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4-5-1 = 1 point

Arsenal
by Bunburyist (U7032800) 26 December 2007
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I cannot for the life of me understand why Wenger persists with the 4-5-1. Ridiculous. That formation just cost us points. Adebayor is isolated and all our attacks invariably break down. Fabregas and Rosicky have nowhere to pass except sideways or backwards.

Bendtner and Adebayor should have started up front today. If Wenger is using a 4-5-1 because he lacks a good enough striker to partner Adebayor, then he should be buying a striker. If he is using it because of tactics, then he's losing the plot. Adebayor is not Henry, and he is not going to run the show on his own.

To be fair, Portsmouth's defence was wonderful today. But to be title contenders, you have to be able to beat teams even where you're having an off day, and the other team is having an on day.

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posted Dec 27, 2007

I agree totally. 4-5-1 CAN work, but you need the right people. Much as I hate both of them, players like Drogba & Van Nistlerooy can do it. To be a lone striker, you need to provide a legitimate goal threat. Adebayor is a supporting striker. I don't know why Wenger doesn't ever give Walcott (I know he's injured right now, but in general) or Eduardo a go in their natural position - up front. Both would provide good foils for either Adebayor or Bendtner.

The low amount of actual shots we have worries me. I would like to see Hleb & Rosicky providing a similar amount of goals from midfield to what we've had in the past (Pires, Freddie, Overmars).

I'm looking forward to Vela coming into the team - he looks solid.

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posted Dec 27, 2007

I agree with the need to forget the 4-5-1 idea. The only player it suits it Hleb and although he has won many fans over this season he is not good enough to build a team around!

Adebayor has come in for criticism lately, but it isn't his fault. He is so isolated on his own up front.

Similarly the wide players (Rosicky & Eboue) should be providers but with a lack of numbers in the box have had to try to create chances for themselves. How many times did Rosicky get the ball on the edge of the box to find nobody to pass to and go for an ambitious shot from distance?

The problem is that we all know that Wenger is stubborn and won't change (unless to accomodate RVP). Having said that we all called for big name signings in the summer and weren't too optimistic going into the season.

Wenger has proven us wrong on his transfer policy so lets just hope he proves our criticism of his tactics to be wrong!

One point from the leaders at the end of boxing day is much more than I expected. Van Persie will be like a new signing when he regains full fitness and we are challenging for the title this season!

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posted Dec 27, 2007

Relax you gloom merchants! All this talk of poor players and poor tactics is ludicrous. It pains me to say it (look at the name), but you've got a great manager and a great squad.. Portsmouth are no push-over these days so don't read too much into the result.

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posted Dec 27, 2007

Ok all you contributors to this board.

What are your predictions for Everton v Arsenal and why??

Speak up I am sure we all have something to say on the subject!

Cheersok

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posted Dec 28, 2007

Thanks a lot dear Simbasimba, I was hard on Rosiky because I agree with you that he is a very good player and can do better. Regarding the pronostic for tomorrow, I would like to say that logically, the boys shoud be very motivated by their last underperformance. If they come again average then, it would mean that we are off to struggle...Having said that I think that we will win big in Everton 0-2 or 1-3. On a condition that Van Persie or Eduardo starts along with Bendtner. Adebayor should be benched (do you see his body language these days? He seems worried or unhappy, same as Henry had become last year). Then, put Hleb on the right and Rosicky on the left, Flamini besides Sir Fabregas in the middle. (I like this boy, we have the same birthday 0405,so I am a bit biaised). The defense, I leave it to the Boss & Professsor AW.
Thank you all.
Jeanclaude0405ok

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posted Dec 28, 2007

Arsenal are the new Chelsea - energy and power but not much entertainment.

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posted Dec 28, 2007

Jeanclaude0405,
Again I have to agree with you, this time totally and I like your prediction for tomorrows encounter with Everton I am sure it will be better than the on the fence prediction of Mark Laurenson.
My son's birthday is 0405 and Cesc is his hero and roll model but being a very hefty and tall lad he will probably favour the Nicholas Bendnter style. I can only live in hope!

Heres good luck to us for tomorrow Jeanclaude0405 have a good weekend and a happy Arsenal New Year to you in Switzerland.

Cheers for now ok

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posted Dec 28, 2007

Arsene has to start playing Bendtnar more otherwise he wil want to go and i no most of us arsenal fans dont want that he has to start playing 2 up front i just dont think Adebayor is good enough he can score bt i think he wuld b beta with sumone up there wid him



Happy New Year

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posted Dec 28, 2007

fabreginho
Like you and many others I dont want to see NB become disillusioned, we could live to regret that in the long run. Ade is a very good player but I feel he is very Kanu'ish and has really good days and quite a few, not particularly disasterous but not so good days. NB needs to be right up there in the action and I doubt whether that young man will be bullied by anyone.ok

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posted Dec 28, 2007

fabreginho
As an addition to my last post, JeanClaude0405 hit the nail on the head regarding Ade's body language it was a bit TH like and we cant afford those kind of emotions right now can we? ok

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