Post West Brom match analysis

It's another victory in the Barclays Premier League for Wenger's Side with 3-0 scoreline against West Brom in Emirates and Arsenal continued its fine form, winning all five games in Premier League. Player of the Month in October, Robin van Persie, opened the scoreline in this match, netted the Walcott's blocked effort. Thomas Vermaelen marked his Premier League with a thunderous drive, making the scoreline two nil for Arsenal. After a little bit shaky moments for Arsenal, Wenger introduced Benayoun and Rosicky, and the momentum was Arsenal's again. Mikel Arteta made his first goal in Emirates, after a good build up from the Gunners.

Another win for the gunners (source : guardian.co.uk)

Generally, it was a comfortable win for Arsenal. West Brom was particularly playing poorly, they didn't even threaten Szczesny's goal in the first half. They were quite wasteful in the final third. West Brom was much improved in the second half, on several occasion they threaten Arsenal's defence. Arsenal's way is back, they played with one-two passes, which is very entertaining.

Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny performed very well, and it's likely they will be chosen as the starting line up next match, leaving towering defender Per Mertesacker on the bench again. Both of them showed their quality not only in defence but also in attacking department Thomas Vermaelen even showed his good instinct in front of goal by bagging one goal. Laurent Koscielny showed composure against West Brom's quick striker, and moved forward several times. Carl Jenkinson started to showed some good performance. He was solid on the flank, and his delivery was also accurate. Andre Santos, offensively he was good, but still lack of final ball; while defensively, this left back spot still become Arsenal's weak link in the defence.

Trio Song-Ramsey-Arteta composed the midfield, even their dominance faded early in the second half. Ramsey also wasn't shy to cut inside the penalty area, and could have scored a goal. Song was rock on the midfield, and seen anywhere in the pitch. Arteta showed his composure with the third goal.

Gervinho was quite dangerous, but a little bit lack of final product. Walcott was lively down the right. Robin van Persie shows his class once more, snapping the goal well, and assisting the other two goals; justified his fine form.

Rosicky and Benayoun added another dimension for Arsenal, as they played as substitutes. Rosicky played some neat touches, and Benayoun was mobile in the midfield.

Despite all those positives, there is still one problem Arsenal need to fix. When the scoreline is 2-0, Arsenal were too lax, and they found themselves under West Brom pressure. Lucky enough, they were unable to score any goal due to lack of finishing and also strong twin tower in Koscielny and Vermaelen. Had the team Arsenal face not been West Brom, Arsenal could have been conceded, and the momentum of the game changed. Arsenal need to constantly pushed their opponent, and not giving them chance to grow their game.

post Chelsea match analysis

Arsenal overcame London-rival Chelsea after a 2-1 deficit on the first half. It's the second consecutive coming-from-behind after this midweek they beat Bolton 2-1 on the Carling Cup. Arsenal has shown a much better performance compared to the disastrous beginning of the season, where they lost 3 from 5 match, and now they are back on track to challenge for at least a champions league spot. Superb win on a full of action derby pulled Arsenal's to 6th spot, right below Tottenham.

Even defensively it wasn't Arsenal best performance, but they showed a great determination, being able to win after conceded and behind 0-1 and 1-2, could equalize and even take a lead. Arsenal also could re-take the lead after being leveled 3-3 by Chelsea, when Juan Mata scored an excellent long shot. Arsenal has been several times losing concentration and giving away their lead, ending with either defeat or draw, like when they succumbed on Blackburn game 3-4, after leading 1-0 and 2-1. Arsenal re-take lead after their opponent equalize a goal, especially on the last minutes, is quite rare. But now this week they did it, on Chelsea, on Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal was much helped by the absence of powerful striker Didier Drogba, but they started very shaky defensively, especially in the full back position, but fortunately Chelsea's attackers weren't clinical in front of goal. Wojciech Szczesny could be sent off after two foot kick attack on Ashley Cole. Per Mertesacker could be blamed for Chelsea's first two goal, even in the later game he made some good interception. Arsenal's best defender in the night is simply Laurent Koscielny, who very composed in the back line.

van Persie scores again (photos from Goal.com)


Offensively, Arsenal were clinical, also in the later game, not in the beginning. In the beginning they wasted several chances, as Gervinho missed, so did van Persie. However, van Persie didn't repeat the same mistake, as he scored brilliant hattrick on this match. Arsenal's passings were great, Ramsey creating the first Arsenal goal, giving a defence-splitting through pass to Gervinho. Ramsey-Arteta-Rosicky combo was also very fluid, and they both three seems to have a good understanding with each others.

Arsene Wenger also deserved to get praise as his half-time team talk boosted Arsenal's players morale. Right after the first half they could equalize via flying wing back Andre Santos, and took lead after Walcott netted the ball off Petr Cech. Coming from behind, especially on away games, is very hard, but Arsenal proved that it's not impossible. Arsenal has to admit they were helped by Terry's slippery, but they are deserved to win this game.

van Persie dependencia

Arsenal win for the three consecutive match after wrapping a 3-1 victory against Stoke City in Emirates Stadium. Gervinho opened the score receiving Aaron Ramsey's Fabregas-like chip pass, before Peter Crouch made it 1-1. After the introduction of Robin van Persie, Arsenal looked more lively and finally re-took lead after Robin van Persie converted Gervinho's assist. Robin van Persie scored double for consecutive EPL match after once again Gervinho provided nice pass to the Dutchman.

It's always good to win the game, but it's never good to rely on one player to win the game. Arsenal seems to have early sign they relying too much on the skipper, Robin van Persie. Arsenal seems find the Stoke defence far too solid to be penetrated before the talisman's introduction. However, just after Robin van Persie came off the bench, everything changed drastically. Arsenal's game improved a lot and by van Persie, they eventually scored two goals to seal the fourth victory on EPL.

Robin van Persie, someone Arsenal really rely to. (photos from Goal.com)

Last season Arsenal didn't rely on van Persie because they still had Nasri and Fabregas, but this season they really depend on the Netherland striker, not only technical needs but also as role model on the pitch, as the captain. But the dependence is getting higher and higher. Now, if van Persie plays well, Arsenal win, but if van Persie is playing poorly, Arsenal can't win.

It has been a long time since van Persie stays fit for one season, and Arsenal really need to provide plan-B without van Persie. Arsenal seems to lack of creativity on the attacking department without van Persie. Chamakh, who today given a start ahead of van Persie, can't contribute much. He is an ortodox hard-working target man, who doesn't comfortable playing alone upfront. He cannot offer something van Persie usually give, creativity. Park Chu-Yong is also not a creative striker. Wenger need to think more about the frontline without van Persie, just in case the dutchman is unavailable. Remember, he also only has less than two years in his contract. Should he not renew his contract, meaning he has to be sold next season, Arsenal has to be ready without the number 10.

What We Learn from Arsenal vs Bolton

Arsenal smashed Bolton 3-0 in the Emirates Stadium, with Robin van Persie's two goals made him reach his 100th Arsenal goal, and Alex Song's cool finishing nearing the end of the match. Arsenal was decent on the first half, unable to control the match completely, but the second half was Arsenal's full domination, and they were able to score three goals.

Arsenal players celebrated the goal scored by the Captain (credit to ID-ARSENAL)

1. Arsenal slowly regains their confidence
On the first half Arsenal players seems a little bit lacking of confidence. However, after Arsenal scored a goal, the players looks had more self belief than in the first half. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta became double playmaker on the Gunners' midfield, while RvP, Gervinho, and Walcott dynamical off the ball movement tears Bolton's defence. Alex Song looks very comfortable helping the offense; Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker weren't shy to move forward. It's the Arsenal we expected to see.

It might be the second match Arsenal won this season on the Premier League, but this is the first time Arsenal really dominated the game. The win against Swansea was very unconvincing, and Arsenal could've easily dropped two points, but on this match, the passing game Arsenal has been famous for was shown again in this game. It was a very entertaining passing-game.

However, Arsenal should also be able to play like this against 11-man stronger opponent.

2. Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey are good playmakers, and they could replace Cesc-Nasri
Both of them actually had shown a great performance last week against Blackburn. However, their brilliance overshadowed by the poor defending by Arsenal. Both Ramsey and Arteta has shown a great understanding. Ramsey and Arteta dictated the play, and Arsenal got plenty of chances to score a goal. If it hadn't been Jaaskelainen who was in the goal, Arsenal would've scored five or six goals. If they continued playing like this, injured Jack Wilshere could find it hard to find himself in the line up, when he come back, and he will need to prove himself before he could back to the Starting Eleven.

3. Alex Song is offensively getting better and better.
Alex Song was a flop last week but this time he was one of the tops of the match, alongside Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott. While defensively he is untested, he played very well in his team's offense. His passing was great. He was unlucky not to name himself on the assist list. Two times he made a brilliant passes to Theo Walcott. One was disrupted by David Wheater, who recieved a marching order, fault on Walcott, and the other one, Walcott just couldn't beat Jaaskelainen 1-on-1. Alex Song finally named himself on the scoresheet, with a very good finish, fainting Bolton defender, and smashed the ball to the right to beat Jaaskelainen

It's not the matter of players, it is the matter of defensive system

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.

What if Cesc Fabregas and Nasri leaves Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are heavily linked with moves to other clubs. Cesc Fabregas has been linked for a long time for his return to his childhood club, Barcelona FC, for the last three summer transfer windows; while Samir Nasri, who only has one year remaining on his contract, has shown his desire to move from Emirates Stadium. Manchester City has offered twenty two million pounds to lure the Frenchman who moved to Arsenal from Marseille in 2008.

They both are integral part of Arsenal FC. Fabregas usually plays behind the lone striker, while Samir Nasri is the owner of Arsenal's left flank territory. What if both of them leave? Could Arsenal survive?

Arsenal has signed Gervinho from Lille in fee of region 12 million pounds. Should one of them leave, Gervinho will be a perfect replacement. If Fabregas leave, Samir Nasri will be switched to the central, and Gervinho plays on the left. If Nasri leave, Gervinho will play on the left wing.

What if both of them leave? It would be a big problem for Arsenal. Both of them are the source of creativity alongside Jack Wilshere. Last season, Arsenal without Cesc wasn't as strong as Cesc. No player could make a killer pas like the Spaniard do. Jack Wilshere is a good passer but he is yet to be as good as Cesc. Wenger himself already admitted that Arsenal wouldn't be considered as a big club if both of them leave. Nah, Arsenal should sign another world class player then.

Many pundits have suggested Arsenal to reverse their formation back to 4-4-2. Either Theo Walcott or Gervinho will duet with Robin van Persie. However, this is not the best solution, without any more signing. Arsenal would probably buy another right midfielder, even if Ryo Miyaichi could be tried in that position. Wenger has reported to be interested in Stewart Downing, and if he comes in, Gervinho is likely to play on the right. Wenger also keeps his eye on Esteban Granero, a Spanish Real Madrid player

However, in my opinion, Wenger should buy someone better than Downing and Granero. Arsenal need a world class player. Without any disrespection, both of them are good, but not world class. Arsenal have already some good players : Arshavin, Miyaichi, Ramsey. It is likely that Arsenal won't sign any other world class forward, no one has been strongly linked with the Gunners. If so, Ryo Miyaichi would have breakthrough season this year.

Disappointing Transfer again?

On the end of the 2010/2011 season, Arsene Wenger said that Arsenal would have a busy transfer windows, which means every Gooner eagerly wait which player Arsenal would bring in. However, until now, seems Arsenal hasn't move well in this summer, with only buying Carl Jenkinson, a right back who is also able to play on the central of the defense from Charlton Athletic.

No one denied that Arsenal need to strengthen their squad. Arsenal looked really vulnerable at the backline and seems need more depth in their squad. Arsenal was quite promising in the beginning in of June. Media claims Arsenal have reached agreement with Ricky Alvarez, an Argentinian versatile right midfielder from Velez Sarzfield, and Gervinho, an Ivorian winger from French champion, Lille. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was also said nearing a move to Emirates Stadium. Then duo Blackburn's Christopher Samba and Bolton's Gary Cahill were said only one step away from Arsenal.

However, among those targets, there's no one officially goes to Arsenal. Even Arsenal finally lost Ricky Alvarez, who eventually chooses Internazionale as his destination. It is said that Arsenal doesn't want to spent 10 million on that promising player. He could develop into a 20-million-valued player in the next three years!

The bad news doesn't only come from the "into Arsenal" side. Arsenal is in verge of losing some key players because of lack of throphy. Gael Clichy already left the club with only seven million pounds. The skipper Cesc Fabregas would probably the next player who leaves Emirates this summer. The next is Samir Nasri, whose contract is only one year left. Nasri probably would move to the rival Chelsea or Manchester United, or will reunite with Clichy - to Manchester City. Robin van Persie already expressed his disappointment, could probably get out from Arsenal this season. Theo Walcott is targeted by Chelsea new manager, Andre Villas Boas. Galatasaray has already thown a 13.5 million offer for Arshavin. It would be very bad for Arsenal if all of them leave Arsenal.

Well, classic problem, money. Not only in transfer but also in the wages. Nasri wants more than 90000 pounds a week, and Wenger doesn't allow it. Arsene Wenger is too tight with the money. Every player has his own value. If you're good, you might get a good salary, that's logical.

Sometimes Wenger is right not to buy some overpriced player, but sometimes it's necessary to spend a huge amount of money to buy a world class player. A world class player usually wouldn't be available only for one million pounds.

Arsene Wenger might need to learn to spend money. Now it's up to him, whether Arsenal could win another throphy or not. It is true that money couldn't buy throphy, but with money you CAN transfer good players who would help you win the throphy. Remember, big spend meaning a big loss in the beginning, but if you can win a throphy, you could get back what you've spend, even plus the prestige! So, Wenger, with the money available from the board, don't be too tight with the transfer budget spend some money for the waited-so-long throphy!

Wenger might need to spend (pict source: sportsnathletes.com)