Written by Mean Lean on Friday, 22 July 2011 13:50

Howdy Goony,

I am looking forward to the game in Germany tomorrow against FC Cologne, we should get a better insight into any changes that may be implemented since the team have been back from Asia. It was in Germany a few years ago against Hannover 96 where we pretty much witnessed the creation of the 4-3-3. Like I have said in a previous blog called Arsene Wenger the pre season manager. Much of what happens over the course of a season seems to be done in pre season. What the team learn during this off season is often what they try and perfect over the course of the following season. Wenger believing to stick to the plan and if you are good at your job then you will succeed.

This is why the defensive and offensive flaws have to be ironed out before the season starts. Speaking of which, there is a very interesting article about set pieces written by One of us.

It seems as if the pre season is more than tactics and fitness according to Johan Djourou.

“It brought the players closer together and that is good, On the pitch, the players will be closer. The mood is great and you can see that with the players. It was massively different to Austria. For us, it was great to see something different. Austria is more settled and we know that we are going to the hotel, training and that is it. We did more in Asia with the team so it was great.”

Without being a fly on the wall, the team have struck me as a little detached from previous history. Often when players are coming off the coaches before or after games you see them wearing headphones and from what I have read from players comments, they go to training and pretty much go straight home. That could be somewhat of a sweeping statement and I may not know what I am talking about but that is the impression I get compared to the days where the squad used to have friendships away from the pitch. Ok, they were often spent mostly in pubs but you know what I mean. I would like to see the current squad fight for each other just a little more, not just because that player is wearing the shirt but because he is one of our own.

Personally if I was in charge a few years ago, I would have locked Gallas and Toure in a room together and came back a few days later. Ok, perhaps I may have broken a few laws but what the heck. I may have come back and found them playing pattycake. Anyway, let us get away from that image before it gets really out of hand.

Djourou has also spoken about not letting the speculation affect the squad.

“For us players, it is just about focusing on the team and being ready for the season, We know that every summer, you are going to have a big story about players leaving and coming in.

“Of course we do not want our best players to leave but if they have to go, they will go and I am sure the manager will replace who will go. For us players, it is more about concentrating on ourselves and the team.”

And that is pretty much all the players can do. There is no point behaving like us supporters and spend day after day worrying about who will and who won't be wearing the shirt. The players should be concentrating on their own game, concentrating on improving what they are good at as well as improving what they are not. Djourou's form has been flushed down the toilet since his shoulder injury, before that he was arguably our best defender. The same must apply to the rest of the squad. Most of them are young enough to enjoy the benefits of nature. They should pretty much all be on an upwards curve and need to make sure they keep improving. Speaking of which, Patrick Vieira has had some comments about the Arsenal.

“I honestly believe that the Arsenal team now are playing better then we ever did. The difference is we put silverware on the sideboard. That is what people remember, not how you play.

Paddy, I love you mate and you will always be a legend in mine and many Gooners eyes around the world but that is a silly comparison in my ever so humble opinion. Here are a few reasons why it is unfair to make that comparison.

1) Winning trophies in an era without financially doped clubs was much easier than it is today. The money pumped into the Premier league by Chelsea and Manchester City has made competition much more difficult. Not only that but the weaker teams are in fact stronger and are tactically better than they were in 2004.

2) We are comparing a team that was collectively pretty much at its peak in the game compared to a team that had an average age last season of 23. Professionals often say that a player reaches his peak in between the ages of 27-29. It is no coincidence that the only two players in this current first team are Van Persie and Sagna. Two players who were constantly very good last season. The invincible team had 6 players in between 27-29 and that didn't even include the great Henry who was 26.

So with that in mind, it is not groundbreaking information that the invincible team were the better team. I am sure if you flipped the script then this current team would blast the 2003/04 team out of the water. Imagine a team of Cesc (28), Nasri (28), Song (27), Wilshere (23) and Walcott (26) against Henry (22), Pires (23), Vieira (23), Toure (19) and Ashley Cole (19) I would say the result wouldn't be so cut and dried.

It is another argument altogether to say that we will or will not be able to keep these players together for that amount of time. That has to be the aim, to keep as many quality players who have been brought up on the Arsenal way of playing until they are 27-29. Van Persie has shown that once they can get there then they can win whatever the hell they want. Essentially we are hoping that they can win enough trophies before their time to keep the players together as well as appease the fans.

Vieira also spoke about the differences between this Arsenal side and his

"Our team was more physical and responded better to the English game. Maybe now Arsenal lack the physical aspect. You need a balance to win trophies. If you look at United, Chelsea and City, the physical aspect of the game is there. The season is really long and hard and players get tired and perhaps need to work harder."

To be honest I cannot think of the last time that the power of the opposition made a difference to our result. Our players can handle themselves on the pitch. The only possible strength problems could be from set pieces but usually the issue is when our players do not pick up the opposition. We move the ball quickly so the strength of the opposition makes little difference and we usually win it back by quickly closing down the opposition and intercepting the ball. What I will agree with Vieira on is the need to work harder. I have lost my top plenty of times when it looks apparent that we have not put in the needed graft to win a game, often against opponents who are technically inferior to ourselves.

Forget set pieces, missing chances or not shooting. That is my number one annoyance with our team. It is something I have never understood. We give everything in the big games and then stroll around in some of the games where we expect to win and then in the post match interviews we state that we were complacent. It should be plastered all over the dressing room that regardless of the opponent and competition, we should give our all every minute of every game.

I hope this is worked on and we see a big difference this upcoming season. Regardless of our weaknesses in the squad, lack of form at times or whatever. I believe that if we approached every game the way we approached Barcelona at the Emirates last season then we would have won the Premier League. You do not achieve anything without the required work.

Thomas Vermaelen says that Kieran Gibbs has what it takes to be world class and I would happen to agree with him. All he needs is a clear run without injury but we know that has been the problem. Fingers crossed for the new season Kieran.

And with that, I am gone, vanishing into the Friday air.

Back tomorrow.

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Comments (7)

• 22-Jul-2011 14:39 | | richard  - Vieira was right!
  

  Nice attempt son, but way off base. I think I'll go with Vieira. After all he has credibility and you son, well, you are playing at this. As a former player I always found it fascinating reading reporters accounts of what took place on the field. They never played the game at any real level; never took a coaching course, never coached at any level, but they Watched Tons of Games which they believed gave them credibility. I have been on hundreds of flights but no nothing about flying an airplane. Get the point?

• 22-Jul-2011 14:44 | | Bergmars  - PV4 is spot on
  

  The fact is Wenger has assembled this squad,and I do not even think he was referring to the invincible s,rather the Seaman,, Adams, Petit era.
  We have a bunch who pass for the sake of it,do not have the mentality and are physically challenged,actually no comparison.

• 22-Jul-2011 14:45 | | JesuSaves  - Great article
  

  This is a lovely article. If you notice Barcelona, they are light weight, but when they don't have the ball, the work they do to get it back is amazing. They also limit the opposition's time on the ball and space. They swarm around them. I think we need to learn from our oppositions. What makes Man utd reserve team beat Arsenal's A team. They use pacy wingers and cross the ball into the box, always having 2 persons to head. They use 442, 433 and 451 while we only use 1 tactic for the entire season.
  We should learn from Barcelona's work rate and defend as a team, and learn from man utd';s counter attack. Man utd in their mind know that they don't need most of the possession to beat us.
  So i think Arsenal will do excellent this season because we have a great team, which is better than just a squad of players.
  We need to win at least 1 major title and keep the players, while adding 1 or 2 others.
  Arsenal are on the rise and after this season financial rules will kick in. So teams that doesn't have great scouting networks or haven't practiced scouting, namely Man city will have problems. Plus they will have players in reserve team that making more money than arsenal first team.
  So Arsenal is in a good position. Defend as a team like Barcelona, take all the chances by shooting (Vela missed a goal in first match), fullbacks must learn to defend and stick together as a team.
  Have more plans other than a single striker in 433 ,4231or 451. All have one striker. So our passing game has become a disadvantage. They sit back with two backs of 4 behind the ball or 10 men. If we had 442 in some games, they may want to come out more. Also 442 will bring out the potential of Carling cup king, Vela, and players like winger Traore who would thrive like a Gareth bale under 442. We need to be unpredictable!!
  
  So lots of issues need to be ironed out. But Arsenal will have great success.

• 22-Jul-2011 14:46 | | MeanLean
  

  What are you talking about Richard, son?
  
  You are either saying that former players are always right on every footballing subject or that players do not peak at 27-29. Which is it son?

• 22-Jul-2011 15:03 | | Okeke
  

  I read the tribute written by Tim on Vieira. He sayz "for the total duration that Vieira was our engine in the Arsenal midfield not once did he switch off!" be it against Sheffield Utd or Manchester Utd. I guess that pretty much sums it up!

• 22-Jul-2011 17:56 | | dd
  

  But if you watched the pilots hundreds of times you would have an idea get the point? Ex-players more often than not need to be ignored as they are almost always very biased. Ever read Paul Parker's work? Or listen to Shearer on Hanson on MOTD? PV4 is a ManCity employee now and the loyalty we love him for is now to ManCity so his comments will always be supportive of them if he was asked in an interview who will finish higher this season, regardless of what he actually thinks guess what his answer will be. AFC are City's main rival at the moment so Vieira cant say Arsenal are a great side right now. We have become the gatekeepers of the premier league if you want to fight for the title you have to be better than and beat Arsenal.

• 22-Jul-2011 19:18 | | irish gooner  - gibbs should not be our LB yet!!!!!!!!!!
  

  i like gibbs but he should not be our 1st choice LB,,his injury record is trademark post highbury Arsenal,,,,positioning is awful most of the time but he can improve that with a run in the side,,before he gets injured again,,,,i cant see gibbs as our LB yet,,,its a backwards move from clichy,,,hopefully we sign a LB that goes straight in front of gibbs for a season or five.

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