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Arsenal Comment: Five radical changes Arsene Wenger must make to stay in the title race
As Chelsea clash looms, it's time for the Professor to experiment
3 Feb 2010 12:00:00
By Matthew Weiner | Arsenal Correspondent
To lose to Manchester United is one thing. To lose in the spineless manner that Arsenal did last weekend, another.
If Arsenal are to keep their title hopes alive, they need a result against Chelsea on Saturday. Not only to get points on the board, but to prove to themselves that they have what it takes to be champions.
Belief seems to melt away from this Arsenal side when confronted by the big boys. Since last season’s Champions League semi-final when they went out to Manchester United without a bang, there has been plenty of whimpering - not least when Chelsea brushed aside the Gunners last time they met in a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the Emirates.
If Saturday’s game and the season's remainder are to be less painful for Arsenal, then Arsene Wenger needs to make some tough decisions.
He may want to start here...
1. PLAN B (FOR BENDTNER)
Three seasons ago, Arsenal were criticised for having no Plan B. Then Adebayor changed all that. His muscular presence in attack meant the Gunners were able to add a direct dimension to their game.
Without a target man, however, Arsenal are once again becoming too predictable. Nicklas Bendtner may not have ability of the Togolese, but there’s enough goals in the rest of the team to make up for his shortcomings.
Against Chelsea, the burly Dane could prove crucial when it comes to the physical battle. Last time around, with Arshavin spearheading the attack, John Terry and his defensive colleagues enjoyed a leisurely afternoon. But utilise Bendtner correctly and the whole side would benefit. Not least, the little Russian, who could go back to doing what he does best: terrorising defences with the ball at his feet.
2. GIVE THEM THE HAIRDRYER TREATMENT
It worked at half-time against Liverpool, so why not try it again, Arsene? Perhaps it’s not the Frenchman’s style, but then again, perhaps these players aren’t quite the self-starters he once had them pegged for.
In the first 45 minutes at Anfield, they displayed the same lacklustre approach as they did against United last weekend. On that occasion, Wenger - who rarely says more than a few choice words in the dressing room - launched into a half-time tirade. The result? Arsenal went from being 1-0 down to winning the game 2-1.
It appears that a good old-fashioned rollocking still works. If Arsenal are to win the title then Wenger must not forget to pack his hairdryer for Stamford Bridge.
3. ALMUNIA OUT, FABIANSKI IN
Almunia has long been a joke for non-Arsenal fans; the hapless 'Spanish waiter' who dreams of playing for England. But Gunners fans were happy to take the jibes last season while their bleached blond No.1 quietly put together a string of credible performances.
This term, however, Manuel is looking faulty again. The side have managed only eight clean sheets all season – that’s less than Birmingham. Much of this is down to the keeper and the lack of faith his team-mates seem to have in him. (Rumours have it that he and William Gallas don’t see eye to eye – but then again, it doesn’t take much to fall out with the fiery Frenchman.)
Lucasz Fabianski hasn’t exactly proved faultless so far but a run in the team, starting with the game against Chelsea, would at least see Wenger prove to the fans he is still trying to change things for the better.
4. CLICHY OUT, CAMPBELL IN
Everyone’s entitled to one stinker, but Clichy making Nani look like Cristiano Ronaldo at the weekend was not his first offence since returning from injury.
Wenger has always believed in playing his charges into form, but if he continues to do so at the expense of results, it will cost the Gunners the title.
In the absence of the crocked Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore isn’t the safest option at fullback - but William Gallas is. The veteran defender may not like being shunted out wide, but he’s quick and mobile enough to see off the advances of Joe Cole and Florent Malouda. More significantly, if there’s one Arsenal centre-back capable of handling Drogba’s wrecking-ball approach, it’s fellow heavyweight Sol Campbell.
5. BRING NASTY BACK
Their bid for the title may have hit shaky ground, but there’s still one table that Arsenal are close to topping: the Fair Play League. Nice guys Fulham are top, while Chelsea and Manchester United wallow in fifth and ninth spot.
Of course, such gentlemanly conduct must be applauded, but Gunners fans must begin to wonder what is lost from a team that receives so few cautions. After all, it wasn’t so long ago that Vieira and Petit snarled the North London side to so much silverware.
English football may have, to some degree, followed in the non-contact ways of the continent since the late 1990s, but Wenger’s current side are ahead of the curve - and right now it is to their disadvantage. The truth is, that a juicy tackle here and there to strike fear into the opposition and fire up the Arsenal faithful wouldn’t go amiss at any ground - particularly Stamford Bridge.
To lose to Manchester United is one thing. To lose in the spineless manner that Arsenal did last weekend, another.
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Belief seems to melt away from this Arsenal side when confronted by the big boys. Since last season’s Champions League semi-final when they went out to Manchester United without a bang, there has been plenty of whimpering - not least when Chelsea brushed aside the Gunners last time they met in a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the Emirates.
If Saturday’s game and the season's remainder are to be less painful for Arsenal, then Arsene Wenger needs to make some tough decisions.
He may want to start here...
1. PLAN B (FOR BENDTNER)
Three seasons ago, Arsenal were criticised for having no Plan B. Then Adebayor changed all that. His muscular presence in attack meant the Gunners were able to add a direct dimension to their game.Without a target man, however, Arsenal are once again becoming too predictable. Nicklas Bendtner may not have ability of the Togolese, but there’s enough goals in the rest of the team to make up for his shortcomings.
Against Chelsea, the burly Dane could prove crucial when it comes to the physical battle. Last time around, with Arshavin spearheading the attack, John Terry and his defensive colleagues enjoyed a leisurely afternoon. But utilise Bendtner correctly and the whole side would benefit. Not least, the little Russian, who could go back to doing what he does best: terrorising defences with the ball at his feet.
2. GIVE THEM THE HAIRDRYER TREATMENT
It worked at half-time against Liverpool, so why not try it again, Arsene? Perhaps it’s not the Frenchman’s style, but then again, perhaps these players aren’t quite the self-starters he once had them pegged for.In the first 45 minutes at Anfield, they displayed the same lacklustre approach as they did against United last weekend. On that occasion, Wenger - who rarely says more than a few choice words in the dressing room - launched into a half-time tirade. The result? Arsenal went from being 1-0 down to winning the game 2-1.
It appears that a good old-fashioned rollocking still works. If Arsenal are to win the title then Wenger must not forget to pack his hairdryer for Stamford Bridge.
3. ALMUNIA OUT, FABIANSKI IN
Almunia has long been a joke for non-Arsenal fans; the hapless 'Spanish waiter' who dreams of playing for England. But Gunners fans were happy to take the jibes last season while their bleached blond No.1 quietly put together a string of credible performances.This term, however, Manuel is looking faulty again. The side have managed only eight clean sheets all season – that’s less than Birmingham. Much of this is down to the keeper and the lack of faith his team-mates seem to have in him. (Rumours have it that he and William Gallas don’t see eye to eye – but then again, it doesn’t take much to fall out with the fiery Frenchman.)
Lucasz Fabianski hasn’t exactly proved faultless so far but a run in the team, starting with the game against Chelsea, would at least see Wenger prove to the fans he is still trying to change things for the better.
4. CLICHY OUT, CAMPBELL IN
Everyone’s entitled to one stinker, but Clichy making Nani look like Cristiano Ronaldo at the weekend was not his first offence since returning from injury.Wenger has always believed in playing his charges into form, but if he continues to do so at the expense of results, it will cost the Gunners the title.
In the absence of the crocked Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore isn’t the safest option at fullback - but William Gallas is. The veteran defender may not like being shunted out wide, but he’s quick and mobile enough to see off the advances of Joe Cole and Florent Malouda. More significantly, if there’s one Arsenal centre-back capable of handling Drogba’s wrecking-ball approach, it’s fellow heavyweight Sol Campbell.
5. BRING NASTY BACK
Their bid for the title may have hit shaky ground, but there’s still one table that Arsenal are close to topping: the Fair Play League. Nice guys Fulham are top, while Chelsea and Manchester United wallow in fifth and ninth spot.Of course, such gentlemanly conduct must be applauded, but Gunners fans must begin to wonder what is lost from a team that receives so few cautions. After all, it wasn’t so long ago that Vieira and Petit snarled the North London side to so much silverware.
English football may have, to some degree, followed in the non-contact ways of the continent since the late 1990s, but Wenger’s current side are ahead of the curve - and right now it is to their disadvantage. The truth is, that a juicy tackle here and there to strike fear into the opposition and fire up the Arsenal faithful wouldn’t go amiss at any ground - particularly Stamford Bridge.
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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