Is this the turning point of Arsenal's season?

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
08 Nov	12:45 PM	P	Manchester United (H)	2	1	Win

Arsenal and Manchester United are far more similar to each other than they are to Chelsea and Liverpool.

The age difference between Arsenal and Man United players (apart from the defence) is not that big compared to Chelsea and Liverpool. Since the rough days of Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy both teams generally turn out to play football and win by playing football and that is what gave us probably the most exciting game of this season so far. Unfortunately, United faced Arsenal after Spurs and Stoke changed Arsenal. I am hoping that we will see this season as pre-Spurs / Stoke City and post-Spurs / Stoke City. I will come back to that.

Last season, most fans blamed the defence for our loss of the title but I blamed our lack of goals at crucial moments. This season so far, I squarely blame midfield and defence. Manchester United are a team optimised for attacking football with great specialist defenders. Arsenal are a team totally optimised for attacking football. A team totally optimised for attacking should expect to concede a goal per game. Last season we conceded the expected number of goals but failed to score more. This season, however, we have conceded a lot more than average but the good side is that we are scoring better and at crucial times.

We beat Fernerbahce 5-2 but after that high-scoring game, I wrote here to write off Arsenal's season. The reason for that was because our defence was so poor that if we hadn't scored 2 early goals, we would have been in trouble and we were under threat during every single attack and barely survived each. Then to cement to point we conceded 4 goals to Spurs and 2 goals to Stoke. If you score 4 goals and don't win the game then you have a real defensive problem.

Arsenal have been forced to examine themselves in the detail of their play after the Spurs and Stoke games. Most losses have been dismissed over the past 3 years for one reason or the other – rough opponents, overly physical play, youth, bad refereeing, etc. After Spurs and Stoke, Arsenal really had nobody to blame and it seems some key actions have been taken that influenced the Fenerbahce and Manchester United games.

By the way, I think Arsenal had a good game against Fenerbahce even though it was 0-0. After that game, I was far more confident against Manchester United.

First thing that changed was that Denilson and Francesc Fabregas seemed to have had their roles more clearly defined. Denilson sits back and gets into the faces of those who would take the rebounds that beat Arsenal twice against Spurs and to stop players having a clean shot like Bentley had against Arsenal. Denilson's new role was crucial in managing Berbatov who would have likely caused more damage using Rooney and Ronaldo. Fabregas stopped running everywhere and concentrated on following lose midfielders and allowing himself to find better passes in attacks.

Secondly, Abou Diaby is the ONLY person that can add something to a 5-man Arsenal midfield. Not Alex Song and not Aaron Ramsey centrally and certainly not Robin van Persie on the wing. Unlike these Song and Ramsey, Diaby doesn't clash with any other midfielders. Such clashes cause confusion in roles and lets midfielders score against Arsenal. Diaby can run around the right of midfield, join attacks centrally, defend right and centre. It is clear that Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott should not play together in a 4-man midfield except on special cases at home. But they are two very good players and having Diaby there can make it possible to play them home and away.

Nasri, either as a result of Emmanuel Adebayor's absence, Diaby's covering presence or just by instruction came inside more often than he has done all season. This has the important effect of not over-committing Gaël Clichy by feeding him balls on the by line where he has to make a run and leave left-back open and also the all important effect that Nasri can hit the ball quite sweetly when he goes inside.

Lastly, there is evidence that something has happened with regards to defending set pieces and crosses. The first is that Mikael Silvestre is playing ahead of Kolo Touré. Silvestre has poor recovery speed but he is miles better in the air than any other Arsenal player and he is strictly not fancy. He will wack the ball out of defence by instinct and that is good sometimes. Silvestre is a defender. He joins Bacary Sagna and William Gallas as proper defenders not converted midfielders.

The second evidence suggesting some good defensive training was Clichy's clearing header that nearly ended up as an own goal. The margins in football are pretty small especially at the level we had on Saturday. A week ago, Clichy would have let that ball fly over him and turn round to try and defend it on the ground if an opposition player got it. This time, he made sure he got something on it. That little something stopped the ball falling to Berbatov who was behind him and would have probably scored. Most people saw it is as a near own-goal. I saw it as fantastic defending.

Clichy, Denilson and Arsenal for the first I have known since Wenger came to Arsenal, paid attention to stopping particular players – Ronaldo and Berbatov and succeeded. It's not glamorous to man-mark but there are certain players you must swallow your pride and try to stop because they are exceptionally good.

In my view, the good things that came about as a result of the Spurs / Stoke debacle were all evident for all to see and should be kept in the team. It is arguably easier sometimes to play against Manchester United than Bolton because Manchester United want to win, they will fight for the ball but not try to break your legs. So we need to see how Arsenal deploy themselves against a much more traditional opponent in order to judge whether this was really a defining moment or not.

For a team like Arsenal with young and relatively inexperienced players and going through a confidence crisis, little moments can make a huge difference – the sort of thing that is called "luck". Theo and van Persie had chances at Stoke that would probably have made that game a 4-0 victory had they scored. Then Stoke got two daft goals. Arsenal scored at crucial times against Manchester United, first scoring on the 22nd minute. Yet had Manchester United scored on the 8th or the 18th minute or the 49th minute when they had great chances falling to great players it might have been different.

Had Rooney and Ronaldo scored then Arsenal would have played wonderfully and got nothing. The margins are small. Arsenal players need to recover their confidence fast because only confidence helps you when you are out of luck. The fear on the faces of Arsenal fans between the 90th and 96th minute suggested that they themselves did not really believe the team would make it out with 3 points. We need to recover confidence all round and see what can be gotten out of the season.

Last observation is that injuries and suspensions are better at substitutions and squad rotation than Wenger is based on my subjective evidence of the past 12 years. I, therefore, think Wenger should just stick with his first team and let injuries and substitutions do the rest for him. Saying that, this is the first time Wenger has had pick a tactical team (other than his first choices) at a crucial moment and got it right. We are all hoping that this is a turning point although I already wrote Arsenal's season off after the 5-2 win at Fenerbahce. I would love to be wrong.

User Comments

Danny

Posted on 15 Nov, 2008 at 04:43 PM - Reply

What is wrong with you people,we have one good(slightly lucky ) result and you all think life is a bowl of cherries.We need a good central defender and we need a good defensive midfielder.End of.

Lex

Posted on 12 Nov, 2008 at 05:30 AM - Reply

Good analysis of the tactical disposition of the Arsenal squad. We need more of this kind of articles instead of dross slamming Arsene and the team or meaningless paen to the glorious football this team plays. Some good, solid objective analysis makes us understand what Wenger is trying to achieve and how he is trying to build the team. I also noticed Denilson playing better in the Man U match. It is a good boost to our confidence level. Let's hope the team proves you (and Myles Palmer) wrong at the end of the season.

crazygal_funkyfusion

Posted on 11 Nov, 2008 at 02:00 PM - Reply

why do u people keeps on saying that Cesc's performance has dipped whereby he hasnt at all!! u guys expect too much from him!! give the guy a break!!

just because he's not scoring like what he did last season doesnt mean his performance has dipped!! yes; he may lack speed but juz with his vision & talent iself can cover up his weakness..

so; whoever tinks that Cesc is not performing up to standard; tink again!!

ShifuArsenal

Posted on 11 Nov, 2008 at 12:22 PM - Reply

Great game. If Ade was fit and playing Arsenal would have won the game comfortably. Walcott played well in parts but needs to concentrate on his defensive duties. Eboue brings better balance to the team.
Ferdinand and Vidic are considered the best defensive pairing in the league but had a poor game. This goes to show it not a question of height but having defenders or a team that can defend.
Like mosts supports I was fearful that this might be a repeat of the Spurs game when Man U scored in the 90th minute.
Man U played their part in the most entertaining clash of the big 4 so far this season. But the proof is in the pudding as to whether this a turning point, can Arsenal beat teams that don't want to play the beautiful.

Modyuno

Posted on 11 Nov, 2008 at 07:56 AM - Reply

Obama speech, emirates style

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that Emirates is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our team is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our Gunners, Saturday was your answer.

“It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around grounds and streets in numbers that Saturday has never seen, by people who waited 90 minutes and six added more, many for the first time in their lives.

“We are, and always will be, Arsenal Football Club.

“It’s been a long time coming, but Saturday, because of what we did on that date in this season at this premiership moment, change has come to the premiership.

“A little bit earlier on Friday, I received extraordinary news from sky news, cnn, Setanta, and BBC.

“Fergy has fought long and hard in this campaign. And he’s fought even longer and harder for the club that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for Manchester that most of us cannot begin to imagine.

“And I would not be writing this mail today without the unyielding support of my best team for the last couple of years, the rock of the Premiership, the ‘love of my life’, the nation’s best Premiership team Arsenal.

“Nasri and Gallas I like you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned three premiership points that’s coming with us to the Title.

“To my colleagues at the Emirates, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given Arsenal. I am grateful to you.

“And to my clubs manager, Arsene Wenger, the unsung hero of this Team, who built the best — the best Club, I think, in the history of the Gunners. Thank you.

“To my chief pass strategist Cesc Fabregas who’s been our key player with us in every step of the way. To the best young team assembled in the history of premiership, you made this happen and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

“But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you the Arsenal Supporters.

“We were never the likeliest candidates to win the game on Saturday.

“We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements.

“Our club was not hatched in the halls of Zurich . It began in the backyards of London and the living rooms of highbury and the front porches of ashburton grove.

“It was built by a Genius in Wenger who knew how to spend wisely on every penny of the Club.

“It grew strength from the Young Guns who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy, who left their home teams and their families for the club that offered little pay and less sleep but great pleasure.

“This is your victory.

“And I know you didn’t do this just to win the Game. And I know you didn’t do it for me.

“You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate today, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two home games, a host of injuries, the worst haters in a century.

“And to all those watching on Saturday from beyond our shores, from Milan to Barcelona, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of Arsenal leadership is at hand.

Yes, we can.

“Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the Arsenal Football Club.

gt

Posted on 11 Nov, 2008 at 05:43 AM - Reply

Your analysis on Diaby is enlightening, and I hope Wenger agrees with it as well. Putting him in the wing is a waste of talent.

Keep up the good work!

GunnerSG

Posted on 11 Nov, 2008 at 02:30 AM - Reply

Arsenal has always relied on zonal marking of opponents as the players we used to have were really fast, including defenders, so closing down an opponent was a matter of seconds. With our current situation, a mixture of man-marking and zonal marking would be a better choice when defending. One more thing I notice about the current team is that they tend to not track opponents making a run inside our half occassionally. There were a few instances against Man u, where Ronaldo was allowed to make a run in our half when berbatov was holding the ball centrally. The team needs to watch out more for these runs.

BOB

Posted on 11 Nov, 2008 at 01:55 AM - Reply

WHY DIDNT FAB SHOOT, HE WAS IN A GREAT POSITION AND WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE GAMES AWAY

Wong

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 08:05 PM - Reply

The fear was not only demonstrated by the fans but also by less experienced players like Bedtner. He lost his confidence and played with fear during the last few minutes until he lost all his touches. Otherwise, it would have been like few years back when we beat Inter Milan 5-1 (or 5-0?)in the Champions League.

gunner for life

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 05:48 PM - Reply

i think its high time we start beliving in the manager of our great club..arsenal needs our supports right now..we need to stick by this turly great club and face all the critisim together...i think the media is ranting enough about how we are the underdogs...we should stand by our club and hope for the best...the game against utd was a good STFU indication for the media...arsenal can win..WE NEED TO HAVE FAITH IN THAT!!=) GO GUNNERs

suspect tacts wenger!

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 03:35 PM - Reply

I have to agree with the author regrding wenger's suspect tactical decision over his entire tenure at Arsenal.

I mean it sounds ridiculous to some pple when this is being suggested but just go back and cast a critical eye you'd realize how so surprisingly true that is!

For starters wenger total Mangled the team tacts at Stoke! and in my opinion a game against Hull was a game that we would have won had wenger mad one right decision about the team tactics and have Song in there for a DM.

AM i the only person that thinks Cesc needs to be benched a few games for his own good??? i mean the kid looks tired and jaded.. plus his not hitting his top form why not rest him a couple games and in the process have sombody else enjoy his position ...we wont lack takes am sure!!

GWelch

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 03:24 PM - Reply

Boy oh boy, what a game!

Firstly congrats to the boys and Wenger, they really have stuck two fingers up to all who claimed they are not good enough. (including myself who did not think we would come away with 3 points this weekend)

We have gone and done it again, beaten the good team. It's this thing that is still worrying me a little, why cant we beat the poor teams??? Everyone has the own views on why, lots of reasons can be found in many area's over the team, but then that's the same for most teams. Personally I think that all the players are good enough to be in the premiership, just more a case of tactics and game plan that have gone against us. So... AW, you have clocked the big fish, you can beat teams that come out to play but finding it hard against defencive minded approching teams. That's my perspective of this season so far, my concern is beating the big fish is so glorious but.... there are more little fishes than there are big. You must address this issue which seems to be catching on, the trend now feels as though Aresnal can be beaten by putting every man behind the ball, through yourself into every pass and hope to incept and nick one on the quick counter. Problem is this trend means our players get thown up in the air and injured because it's the only way the opponents can get the ball. I dont think this will change even if we ask for more protection of our player, its just not going to change. I have full confidence AW will adopt a new method to beat these defencive teams, he always does rise to the occasion. On another note, we need one super player. Every top team has one, we only have Fabregas, he is still a little short of a super player title I think. Berbatov, Lampard, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Rooney, Torres and our old friend Anelka. These are the names of our opponent teams super players. I belive we have some in the making of Theo, Fabs, RVP, Nasri, but NOT ADEBAYOR! They are not yet super players, they need a couple more years, but will be. I really hope we find a super forward, yeah someone young like hmmmm, ROBINHO!! Shame he'll never arrive as his life style and price tag does not quite match the requirements on the Arsenal application form. Still, we may have him in training or sitting on the bench in, Eduardo and Master Vela!

Just want to say it's a good article, let's hope this really is the turning point in the season. You know a wise optimistic man once said. Its not about how you start, it's about how well you finish!

GuNNeR from Moldova

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 02:29 PM - Reply

Denilson will be a good player,we ust trust wenger that he wont sell Denilson!

South African Gooner

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 11:55 AM - Reply

Wow what a game..Both teams had great chances..Difference is we took ours..Great goal by Nasri...love the way Van der Sar was Helpless.lol..
We've taken down the MANCS...
Go GUNNERS

Joel Che

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 11:35 AM - Reply

After watching the game again, it seems inappropriate to write an article about the game without mentioning that circumstances surrounding the Nasri's second goal. That goal came from a patient 16 pass move and most crucially both wingers Nasri and Walcott were in the box to make that goal.

Man Utd covered the box pretty comfortably as most teams do against Arsenal but then at a crucial moment, Theo Walcott made a fantastic run and took Vidic with him which opened up a huge space for Nasri to take a pass from Fabregas.

It is wonderful to have two wingers in the box creating a goal like it was with Pires and Ljungberg. The question is whether that could happen with Ade and RvP on the pitch.

Fantastic run by Theo - the best and most crucial distraction run so far this season. When we moan about Arsenal lacking movement, this is exactly what we mean.

David

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 11:29 AM - Reply

Guess you all remember the games against Bolton (cup game) and Villa (league game), and Denilson played extremely well as he started in front of Cesc. So I perceived he is an attacking midfield not DM. Should Rooney, Carrick, CR all take their chances in front of our back four, we'd be chasing the game. You don't concede that many chances right on the edge of the box to teams like ManU,luckily this time, none of the star players of ManU had found their shooting boots. However Wenger should have noticed that and make the right decision in January, or we'd be still chasing the shadows of ManU and Chelski. Watched the game last night between Chelski and Rovers, it's funny that Chelski had all game only couple of chances and they scored. Compared to us, Bendtner had at least two late counterattack chances that we could have put the game beyond doubt, when ManU threw all their men in attack and we had man advantage in their box. Wenger has to work on that too. One last point, I think Cesc is still not hitting his top gear so far this season.

JondorZ

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 10:50 AM - Reply

Very nice observations and comments on the match.. Yep that's true that many Arsenal's fans have fear in their faces and lack of believe in the team in the stoppage time. We need to believe that Arsenal can WIN. This match is the best in this season for Arsenal. I hope this victory will change Arsenal and give the young players the confidence.

UpForGrabsNow

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 10:30 AM - Reply

I totally agree with you about Denilson - what a performance, and what a player he is turning into!

Brian

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 09:39 AM - Reply

Denilson had a good game allright but he was still very poor as a defensive midfielder. He was clearly at fault for at least 3 of the United missed chances by not tracking back. This is going to cost us this season unless we have someone disciplined and energetic playing in that position. Sadly Wenger will see it as a vindication of Denilson and that is going to cost us in the long run.

gunner from pakistan

Posted on 10 Nov, 2008 at 09:36 AM - Reply

oh i would love it if this is the turning point! amazing article! i hope wenger gives this a check!

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