FeriAtsWe all appreciate the great things Arsene Wenger achieved and with so little money. Arsenal's football under him is a great spectacle, you would enjoy watching them even if you are not a fan, almost like a poor man's Barcelona.



All great things aside, Wenger seems to have this stubbornnes about his tactics which has been costing Arsenal dearly for the last couple of years. Tactics, by definition, are bound change according to opponent, staff available, weather conditions etc etc. In Wenger's world they never change...



What would have Arsenal lost, if they had a more defensive 4-3-1-2 against Manchester United and Chelsea? For a second let's accept that it is really a matter of principle and Wenger wants to play his 4-3-3 at every game, but couldn't he see after the first half an hour that it is not working?



With Arshavin leading the attack and Nasri the tallest what is the point of bombing opponent's box with high crosses? Dribblings, shots and give and goes are all available but no, the right back should come and put the ball into the box high. Even after Bendtner comes on, he meets the ball mre in the flanks than between opponent's central defenders. I am sure Wenger has seen some Spurs games, doesn't Crouch-Defoe partnership offer any inspiration? Bendtner and Walcott can pull something similar.



Song is a star this year and Denilson impressed too but they are still far from holding the midfield when they are out numbered and outmouscled. Why not add a leg breaker with some physical presence and stop the gap that leaks onto the defense?



I do not have much to say about the defensive line. Maybe Clichy can be replaced by Silvestre to add some more thoughness, but overall they really don't deserve the stick.



Goalkeeping situation is the worst of all, hence the last. A decent keeper could mean an extra 10 point a season and Wenger has been showing a fine example of false economy by not buying a decent one. Not only that, his first choice keeper is not even the best keeper in his squad. Both Fabianski and Mannone are far more talented than Almunia. Every minute these guys play will make them a better keepers, they are young and have lots of room for improvement. Every minute Almunia plays will take him closer to his retirement and his game did not improve in all these games.



I am not going to take it as far as Winterburn and open Wenger's position to discussion. I am just saying that a bit of flexibilty with the game plan could have gone a long way. Thoughts?

08.02.2010