I really can't get over how good a game it was to watch yesterday, I know it was an irrelevant end of season fixture but we were still brilliant.
West Brom actually looked like they adopted a similar tactic to that of Sunderland and Swansea but the difference was movement in attack. Theo was dragging the CB's left, right and centre which opened up so much space in the box, tight situations which our attackers joyfully deal with.
Our tippy-tappy play is so much more appealing when there's an ending to it but recently it's been a rather regressive style of play because it just keeps coming backwards. A lot different with an outlet.
Theo has plied his trade on the wing now and with Alexis' arrival and Ox's development Theo's use on the flanks has lessened for us.
We have 3 different CF's which all have attributes that are of good use but none are complete, all 3 would make a complete forward though
Giroud - Technical ability + link up play
Welbeck - Pace combined with power
Theo - Movement + Speed
All 3 are inconsistent finishers yet have shown quality in their finishing in the past .
Theo looks like he's added the most however, he looks stronger, more confident and clinical. His movement is also brilliant, he'll get plenty of chances each game.
Ozil, Santi & Wilshere our most technical players all played extremely well and with an out ball in Theo, they were able to be much more productive rather than predictable.
If Arsene doesn't intend to sign a CF this summer then I think we should fully explore our other options and give Theo a solid run at the start of next year up top.
We require pace in that role and even Arsene enjoyed himself on the bench y'day. That was football reminiscent of the Invincible days
Pace Up Front = Arsenal Of Old
posted on 26/5/15
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 2 minutes ago
Not scoring is being shiiiit, right?
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Never said that. But scoring is a striker's primary job, isn't it?
posted on 26/5/15
comment by march_2k (U10336)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 2 minutes ago
Not scoring is being shiiiit, right?
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Never said that. But scoring is a striker's primary job, isn't it?
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Of course....
In the eyes of the majority of the fans it is the only criterion of being decent or shiiiiiiiit.
posted on 26/5/15
comment by Cereal Spiller - Exhales as zinc (U12126)
posted 7 hours, 57 minutes ago
Inventor, I do believe you massively underrate Giroud's contribution, although I do understand where you are coming from to an extent. Giroud does work better with pace around him, so the tactic of playing CM's at wing is particularly terrible against deep defenses with Giroud as striker. We basically persisted with playing a CM on wing against West Brom, btu still looked better since our striker (Theo) had good movement, good finishing, and pace on the day
What I don't understand is why you (and some others) rate Welbeck as striker?? He doesn't have great off the ball movement, and his finishing and technique are terrible at the moment. He is very hard working and can work as a defensive winger possibly, but if we play him as striker , we might as well play Bellerin as striker.
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If Arsène wants to use our creative players out wide which he's always preferred then a quicker CF is an absolute must. It's been proven over a few years now. Considering the quality of creative players we have It'd be beneficial to do so especially as it's only at Giroud's expense.
I don't rate Welbeck really but he does have the attributes that suit us a lot more than Giroud. He's linked up well with Ozil and Santi in the past. He does lack the instincts however.
Theo could be an answer though he looked like a prime Defoe on Sunday and seems to have the instincts. Anyone that doesn't think we opened WBA easier than we have done last few games because of Theo is utterly clueless.
Theo's movement and stretching their defence all over the box opened tight little pockets which our midfielders specialise in dealing with. Giroud always stares our players face on and is only ready to use the one-two.
This is easy to defend against. Giroud HAS to be no. 2 next season we need to get the best out of the team and not from him
posted on 26/5/15
Also please let's stop behaving like there's only a couple of players that are improvements on Giroud he's not even in the top 15 ffs.
Same people probably thought only Messi and Ronaldo would be the only valid replacements for Theo (while injured) until Alexis popped up.
There are MANY players that would elevate our level regardless of GT's rubbish.
He claims every superior CF is a bottler despite backing the greatest bottler we've ever had as a main striker.
Forget what he thinks of Benzema, Cavani, Higuain etc.. all these players trump Giroud and are 3x the player with a lot more attributes.
You're seriously following the wrong sport if you disagree
posted on 27/5/15
comment by Oxlade-Chambers (Inventor) (U6157)
posted 3 hours, 19 minutes ago
Also please let's stop behaving like there's only a couple of players that are improvements on Giroud he's not even in the top 15 ffs.
Same people probably thought only Messi and Ronaldo would be the only valid replacements for Theo (while injured) until Alexis popped up.
There are MANY players that would elevate our level regardless of GT's rubbish.
He claims every superior CF is a bottler despite backing the greatest bottler we've ever had as a main striker.
Forget what he thinks of Benzema, Cavani, Higuain etc.. all these players trump Giroud and are 3x the player with a lot more attributes.
You're seriously following the wrong sport if you disagree
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Spot on
Also GT isn't backing Giroud for sporting reasons, it's infatuation.
posted on 27/5/15
comment by Oxlade-Chambers (Inventor) (U6157)
posted 10 hours, 51 minutes ago
Also please let's stop behaving like there's only a couple of players that are improvements on Giroud he's not even in the top 15 ffs.
Same people probably thought only Messi and Ronaldo would be the only valid replacements for Theo (while injured) until Alexis popped up.
There are MANY players that would elevate our level regardless of GT's rubbish.
He claims every superior CF is a bottler despite backing the greatest bottler we've ever had as a main striker.
Forget what he thinks of Benzema, Cavani, Higuain etc.. all these players trump Giroud and are 3x the player with a lot more attributes.
You're seriously following the wrong sport if you disagree
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Rubbish? Talking of yourself.
I never said he is world class or cant be replaced. You are whining of an improvement and a guy who is a reliable goalscorer. I agree. OG isnt the one.
Your options are either you complete moron but cost millions pounds more than OG.
So you want Wenger to spend millions with the same result that means no trophies.
If you quote me next time than do it correctly and not spouting your same old rubbish again and again.
posted on 27/5/15
Umbrella is obsessed, it's obvious.
Crawl back into your hole you came from.
posted on 27/5/15
You're seriously following the wrong sport if you disagree
You should really follow your own recommendation.
posted on 27/5/15
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
Umbrella is obsessed, it's obvious.
Crawl back into your hole you came from.
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Irony
posted on 27/5/15
Serious!