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Josep Knows

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I was hesitant to post this a few months back when I got this in my inbox but today, I admit, reluctantly that it is absolutely and 100% spot on. I often don’t admit when I am wrong or when others are right but, as I always say, there is an exception to every rule. … Continue reading →

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  • In an effort to not bombard you with a 4,000 word desertion about how I feel our season went, I felt it more appropriate to slim it down to 4 easy payments of 1,000 words each! That's a deal I know you can't deny. Unless you want to wake up with your prize horse's head next to you in bed when you wake up (if you don't get the reference, please see The Godfather). Assuming you don't, here goes: The first entry into this season's review I want to talk about: defense. Plenty to say about that part of the squad, if you ask me. Goalkeeper Goalkeeper is a position that, also in seasons past, has been a worry point. Enter Wojciech Szczesny. He has his imperfections. His distribution is sub-standard at the best of times. His decision-making when under pressure has also been a weakness. But his confidence, shot stopping ability and raw talent, not to mention his on-and-off-field charisma are all excellent. I fully expect him to be our #1 for many years. His #2 should be Fabianski next season but his future is also in doubt as many have hinted he may grow tired of the lack of playing time. I can see where he's coming from (he's also Poland's #2 keeper behind, you guessed it, Szczesny) but he can't expect to get more than cup games at this point and if he's not happy with that, I'll be sad to see him go but won't hold it against him. Fullbacks Fullbacks were such a big issue for us this season but mainly, injuries to them. The long-term absences of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna, and Carl Jenkinson forced Arsene to play various players out of position. Djourou and Coquelin (who was also injured through parts of the season) at RB, Vermaelen (also missed a big chunk of games due to injury) and Miquel and LB all featured at some point. With all 4 of our starting FBs out at the same time for a chunk of the season, we knew we would suffer. But exactly how much was hard to fathom. I don't think the most cynical of us knew how much our attack would suffer without the explosive-ness and outlet good fullbacks provide in a system such as ours. Defensively it had just as much as an effect, as you can imagine. With the exception of Vermaelen, in most matches, none of the fill-in fullbacks could establish themselves or put together a decent performance, at that. Our flanks were susceptible to attack during these games and teams like Villa and Swansea took advantage. That said, I doubt many teams would have been able to cope with such a defensive crisis as well as we did. In that stretch of games that we were without fit fullbacks we were still able to grind out results and get big points, climbing our way up the table. Yes, we did drop some points as well. Looking at our fullbacks on paper, I have to say I'm very happy with all 4 starting fullbacks. Sagna, when healthy was our most consistent and reliable defender. He provided some crucial assists and headed in the goal that began our comeback vs Sp*rs. He truly is a rock for us. His protégé, Carl Jenkinson, is also a fine crosser of the ball. He is a committed defender and while yet learning the technical side of the game, he is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Always gives his all for the club and will only get better and better. Part of me believes Jenkinson will be converted into a CB in the future but if he doesn't work out at RB, I think Yennaris is a great player for the future, and one that I hope will go out on loan next season to get some valuable playing time. On the other side of the pitch we have good options as well. Gibbs and Santos split the little time that they were both healthy and did well when they were fit enough to play. One thing I love about them is that they both offer something different going forward. While I love Gibbs when he is bombarding down left I believe Santos is much more composed on the ball and has much more trickery in him. He bagged some important goals for us from that position, as well. Defensively I would give the nod to Gibbs as he seems the more focused of the two but Santos is also a solid defender despite not having the same recovery speed of Gibbs. Not to mention, Gibbs deserves top spot for almost single-handedly saving our season with one, brilliant, perfectly timed, yet desperate, tackle. Centerbacks For many years now Arsenal fans have bemoaned the lack of proper replacements for what used to be one of the most solid back lines, particularly at center back, in all of England. With the likes of Keown, Adams, Campbell, and Toure all having retired or walk through the exit door in one fashion or another, Arsene had some big boots to fill in that locker room. After many trial-and-error, and fill-in defenders, (Senderos, Gallas, Sylvester) along come Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker, and Laurent Koscielny. Each containing different skill-sets, strengths and weaknesses, but all committed, out-and-out CBs. Two of which are still relatively developing their game. Per being the ready-made, experienced, solid player we had all been clamoring for. I may be alone in saying this but: I feel we have CB options that are capable of challenging for trophies. All are strong, technically sound, smart defenders. All prone to their share of errors but some of the best CBs in the PL, Lescott, Vidic, and even Ferdinand are as well. Again, injuries took both Vermaelen and Mertesacker out of our line-up for significant spells and thus we were forced to play 4th and 5th choice players like Djourou and Miquel, who aren't bad, per se, but don't give us the confidence throughout the spine of team you need in big games. Koscielny is by far our best defender. Technically gifted beyond belief, strong for a guy his size, and great distribution. He could easily pass for a defensive mid. His positioning has negated some of the league's most prolific strikers and he's popped up with some goals as well. None so important as the one he scored on Sunday, I must say. I could go on for days about Bosscielny so I'll just say: it's very reassuring that the number 6 shirt has been filled in both the physical and figuratively with a solid player who we can rely on. With Bartley coming back from Rangers next season, the boss has a few choices to make as far as who his 4th choice CB will be. Djourou, Miquel, and Bartley will surely be in the running. To me, Djourou is far too experienced, and solid (for 4th choice) to let go. The time will come, I'm sure, when the boss will have to ask himself if he can rely on The Big Swiss if the injury bug should bite again and I feel that when asked to play CB, he is, for the most part, a reliable player. Apparently, we have some bloke called Squillaci at the club too. Now, we haven't really seen much of the mythical Squid this season but if he's still around next season, I fear we will see a mass revolt on the red side of North London. I've appreciated his positive contribution, as small as that has been, at this point in his career, and with his wages, it makes no sense for us to keep him or for him to stay. Overview All in all, I think defensively we have improved this year and on an individual level, our defenders are good (some great). Collectively, though, at times, we have been utter shambles. Injuries cause an inconsistency in your line-up, wether you like it or not and that, I feel, has been our biggest downfall. On set pieces we have vastly improved and are much more organized. I also feel that, at the moment, we lack the defensive tenacity and burning will to win games we should be winning sometimes. Perhaps that will come from a more organized, focused, technical and professional approach on the field and method of training. One I hope Bould will establish once he gets the lads back from their summer activities. As I said, our players, individually are good enough now we just need someone to put all the pieces together and have them working together to become more stingy. So that's it for Part 1 of this epic saga. I will be looking at the midfield and forwards in the coming days. Thanks for reading! Comments, good or bad, are very much appreciated!