Wenger- my team is not defensively weak

[Fats]

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!!!

[Darth Vela]

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.

[LDG]

He's gonna get lynched.

[Flavs]

He's gonna get lynched.

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager and WUMming legend

[Japan Shaking All Over]

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

[Letters]

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.

[Master Splinter]

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 .

[Tipsychubbs]

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

[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

[LDG]

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

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"