Arsenal gave away 2-1 lead to a 3-4 defeat against Blackburn on Edwood Park. It is good to score 3 goals in away games, but the defensive errors makes the goals scored not worth any points. Generally, Arsenal was dominating the game, and having many chances, while Blackburn mainly attacks from quick counter attack. Blackburn only have 4 shots on goal, and they still able to score four.
On the last 3 games, Arsenal has been conceded 12 goals, an average of 4 goals per match. On the match against Manchester United, they conceded 8, and on this match Szczesny's goal was teared four times.
It is not the matter that Arsenal don't have a quality defender or what. Koscielny, Djourou, and Song had a horrible game. Koscielny and Song both scored an own goal, and Johan Djourou was the weak link of last night game. Arsenal was using very high defensive line, and it costly punished Arsenal, as Blackburn has a quicker players.
Andre Santos twice cancelled Arsenal's offside trap, and Johan Djourou's fault was the beginning of the third goal. Arsenal's full backs was constantly under threat, and the winger didn't even try to cover the flank
It's probably a time for Wenger to change the system of play. 4-2-3-1 is a good formation if both of the 2 defensive midfielder has a high mobility, and willing to cover both flanks. As both of the full backs like to attack, the flank is very vulnerable. The wingers are just too forward to cover the backline. 4-4-2 would be a much more balanced strategy. With two wide midfielder has to be able to cover the full-back. Even with this stragegy, Arsenal would have more option on the frontline. Walcott is clearly a striker, not a winger, thus he would be more effective playing alongside Robin van Persie, instead of a right winger. Marouane Chamakh also would have more playing time, as he would be the secret weapon of Arsene Wenger, and provided more aerial ability. While Arsenal had Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, who play in a very advanced position, 4-2-3-1 was a very good strategy who could accomodate them playing at their best. However, as this two players leave, Arsenal has playmakers in Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, and Aaron Ramsey. And all of them play deeper than Nasri and Fabregas, and they would be more suitable playing on the central midfielder or wider midfielder instead of attacking midfielder
Another things matters is the high defense line. It is actually a good system, pressing the opposition players into their own area, not allowing them to improve their game. With this strategy, Arsenal plays many offside traps. However, it's common to see one of the players stay deeper, and it cancels the offside trap. One more things, explosive players are needed to implement this strategy. Per Mertesacker is not a fast defender, and he would be beaten in sprint. He surely would be enjoy more playing in a deeper defensive line. A deeper defense line would be a more solid defensively than Arsenal showed last night.
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