Mata

[danperkins]

I think Wenger's policy will pay off, his team is still quite young and it takes a bit of maturing before everything falls into place. Great manager IMO, has got principles and sticks with them. He does annoy me sometimes but hey, he's competitive and wants to win and he doesn't stand the **** Mr. Ferguson and his cronies come with.

he's a great manager, and like you say a bit annoying sometimes but his philosophies should be applauded, if any manager deserves to win something. it's Wenger IMO

[dww]

I have not watched closely how his team fare when they don't have the ball, but I don't think they're noticeable with a high pressing game as well. I think, like you said, it's something borne out more in the type of players which came through his system rather than something by design. He's focused his policy on technique, especially in the build of players he's had.

Not sure about Barca though, but I don't think they've got really tall players in their squad, but their pressing game is just incredible.

Pique is both tall and good in the air, Busquets is decent sized and goo din the air. Puyol too. They are of course excellent at pressing and it should probably be considered as an overall package but Barcelona's defence seems under rated to me. Arsenal seem to rely on possession and pressing but aren't nearly as good as Barca at either and are less ruthless in front of goal. If all those things are true then you need to be more secure at the back.

I think Wenger was lucky he arrived with a pre-built back four. He has not had great success building his own IMO. Which is why I suggest he might benefit from changing something on the coaching side.

It's not just the players that come through - Wenger chose to buy Vermaelen and Koscielny for decent money and Squillaci as an experienced head. Not one of them is dominant in the air (although Vermaelen is good in a Gallas sort of way). I'm not sure that technique is limited to players of a particular build - see Yaya and Kolo Toure or Pique for players who combine technique with a bigger physique.

I read a great stat the other week - apparently in his final season at Arsenal Toure made more headed clearances than their entire defense managed last season.

[Lecter]

he's a great manager, and like you say a bit annoying sometimes but his philosophies should be applauded, if any manager deserves to win something. it's Wenger IMO

Football is more than about being pretty on the eye though

There has to be some substance behind what you do

For me that whats Arsenal lack

[Chris]

I think Wenger's policy will pay off, his team is still quite young and it takes a bit of maturing before everything falls into place.

Definitely, just need the unexperienced teenagers like Van Persie, Nasri, Fabregas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Sagna etc to mature a bit and they'll win the lot.

[Fredo]

I think you're absolutely right. He's had less success trophy wise since he started rebuilding his squad as most of his trophy laden years came early on. I started following Wenger when he was Monaco coach, was years ago and he built a really good team there, think they went to the semi final of the CL a couple of years and were the dominant team in France at the time. Their football was a joy to watch, but they came a bit short at the highest level despite having some really good players. I think Henry broke through while he was there (maybe it was Tigana?).

French football though is different, relies a lot on technique, which is not the case completely here.

[Lecter]

Definitely, just need the unexperienced teenagers like Van Persie, Nasri, Fabregas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Sagna etc to mature a bit and they'll win the lot.

Hehe

I actually said this to a Gooner last season when he said their side is young and inexperienced and he went mental

But it is true and I dont think they can use it as an excuse any longer

Lets face it Wenger just sells experienced players and replaces them with younger kids so if anything they go backwards before again going forwards

For me for Arsenal to land silverware Wenger has to change his philosophies

He has to stop by young kids and making them into players, he must get experienced players in

He has to buy players who are fighters as much as they are pretty players

They also need to tighten up on their defensive coaching as I reckon they are stuck with the same system they used years ago

[Cormack74]

I think you're absolutely right. He's had less success trophy wise since he started rebuilding his squad as most of his trophy laden years came early on. I started following Wenger when he was Monaco coach, was years ago and he built a really good team there, think they went to the semi final of the CL a couple of years and were the dominant team in France at the time. Their football was a joy to watch, but they came a bit short at the highest level despite having some really good players. I think Henry broke through while he was there (maybe it was Tigana?).

French football though is different, relies a lot on technique, which is not the case completely here.

Try this;

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony

[Exiled_red]

While I admire the way that Arsenal play when they have the ball I don't think that Wenger is the great manager some make him out to be. It's fine getting his team to play nice football when they have possession but the game is about more than that. You only win trophies by having a strong all round game, and the Arsenal team have had the same problems for a number of years which Wenger has never addressed. These problems are clear to most football fans and must be incredibly frustrating for the Arsenal fans, their team has bottled it numerous times in recent years they need stronger, more physical defensive players who will get stuck in or press well when they don't have the ball. They also need a decent keeper, these problems have been there for a number of years now and Wenger hasn't addressed them.

[dww]

I think you're absolutely right. He's had less success trophy wise since he started rebuilding his squad as most of his trophy laden years came early on. I started following Wenger when he was Monaco coach, was years ago and he built a really good team there, think they went to the semi final of the CL a couple of years and were the dominant team in France at the time. Their football was a joy to watch, but they came a bit short at the highest level despite having some really good players. I think Henry broke through while he was there (maybe it was Tigana?).

French football though is different, relies a lot on technique, which is not the case completely here.

It also seems tactically defensive - for all the rudimentary techniques used most PL clubs will attack if they see weakness. teams always feel they have a chance against the current Arsenal team as they deal so badly with direct attacks. I get the impression a lot of French teams (especially away from home) play to stifle the opposition (what, if you were being crude you might call going for the 0-0). I guess the tactical nature and technical requirements are what has made it over the years such a good place for young players to develop.

[Fredo]

Try this;

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony

Thanks for pointing this to me, at least I'm not stubbornly defending something that dww precisely refuted.

[Lecter]

While I admire the way that Arsenal play when they have the ball I don't think that Wenger is the great manager some make him out to be. It's fine getting his team to play nice football when they have possession but the game is about more than that. You only win trophies by having a strong all round game, and the Arsenal team have had the same problems for a number of years which Wenger has never addressed. These problems are clear to most football fans and must be incredibly frustrating for the Arsenal fans, their team has bottled it numerous times in recent years they need stronger, more physical defensive players who will get stuck in or press well when they don't have the ball. They also need a decent keeper, these problems have been there for a number of years now and Wenger hasn't addressed them.

Agreed

There are many things to admire about Wengers philosophy but there are also flaws

I hate when he bitches and gripes about teams being overly physical, defending deep, playing long balls and not trying to play the way they do

Well of course they arent going to play you at your own game because you'll give them a good hiding so they play tactics and systems that disrupt you Arsene and exploit your weaknesses

Seems a bit of sour grapes from him and he does seem to be getting more and more defensive and bitter as the trophyless years go by

[Cormack74]

Thanks for pointing this to me, at least I'm not stubbornly defending something that dww precisely refuted.

Sorry nige, but thanks for making me laugh.

[Fredo]

Sorry nige, but thanks for making me laugh.

You've just reminded me to back off football related discussions in the future though.

[Exiled_red]

Agreed

There are many things to admire about Wengers philosophy but there are also flaws

I hate when he bitches and gripes about teams being overly physical, defending deep, playing long balls and not trying to play the way they do

Well of course they arent going to play you at your own game because you'll give them a good hiding so they play tactics and systems that disrupt you Arsene and exploit your weaknesses

Seems a bit of sour grapes from him and he does seem to be getting more and more defensive and bitter as the trophyless years go by

He has become more and more bitter in recent years. I think he's too much in his comfort zone, Arsenal won't sack him and he knows it. His desire to play perfect football has become an obsession but is somewhat naive in abandoning other aspects of the game in persuit of it.

[McDermotX]

Arsenal fan I was talking to few days ago was suggesting Mata as the replacement for Arshavin's exit this summer (obviously via their internet grapevine)......80k a week opening gambit apparently (would expect us to match any offer of course)
Curious that this Arsenal bid has hit the news, so there might be something to it.
Champions League could well swing any choice he'd make IMO