Wigan 2 - 3 Arsenal
What a game that was. I have been spitting out my frustation for the last two days at other people's blogs so I guess it's time to try to look at the game the way a neutral would. It was in every way a thrilling game where you'd just hope that the brave Wigan would earn something out of it. They didn't play like a newcomer; they didn't play like the last season's Everton; they played like a honest English team that deserved their spot just by the merit of their spirit. And they were no thugs; while some tackles were hard, none is particularly dirty.
When Wenger praised Wigan for their intelligence, I think it wasn't the case of being generous. Wigan were indeed playing with discipline and purpose. While Arsenal's defense was almost like a joke bar Lauren, Wigan were organized and composed. Our first goal was the combination of van Persie's good shot and the goalie's poor concentration. Our third goal was Henry's moment of genius. There were nothing they could do about. The only time we managed to break through their defense and score was the second goal. Again Cesc showed his excellent passing skill, sending a perfect through ball to Henry who slipped it in to the farpost with calm. Cesc closed the opponent down, tackled, passed and moved like a veteran midfielder. He was everywhere while the invisible Brazilian wall was at times, nowhere to be seen. When Gilberto did get the ball, he occasionally gave away possession. I wonder if Wenger realized that.
Camara was Wigan's best player as he times and again beat Kolo or Campbell to the ball. Kolo was, as always, too close to the man he marked and Campbell, as Wenger once said, a heavy machine which take longer time to get going. I don't remember us playing a leftback. Seems like we played with 10 men, which explains the space Bullard was allowed to score the second goal.
No I don't blame Cygan for that. We all know how bad he could be. You should instead ask why your manager played him. Why he replaced Pires with Flamini while we were not even threatened at the right flank. Or why he replaced Persie with Bergkamp while we need to try to score another goal. How many lost points it takes for Wenger to know his defenders (and his defense system, if any) are not good enough to hold on to 1 goal lead?
So Wenger needs a tactician. A George Graham. Someone who would teach his creative players how to be disciplined in defending.
When Wenger praised Wigan for their intelligence, I think it wasn't the case of being generous. Wigan were indeed playing with discipline and purpose. While Arsenal's defense was almost like a joke bar Lauren, Wigan were organized and composed. Our first goal was the combination of van Persie's good shot and the goalie's poor concentration. Our third goal was Henry's moment of genius. There were nothing they could do about. The only time we managed to break through their defense and score was the second goal. Again Cesc showed his excellent passing skill, sending a perfect through ball to Henry who slipped it in to the farpost with calm. Cesc closed the opponent down, tackled, passed and moved like a veteran midfielder. He was everywhere while the invisible Brazilian wall was at times, nowhere to be seen. When Gilberto did get the ball, he occasionally gave away possession. I wonder if Wenger realized that.
Camara was Wigan's best player as he times and again beat Kolo or Campbell to the ball. Kolo was, as always, too close to the man he marked and Campbell, as Wenger once said, a heavy machine which take longer time to get going. I don't remember us playing a leftback. Seems like we played with 10 men, which explains the space Bullard was allowed to score the second goal.
No I don't blame Cygan for that. We all know how bad he could be. You should instead ask why your manager played him. Why he replaced Pires with Flamini while we were not even threatened at the right flank. Or why he replaced Persie with Bergkamp while we need to try to score another goal. How many lost points it takes for Wenger to know his defenders (and his defense system, if any) are not good enough to hold on to 1 goal lead?
So Wenger needs a tactician. A George Graham. Someone who would teach his creative players how to be disciplined in defending.
posted by phoenix chix at 1:07 PM
2 Comments:
Hi-- great post! couldn't agree more with some points you made.
thxx shaff =)
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