Why do you think in recent seasons Arsenal have played well but not achieved much?

Question

I am an Arsenal fan . I became one in the late 90's because I loved their slick and entertaining football even when Man U were top dogs.They have combined their great play with good achievements in the past but of recent their slick football doesn't seem to be producing much and they are not the force to reckon with they were before and I really wonder if it will change again.

Answer 1

I'm a West Ham fan so probably am not best placed to judge Arsenal, but is seems to me that Arsenal always want to walk the ball into the back of the net. In pursuit of the 'perfect goal' it seems that they forget to do the dirty stuff!!

Particularly when Ruud van Nistelrooy was playing for them, I remember Man United always used to get scrappy goals - they'd get superb goals as well, but also a large number of shinners, in off the posts, scrappy tap ins, etc. It's rare that Arsenal score these types of goals.

Of course, when Wenger tried to remedy this with the famous 'fox-in-thebox' solution, it turned out to be Franny Jeffers. Who was shite.

Eduardo may solve the problem but he, too, looks like a pretty striker rather than a dirty one.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Some good answers and I think the lack of experience may be part of it, but for me the most obvious thing wrong with us last season wasn't missing Henry or Pires, but lacking what they provided.
We have no width, whatsoever. Everybody playing on the left ( or even the right ) was constantly going inside, as a result opposition teams can concentrate their defence to the middle and makes it easier to deny us clearer shots at goal. And as a result of lack of chances at goal, the belief is that Arsenal try to pass the ball into the net.
What Arsenal need is someone who can run past defenders, pulling the CB and midfielders out wide to create more chances for other players. Something which Henry and Pires were the masters at when they played together and hence a large majority of the goals came from that left side of midfield.

Look at how dramatically Robben and Wright Phillips could change the attack mindedness of Chelsea when brought on, look at how good Giggs and Ronaldo are for Man utd, how well they play normally affects how well the team performs.

So Arsenal really need someone who can play as a true winger, maybe Walcott will be given the chance to shine, as both Rosicky and Hleb are more likely to come infield than try to go wide and around players

Answer 3

I think Arsenal 'over-egg the pudding.' Their fluid passing style may be great to watch, but it is about 2 or 3 passes too many, thus slowing down potentially devastating attacks and allowing the defending team to take control.

Also, I think that Arsenal sometimes lack belief, especially when things are going against them. If you look at the Wenger era, they have been runners-up more times than actual winners.

How many times in crucial games, have they have the lead but not won (2001 FA Cup, 2006 Champions League, 2003 Highbury game with Man Utd, 2007 League Cup Final). That may point to a subconscious mental block, and a lack of belief that they can actually see the game out.

To answer if things will change again; yes, I believe they will, but to do that, key players need more experience. Add that to a newfound killer touch and Arsenal will be a force to be reckoned with again.

Answer 4

I am a man-u and could almost put my finger on the problem... lack of experience, over the past few seasons wengers brought lots of youth, i have to say extremely talented youth, but whilst he has done this he has lost alot of key experienced players which were the driving force of arsenal, such as henry, viera, pires, ashley cole etc.

I will say it now like i have for the past few seasons, arsenal are not superb but they are still a great team, and when ever we play arsenal i always worry, they are stilla champions league contender and in Englands big four... Arsenal will be the future, and that is why i am disapointed the Sir Alex has sold kieran richardson, and is not playing Guiseppe rossi, i see the future of the premiership to be bright with man-u, arsenal, liverpooland spurs being top dogs, as chelsea are relying on there older players much more than anyone else...

Answer 5

Beacause a lot of the players are young last year a few struggled with the games they needed to battle. As an Arsenal fan as well it can be very annoying when they try to walk it into the net. I used to love the way they could break from one end to the other and score within 10 seconds. It was devistating. The fox in the box was tried before (although he wasn't given a chance) in Francis Jeffers. It will be interesting to see how Da Silva does. A big problem last year was everyone wanted to be provider and once the stricker ddropped out wide we didn't have the midfielder (like Pires did brilliantly) coming in to the box.

Answer 6

Gils man has it pretty spot on - Arsenal have developed a mentality of trying to score 'the perfect goal' rather than the ugly 2 yd tap in's. The other element is Arsenal have relied on 1 player (henry) to score the bulk of goals, stop henry stop arsenal. Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool get goals from all over pitch and until Arsenal start the same - they'll struggle

Answer 7

Arsenal haven't achieved mainly because Chelsea and Man Utd have spent far more money.

It's true they don't have they are young and always try to score the perfect goal, but I still think Wenger's done a great job with his limited budget

Answer 8

Wenger is the last of a dying breed. He has the ability to form a world class team without just throwing money at it.

Unfortunately as time has moved on his job has become more difficult because even mediocre players are demanding silly money.

Money is spoiling the game, but if you want to challenge for trophies you need money, bad for the game, but that's how it is.

Answer 9

ive been a gooner since the early 70s and since mr wenger took over i have never been so happy with the way that they play football .the last 2 seasons have been a bit dissapointing in the terms of trophys but i realy do think that even though henry left in the summer we are going to have a great season just rember he let viera go pires go overmars go petie and we realy did not miss them . mind you even though he did not play much last year i think we may miss bergkamp just have some patience and the trophys will return

Answer 10

im an arsenal fan, u could find this out if u look at my name. anywy i agree with wot ure saying. i dont think arsenal are the force they used to be because of the lack of experience. in the 03/04 season we were the unbeatables, and the squad then was alot different. we had exaperienced players like wiltord, berkgamp, pires, vieira, campbell, and of course henry.

ALL WE NEED IS EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!