re: Arsenal's "Things Are Gonna Change, I Can Feel It! (lol, nope)" Summer Thread

So another epic failure of a season. But I still feel we made progress, even if it was merely horizontal and not vertical (meaning winning trophies). What we need is to figure out how to make possession football work through the course of a season. When we run out of ideas with the ball we really run out of ideas. I'd rather we a play super compact, high energy, fast game, which is the only way I feel a possession based game will work. That, or move the emphasis back to counter-attacking, playing with a deeper defensive line, but pressing as a unit from the front to create opportunities.

We need to emphasize moving the ball quickly, as often players outside of Fabregas, and Wilshere dawdle on the ball too long. That ability to hold the ball is useful in some instances, but not when creating opportunities. We need more attacking explosiveness.

I think we were more physical this year, but it came at the price of fluid attacking play. We weren't nearly as pretty this year as in years past, and that nearly paid off, but I'm tired of always talking about "nearly." There is something intangible, ethereal, about what we are missing as a team, that I can't help but think that we will suffer from these problems until Wenger retires.

LINK

Nice vid of Aaron Ramsey vs. Man U. He had some nice passes, while he also showed a good ability to drive into the area with the ball. I'm excited to see what he does with Jack in the midfield.

It is a beautiful pass. He makes me proud to be of Welsh descent.

Thanks. That was a great video. I really teared up at the goal. The pass at 5:30 was brilliant.
Amazing player he and Wilshere will run the mid field in the EPL for years to come.

What are you doing here? Are you gay like the rest of us?

What do you think we are going to do with Arshavin? Selling him seems to be the popular rumor, but I'm not so sure that will happen. This, despite being very inconsistent, he's contributed to 28 goals. That means he's had a hand in 24% of the 113 goals we've scored in all competitions. That is seriously valuable, no matter how wasteful he is. When he slides inside like he often does, he has some deft and quick touches that help us move the ball. On the wing, he is a bit more isolated, and frankly out of position. So do you think Wenger will sell him?

Some interesting stats which might explain why Barca want Fabregas.

quote:

---

Fabregas
App. Goals Assists
303 57 100

Iniesta
App. Goals Assists
360 33 38

Xavi
App. Goals Assists
576 58 65

---

Obviously Fabregas plays much further forward than either of these players, which would explain some of the statistical disparity.

Why don't Arsenal and Atlético de Madrid merge?

Together they could get over the perennial hump.

We're doing fine on our own. Despite the absence of trophies recently, we're the third most valuable club in the world. Our shortcomings are tactical rather than structural. I don't know what's up with Athletico, so I can't comment on them.