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Wenger Genius or Dumb Luck?

I know it's Sanchez starting at CF every game. But I swear it's Walcott who is actually playing through the middle for most of the game. It could just be me but I'm sure that over the course of a game, I see Theo in front of the goal more times than I do Alexis. I think it's just a natural side effect of the way the two players play, combining. Though Sanchez is running in behind more, he still drops deep a lot and drifts out to the wings just as much. His natural game means he's just not physically in the middle as much as you'd like you CF to be.

The way Walcott's game has developed, he's always looking to drift into the CF position and bust off the shoulder of CB just as you'd want from your CF. I wasn't particularly keen on Alexis starting at CF early on as I wanted us to go with Theo. But Wenger seems to have found a way to still go with Theo, whilst starting Alexis in the middle. I'm wondering, is this a coincidence or is it a Wenger masterstroke.

Alexis will be 20+ goals for the season no matter where across the front 3 he goes. So Wenger can put him in the middle almost knowing he's going to get a "Title challengers striker" number of goals. The football world pretty much sees it the same way. Hence there has been very little questioning of Wenger's decision to start Sanchez at CF and as a result very little pressure or focus on Alexis in the role. In contrast, I think Theo would have been under far more pressure and scrutiny if he was the starting CF. To the point of it possibly interfering with his game.

Like I said, not sure if it's just coincidence but it looks like AW has found a way to play Theo through the middle whilst leaving him and everyone else thinking he's playing on the wing. The result is physically we get Walcott actually playing in the striker's position the majority of the game. Whilst actually putting zero media or psychological pressure him. Though there's been some pressure on him to find form again on the wing, it's nothing like there would have been if he was officially the starting CF. What do you reckon, coincidence and dumb luck perk or deliberate Wenger masterstroke?

posted on 22/10/16

The way the front 4 play is similar to the great 4 of Bobby, Freddie, DB and Thierry.

Is it genius? No
Is it luck? No.

posted on 22/10/16

That's what I mean though DJ. That front 4 had TH14 starting as the striker. Theo is playing his role whilst starting on the wing.

To use those four as an example, what we're seeing in this team is the equivalent of Pires starting each game in the CF position.

posted on 22/10/16

*or Freddie

comment by Tu Meke (U3732)

posted on 22/10/16

Henry used to drift to the left a lot too.

It's not genius or dumb, it's just what you do if you have a fluid front 4.

posted on 22/10/16

The article is kinda stupid but I will give my 2 bob.
There are very mobile strikers that actually only occupy the area between the CB. Doesnt matter where in the world you look, Lewandowski and Benzema are the 2 exceptions but they are still mobile.

Giroud, Zlatan e.t.c maintain their positions due to lack of mobility. Henry played the bulk of his arsenal career hugging the left touchline

Coming to the current Arsenal team Sanchez is our number 9 when we dont have the ball as he presses opposition CBs and pulls them apart. Theo just takes advantage of the spaces left behind. He is certainly far from playing as a nuber 9.

The only direct comparison you can make is he is playing like Freddie used to play.

He is not a number 9 by any long shot

posted on 22/10/16

Another spazzy article for your collection

posted on 22/10/16

I reckon you're over thinking the matter

posted on 22/10/16

And the op once again looks like a dumb

posted on 22/10/16

0-0 at home to Boro. Definitely genius.

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