A noticeable feature of Arsenal’s recent resurgence has been their willingness to do away with the tiki-taka light that had become both their identity and their greatest downfall in recent years. Often derided for having possession for possession’s sake, the summer departures of Fabregas and Nasri, while initially appearing to hinder them, to an extent, now look to have liberated them. Arsenal are still not quite the force they once were, they are still very much a work in progress and they’ve still got a long way to go before they can be assured of an automatic return to the promised land of theChampions League, but their recent upturn in fortunes has been highlighted in a willingness to be more direct.
Arsenal are without a trophy in six years – sorry to keep harping on about it, but it’s the big white elephant in the room. They built their side around the talents of the fantastic Cesc Fabregas, a switch that look to be flawed from day one. While obviously delivering mouth-watering football for the terraces, they lacked a killer instinct and the idea of building a style of play around a player that was always destined to leave seems foolhardy to say the least.
Many sighted the fact that Arsene Wenger became lost amid a stubborn refusal to compromise his so-called ‘footballing principles’. Arsenal were not always the possession hoarders that we’ve become accustomed to seeing these days. Wenger’s first great side was built around physical force with finesse – they were a solid, counter-attacking marvel.
His second great side, the much-vaunted ‘Invincibles’ were quite possibly the best side ever to grace the Premier League, combining the passing style Wenger became somewhat obsessed with over the intervening years withlayers willing to put their heads in where most people wouldn’t put their boots.
Wenger began the season under enormous pressure, which was subsequently increased tenfold by the quite frankly embarrassing 8-2 defeat away at Old Trafford to Man Utd. A freak result to begin what is fast becoming a season of freak results. There were strong calls from pundits, club favourites and on the terraces for a change in management – a move as remarkably short-sighted as it was incorrect.
I argued back in April (http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/04/football-blogs/just-a-case-of-right-man-wrong-philosophy-at-arsenal) that it was merely a case of ‘right man, wrong philosophy’ at Arsenal. In all honesty, what manager could do a better job with Arsenal, a club shaped in his own image, than Arsene Wenger right now?
The transformation is far from complete, though. They’re still way down in 7th place, with four defeats from their opening 11 league fixtures, just four short on the whole of last season. Problems at the back persist and were conveniently glossed over by many amid the furore of the shock 5-3 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month. However, the first seeds of a brighter future are being sown.
very nice article.
i do however believe we need another striker to bear some of the goal-scoring burden. in my humble opinion, walcott has to make way for this striker( podolski/;pato/big name)
a front 3 consisting of RVP, Gervinho and this big name striker shows intent, in turn securing RVP’s signature, and is a mouthwatering lineup.
Midfield should go song, ramsey wilshire (when he comes back)
Arsene will not be able to hold on to RvP. If he wanted to stay he already would have signed an extension. Then we are in real trouble. As we all now mr Wenger never spends big money, we will end up like Aston Villa (no offence) who always has to see their best player leave.
Wenger needs to change transferpolicy if we are going to stay at the top of the table!