Morning all.
Bergkamp and Wright, Bergkamp and Henry. Bergkamp and anyone really. Vieira and Petit, Gilberto, Parlour or Edu and Adams with Bould or Keown more often than not, excelled. Campbell and Toure were a special pairing too, one with speed, the other with everything. In my opinion, Sol Campbell was Arsene Wenger’s best ever signing in central defence. Anelka and Overmars, Freddie and Sir Bobby. Fabregas and Flamini, Rosicky and Diaby (when fit) Arteta and Cazorla, Song and… ok, I’ll stop there.
I’ve only touched on the Arsene Wenger years but of course, Arsenal were successful long before the Frenchman took over. Arsene Wenger turned us into winners again but with style, swagger and strength. Arsenal were, during his early years, one of the most attractive football teams to watch. His success was not only built by signing strong and athletic players, but by having disciplined players from front to back. He was fortunate to inherit such a settled, experienced and cohesive defence, Wrighty and Bergkamp too but he still had to build his own team. Just as Mikel Arteta is doing now although for the Spaniard, it’s been more difficult.
In my opinion, a good, no, great team is about pairings and and then units. A strong central pairing where both players know each others game is crucial. As it is both full backs. Same in midfield and up front. Bergkamp said that he always knew where his strike partners would be at the time he delivered his pass or cross. Because they’d worked on it in training. Vieira and Petit did so well because as Vieira’s long legs burst up the pitch with power and pace, it was his midfield partner who protected his defence. Same with Gilberto. Freddie and Pires would switch sides throughout a game just to confuse the opposition which invariably it did. Henry, well you could see him pop up anywhere.
When the invincible squad began to breakup, the pairings, the understanding between players broke down too. Things might have been so different had Diaby and Rosicky not been out of the game for so long because Arsenal weren’t as good without them. We never had a Vieira/Diaby style of player again and our midfield struggled because of it.
When Ozil signed, along with many Arsenal fans I’m sure, I’d hoped a bit of the Bergkamp kind of magic would come with him but it didn’t, then again, he’s not had a strong midfield behind him and a Wrighty/Henry ahead of him.
Our wing play is another area where we’ve not really ever replicated the success which Bobby and Freddie brought to the team. Reyes was a special player but he was long ago.
Up front has been a bit of an issue too. Bendtner never really worked out and having read snippets of his book, I can see why. Adebayor, a very good player with height, strength and pace. But a dick. Eduardo was the poacher striker we craved but we know what happened to him and I think Ramsey too had his career seriously affected in similar fashion.
Jump to now though, and things are starting to take shape. Gabriel seems to be the main central defender, our two fullbacks are pretty much set in stone and hopefully, Partey will be the strong and athletic midfielder we’ve lacked for years. Who he partners will be interesting but our core is in place. Leno, Gabriel, Partey and Aubameyang. Yes I know Arteta plays Auba wide but he’s our target man I’m sure and certainly the player Luiz looks for.
To end on the pairings though. I’m not sure Arteta has found his ideal solution yet. I know one or two changes will often be made depending on who we face on a match day but in certain areas of the pitch, I think an understanding between two players in any particular area is key to success.
You might disagree which is fine, I have strong shoulders….
From yesterday’s post:
allezkev on 12th October 2020 at 11:26 am
Morning campers, morning Rico, lots and lots of new ways to manage football it seems?
Those clubs with special voting rights, I wonder how that will work?
No mention of a salary cap or the money passed onto the PFA so that Gordon Taylor can continue with his millionaire lifestyle?
I did read something about B teams in the EFL, that’s a good idea if you’re an Arsenal fan, I’d be ok with that, but I’m not so sure how I’d feel if I supported Wimbledon or Leyton Orient?
Reducing the EPL to 18 I do not agree with, it’s the league games that we love not the fecking pre season tournaments or more Champions League/Europa games – and don’t worry, UEFA and FIFA would just put on more pointless internationals in that extra space that nobody watches, I’d love to know the viewing figures on England matches, excluding World Cup finals and Euros, over the last 10 years because I can’t remember the last time any football fan I know ever avidly discussed an international with me, nobody cares.
Morning Kev.
Not keen on reducing the league games either, certainly not if the plan involves more international fixtures. Also, I think it’s wrong to make the league cup a non Europe place to the winners. It’s one of the big chances for lower clubs to have their day on the big stage. A money earner too.
Great post, Rico.
The league was a different proposition when Arsene took over-it’s a much tougher proposition now, to be fair.
Money has done that.
Arteta will scratch and claw to build a squad, and as we’ve seen recently, Stan will back him and so he should.
It’s exactly what’s required to give us every chance to succeed which can only be good for everyone.
Let’s just hope we are competitive at the top level, for starters, and hopefully win some trophies along the way.
Thanks Scott. Yep, it’s definitely tougher now with all the money in the game. Also, Wenger tapped into the overseas market in a big way which as much as other managers criticised at the time, have followed.
I see, so they want to take the Europa place away from the League Cup do they Rico?
Well that’s it, it’s finished, might as well scrap the EFL trophy and replace it with the League Cup then, EFL clubs and Premier U23 teams or B teams.
I’m not bothered about the Charity Shield or its soapy name that we know it by today the Community Shield, scrap it, it’s rubbish. I know we won it but honestly, who gives a feck, maybe the players, I guess you could have the FA Cup winners playing the Scottish Cup winners?
But please, no more internationals, if the big clubs in Europe really want to do something then send FIFA and all their shite games packing…
Kev, money.
It is the only reason these bloody internationals are happening and at this time, it’s a disgrace.
For sure, Rico.
Ahead of his time.
Time caught up.
Apparently so Kev. I’m not fussed either way by the Charity Shield. Mind you, were not often involved in it. Lol
To be fair Scott, he was one of the first overseas managers in the game so being French, it made sense to sign the French players as he probably knew more about them.
Can’t be solely about money Scott as there are no fans in stadiums.
It’s all about TV and broadcasting rights and contracts for games that if not played would mean rebates .
I am going to be a bit controversial here but I think a lot of Bendtner’s problems were born out of frustration. As a kid with Lupoli he showed himself to be a more than capable centre forward in a big man little man scenario but rarely got to use his abilities in that position in the first team . He was shunted out to the wing , played wide midfield but scored his goals when he was in the penalty box . Spurs anyone. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhkavhAHK3g )
Admittedly he was arrogant as were Henry and Adebayor and 3 egos’ in a dressing room don’t mix but when Adebayor was going through his lazy periods Bendtner should have played more .
I think his talent was wasted.
Bendtner was like Giroud in a way. Neither were played to their strengths.
Nice read, Rico 👍
I just came to say Ghana won 5-1 earlier.. guess who had 2 assists?! And is due at Colney on Wednesday (yay!!) 🙂 This is his 2nd assist and what a beauty!
https://mobile.twitter.com/AFCPW/status/1315704071534370816?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Morning all.
Bendtners record for his country showed that when played the right way, he was damn good.
His attitude wasn’t lol
Thanks Sue. The number 10 who scored was offside. 😆
I remember my Dad telling about a great Arsenal double act from the 1950’s, Nutt and Tiddy!
Gordon Nutt and Mike Tiddy, sounds like a music hall act doesn’t it?
According to the Athletic, Arsenal paid an £8 million loyalty bonus at the end of September to Ozil. Is this another part of the infamous contract handed out by Wenger and Gazidis?
The name Gordon Nutt rang a faint bell with me, he was in the team that played the Busby Babes at a packed Highbury in February 1958 just seven days before the Munich air disaster. Nutt provided an assist in the 4 – 5 defeat but what a game it was in front of 64,000 fans and I was one of them.
New post up now
I read it hadn’t been paid yet Cicero.