - Reply

Thats true thing now happen in the team. Mr Wenger should know how to rotate the team like Liverpool. Cesc was too tired in this tough physical game, Adebayor, v.Persie and aliadiare will create something for us i think...

cyril

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 09:53 AM - Reply

Just nailed it on the head. Henry will never win the world footballer of the year award with kind of attitude of his.

Danish

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 08:28 AM - Reply

Spot on, doesnt wenger has the courage to substitute the captain, van persie works is socks off, but in the end he was subbed,

our corners is as use less we shud give away the goal kick to other team rather then calling kolo n gallas to other end of the pitch n then getting back . its tiring with no end product or shud i say negative end product as they concede after that (i noticed that).

n is thr only henry who can decide taht who shud take free kick or corner , he talks abt youngster sharing responsibility, it wont happen unless he shows a little bit of respect to other players if the choose some one other then henry to pass.

n we need some creativity in set pieces.

CS

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 05:30 AM - Reply

Yeah, its darn obvious van persie plays better at right and should not have been substituted in any way. Just that Hoyte is English and he should be in the team? Come on, eboue is so much better playing at right back and his understanding with Hleb is second to none. Henry is not making his runs recently and it defeats the purpose of having him as a winger and waste other players of their chances. Hope he is down injured one of these days and everyone will play in their usual positions and start winning games. Only then will wenger realise, Henry is not that important after all.

archie

Posted on 7 Nov, 2006 at 01:12 AM - Reply

interesting. let's not be so quick to dismiss TH as captain.He of all people should get the benefit of the doubt. He's come under a lot of flak of late, some of it justified, some perhaps a little too harsh. I think it was reasonable for him to make his plea to the fans (about staying for the games, being a little patient, etc) although to be fair, fans were understandably frustrated.
The problem is that there have been times, as many on this board have already alluded to, when he has been too passive. As captain, HE should work the hardest. There's no doubt about his talent and legacy to the club but sometimes I can't make out if he gives up when things aren't going his way. Yes, to a degree, he'll *give it* to his team mates if he doesn't get the kind of service he needs/wants. But he's got to show some heart at the same time too. That doesn't necessarily mean turning a losing effort into a win. I'll take a well deserved loss in stride. I think we all will. We're all big enoug to know that we'll be squarely beaten. But to see the captain not going after the ball is unacceptable. I think that's the gripe that we have as fans.

tsg

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 10:18 PM - Reply

damn right!

AJ

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 10:07 PM - Reply

The only Arsenal player who can take any credit from the West Ham game is Toure or maybe Rosicky. Wenger can be such a wanker and a hypocrite as he moaned when jose mourinho wouldnt shake hands with him last year at Highbury but then he does exactly the same thing yesterday. Henry needs to sort out his attitude as it is shit lately and a poor example to the youngsters as he is captain after all.
WENGER OUT! Only Jokin

kluangman

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 04:44 PM - Reply

i'm worried about henry...he rates himself too highly compared to the other arsenal players..he should be more humble..wake up henry!!!!!!!!!!

Frank

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 04:43 PM - Reply

Excellent article. TH needs a rest and RvP needs to play up front on the right with Adebayor or Aliadiere. When Bendtner arrives back - he and RvP could work well together.

sper

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 04:24 PM - Reply

I totally agree on Henry not performing. He seemed just not working hard enough. Wenger should put him on the bench for a game or two... that give him a hard smack across the face..

Deepak

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 04:17 PM - Reply

Excellent post.

Rombosia

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 03:21 PM - Reply

When we play well n score, we're full of praise. When it doesn't work, we whine too much.

The team is playing well as a TEAM. The mid field is superb, defence is holdin, but our biggest problem is that our two best strikers are playing in the wrong positions, or those they don't normally play.

HAsn't anyone noticed that Van Persie is not enjoying playing from the left wing. The position Henry has used to great effect while running at players. When Ade came in, Henry went to that side, n U could see he was better there. Why in G's name is Wenger forcing them in roles they don't enjoy.

The prof has baffled me on this. We need V. Percy where he can cut back n fire in those rockets of his. from the right!

Singapore fan

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 03:07 PM - Reply

I agree a lot with Joel. Henry is not trying hard enough nowadays. He runs half-heartedly, shoots half-heartedly, passes half-heartedly. He stares at his team-mates when things go wrong. Has he forgotten he is our captain, and a captain encourages his team-mates and not make them feel guilty? I am very upset that he is doing all these, as if only he is important to Arsenal. I truly think Toure will make a better captain. van Persie is doing well, can Henry stop giving him those un-justified stares as he did to Reyes? (its highly possible that Reyes couldn't settle in Arsenal because of Henry..)

Tim

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 01:16 PM - Reply

Hang on guys, a couple of results don't go our way and people are already overly critical of the team.

Let's remember that this is an entirely new team that has acquired new personel following the departures of first-team regurlars in the likes of bergkamp, pires and cole. Teams and the strong team spirit that accompanies the immortal teams of the past arent made instantly. How many years did it take for the double winning side of Arsenal 98 and 04 to gel, or the 98 treble team from old trafford?

The fact is, we have a new team of talented, young, but still inexperienced players. the good news is that time is on our side.

nonameface

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 12:43 PM - Reply

Exactly.. 100% agreed
dont know why henry is doing this kind of stuff nowday

Sankar

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 10:24 AM - Reply

Exactly. It always happens that the team which plays a fair game always eventually ends up losing. Thats what is happening to Arsenal.

Nicholas Mutemi

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 10:15 AM - Reply

Many people are saying Arsenal is unfortunate which i personally think its pure bulls**t. We need another pair of strikers may be. Henry has let the fans down. Henry's first 100 goals were fabulous. Its time to score goals and not beautifying goals. Joël Che that was quite a good commentary and hope Wenger realises this.

Fredster

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 10:03 AM - Reply

It was thoroughly frustrating watching the match last night from Singapore and I agree that we were poor and that we were done in by very poor refereeing decisions. Spector should have been sent off, we should have had a penalty and Flamini was fouled in the build up to the goal. Even more frustrating is that if we had collected the full 6 points from the last two games, with Chelsea losing, we would have been in a very, very good position and with our game in hand, a very good chance as well to catch up and even overtake soon the top two. That's why I'm not surprised that Wenger is upset and if video replays were in the game as they should have been for ages and as Wenger himself has appealed for agaes as well, we would not have lost the game. The penality if scored would not have necessitated the substitution of Hoyte and we could have shut up shop witjh a more defensive formation instead of having to put more attacking players on only to be hit on the counter. One of the best ways to learn is from your mistakes; players make mistakes and then they go and work on them to improve. Referees make mistakes but nobody corrects them and so they have no incentive to improve. Video evidence and replays would be a great way to correct referrees so that they can learn from their mistakes and improve. Until that happens, we'll have to suffer as fans from injustices every single week. It's ludicrous to me that the FA is willing to use video evidence to catch the coin thrower but not missed penalities or the x-rated tackle on Van Persie! I agree that the refusal to use video replays for penalty and game changing decisions by referrees is just plain stupidity. Wenger you have my support and if it was me, I would have decked Pardew in a heartbeat. Worry not, though as I'm convinced he's going to be out of a job very , very soon when the takeover of West Ham is completed very, very soon. I, for one will be celebrating in his face when that happens!

roo roo

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 09:36 AM - Reply

Wenger needs to hold comment after this match and do so good ol' screaming. West Ham?

Just sad because Pompey, Bolton and Chelsea did us favors and no takey advantage.

Steve Ong

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 09:23 AM - Reply

I totally agree with what Joel says. I think that Arsenal hasn't been playing as a team (of late) and their finishing touch is very lame.

Players like Henry can be complacent just like the rest of us and he should not shrug it off as just another day of bad luck. He should plays the role of the skipper by encouraging his teamates & himself to work harder on certain weak area like scoring goals (which is lacking at the moment).

The whole Arsenal structure should embrace changes and be open to constructive criticism by not hiding behind wall of complacency or invincibility (to criticism). Otherwise, we can kiss our premiership & champions' league campaign goodbye for another disappointing season due to lacklustre performance.

J

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 09:21 AM - Reply

It's because a single goal is so vital in this game, unlike virtually any other sport. Mix money, ambition and pride with this and you end up with divers, foulers etc. who are desperate to get that penalty or stop that goal. More often this results in shit games.

phil

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 08:49 AM - Reply

You are right about Bergkamp and Vieira, but I would add Pires. His speed of thought and interchange passing is sorely missed. Hleb and Rosicky are excellent but both players look to turn and move - rather than to quickly move the ball on, to a flying Cole/Henry etc.

Sarah

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 08:47 AM - Reply

Completely agree - i do wonder though if wenger ever says anything behind closed doors to his players? We see him get angry on the sidelines so he clearly has it in him! I don't know what to make of Henry at the moment, i think he's lost without his buddies pires, dennis and dare i say it, cashley. Van Persie was unlucky to be subbed but i think it was purely to protect him from being sent off.

Mitch

Posted on 6 Nov, 2006 at 08:44 AM - Reply

That's the most honest and accurate description of the current Arsenal team I have seen. No player is bigger than the club and substituting Henry might wake him up.

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