So, at this point we have played three important matches. Two in the league against Newcastle and Liverpool and one Champions League play-off match against Udinese. Bu what have we learned from this so far?
1) We still need a midfielder
While Ramsey undoubtly is a great talent with great vision and reading of the offensive part of the game, he still has a lot to learn. He is still some way off from having the required level. Especially the physical part of the game gives him big trouble.
Against Newcastle he was dispossessed five times. Only Tioté was able to match that. He made four turnovers, which no other player could match. In the defence he made just one tackle, and no interceptions. Against Liverpool he was dispossessed four times. Only Nasri topped that, with worrying nine times. Moreover he made two turnovers (Frimpong managed 0+0). In the defence Ramsey again made just one tackle, but had two interceptions.
Unfortunately I don't have the excact numbers against Udinese, but the story was the same. He simply proved he doesn't have the needed level at this moment. We lost the midfield battle in all three matches, because we didn't have physical presence, and we were not careful enough in the passing. And here Ramsey was also a sinner. When he lost the ball high up field, he wasn't to be found in the right positions afterwards.
I know we have missed Wilshere on Ramsey's side, but that can't be used as an excuse. Wenger must buy that strong midfielder, så we can get the physical upperhand on the midfield, that made us so strong in Wengers first years.
1) We still need a midfielder
While Ramsey undoubtly is a great talent with great vision and reading of the offensive part of the game, he still has a lot to learn. He is still some way off from having the required level. Especially the physical part of the game gives him big trouble.
Against Newcastle he was dispossessed five times. Only Tioté was able to match that. He made four turnovers, which no other player could match. In the defence he made just one tackle, and no interceptions. Against Liverpool he was dispossessed four times. Only Nasri topped that, with worrying nine times. Moreover he made two turnovers (Frimpong managed 0+0). In the defence Ramsey again made just one tackle, but had two interceptions.
Unfortunately I don't have the excact numbers against Udinese, but the story was the same. He simply proved he doesn't have the needed level at this moment. We lost the midfield battle in all three matches, because we didn't have physical presence, and we were not careful enough in the passing. And here Ramsey was also a sinner. When he lost the ball high up field, he wasn't to be found in the right positions afterwards.
I know we have missed Wilshere on Ramsey's side, but that can't be used as an excuse. Wenger must buy that strong midfielder, så we can get the physical upperhand on the midfield, that made us so strong in Wengers first years.
2) We (still) make too many silly mistakes
We saw it against Newcastle and we saw it against Liverpool. An Arsenal-player couldn't control himself and recieved a red card. And in fact we should've had two against Newcastle (Song tackle). Why are the players so afraid to tell each other to pull themselves together? I don't buy the "lack of natural leader"-argument. It is simply a cultural thing, perhaps developed through experiencing a manager who is over-protecting. We have Vermaelen, who can instruct co-players. We have Wilshere who, despite his age, is not afraid to take responsibility. We have Van Persie, who is now our captain.
Back in the days you'd see Keown, Adams, Henry, Bergkamp etc. taking affair, when other players weren't fighting hard enough or made silly tackles. There seemed to be a mutual understanding, that it was okay to tell each-other to focus, work etc. The only way that can come back is by implementing a new culture, where it is natural that actions have consequences. Unfortunately I don't believe in seing that while Wenger is in charge.
3) Arshavin is done
Despite some people misusing statistics on assists and goals, it is clear for most of us, that Arshavin should be sold. While he, surprisingly enough, has started working harder when the ball is lost the overall offensive contribution is poor. He simply makes too many stupid decisions when he has the ball. The necessary offensive runs without the ball is a rare thing to see from Arshavin, who has started to move more inside the pitch, perhaps as a result of fever dribles against the back being won.
Against Newcastle he only managed to complete 59% of his passes (Gervinho 79%). He won just one dribble (Gervinho four). He was dispossesed three times (Gervinho one) and had one shot against target (Gervinho 0). Against Liverpool he completed 64% of his passes, made one dribble, was dispossesed three times and had one shot against target.
Not the kinds of figures you would expect from a player, who was supposed to be one of the strongest players, is it? Being one of the players with the highest wage doesn't make the situation any better.
Selling Arshavin would be an obvious solution. And we don't need Mata's or Hazard's to be better off.
We saw it against Newcastle and we saw it against Liverpool. An Arsenal-player couldn't control himself and recieved a red card. And in fact we should've had two against Newcastle (Song tackle). Why are the players so afraid to tell each other to pull themselves together? I don't buy the "lack of natural leader"-argument. It is simply a cultural thing, perhaps developed through experiencing a manager who is over-protecting. We have Vermaelen, who can instruct co-players. We have Wilshere who, despite his age, is not afraid to take responsibility. We have Van Persie, who is now our captain.
Back in the days you'd see Keown, Adams, Henry, Bergkamp etc. taking affair, when other players weren't fighting hard enough or made silly tackles. There seemed to be a mutual understanding, that it was okay to tell each-other to focus, work etc. The only way that can come back is by implementing a new culture, where it is natural that actions have consequences. Unfortunately I don't believe in seing that while Wenger is in charge.
3) Arshavin is done
Despite some people misusing statistics on assists and goals, it is clear for most of us, that Arshavin should be sold. While he, surprisingly enough, has started working harder when the ball is lost the overall offensive contribution is poor. He simply makes too many stupid decisions when he has the ball. The necessary offensive runs without the ball is a rare thing to see from Arshavin, who has started to move more inside the pitch, perhaps as a result of fever dribles against the back being won.
Against Newcastle he only managed to complete 59% of his passes (Gervinho 79%). He won just one dribble (Gervinho four). He was dispossesed three times (Gervinho one) and had one shot against target (Gervinho 0). Against Liverpool he completed 64% of his passes, made one dribble, was dispossesed three times and had one shot against target.
Not the kinds of figures you would expect from a player, who was supposed to be one of the strongest players, is it? Being one of the players with the highest wage doesn't make the situation any better.
Selling Arshavin would be an obvious solution. And we don't need Mata's or Hazard's to be better off.
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