Laurent Koscielny was part of the Arsenal back four which let in three goals to West Ham yesterday, but he has moved to slam his fellow team members for their part in defending.
The French international has not named names, but has seemingly picked out Alex Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez for not helping enough to stop crosses being whipped in from out wide.
“You can’t let them get a cross in easy because they have some good players on the wings,” he said.
“It is a job for everyone, not just the defenders. The guys on the flanks need to help their team-mates with defending.”
“He(Carroll) is quality when it comes to heading the ball. If you want to win the duel, you need to be stronger and arrive early on the cross.”
Iwobi has proven to be an amazing talent going forward, but seems to have let his side down a little in the other half of the pitch, and he himself admitted that he is not the finished article, by posting on his Instagram, saying: “Still Got A Lot To Learn …”
The 19 year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence in the Gunners first-team, and this is the first time that his position in the squad has come under question.
There is no doubt that Iwobi will be a star for us for the coming seasons, but it is quite grounding to find that he knows he is still not the player he is hoping to become. The coaches are sure to have the winger working on his defensive duties, and have him tracking back in no time.
Many Arsenal fans (like myself) would not have picked out the youngster for criticism, but his inclusion was surely justified by his two assists at the other end of the pitch, and was certainly not our worst player on the pitch.
Should Iwobi have been picked out for criticism? Does he deserve his role in the first-team or should he be a squad player until he learns all his roles on the pitch?
Critics where due but since he understands now that he made three capital mistakes I think criticism should stop here. It is not Iwobi’s fault Arsenal is virtually out of the title’s race. Should he be brought earlier in the season instead of the under performing Theo Walcott maybe at this stage he would have a lot more experience.
Speaking of Walcott, his last touch of the game yesterday epitomizes his season.
If that is Kos standing up for what Joel Campbell brings to Arsenal defensively, then I support him whole heartedly. Balancing a team is not just about going forward, it’s about what a forward can bring defensively too.
Did he suddenly realize this after the match? He spent 90 minutes on the pitch and yet couldn’t correct his wide men. And now he wants to correct them on the pages of newspapers after the match. Kudos!
Or maybe a tactical manager would of pulled both wingers at half time and said you need to stop the crosses or your off?
Or maybe a tactical manager would of had Cambel on the bench, who just happens to run his arse off from box to box and closed the game down after going 2 nil up?
Same old same old……great manager in some respects but in others woeful!
I think Wenger only watches the way we play not the apponent
Kos was right to criticize his widemen especially Iwobi. The first two goals were the result of careless passing by Iwobi.. When he made misspassing, he never chase the ball to win it back..