Mr Arsenal Blog's tactics weekly. 

10/11/12 - reviewing the Fulham game.

Well, that was frustrating. But first things first, Ivan Gazidis, Peter Hill-Wood, Stan Kronke were NOT on the pitch today, did not concede 3 sloppy goals, and did not miss last minute penalty, so would like to make it clear that it is not their fault! This reaction every defeat of "sack the board", "Ivan Out" e.t.c is just stupid, yes we need to spend more money e.t.c to win title, but in all 3 defeats we have had this season in the league, and the game today, we have had the players and the quality to have performed much much better, but they didn't today, and didn't in the other games too. Whose fault WAS it though? What went wrong? What were the main issues and positives as well?

Put simply once again we were sloppy. Unlike the United game last week, we did actually create chances and did actually look like scoring more. But it was a return to the old Arsenal at the back. Going into this game we had the best premier league defensive record, which of course is a great improvement on how it has been over the past few seasons, and it seemed Steve Bould was making a good impact on the side (especially at start of season), but certainly not today. I do wonder sometimes whether the words "defend" appear in some player heads at times. Over and over again today the Fulham right winger was in acres of space on the side, why? Because our shape was poor. In fairness Thomas Vermalean is NOT really a LB, he's only there because Santos has been playing like someone that has never seen a defensive drill before, not alone been part of one! So we have to give him (TV) some kind of slack on criticism, because he is a good defender, but today he kept coming in field as if he was playing CB, and every time Fulham attacked the space, which meant that someone like Koscielny or Mertesacker had to go out to the side to cover, which left space in the middle. This is what happened for their 2nd goal. Space was on their right, (our LB slot), they broke into it, our defence was sucked out to the ball, the cross came in and they scored. Our 2 goal lead, which to be honest was probably a bit harsh on the visitors, was squandered, back to "square one". That was one problem that we seemed to have for much of the match, leaving space on the wings, in our defensive 1/2. This is something that must improve for next week. Because I do not want to see that chimp (Gareth Bale) running into those areas because he will punish us. In fact I just want Gibbs to get fit again, we have missed him greatly. He was having a great start to the season! Come back quick please Gibbo, we need you mate!

As I said, going forward we were okay today, much better than we were against Schalke at home, Norwich away, United away and to an extent Vs QPR at home. So I am not massively concerned by that after the game today. But one thing which I noticed yet again today, is the quality and efficiency of our passing. As I said in a previous article, at times we lack efficiency and precision. That was again the case today. It is all very well having the ball, but you have to do something with it. Against United last week, this was a big problem. Today it was not as bad, credit for that, but it can definitely definitely improve! We still persist on passing the ball around the back, and all the way down to the keeper, which is something that absolutely infuriates me when watching it, because you just loose any kind of momentum (if there were any), and also the more you do that, the more you give the opposition time to form up defensively, and then stop you. We have to be more efficient with the ball. At times today we put ourselves under pressure because we were not using the ball efficiently. Trying to pass out around the back, was the reason for their penalty, and we must stop doing this. Even when there is no pressure on us, passing it around with Mannone, what is that going to achieve? It's just not a useful and efficient use of the ball. As I said before the game, we have to start imposing ourselves more on the opposition, make them move around, move their defenders out of position trying to stop us, like used to be the case whenever we played. Last month or so, since the international break and since Diaby got injured, we have really missed that ability to get hold of the ball and either move it quickly in terms of passing, and move with it quickly up the pitch, forcing defenders back. As Abou did with aplomb against City and liverpool away earlier in the season. Today however, our passing was often laboured, slow, limp and in a way more importantly, mostly in the wrong areas of the pitch.

What is a positive despite what I have just said was the fact we scored 3 goals, and also the fact that Giroud played very well. He is my MOTM today that is for sure. I thought he was fantastic physically, technically  scored 2 good goals, and could have had 3/4 (missed a sitter as well), and also helped out defensively admirably when required, tracking back to help out the defence. Was very impressed with him indeed. He now has 6 goals, which is not a bad return, especially when you consider that Rooney, who is supposedly England's best player has one goal! Giroud also has 5 assists. So I think he is really beginning to come into his own at Arsenal and if we use the ball more efficiently and effectively, and get the ball into the right areas, he has shown he can score them. I believe he will be our top scorer, and is going to prove the doubters wrong, and become a very important player for our team! Obviously I hope so, because quite frankly I am sick and tired, of hearing the letters R V P mentioned over and over again. Hope Giroud can continue this form. He has scored 3 goals this week, all from headers. What does that show you? YES, he can head the ball. So lets use the ball for efficiently, get into the right areas, deliver it efficiently, and he has shown that do this, and he can score!

I know many people reading this will probably be angry after today's game myself included. And many will be questioning: the team, the boss, the defence, the tactics e.t.c. e.t.c. e.t.c. However it sounds stupid, because we did make mistakes which is annoying, but what I believe is encouraging is that these mistakes are EASY to fix. The 3rd goal for them was ridiculous  That ball had to just be hoofed up the pitch, problem solved! 2nd goal, Vermalean was no where to be seen, so stay in position (Gibbs will help with this when back). And the 1st goal was a mixture, firstly don't leave man on his own in the box because he (Berbatov) will score, and secondly if you do the first thing effectively, you can clear the ball, problem solved? Is a switch to man-marking needed? Well that is for the boss and Steve Bould to decide, but zonal-marking doesn't seem to be working. As I said before I am not the one to say whether it is right or not! But the point is, we scored 3 goals, should have had a 4th, and the goals we conceded were poor, and easy to fix. Therefore I am not overly concerned about us, and urge you to not be either. We are in a bit of a sticky run of form, but you have to remember also our fixture list hasn't been the easiest, and I believe we will pick up wins soon, HOPEFULLY starting with a violent dismantling of Spurs next weekend!!!

THEY CAN DO IT, so let's hope the lads do!

UP THE ARSENAL!

@Mr_arsenal_blog