Wenger- my team is not defensively weak

OH FFS!!!!

By Giuseppe Muro

Arsène Wenger insists Arsenal are not defensively weak but admits his side do need to tighten up on set-pieces this season.A number of defenders have been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium this summer but Carl Jenkinson is the only addition to Wenger’s squad so far.The Frenchman believes the players he has at his disposal have enough quality but he appreciates that improvements need to be made. “I don’t think we are weak defensively but we are an offensive team,” said Wenger. “Sometimes that exposes our defenders a bit more than other teams.“I believe we have quality defenders. One is Thomas Vermaelen and he did not play last year.“In open play, we were one of the better defences [last season] but we conceded too many goals on set-pieces and that is where we want to improve this season.”

Could the men in the white coats please stand by!!!

Yet again, he says something that makes sense with valid points but he knows this is just going to give the media something to throw at him so why bother? A bit of self-awareness with what he says could go a long way to helping keep the knuckle-draggers off the back of the club.

:haha:

He's gonna get lynched.

technically he may not be wrong on a number of points.........as he admits an area of concern were goals allowed at set pieces

what people are going to jump on is the fact that he mentions nothing about bringing anyone in to help in this department but at the same time nor does mention that he is not thinking of bringing someone in..........

I agree Verms coming back is going to be a boost but not enough of one as this problem is not only confined to last year.........I do believe Wenger has an idea about what is to be done and we will see recruitments of defensive personnel, what we cant be sure about is that those recruits take the form of a Cahill or another Squacli

Best to sit tight and wait and see

forgot to add that Wenge has to be the most annoying person on Gods earth

heaven above, can only wonder how his parents put up with

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fats

By Giuseppe MuroArsène Wenger insists Arsenal are not defensively weak but admits his side do need to tighten up on set-pieces this season.A number of defenders have been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium this summer but Carl Jenkinson is the only addition to Wenger’s squad so far.Oh ffs!!!!!!!The Frenchman believes the players he has at his disposal have enough quality but he appreciates that improvements need to be made. “I don’t think we are weak defensively but we are an offensive team,” said Wenger. “Sometimes that exposes our defenders a bit more than other teams.“I believe we have quality defenders. One is Thomas Vermaelen and he did not play last year.“In open play, we were one of the better defences [last season] but we conceded too many goals on set-pieces and that is where we want to improve this season.”

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I've just seen the article on Arsenal.Com

I suppose that's his way of saying that he might not buy a new Centre Back. I basically think he's identified the players he wants and has made moves but can't get the players for the prices he wants to get them for I.E. on the cheap.

We go through this every single season with Arsene, at the end of every season after our annual collapse he acknowledges we have a defensive problem and says that he will buy new Defender then nothing happens.

Arsene says "I don't think we are weak defensively we are an offensive team, sometimes that exposes our defenders a bit more than other teams" What does this mean?

I hope he's not trying to say because we attack more than anybody else it's fine for us to conceed more goals!
Manchester United & Chelsea are attacking teams but don't seem to have problems defending set pieces.

We've had the same set piece problems for around 3 or 4 seasons now, what is he doing to try and resolve them? O

Honestly...I despair. :o

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Japan Shaking All Over

forgot to add that Wenge has to be the most annoying person on Gods earth

heaven above, can only wonder how his parents put up with

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:lol:

Mummy Wenger: "Arsene, eat the rest of your dinner!!"

AW: "Err, no. I am in a waiting period. My eating get's done later in the day. I will only eat super super quality food"

Mummy: "But you're looking so thin and gaunt"

AW: "Everybody thinks they have the healthiest son at home"

Hmm. Well, most of what he says is right IMO. Our defenders are not bad players but we do concede goals in silly ways, far too many set pieces.
Basically he's not far off but he's cited defensive problems previously and not sorted it out so I'm skeptical as to whether he will this time.

As ever the headline picks out the most nonsensical part of what he said and ignores the bits he said which are spot on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by selassie

I've just seen the article on Arsenal.Com

I suppose that's his way of saying that he might not buy a new Centre Back. I basically think he's identified the players he wants and has made moves but can't get the players for the prices he wants to get them for I.E. on the cheap.

We go through this every single season with Arsene, at the end of every season after our annual collapse he acknowledges we have a defensive problem and says that he will buy new Defender then nothing happens.

Arsene says "I don't think we are weak defensively we are an offensive team, sometimes that exposes our defenders a bit more than other teams" What does this mean?

I hope he's not trying to say because we attack more than anybody else it's fine for us to conceed more goals!
Manchester United & Chelsea are attacking teams but don't seem to have problems defending set pieces.

We've had the same set piece problems for around 3 or 4 seasons now, what is he doing to try and resolve them? O

Honestly...I despair. :o

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Tbf, he did buy two defenders and shipped out 3 last season so he is changing things it just didn't work last summer as it just isn't enough to bring in a few more defenders (except for Samba, he can defend set-pieces by himself), we need more height and organisation/determination at set-pieces in the entire team rather than a few guys who have to do it all themselves, ofc the organisation is pretty much his problem so he's made that bed to lie in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LDG

:lol:

Mummy Wenger: "Arsene, eat the rest of your dinner!!"

AW: "Err, no. I am in a waiting period. My eating get's done later in the day. I will only eat super super quality food"

Mummy: "But you're looking so thin and gaunt"

AW: "Everybody thinks they have the healthiest son at home"

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Mummy: But you will waste away if you dont get any good into your system

AW: Would rather waste away, than waste any money on quality food that could help me become strong and fit

Mummy: Dont you want to become like your little brother who has recently grown bigger and stronger than you?

AW: Hmmmmmmm! wonder where he got his food from? I am sure that he has a secret benifactor............

to be continued

As crude as it sounds, getting a big (preferably black) fucker against the aerial assault teams makes perfect sense. It is so infuriating to see us dominate, have thousands of easy chances to put away the game, our defence having had an untroubled afternoon, only for one punt or corner to cause mayhem and then see the ball flash past our keeper.

Bolton away being a perfect example.

We are such a strange team :banghead:.

Thing is, I can understand that we're open to getting hit on the break because we play so far forward. I can take that....it's our game afterall.

What pisses me off is the continued ignorance (even when he declares it himself) to danger from set places and long straight balls. It wouldn't take much to coach this, but he is so stubborn, he won't bring anyone in to sort it out.

This is why we need someone who is experienced in that back line, with height, pace and leadership. Someone who knows the ropes and will marshall the defence accordingly. That shit costs money, so yet again, he'll leave it to chance that our current CB's will sort it out for themselves.

Either buy in the quality, or get someone in to coach it. Either way, this needs sorting.

Whats he supposed to say, we are defensively weak? That'll give everyone some confidence wouldn't it. This thread is weak.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dog Toffee

This thread is weak.

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So's your A hole.

I think a defensive coach would be able to drill the awareness and positioning aspect into the defence with regard to the setpieces and general defensive play. When Keown came in one season to assist in the training sessions I was ecstatic, but unfortunately it didn't last :(

I actually think a far bigger problem is our shape off the ball. We are all over the place, no one seems to know what they are doing, the team isn't collectively working together and getting in the right positions. We are very vulnerable to the counter attack ourselves before we even get to the CB's and FB's.

It does seem to give an air of AW telling the team to go out and "express themselves", but tactically we seem to be very naive. If you watch Man U/Chelsea/Barca's positioning when they haven't got the ball, you can tell they have been drilled in training, all over the pitch the players know how to double up, press at the right moments, cover spaces, and are aware of their other teamates; basically working as a team to get the ball back. I'm not suggesting we go out and press at 200% for 90 minutes, but something has to be done. It's blindingly obvious there is something wrong with the way we are setup and shaped as a team, and Wenger is making excuses and trying to cover it up by emphasizing the attacking aspects. Any tactically astute manager with a gampeplan has us found out and rumbled.

Is it going to change? I'm not going to hold my breath, I've seen it too many times with this stubborn manager :banghead:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dog Toffee

Whats he supposed to say, we are defensively weak? That'll give everyone some confidence wouldn't it. This thread is weak.

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to be honest I think everyone is having a jiggle this time around because what is says is so slam bang down the middle, it can only come out of the mouth of Wenger

he admits in a round about way that we had problems with set pieces but doesnt really hint on doing anything about it

the thread may be weak but to be fair a board of powerful, mind bending debates will lead us to an earlier grave than Wenger-sophy could ever do!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Japan Shaking All Over

to be honest I think everyone is having a jiggle this time around because what is says is so slam bang down the middle, it can only come out of the mouth of Wenger

he admits in a round about way that we had problems with set pieces but doesnt really hint on doing anything about it

the thread may be weak but to be fair a board of powerful, mind bending debates will lead us to an earlier grave than Wenger-sophy could ever do!

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Wenger later went on to say "We are doing everything we can about it" (Goal.com)

Fixed.

Can't wait to see this thread in a few hours :popcorn:.

(Especally if LDG and Letters decide to indulge in another round of circular head-banging).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Japan Shaking All Over

Mummy: But you will waste away if you dont get any good into your system

AW: Would rather waste away, than waste any money on quality food that could help me become strong and fit

Mummy: Dont you want to become like your little brother who has recently grown bigger and stronger than you?

AW: Hmmmmmmm! wonder where he got his food from? I am sure that he has a secret benifactor............

to be continued

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lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Can't wait to see this thread in a few hours :popcorn:.

(Especally if LDG and Letters decide to indulge in another round of circular head-banging).

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:unsure:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LDG

:unsure:

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In that you know there's no way to reason with certain posters, so you may as well be :banghead:.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Can't wait to see this thread in a few hours :popcorn:.

(Especally if LDG and Letters decide to indulge in another round of circular head-banging).

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Letters has been going toe to toe with a few recently.........I often have to the Tour de France thread for cover:upset:

Ahhhh.

Lolerz.

Fuck that shit man. I won't be as bored this evening. :beer:

Wenger in January

Quote:

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"Ideally, it would be better if they were adapted to English football because if you need players now in January you cannot wait three months before they can play for you," Wenger said. "We have always people in mind and we check out. We look everywhere.

"It's difficult to find at this period of the season but overall I feel we have so many games that it's very important to focus on the next game. We still have solutions internally with [Ignasi] Miquel [the reserve-team captain], [Alex] Song, who can play centre-back and with Squillaci, who should come back very quickly. If we find somebody at the right level we will do it, if not we will continue like this."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...ender-transfer

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Wenger in May

Quote:

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He said: "We conceded 21 goals from set plays and only 17 from open play, less than anybody else.

"We have been caught on set pieces and [for the first goal] Kenwyne Jones didn’t even need to jump. That is of course something we have to correct and we have to get some experience because I feel we are sometimes a bit naive.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...#ixzz1S66XFz6u

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Wenger in June

Quote:

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"In 2003 we were also the best away team, but didn't win. We kept going and in 2004 we were very strong.

"We conceded very few goals from open play, most of them were from set pieces in a way you don't want to concede goals.

"It's something that's easy to correct. We need to improve the size of our squad. We need a bigger variety in the height of our players. We need to be more capable of fighting against some characteristics than we have been this season."

http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/31...r-players.html

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He needs to shut his fucking mouth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Japan Shaking All Over

Letters has been going toe to toe with a few recently.........I often have to the Tour de France thread for cover:upset:

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Well. Thing is, you look at the headline and it sounds stupid. If you read it and see where he says that we're too weak from set pieces and they're working to fix it...well, that's hard to argue with him. His assertion that we're not weak defensively is debatable but if he means that our defensive players are basically good enough then I agree. They're not a good enough unit though, that is obvious.

Whether we'll actually fix it...I dunno. I'm skeptical. But I'm pleased to hear him acknowledge the set piece issue 'cos that's driven us all mad. That isn't about our more attacking style, it's just plain bad organisation.

Clearest indication yet that he's not in the market for defensive re-enforcements. Nutter.

Lies, damn lies, statistics.

Goals per game conceded (all comps)
06-07 0.90
07-08 0.91
08-09 0.89
09-10 1.15
10-11 1.10

Not sure if this is significant but this coincides with our change to 4-3-3.
To outward appearances personnel is the major factor in our defence, but I can't remember who our main guys were for 08-09 and 09-10.

Was it Kolo-Gallas and Gallas-TommyV?

Also last season.
Goals per game conceded (all comps pre Carling debacle)
0.95

Goals per game conceded (all comps post Carling debacle)
1.53

This suggests something or other.

He is essentially saying that nothing is going to change. Which is pretty much what I expected at the end of the season.

Wenger in "we're not weak defensively" shocker

What's new, he's always failed to address the defensive side before, why change the habit of a lifetime?

You'd have to be crazy to believe this man knows what he's doing to be honest, after 6 years you'd think he might have learnt a few things, clearly not. If he looks of his rocker on the sidelines again this coming season he'll only have himself to blame.

Ah well, bring on next summer!

We're fucked

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GB.

He is essentially saying that nothing is going to change. Which is pretty much what I expected at the end of the season.

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How do you figure that from "we conceded too many goals on set-pieces and that is where we want to improve this season.”

:shrug:

Whether he'll actually do anything to fix that problem, well, I'm not holding my breath. But he's acknowledged an obvious problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Letters (TPFKA WWTL@WHL)

How do you figure that from "we conceded too many goals on set-pieces and that is where we want to improve this season.”

:shrug:

Whether he'll actually do anything to fix that problem, well, I'm not holding my breath. But he's acknowledged an obvious problem.

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So hang on a second just because he says we need to improve at set pieces it's fine?

Our problems aren't just at set pieces either btw, several times last season a hoof ball over the top beat the whole defence, that's ignoring all the individual errors.

I don't see how him coming out with a few hollow words is good enough, I mean I could say I'm going to win the lottery but without buying a ticket I don't have much chance.

Actions speak louder than words at the end of the day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Letters (TPFKA WWTL@WHL)

How do you figure that from "we conceded too many goals on set-pieces and that is where we want to improve this season.”

:shrug:

Whether he'll actually do anything to fix that problem, well, I'm not holding my breath. But he's acknowledged an obvious problem.

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Saying it, and doing something about it are two different things.

What faith do you expect me to have in any thing improving when there are no changes (other than one out) in our defensive coaching and playing staff?

There's always an area we're weak in defensively, sure it can be pointed towards us conceding a lot on set pieces last season but I am fairly sure the season before, the reverse was true - we mainly conceded from open play.

what a douche

Of course we're weak defensively. He can dress it up however he wants to make it sound politically correct and in context, it's pedantic nonsense. Anyone who's seen this team over the past 5 years knows exactly how vulnerable we are under pressure at the back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boss

Wenger in January



Wenger in May



Wenger in June



He needs to shut his fucking mouth.

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:gp:

Teg :bow:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GB.

Saying it, and doing something about it are two different things.

What faith do you expect me to have in any thing improving when there are no changes (other than one out) in our defensive coaching and playing staff?

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There is no point in even getting into this.

Just a few days ago, we were discussing Wenger's comments about us being an offensive team and not needing to change our philosophy. Now he's saying we have good players and we're not defensively weak. So his philosophy won't change and neither will the personnel. How are we going to progress if we're doing nothing about either.

This is the pattern. If Wenger fails to sign a player in the summer or it starts looking really unlikely, he starts g'ing up the current players in the squad to get them mentally prepared for the season. He did the same with Almunia when he knew he couldn't bring in a goal keeper.

This reverse psychology shit isn't working. Wenger can pull the Jedi mind tricks on the young and naive, put on as much as front as he wants for the press and fans, but there will always be that collective voice of decent in the dressing room. How the players feel is what counts and he's in denial. Just read the interview about Cesc and Nasri and how he believes they are committed and will stay but could go or their hearts are torn...etc. It's full of contradictions and he's taking a huge risk. Again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darth Vela

Tbf, he did buy two defenders and shipped out 3 last season so he is changing things it just didn't work last summer as it just isn't enough to bring in a few more defenders (except for Samba, he can defend set-pieces by himself), we need more height and organisation/determination at set-pieces in the entire team rather than a few guys who have to do it all themselves, ofc the organisation is pretty much his problem so he's made that bed to lie in.

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Problem is he took an unnecessary risk gambling on potential and effectively a cast off.

We would have been better off spending the combined amount that we spent on Kos & Squillaci by purchasing a top quality defender who can bring leadership qualities to the team. Arsene is always trying to cut corners.

P.S. I totally agree with you re: Organisation etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fist of Lehmann

Lies, damn lies, statistics.

Goals per game conceded (all comps)
06-07 0.90
07-08 0.91
08-09 0.89
09-10 1.15
10-11 1.10

Not sure if this is significant but this coincides with our change to 4-3-3.
To outward appearances personnel is the major factor in our defence, but I can't remember who our main guys were for 08-09 and 09-10.

Was it Kolo-Gallas and Gallas-TommyV?

Also last season.
Goals per game conceded (all comps pre Carling debacle)
0.95

Goals per game conceded (all comps post Carling debacle)
1.53

This suggests something or other.

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Ahh Finally! I do think that we have become a pile of shit once we changed to 4-3-3. 07/08 season when we came the closest, we played with Ade and one other striker. I think we should play that this season with RVP and Chakma or RVP/Wally