Even the most deluded fan would agree that so far this season we have struggled. Imo I think we struggled a bit during the community shield match.
Anyway these are some reasons why I believe we are struggling badly:
1. Wenger's tactics: they have become so predictable. West Ham found it so easy stopping us from playing as all they had to do was stop our midfield.
2. Over passing: it has always made me go almost crazy the way we over pass the ball. Even when a player should do something else i.e. shoot, he would rather pass. Those guilty of this are ozil and cazorla.
3. Giroud: he might mean well and he's flicks usually come off but hell will have to freeze over before he leads us to the EPL. He's just not top quality enough to be our key man. How wenger did not practically break the bank to get us a world class striker is criminal. I look at giroud on our team sheet every time and expect the worst. The funniest thing is this; if wenger actually played to his strength i.e. play Walcott and the Ox beside him rather than ozil and Ramsey, he just might begin to knock in the goals cos imo he needs crosses in constantly from the wings that ox and Walcott are quick enough to.
4. Why play Ramsey and ozil on the wings: this is stupidity plain and simple. You have a big target man in the middle, why do you have your quickest wingers on the bench. This is baffling coaching tactics. My first point says it all really. Wenger's tactics have been a let down for years. It's really why mourinho got the better of him for so long.
5. Lastly, rotate more: we need to rotate our players more. We start the same players (if fit) week in week out. It leaves them to wear and tear quickly as it also allows the opposing manager prepare better. We need to start Walcott in more games; the ox too. I think coq and cazorla do decent jobs in the middle but they are both short. We need more height there. In tough away games we need that sorted out.
Reasons why we are struggling
posted on 27/8/15
Agree with all the above.
Problem is, we will put in a great performance in the next game and everything will be ok again and Wenger's tactics are working perfectly!!!
posted on 27/8/15
I agree with the above about Walcott and Debuchy.
they should be the right side starters for me.
posted on 27/8/15
The whole protecting Bellerin by playing Ramsey is one of the stupidest things Wenger does...
Bellerin at his absolute best still offers not much more than pace and a decent cross. If playing him means playing Ramsey over Walcott then simply leave Bellers off and play a more defensive RB. Ramsey offers fack all from RW where as Walcott or even the Ox are proper game/season changers from that position.
posted on 27/8/15
Ramsey is barely ever seen on the right during games. Therefore we have no width, and are way too congested in the middle, especially as Sanchez cuts in a lot. Ramsey actually played well in last 2 games, he made some good runs off the ball. But that was all centrally. So seems pointless playing him right.
It's no coincidence the whole team looked better and more dangerous in second half of Liverpool game, when Ramsey and Sanchez started to stick out wide more. We saw Liverpools defence dragged around more, and more space opened up. Wouldn't mind Ramsey playing right so much, if he did actually stay on the right and acted more as a winger. But on the other hand that limits Ramseys best qualities, so may as well just play a proper winger or buy a player who is capable of performing attacking and defensive duties there. Or just bloody buy a DM who can provide adequate cover for our attacking play!
posted on 27/8/15
We've had a decade of this stuff now. I think we all know where we are failing, the difference is how we think it can best be rectified.
posted on 27/8/15
Ramsey moves to right when we defend but centre when attacking.
Anyway when Bellerin is the only one attacking right side it takes away his skills. A full back is at his best when over lapping or with ballerins case at times even under lapping to provide different option.
Theo isn't a CF but Giroud isn't great either. Playing of and Alexis outside with either of theo or Giroud up top is the way forward.
posted on 27/8/15
In Wenger's defence, we had to field a compact midfield against Liverpool to protect Gab and Chambers. I love Coquelin, but he can't be expected to mark everyone. However, I'll admit that the attacking subs came a bit too late.
I'd love to see Wenger try Walcott and the Ox on either flank, with Bellerin and Nacho overlapping. Looks good on paper, but would really point out a few squad imbalances.
posted on 27/8/15
But on the other hand that limits Ramseys best qualities, so may as well just play a proper winger or buy a player who is capable of performing attacking and defensive duties there.
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could we plz buy a lw for once i'd like a left sided midfielder take his man on, instead on cutting inside all the damn time.
In Wenger's defence, we had to field a compact midfield against Liverpool to protect Gab and Chambers.
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i thought we might have played Debuchy with Gab instead of Chambers.
posted on 27/8/15
Reason No. 1 ?........... fecking 4-1-4-1.
At times, it's like we're a marching band, with Giroud as the drum major. Any forward play is hamstrung by OG's lack of pace, and one pass by the opposition takes out our entire midfield.
Other than that, it's mostly the usual lack of sharpness at the start of the season. We should be OK in a few weeks.
posted on 27/8/15
comment by Real_Aus_Gooner (Ebola is the new Crack) (U9471)
posted 10 minutes ago
But on the other hand that limits Ramseys best qualities, so may as well just play a proper winger or buy a player who is capable of performing attacking and defensive duties there.
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could we plz buy a lw for once i'd like a left sided midfielder take his man on, instead on cutting inside all the damn time.
In Wenger's defence, we had to field a compact midfield against Liverpool to protect Gab and Chambers.
____
i thought we might have played Debuchy with Gab instead of Chambers.
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We're better off improving Chambers in the long term. Koscielny has his dodgy hamstrings, in addition to his current back problem. Mert has averaged 50 games a season and his age should start to tell soon.