Making a catalogue of the players currently available, I started getting more frustrated with AW’s approach to yesterday’s match as it seemed that Swansea were tearing down the flanks and at the same time Arsenal were reaping no reward for playing the fullbacks in such advanced positions. Yes, there it is–the cry out for “Why not just use a bloody 4-4-2?” You know, the one where you have fullbacks who can defend, midfielders who can cross, and forwards who can score? Sod tactics, man, really, can’t we just put players in effective positions to “express themselves?” Are we turning football into gridiron where there are infinitesimal experts at the smallest details? “This is the 3rd down flanking running back who catches the six yard forward pass when isolated by the inside line backing specialist.” Bah! Watch other clubs–it seems like they just play football.
Whoever defends in the 4-4-2 doesn’t matter (of course it does, but you know what I mean). The middle 4 could be…
Wait, why was I so despondent?
Didn’t Arsène sign that Gervinho bloke? Didn’t Alex Song get suspended?
Winning the ball and getting back into attack is what the best sides–both club and country–do these days. It’s why the ones who are quickest at that transition seem to be succeeding so much. Yes, I mean those Catalan c***s and their predominantly Catalan national side.
Now I find myself back in the footballing time machine. What if Arsenal hadn’t faced Joey Barton in Week 1? I believe that Gervinho wouldn’t have been suspended and Arsenal wouldn’t have looked so toothless and Song would’ve lent experience that Frimpong lacks…
And we’d still be moaning about something. And maybe the hiding at Old Trafford wouldn’t have looked so horrible and maybe the Club doesn’t buy at the deadline like they did (oh yes, I know the story that they bought because they were always planning to, of course!)…
Arteta was a serious transfer target in 2008 when Cesc was injured, along with Arshavin, but Everton did not wish to part with him and if you recall, he ended up getting seriously injured himself and missed the rest of that season and much of the following one. If he had come to Arsenal then, and that had happened, what would we have said about him?
You can’t ever tell what will happen when you miss the train. Perhaps that midfielder you needed becomes an afterthought. Perhaps a change in tactics becomes less urgent. Perhaps the status quo remains and it takes even more time to correct it.
Without an unlimited wage and transfer budget, it’s unlikely that Arsenal will surpass other richer rivals. That doesn’t mean that “something special” is impossible, whatever that may be. But we all need to remember that accidents, happy and unhappy, play as large a role as planning does in the fortunes of our lives and the fortunes of our football clubs. Maybe that sliding door you missed will make everything better. Maybe it’ll make everything worse. Either way, there’s no sense in cursing it.
1-0 to the Arsenal.
Article courtesy of Antonio Gramsci from the excellent Arsenal Mania
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Click here for your chance to win VIP Premier League Hospitality tickets by signing up for 188BET!
Have a look at the ten strikers that we think will lead the race for the Golden Boot next season