Wenger - Genius or Underachiever?

[christianu]

Now I know Arsene sees these players train every day and knows more about them than me but surely surely your weakening your team by playing an out of depth right back at right wing, your best central defender at right back and a holding midfield player at centre half for a game away at Man Utd.

Maybe its just me but the words tactical genius don't spring to my mind when I think of Wenger at the current time.

They played so so so so so good that game, awesome display, fergie even said they deserved something. He got it tactically spot on imo.

This is what gets to me so much, i mean look at uniteds goals, a ridiculous handball that was so not needed, just ridiculous and a free kick.

Song did well, and Gray made the point that Toure's form is lacking so THAT is why he is being played at RB.

Eboue made a fantastic run btw that led to the free kick for Arsenals goal.

And Song isnt a holding midfield player, he's been a CB/CM all his life and I have an arsenal fan mate who for the last 2 years has said he expects Song to only feature as a CB for Arsenal.

Eboue has played all year at RM so I dont see why he is soley a full back??

They played really well in that game, especially Hleb who was awesome.

Id say they probably are lacking an awesome finisher though, that went with Eduardo which is again unfortunate lol and RVP who has turned into a crock!

[christianu]

He got rave reviews for his displays in the ANC earlier this year for Cameroon, where with little international experience, he shone as a holding midfield player.

Btw are you 100% positive on this?? I thought he played CB at the african nations.

[all_funkt_up]

Originally Posted by Christian Wenger

This is what gets to me so much, i mean look at uniteds goals, a ridiculous handball that was so not needed, just ridiculous and a free kick.

Lets not forget that Arsenal scored through a handball, so if that was spotted it would have been a 2 nil defeat for them.

In some key matches of late, Arsenal have taken the lead and gone on to lose the game. I am thinking about Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. Wenger and his players have fucked it up in the big games.

[all_funkt_up]

Originally Posted by christianu

5/100 liverpool go ahead and its just so sick!!

I dont agree with your evaluation, %-age wise, but the general sentiment of the post is sound.

Winning trophies at the highest level is all about performing for 90 minutes & retaining a lead when you have one - these are things that Arsenal havent done of late in the BIG games.

[crowie]

Originally Posted by christianu

They played so so so so so good that game, awesome display, fergie even said they deserved something. He got it tactically spot on imo.

Wouldn't deny they played good football Chris, they did, they always do (95% of the time anyway). I just think playing players out of their natural positions can only weaken a side, not strengthen it. Which to me says tactically he can't be spot on. Just IMO of course, as I said I am not a football manager

Originally Posted by christianu

This is what gets to me so much, i mean look at uniteds goals, a ridiculous handball that was so not needed, just ridiculous and a free kick.!

Indeed, but Adebayor knocked one in with his hand.

Originally Posted by christianu

Gray made the point that Toure's form is lacking so THAT is why he is being played at RB.

I don't think he has looked bad at centre half and even if he wasn't on top form I would still have him as centre half before Senderos or Song.

Originally Posted by christianu

Eboue made a fantastic run btw that led to the free kick for Arsenals goal.

Eboue has played all year at RM so I dont see why he is soley a full back??

He possibly did make a good run but look at many of Arsenals big games recently. You can't deny a lot of moves broke down on reaching Eboue.

I am not saying he is a bad player and I appreciate he gives a bit of defensive cover but I would argue that in the final third of the field he does not have the end product that a player who's natural position is right wing/midfield would have. It could be measured by his number of goals and assists this season in the RM slot. I don't know about assists but I do know he hasn't scored all season.

I just think he is a better right back than a right winger and especially when Arsenals first choice right back is injured I think he would do a better job than anyone else at the club at right back.

Originally Posted by christianu

Id say they probably are lacking an awesome finisher though, that went with Eduardo which is again unfortunate lol and RVP who has turned into a crock!

Agreed, and at the same time Adebayor, who has been excelent most of the season has went out of form.

Look at any club, say Man Utd for example. If they lost Tevez to a long term injury, Ronaldo was constantly crocked and Rooney was out of form then there is no doubt they would struggle. Indeed its probably fair to argue that Arsenal have overachieved slightly when you take the form and fitness of their injuries into account in recent months. But when that does happen you surely have to ensure that the rest of your side is as strong and settled as possible.

Originally Posted by christianu

Btw are you 100% positive on this?? I thought he played CB at the african nations.

I was reading World Soccers review of the ANC and the comment was taken from there. I know he played centre mid for Charlton but WS made the point about him playing DM at the ANC, and doing very well there.

Their comment/review was along the lines of "We know that Wenger still favours him as a centre back but having seen his displays in the holding role for Cameroon we think his long term future is surely in this position". The comment about Wenger thinking of him as a centre back surprised me as I can only remember him playing midfield for Charlton.