Wenger: We lacked sharpness

Written by Jonathan Chong on Sunday, October 5, 2008

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
04 Oct	3:00 PM	P	Sunderland (A)	1	1	Draw

Manager Arsène Wenger admitted that his squad lacked the necessary sharpness to take their chances, after drawing 1-1 against Sunderland.

It was a disappointing result for the Gunners, after their loss against Hull City last week.

What made it even worse was that Roy Keane's men took a late lead in the game, but the Gunners showed enough determination in the final few minutes to score an equalising goal in the 93rd minute through Francesc Fabregas.

Wenger said "Sunderland tried just to defend for 90 minutes, playing the whole game with 10 men behind the ball.

"It was attack versus defence in one half of the pitch and we were not sharp enough to make the difference.

"We tried to go for it from the first minute to the last minute. It is amazing to see the difference in possession between the teams."

User Comments

33

elninio

Posted on 8 Oct, 2008 at 03:19 PM - Reply

The last thing i wrote was that the real bounce back game after the Hull defeat was this one. We were all getting a bit excited against rubbish Porto but we have seen this week... premiership teams will be a bit more difficult to beat. Its these off days when the luck goes against us we have to be strong. Good finish again nearly beat us...

32

Raywizzle

Posted on 7 Oct, 2008 at 07:21 PM - Reply

Well I watch the Champs League against Porto and I was like Gunners 4 Life! Now that what I'm talking about! and on the Weekend is what the Hell hit us! 1:1 with Sunderland is a defeat for me. If we are one of the big four then we should start acting it. Alot of Fans down here @ Egbu-woods in Nigeria have started growing cold feet. I hope we wont get to liverpool fans down here, who wear the Club shirts only when the win. I'm happy to be a Gunner and its till I breath no more.

31

anesu

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 10:59 PM - Reply

In my view, I think Gallas has been unfairly targeted in this forum. The chap has bailed us out time and time again. The major problem is our midfield and our strike partnership. There is a problem with a team that totally dominates possession, wins more than 12 corner kicks per game and yet draws or loses at the final whistle! Song lacks an attacking cutting edge and was dispossessed against Sunderland which led to the Leadbitter goal. Walcott can sometimes be impotent against tough opposition. Denilson sometimes puts the team under pressure through terrible passing, while Fabregas has a tendency to run out of ideas in tough games. Eboue is a good utility player, but is not a world class midfielder. Another problem is that Adebayor and van Persie miss far too many chances between them. We cannot afford to have two clumsy strikers and hope to beat Chelsea/Man Utd to the title. I think Vela deserves a starting berth in the team. Bendtner needs more playing time. Rosicky's pace and intellect is sorely missed, so is Eduardo's ruthless finishing and intelligence inside the box. Arsene MUST buy a holding midfielder in the transfer window. If these issues are not addressed, Arsenal are in danger of becoming a faded power in English football. The club leadership must understand that Abramovich/Mourinho RAISED THE BAR in English football. So far only Sir Alex has been equal to the challenge.

30

Swapnil

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 05:55 PM - Reply

Mr. Wenger, why is that the older you grow, the more youngsters you believe in? Are you trying to make Arsenal football club a “YOUNGSTERS FOOTBALL ACADEMY”?
He has lost it, I can’t even say “grow up” he is already 58.

29

Highbury Gooner

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 05:29 PM - Reply

Well said Rolf. The team play some pretty football, but too often flatter to deceive. There are too many below-average, injury-prone or just inconsistent performers in the team, too many players bought from the bargain bin of world football.

When will Arsène wake up to the fact that Denilson is simply not good enough, Eboué is not a midfielder, Adebayor is at best a back-up striker, Bendtner is a poor man's version of Mikael Forssell and Gallas is a negative influence on the club. Real defenders with height are needed, as is a decent attacking midfielder and winger (left or right).

28

Stanley Omolu

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 11:54 AM - Reply

Wenger is lossing it big time. The whole idea about this thing is playing gud football. I used 2 trust his judgement bt they're now questionable. I fancy d young guns but we need an good centre back, Maco Senna or Alonso to do d tackling 4 Fabregas and a goal-biting forward. Ade is fooling himself in football. He shud opt 4 chess. There is a fine line between being Prudent & Greedy. Wenger is everything but prudent. D real gist is an underlined greediness. He is going to suffer this season. I came close 2 regretting being a Gunner.

27

Simon

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 11:20 AM - Reply

I strongly believe Adebayor is NOT the Problem.Wenger's strategy is the PROBLEM.The question we should be asking is this. How do we deal with a team that decides to play with 10 players in their box??.If it does so,we should NOT try to penetrate them through the centre for 90 minutes but rather deliver more crosses from the sides like what Walcot did for the disallowed goal.It is that simple...

26

missblennehassit

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 11:00 AM - Reply

when teams insist on putting 10 men behind the ball and crowding the midfield we need to change our tactics try bombarding the box with long crosses from just inside our half, with betner and ade in the box waiting im sure we will get the goals we need. it will be scrappy and ugly but passing it around like we do in these games does not get us goals or even good chances to score.

25

s.bakht

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 09:18 AM - Reply

The team is getting rubbish.the reason is the manager.he can answer better. we need wins and thats it. we dont know anything else mr. wenger!!!
do watever u can do to win us silverware.four years wait is hell of time.
ppl are saying stop being fan of such kind of rubbish club. red devils could be the better options or may b the BARCA or real
bt i m still behind arsenal.....lets c wat happenz

24

Bonnie- kenya

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 09:11 AM - Reply

Wat i think is that, we r playing hoping winning ll come 2 us. There is no desire or pride. When we r scored that is when the agency comes in n that makes me mad. when we score we relax. There is no consistency. Each game we play is hard coz its ARSENAL

23

farah australia

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 07:16 AM - Reply

whats hapening with arsenal? dont we have money dont we have people that cares about the future of the club and the supporters? wenger you might have good young players bt you dont have good enough young players for a league like English premier league... come on do something pay players, good ones nt liek 15 yrs old... make ask wake up in the morning with happy face,, we cant even see our friends until next game we win like we did porto?? step your game up??/ an please Wenger take that guy so call Gallas out of the team and put silvestre or Johan dijoure please

22

crew

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 03:48 AM - Reply

Absolute rubbish performance from Arsenal. We're out of the title race now and thats for sure. The other big teams are winning and we are struggling against unthinkable teams....absolute rubbish arsenal.

Out of the race so early in the season!!! anyone agree with me??????

21

Nashville Gooner

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 03:02 AM - Reply

Look guys, I know we are all keen to bag on Wenger, I am with most of you in this fight! Please remember that we do have a very strong squad when we are healthy. Here are the injusries that are hurting our first team:
1.) Thomas Rosicky
2.) Abou Diaby
3.) Eduardo Da Silva

Some of you will be quick to naysay about the hopes of returning once upon a time studs, so lets examine the strenghts of each

1.) Rosicky- One of the best midfielders to wear the number 7 shirt, do you really think that Fabby won't be waiting for the opportunity to get some Thomas back in his life.

2.) Abou Diaby- Needs to be started ahead of Galls, and I think that Wenger realizes this very soon!

3.) Eduardo- All I have to say is look what he did in his first game for the gunners, he is a finisher, a brazilian flared croatian who has the kind of nose for goal that we want in a striker- if you ask me, he eclipses Drogba, Torres, and gives Ronnie a run for his money! 2008- 29 Appearances- 12 Goals- 8 Assists! Someone please argue with that!

That answers a few questions:
1.) A bit of height in the goal box
2.) Deep six the captain
3.) Add severe depth to the striker spot
4.) Add depth to the Midfield position
5.) Deep six Denilson- That kid is not ready!
6.) Hand the armband to Fabby or Rosicky to keep them around
7.) In the transfer window, pick up two, sick, world class players- two world class defenders!

Recipe for success! Now all we need to do is to get Wenger to spend!!!

20

delboy

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 10:11 PM - Reply

your all a pack of whinging fickle football fans, typical. There's 7 matches gone and were 4 pts behind. Get real people. If your real fans get behind the team and stop whinging. Theres a long way to go.. by the way rolf.. dont want your life story the next time!

19

GWelch

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 09:50 PM - Reply

Guys, I can see your all upset but these comments are a little extream.. Yes we were poor, ver very poor. It makes me so mad to see us play and win 4 goals to 0 then draw or lose over such a none threatening team. When we win, we are amazing, never a dull win, infact never a dull game, that's Arsenal! This happens all the time under wenger, it's not new to lose against lower teams, with a Wenger team it has to be perfect or it goes horribly wrong, have you not clocked this yet? When we have picked up titles under wenger people hale us as the most glamours, scary, skilled team football has been blessed with. I dont hear any other team spoken about the way aresnal are, that makes me very proud. Problem is if we do not play perfect football we suffer real bad, wengers teams have always had bad runs over the years. And when it goes wrongs it's bad, like unbearable and shockingly unbelivable. But, they also have perfect runs too, hmmm like 49 games unbeaten kinda good runs. Also Wengers teams have consisted of unknown players who become superstars, if wenger spends a lot of money they usually flop (now thats messed up) But knowing this I remember all of those teams clicking together and when they do they are perfect, I have no doubt this team will click, they are not to far away now otherwise we would not have beaten some teams 3 and 4-0 so far. The quality is there, just got to wait for (click) perfection! I know that might come across as a little deep and philosophic, but I swear this happens every time.

18

valsenal

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 08:38 PM - Reply

The team does not lack sharpness, the manager does.

Mr. Wenger should learn to substitute early in the game to give in-coming players enough time to influence the game.

He should also differentiate between an attacking setup and defensive setup, and know when and against which opposition he should employ a defensive or offensive strategy.

Carlos Velas, is Arsenal's obvoius option to defensive teams. His dribbling skills would cut open stubborn defenses like knife through butter, yet is only given 3 to 5 minutes by Mr. Wenger.

The young Mexican did and keep doing everything possible (Hatricks and all) to be given a fair chance.

Please Le Boss stop being the wickest link in the team by changing non-performing players (Gallas and Co).

And stop mourning and buy sharp players, not injured players.

17

Toju Apo

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 08:27 PM - Reply

I'm usually a staunch defender of monsieur wenger but i think i'm with the majority on this one. The board insists that money for transfers is available if needed. so the blame for poor performances is squarely at the manager's feet. This team is just not the finished article. Plain and simple.
How are we, the fans, supposed to stand up to united and chelsea fans when we are more inclined to agree with their criticism? The patience of gunner fans is not infinite, Arsene. Your post match interviews are sounding more and more deluded with each game.

16

Abdulaziz

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 08:11 PM - Reply

Arsene! haaaaaa. You are making me cry. Our fans have said the most realistic thing, it is now left to you to change your philosophy if you know you still want to win a trophy for the club.

15

Egyptian Gunner

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 07:42 PM - Reply

I am surprised at how everyone rushes to attack arsene wenger after the last 2 epl games (against hull City and Sunderland) just a couple of days after being showered with praise after the Carling cup game. There is little doubt that this has been our worst game so far. We have basically ceated very little....which is really out of character for this team. I have been watching Arsenal ( under Wenger ) for so long and the soccer produced by our current squad is by far the most entertaining I have watched in years. We need some more consistency (& maybe a couple of more extra players ) to win some silverware but we are definitely not far off track. February-April is when you really need to be at your best for your season to payoff. We need to be a little more patient.

14

ShifuArsenal

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 07:31 PM - Reply

You would of thought Mr Wenger would have learnt by now that teams outside the big 4 won't play against Arsenal but rather put 10 men behind the ball and try and catch us on the break. Wenger states that the team lacks exprience, this is strange when it has been his policies which have driven out players the likes of Gilberto and Pires leaving Fabregas as the most experience player within the team at 21.
Wenger states that the current Arsenal side is as strong as last seasons. The trouble with that, is other teams like Sunderland have strenghtened while Arsenal as stagnated.
Arsenal is missing Hleb. Arsenal game is to pass around players Man U game is to pass through players with the likes of Ronaldo. Hleb had that ability to pass through players which gave Arsenal variation, which drew the opposing players out of their defensive position allowing Arsenal space behind the defence.
I thought Nasri or Vela possessed this quality. Walcott is an impact player lacking strength, consistancy in his passing and ball control. Denilson lacks strength and stamina often giving the ball away.
Wenger needs to manage expectation better and not get caught up in this hype and loss focus like he seems to do. A couple of poor games or a couple of good games does not make a season. There is still a long way to go. It is only when Arsenal is out of the running for silverware we can say his policy has been a failure.

13

David

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 05:58 PM - Reply

Platini was right. Wenger is the worst manager among the big teams, in terms of in game substitutions, game plans, and general tactics. Under small budget he may have won something before 2005, but things have been changed since the arrival of Roman and other billionaires. Yet Wenger is still stubborn and stingy, putting business before football glory. SACK this delusive old man! Look at Liverpool, who came two goals down to beat Man City away with torres scoring two. SERIOUS title chasing teams all have real finishers and can turn nothing into goals. ADEBAYOR is SHIIIIIT! Why on earth didn't you Wenger even substitute him?

12

Rolf

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 04:40 PM - Reply

As much as I love Arsenal, the team is extremely poor. If we can't beat opposition like Hull, Fulham and Sunderland we have no chance. Gallas is a disgrace to the shirt, he shows little desire and too often we are caught out because of his sloppyness. Van Persie is above average at best and mediocre at worst and Adebayor hs failed to show his Drogba-like presence and Henry-like finishing and has been extremely poor. As for our midfield Eboue,Denilson,Song and Walcott are simply not good enough to win the premiership or even challenge for a top 4 place. Walcott is talented but is simply not ready or good enough to consistently play week after week. Samir Nasri also looks distincly average. We will never win anything under Wenger. Wenger is a traitor, he promised to strengthen the squad and yet he has weakened it by selling Flamini, Hleb and Gilberto and replacing them with sub-standard inexperienced average players like Nasri,Bischoff and Ramsey. Arsenal are a fading force like Nottm Forest and Liverpool. They say they will challenge for the title but realistically we need dramatic investment if we are to ever challenge. Yes Wenger has shown himself to be brilliant in the past but now the age of producing and winning with young talent is OVER! Wenger is too stubborn and will not spend and this means that Arsenal will find themselves falling behind the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool but also Aston Villa, Man City and possibly even the likes of Portsmouth! And do u think Fabregas will stick around and wait for this to happen? No he will bugger off like Hleb,Flamini and Cashley did because he is world class and wants to win things. Even if he stays loyal Wenger will probably sell him anyway if he gets a £30-£40m offer as he even admitted Arsenal are a selling club. At best Arsenal are the new Ajax, unleashing footballing gems and playing cintalating world-class best in the world attacking football in a few games a season but the general pattern is for us to be too inefficient to break down the likes of Sunderland and Hull. After the Blackburrn and Bolton games i thought we'd turned the corner in terms of losing or dropping points to defensive poor mediocre opposition and thought we may be able to challenge but quite frankly the likes of Man City and Aston Villa have more chance of challenging than us. Wenger is a legend for his accomplishments but he has lost his touch and his claim that this group are better than the Invincibles is complete dilusion. Quite frankly we need to get a manager that will spend money and inject some much needed investment into a sinking ship. We will nothing this season and to be honest i wouldn't be surprised if we in 5 or 10 years time we have faded like Newcastle did after Robson and find ourselves either in mid-table or fighting relegation. And to be honest, i'm not sure i want to be apart of this sinking ship any longer. People will undoubtedly be angry and call me a traitor for saying this, but I feel so betrayed by a club I love and a manager who i believe to be like a God that it has come to this.

11

Daniel O

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 02:25 PM - Reply

It staggers me that Wenger is still sounding mystified that teams will come up against Arsenal and defend. Teams have been doing that for a number of years now, and he really should be trying to find a way to defeat it rather than whinging about what is an irritating but effective strategy. He should look at some videos of Man U games - why is it that teams don't try to do the same against them? Probably because they have tried it in the past and been slaughtered.

10

kwickfit

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 02:21 PM - Reply

mr wenger get real stop making excuses, you have partime team. last week the team mentaly not right this week they are not sharp, next week excuse will be they forget their shooting boots. to win premiership you must have decisive players arsenal have sagna and clichy the rest are partimers.

9

valsenal

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 02:09 PM - Reply

The team does not lack sharpness, the manager does.

Mr. Wenger should learn to subtitute early in the game to give in-coming players enough time to influence the game.

He should also differentiate between an attacking setup and defensive setup, and know when and against which opposition he should employ a defensive or offensive strategy.

Carlos Velas, is Arsenal's obvoius option to defensive teams. His dribbling skills would cut open stubborn defenses like knife though butter, yet is only given 3 -5 minutes by Mr. Wenger.

The young Mexican did and keep doing everything possible (Hatricks and all) to be given a fair chance.

Please Le Boss stop being the wickest ling in the team by changing non-performing players (Gallas and Co).

And stop mourning and buy sharp players, not injured players.

8

Andy Denz

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 01:00 PM - Reply

Every time we lose, there are always excuses. First it was that the players didn't want it as much as Fulham, then the same againt Hull, now its being said that they were not sharp against Sunerland. The fact of the matter is that we only have a strong first team and a very weak squad. There is no competion for places so players can afford to do whatsoever they please and are guaranteed a start in the next game. Just imagine Fabregas breaking his leg, do we have any replacements? I don't think so. I admire Arsene, but it seems he doesn't think about injuries to his squad when planning for the new season. I rest my case.

7

Sly

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 12:39 PM - Reply

Yes Arsene, we had all the possession but Almunia got tested much more than their goalie!! What does that tell you Arsene? It shows you had no plan B and got your formation wrong! You were clueless today. Getting old and tired maybe Mr Wenger. Wengerball looks pretty but ain't gonna get us silverware no more.

6

Rheann

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 12:15 PM - Reply

I am worried. I sense a lack of Harmony in this Arsenal team. I wld like Arsene Weger to have a good look at the passing & he will pick it up. I also wonder what Adebayour has on the manager or club? There is something wrong when what you think is your top goal scorer misses so many Open Goals yet never gets dropped or substituted. They beg the fans to give him a chance - how many chances should he get? Looking for a great forward I don't count goals scored but goals missed. Score three in one game - wonderful. Score None in the games that are lost or drawn - problem!

5

Maxi

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 12:10 PM - Reply

Wenger u make me laugh alot. Whose responsibility is it to make the players sharp and in the right mental frame.

Its time to question your personality and stop blaming the players.for a team not to win a trophy in the last four years one has to question the managers ability. Wenger open your eyes to the reality of the situation. Dont see black and call it white.

4

Fallon

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 11:53 AM - Reply

sharpness has NOTHING to do with it Wenger!! we created nothing. NOTHING!!

3

David

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 11:10 AM - Reply

Yes, lacked sharpness. Also, Wenger, you have to drop Adebayor for God's sake. He is so useless, can never control a fine pass from midfield. The ball will always bounce at least 3 yards far before he starts to chase it back and make a trailer-like u-turn on the park. Trust me, Arsenal will NEVER win anything with Adebayor being our starting striker. Bendtner is becoming more efficient than him and got way better first touch and can make killer passes like the one him played one-two and sent RVP free yesterday.

2

Ray Stone

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 10:39 AM - Reply

The Sunderland result shows that still when a tough one-goal win is requires after a tiring and emotion-draining week,away to an all-defending team,we can't get it. Either the quality isn't there yet in the full squad (for seamless substitutions) or the youthful spirit doesn't have that kind of strength yet. I still think we're a couple of experienced players short.A couple more injuries to key players over the Winter - not a remote possibility - and we're struggling to qualify for Europe next season,as other teams,outside the top four - improve.

1

Gunner 4 life

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 08:59 AM - Reply

What's going on here, is this sabotage? I mean we struggled against West Brom, Fulham, Hull City and Sunderland the weakest teams in the league! I am worried big time, we've already droped 7 points from minows! When will Arsenal learn that if you dont take your chances, youll be punished! Our A team really needs a rest, maybe if the Young Guns were given a chance, theyd do a better job! Or maybe Rosicky and Eduardo are the answer we are looking for, the sooner those two return, the better!

Writer Profile

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments