The 2005–06 UEFA Champions League final defeat signaled a change in philosophy for Arsene Wenger’s team.
A team which in the early millennium up until that final itself had the tactical brilliance mixed with physical and mental strength; much akin to the current Bayern Munich team on course for the treble. Pint sized footballers were the way forward for Wenger now…
Come the 2010/2011 seasons saw Wenger armed with arguably his most talented squad since the Invincibles; one he had taken time to craft. The guile and tenacity of Wilshire and Song, mixed with the artistry of Arshavin, Fabregas and Nasri.
It seemed the defense was one that Wenger had finally solved; with Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny certainly a formidable steel at the back.
Early months of the season saw Arsenal acclaimed for their usual free-flowing football with Wilshire in particular heralded as a breath of fresh air for English football; but also a toughness helping them to close out games. Although ultimately Arsenal ended up empty-handed, Wenger now had a squad which was ready to take the step to the next level.
The forthcoming summer saw the core ripped out the club however, with Cesc departing to his homeland and Nasri and Clichy took the trip up north to now title rivals Manchester City. Again, Wenger had a rebuilding job on his hands…
It is conceivable to say that Wenger has learnt from previous season’s failures; and has now built his squad around a core of talented, hungry and young British players. The likes of Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain are a talented core, akin to the Manchester United squad of the 90’s, which saw the likes of Scholes, Giggs and the Neville brothers progress together from the youth ranks to achieve great success.
With British players unlikely to have their heads turned by moves abroad, it is conceivable that this group can stay together for years to bring the glory years back to the club.
Success may not come immediately, but it seems to be on the way.
What’s your take? Do Arsenal have the makings of a title-challenging squad? Or are they forever condemned to challenge for fourth place?
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If the gunners can’t get 4t,it shows the fm tactically has lost it.His one dimesnional style is easy to counter b y massing the defence and let him have 90% possession and the intricate passing.
When the attack breaks down as it will inevitably,through overpassing,it will as always result in a goal for the opposition.
Until this changes ,the opposition will be happy to let him have all the posession in the world.
Byw,there is no plan b.When the gunners are trailing, they will fianlly lob the high/long ball. By then it will be too late.
Surely over the years arsenal has failed to have plan B. I wish the manager notices it and makes tactical changes for players wiz fighting spirit like wilshere and strikers like benteke who are powerful and clinical in finishing like chicharitto our glory days are just roaming around. Goal keeping deparment needs adition, cd and rb, defensive mf and finally agood striker my preferance benteke.
U ryt malasyian.i think the FM lost it way back.noone have the guts to say it to him straight up.How can u be buiding a team season after season.The player exodus rate is just too much. we can not attract any top player at the moment and ryt now we looking at Theo,Ramsey and Gibbs to challenge for the tittle????
They not top players thats why they are still at the emirates otherwise it got not nothing to do with citizenship.The one dimension style should change for real and the SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT POLICY should apply to all at arsenal.
firstly, arsenal has alot of ghost workers who earn their money and never truly help the team in anyway! so the 1st thing in the summer is to offload all of them and retain top players and pay them good wages so that they can be competitive. secondly, the tactics arsene wenger is training the lads seems not to be working since almost every team in the PL has known hw they play. AW should stop been stubborn and try to consult his staff on developing plan b and c so that it wont be obvious to the opposition to read our games.
arsenal does have a squard that can challenge for trophies in the young stars of giroud,ramsey,carzola,and the gervinhos