Arsenalfan123
Member
Something I noticed over the past few years.
in 2003/2004, we played Middlesbrough 5 times.
During the 2 times we lost (1-0 and 2-1) in the carling cup (Jan 2004), we didnt have Pires and Henry. But we had Cole, Toure, Edu, Parlour, Gilberto, Bentley, Vieira, Bergkamp, Reyes. And I think the commentator even said (during the game against Middlesbrough when we lost) something like "Arsenal dominated the play, but lacked the attacking flair". This situation also was similar to the one in 2005/2006, where we dominated play, but lost/drew and failed to score alot of goals.
During the other 3 times we won (twice in Jan 2004) (4-0, 4-1, 4-1). We had Pires and Henry. Pires and Henry contributed alot of goals and assists in those 3 times we won.
Last season, with Pires off form, Henry failed to receive support. Pires and Henry play well together and somehow seem to link up very well, something that the other players cannot seem to do (as well as Pires).
And during the beginning of 2005/2006, where we lost alot of games and had a poor start, Henry was injured, Pires was also injured (Neville tackle [Everton]) and off form. We struggled very very badly attacking.
Against Leicester in 2003/2004, Henry and Vieira were rested. Pires played. We struggled to score goals, and Gilberto scored a goal )Pires played a part in the buildup). Yet we didnt conceded a goal (without Vieira), till injury time. Cole was sent off too btw. We drew 1-1. So without Henry, we played badly.
In the beginning of 2004/2005, Vieira was injured. We had Fabregas and Gilberto in central midfield for the first 4 games in a row. We won 4-1, 5-3, 3-0 and 4-1. Henry and Pires played, and without Vieira, we still won. That just proves that without Vieira, we can still score alot of goals, hence showing that the attacking players like Pires and Henry dont need to track back and defend.
Not to metion that Pires and Henry scored 57 goals in all competitions in 2003/2004.
Conclusion: Without Pires and Henry both on the pitch and on form, Arsenal struggled for goals.
Target: A goal scoring midfielder, like Pires.
in 2003/2004, we played Middlesbrough 5 times.
During the 2 times we lost (1-0 and 2-1) in the carling cup (Jan 2004), we didnt have Pires and Henry. But we had Cole, Toure, Edu, Parlour, Gilberto, Bentley, Vieira, Bergkamp, Reyes. And I think the commentator even said (during the game against Middlesbrough when we lost) something like "Arsenal dominated the play, but lacked the attacking flair". This situation also was similar to the one in 2005/2006, where we dominated play, but lost/drew and failed to score alot of goals.
During the other 3 times we won (twice in Jan 2004) (4-0, 4-1, 4-1). We had Pires and Henry. Pires and Henry contributed alot of goals and assists in those 3 times we won.
Last season, with Pires off form, Henry failed to receive support. Pires and Henry play well together and somehow seem to link up very well, something that the other players cannot seem to do (as well as Pires).
And during the beginning of 2005/2006, where we lost alot of games and had a poor start, Henry was injured, Pires was also injured (Neville tackle [Everton]) and off form. We struggled very very badly attacking.
Against Leicester in 2003/2004, Henry and Vieira were rested. Pires played. We struggled to score goals, and Gilberto scored a goal )Pires played a part in the buildup). Yet we didnt conceded a goal (without Vieira), till injury time. Cole was sent off too btw. We drew 1-1. So without Henry, we played badly.
In the beginning of 2004/2005, Vieira was injured. We had Fabregas and Gilberto in central midfield for the first 4 games in a row. We won 4-1, 5-3, 3-0 and 4-1. Henry and Pires played, and without Vieira, we still won. That just proves that without Vieira, we can still score alot of goals, hence showing that the attacking players like Pires and Henry dont need to track back and defend.
Not to metion that Pires and Henry scored 57 goals in all competitions in 2003/2004.
Conclusion: Without Pires and Henry both on the pitch and on form, Arsenal struggled for goals.
Target: A goal scoring midfielder, like Pires.