Tag Archives: arsenal

Are Arsenal tough enough?

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Two games, two wins and nine goals, this season’s Champions League has so far seen Arsenal at their best.

Arsene Wenger has doggedly stuck to his pure footballing philosophy in recent years despite the lack of silverware leading to ever more vocal criticisms of his methods.

On their day they are beautiful to watch, their opening Champions League game against Braga a case in point as they swept to a 6-0 win, playing fantastic football in the process.

But a long standing criticism has been their apparent soft centre. Wenger is accused of not having a plan B when his total football ideology fails to bring results and the Champions League betting suggests they will lack the steal required to win this year’s tournament.

In the Premier League teams know this and seek to physically bully the Arsenal players, often using methods that push the boundaries of the sport all the way – just ask broken leg victim Aaron Ramsey.

In the Champions League Arsenal’s passing game should be more successful, games on the continent are more suited to passing rather than the rough and tumble of the Premier League.

But look at last year’s Champions League winners. Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan played aggressive suffocating football at times, especially against the Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona, to eventually win the competition. It was one of Mourinho’s Champions League specials, ensuring he changed tactics to combat the strengths of other sides.

When Arsenal tackled Barcelona they were comprehensively ripped apart. Credit to Wenger he again tried to play Barca at their own game, but came up well short.

If they weren’t good enough to out-pass Barca, are they tough enough and Wenger open enough to change tactics?

I don’t think so. They are good enough to reach the latter stages no question and will entertain on the way. But once again I feel the Gunners will fall short at the vital moment.

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Fabregas delighted with ‘outstanding’ victory

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Dedryck Boyata saw red for City after just five minutes after he brought Marouane Chamakh down with the striker through on goal. Samir Nasri put the Gunners ahead before Fabregas saw Joe Hart save his penalty after the Spaniard had been fouled by Vincent Kompany.

But further goals followed in the second half for Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner and Fabregas felt he and his team-mates were excellent value for their three points.

“I think we played some outstanding football and it’s difficult to stop a side when they play at that tempo,” Fabregas told Sky Sports 1.

“It’s very difficult what to know what will happen (over the rest of the season) and we have an important game on Wednesday (against Newcastle in the Carling Cup), but it’s a good victory against a good team.”

The Spain international did not believe the sending off changed the course of the game.

“Even if they were 15 and we were 11 we would still go and win,” Fabregas said. “We always want to go forward and create chances but the way we played today, we were very difficult to stop. I think we were fantastic.”

The Gunners are now five points behind leaders Chelsea, but Fabregas does not see the Blues as overwhelming title favourites.

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Wenger admits strategic lies

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Can you trust this man? Arsene Wenger admits he’s lied ‘for a good cause’

• Ferguson denies Rooney rift
• Wenger rules out deal for Pires

Ferguson has explained Rooney’s lack of match time in recent weeks by saying the Manchester United striker has had an ankle injury, but Rooney this week told reporters that was never the case.

United boss Ferguson has since brushed off the whole situation but Wenger’s admission adds weight to the possibility that Ferguson had been fibbing about why out-of-form Rooney was being left out.

“If you ask me have I lied to the press to protect a player, I must honestly say yes,” Wenger said. “I didn’t feel comfortable but I had a clear conscience because it was for a good cause. But when I lie to the press I speak beforehand with the player and say: ‘Listen, this is the story we’re going to give.”’

Wenger declined to identify the lies he had told, adding: “If you ask me why I’ve lied I would have to give concrete examples and you find out which player.”

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Wenger laments “unlimited funds” of rivals

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Arsene Wenger believes that inexperience is no excuse for his youthful Arsenal side as the French tactician looks to secure his first trophy in five years.

The Gunners have not tasted domestic success since lifting the FA Cup in 2005 after  a penalty shootout victory over Manchester United. Analysing the reasons behind the drought Wenger highlighted a number of factors including the monetary restraints placed on him by the move from Highbury and the financial muscle accumulated by the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Speaking in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 4-1 Carling Cup victory Tottenham Hotspur, the French tactician told esteemed French publication L’Equipe that he was still proud of the club’s recent achievements.

“People are always saying that we haven’t won anything for five years. This is true, but we have always remained at the highest level, even during difficult periods in the club’s life.

“Arsenal built a new stadium and we have to pay for that, while also building a new team which had reached the end of a cycle.

“What would you say to Manchester City if they did not win any trophies this season after investing £200million?

“To me, the main reason why we have not won anything in five years is the fact we play in the best league in the world against club that have unlimited funds.

“Of course I want to win trophies. Our hopes for the season are always the same – we are fighting for the Premier League title and want to win the Champions League.

“The plan is to continue our improvement with the strength of our team and their youth.

“My players don’t have the excuse of inexperience any more. They are eager for titles. I believe they are capable, but they have to show it.”

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Walcott on fire and a double for Bale

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Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick for the Gunners as Blackpool were swept aside at the Emirates

Ian Holloway spoke pre-match about the need to ensure Blackpool’s dream afternoon did not turn into a nightmare in North London, but his players failed to heed the warning as they returned to the changing room at half time 3-0 down, and a man down. Ian Evatt saw red for the visitors and Walcott took full advantage to bag himself a hat-trick.

It was Walcott who opened the scoring when he completed a flowing Arsenal move on 12 minutes, and then Blackpool were dealt the piece of hard luck they could ill afford, with Evatt sent off for a professional foul on Marouane Chamakh. Evatt’s challenge appeared to come outside the box, but Andrei Arshavin cared little as he doubled his side’s lead from 12 yards.

Walcott then doubled his personal tally with the help of some poor goalkeeping, and there was more misery for Blackpool after the break as Abou Diaby expertly turned home Bacary Sagna’s cross, before Walcott completed his hat-trick with yet another cool finish after he meandered his way into the area.

With the match wrapped up, Arsene Wenger was able to give half-hour appearances to Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, and Chamakh rounded off the perfect afternoon late on by opening his Emirates account after he had earlier missed an open goal.

Tottenham were also celebrating on Saturday as their depleted squad secured a 2-1 triumph at Stoke thanks to the brilliance of Gareth Bale.

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