It was only about four days ago that Theo Walcott was saying that Arsenal can beat anyone if they play to form, and sure enough they went on take all three points off Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Although, Theo admitted that they had to stick to their game plan, and it also helped that we had Petr Cech in goal of course. “It was just one of those days when we had to be patient,” the England striker said on Arsenal.com. “We knew we were not going to have a lot of the ball and we had to go at them on the counter-attack.
“You can’t just chase them – if you chase the ball you just get passed around and you are going to lose so much energy. There is no need to do that.
“You just have to bide your time. Once they lose the ball they pressure quite quickly. If you can counteract that first pressure you have a chance.
“We were getting at them while we could and dropping back while we had to and obviously the goals came at great stages.
“Everyone did their jobs really well and I have to say Petr in goal was fantastic and made a number of very, very important saves. Everyone worked really hard and deserved it.
“There was a lot of pressure on us, we knew we couldn’t lose but a win was a massive ask. The confidence is just flowing through the team at the moment, you can see that.
“Results show that, and if we continue this you never now where it is going to take us – we are looking really strong.”
We certainly are Theo. Our only big danger is that we get so confident that we think we only have to turn up to win in some games, like Against West Ham, Zagreb and Olympiakos. Maybe those lessons will have taught the team to take every game seriously. If we do that, then as Theo said: “…you never now where it is going to take us.”
Onwards and Upwards!
In my opinion for Arsenal as we continue on, it’s all about the balance in the team selection, and minimizing injuries until people return or Arsene purchases in January.
My guys Galen and GOONSTER on here have knocked Mesut for quite some time; saying that he should be sold, benched, too soft, doesn’t work hard enough, not right for this team, etc.
I told them then and will tell them now, for Mesut it always came down to the people around him, and more importantly, the tendencies of those around him — primarily the number 9. When Arsene doesn’t get the balance right and we have Giroud as the 9 (constantly coming back to get the ball allowing the opposing back line to push forward and compress the space), and Ramsey on the wing (cutting in or drifting in to get on the ball) that’s 2 of the 3 front men coming back and drifting inward, which compresses the space where Mesut operates. With Theo now forcing the opposing back line to play a bit deeper because of his pace, that immediately opens up room for Mesut, and provides him a vertical option to thread balls in behind for. Alexis provides a wide and vertical option to receive the ball, while still dribbling inward, he at least starts wide and dribbles in, versus running/starting in-field like Ramsey. 2 of the 3 front men are now providing width and vertical options.
It’s no surprise that when super-sub Giroud comes in he’s immediately paired with the ox (who will stay wide and offer a vertical option) so that we maintain 2 of the 3 front men providing width and vertical options. All of this opens up space for Mesut to do what he does best.
It’s quite obvious how the technical ability of Santi and defensive stability and pace of Le Coq benefit him as well. The faith that Arsene has in him has allowed Mesut to heed Arsene’s belief that he can score more goals. The old Mesut would’ve passed the ball at the top of the box in the 1st half to Ramsey, but instead he shot right-footed and forced a save out of Neuer.
With 2 of the 3 front men providing the right options, the big teams can no longer compress the field and space on top of Mesut. Hopefully he and the boys can maintain this recent run, establish some consistency and put in the proper performance against Everton this weekend.
Lack of squad depth due to injury and lack of purchases in probably the biggest concern at this point, and may cause us to slip a time or to. I really hope not.
COYG!!!
You have too much time on your hands buddy. Good essay, you get a B+!!!
RIP Tiki-taka, counter attack and pressing game here we come.
Hip Hip Hip!!!!
Not sure what Bayern was thinking with those tactics? Thanks Pep. Walcott had a great game. He sure is settling in up top!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WENGER!………. People must be thinking!……. Is this really SoOpa-AeoN? L()L
Maybe he should do less talking. He says we were dropping back, but he didn’t do that, almost everyone else did. Don’t get me wrong his speed had an effect in the first half for us, but when we didn’t have the ball he didn’t contribute to defending.
Focus.
We can say it think about it write it…but remain focus
Listen Baby Please
Yes we can beat anyone but we can also lose to anyone as our loses to West Ham, Dynamo Zagreb and Olympiakos indicates.
So we need to focus on each match as they come and concentrate on wining the next match. I know it’s cliche but it’s true
Now we should focus 100% on beat Everton
Arsenal will not only beat any team, but will as well dominate them. And that’s what the Gunners will do the Toffers on Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners MUST DOMINATE the Toffers. That’s the Boss’ Game App Memory Data Running Plan Key, to unlock the Locked Game App Memory Data Running Plan of Roberto Martinez of: Take Advantage Of The Gunners Jadedness To Beat Them. Therefore, the Gunners MUST dominate the Toffers in all aspects of the game on the field of play. And resist any attempt by the Toffers to take any advantage of the Gunners tiredness after beating Bayern Munich in a hard fought game at the Emirates Staditum last Tuesday night’s. Final Scores: AFC 5-0 EFC Full Time 90” +
Let us not get cooky. The season is still long and full of terrors. 😮
By terrors do you mean losing scandalously to Everton this weekend? 😮
why again Theo just talk on pitch. And please one game at a time
“if you chase the ball you just get passed around and you are going to lose so much energy.”
Hmm. No wonder Bellerin had so much energy to do what he did in the 94+ minute 🙂
I still remember the old layout… and how we all complained when this new one came in. We’re all used to it now, and post away without thinking. Good work by @ADMIN and the rest of the team!
Listen Baby Please
If we beat Everton and the other match ends in a draw or City loss, we will be Top of PL, Number 1
So lets do it. Lets have the best week of the season so far. Beating Bayern and taking 1st place