I'm overjoyed at last night's win over Fenerbahce in the Champions League. It puts us on seven points in the group, which according to Arsene Wenger after the game means we're halfway to qualification for the knockout phase. We're certainly doing better in the Champions League than in the Premier League, a bit like the 2005-06 season when we reached the final. But it's slightly different this season because we're still in the Premiership race with a shout, and hopefully we can win one of them this season.
The win last night had both it's excellent parts and it's really bad parts. First, on the excellent side, our attack was deadly on the night. Fabregas was back to his old form in the first half, playing two delightful through balls into Adebayor and Theo which both finished off quite nicely. Diaby was also excellent, playing in the hole to surprising effect. I never really though of him as an attacking midfielder, but as Le Boss later said, Diaby can play across midfield. While that's good to know, I and most other gooners would prefer him to settle into a Viera-type role. Whether this is feasible or not, I don't know, but I hope it is.
The game also had it's bad parts. Whilst our attack was amazing, our defense was less than so. Silvestre made his first big error by putting the ball into the back of Almunia's net, but I don't blame him too much, I don't think Gallas or Toure would've done much better. That though is not a compliment. Our defense as a whole is giving us all our problems right now, and surely Arsene Wenger sees this. I say if he's not going to bring anyone in in January (which I hope he does), then perhaps we can employ Tony Adams, or our old pal Keown to train up our defense. I like some of the comments made by Silvestre recently about how he knows exactly why we're no good on corners and he will look to teach the younger lads how to defend, but he alone won't do it: we need a good defense coach who can shore it up. It's been said again and again, but if we improve our defense, we will without a doubt win the title (or perhaps two or three).
So while I'm happy about the win, it really says nothing about the team other than we can attack well, and we already know that. Let's shore up the defense and be a bit more ruthless and we will be a major force. I liked the fact that our entire team was scoring last night, not just the strikers, but if we don't improve the defense, our season may once again slip away.
Till next time,
Fab 4
The win last night had both it's excellent parts and it's really bad parts. First, on the excellent side, our attack was deadly on the night. Fabregas was back to his old form in the first half, playing two delightful through balls into Adebayor and Theo which both finished off quite nicely. Diaby was also excellent, playing in the hole to surprising effect. I never really though of him as an attacking midfielder, but as Le Boss later said, Diaby can play across midfield. While that's good to know, I and most other gooners would prefer him to settle into a Viera-type role. Whether this is feasible or not, I don't know, but I hope it is.
The game also had it's bad parts. Whilst our attack was amazing, our defense was less than so. Silvestre made his first big error by putting the ball into the back of Almunia's net, but I don't blame him too much, I don't think Gallas or Toure would've done much better. That though is not a compliment. Our defense as a whole is giving us all our problems right now, and surely Arsene Wenger sees this. I say if he's not going to bring anyone in in January (which I hope he does), then perhaps we can employ Tony Adams, or our old pal Keown to train up our defense. I like some of the comments made by Silvestre recently about how he knows exactly why we're no good on corners and he will look to teach the younger lads how to defend, but he alone won't do it: we need a good defense coach who can shore it up. It's been said again and again, but if we improve our defense, we will without a doubt win the title (or perhaps two or three).
So while I'm happy about the win, it really says nothing about the team other than we can attack well, and we already know that. Let's shore up the defense and be a bit more ruthless and we will be a major force. I liked the fact that our entire team was scoring last night, not just the strikers, but if we don't improve the defense, our season may once again slip away.
Till next time,
Fab 4
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