An interesting assessment of what last season brought to the table from Le Boss. It did not contain anything (I think) that he has not said before but for those complaining about how he sees nothing but positives, it was a reasonable reflection on 2006-07. Realistic, but definitely positive. Will it be enough to draw people away from the Wishing Well, wearing our rosette’s with pride? I am not sure, for whilst those of us who are upbeat about it all take positive breath from the assessment, in equal measure those not so sure may view this as proving that squad will crumble like clay once the season starts, the weaknesses he highlights unaddressed by new personnel.
AW’s comments are about as open as he will ever publicly be. His famously myopic eyesight (© every hack on the planet) is evidently cured; the assessment is every bit as revealing in what was not said as to what is committed to print; ‘we became more efficient in closing our opponents down‘ reads as a chastisement with consideration of the goals we conceded whilst highlighting the improvement as the season went on. Closing down is not just about denial of space in free-play, it includes set pieces. That he is not saying precisely that should not be taken as denial in action, just some things are better left unsaid, publicly at least.
The piece though highlights the advantages that Wenger has a manager, that which makes players want to work for him. With Mourinho, you get open pomposity; Ferguson always gives the feeling of there is an ‘edge’ to what he saying, always seeking to give himself a psychological boost. The cerebral element belies Wenger’s passion which manifests itself pitch side but pervades his words outside the playing area, making his thoughts worth listening to. He is not without his faults at times, as we all are and equally adept at choosing his words to suit his opponent, able to rile and be riled in equal measure. For those who want the buffoonery and bluster that has been evident in English football for decades from managers, he is their nemesis.
What the players love though is his loyalty to them. There is genuine belief in them and knowing that gives them the psychological boost they need, even when the words contain criticism. You know that the harshest words remain private yet he will not put them on the pedestal that the press will. The underlying message is that ‘you were getting there but you need that extra 20% mentally that will make you Champions‘. It is unusual amongst his peers for that to be hinted at or even said. The message is clear, shape up or ship out. But delivered in a fair manner, amongst eight hundred and sixty one positive words.
And it is the mental strength that he is asking for which is going to be difficult to deliver. He and his team can utilise all of the psychology that they want and it will sink in in the Training Complex but the combination of Adrenaline and Nerves will test the strength of those messages. Which is where the senior players come into the foreground. You know that Gilberto has the respect of the others, quietly assured on the pitch in midfield. Toure has commitment beyond doubt as his ATVO interview shows. Gallas has Leadership responsibilities that he has to show more positively than he did last season, burying his own personal frustrations for the betterment of the squad. He acknowledged this himself recently, contemplating stepping up to the Oche. But this needs to be transmitted, to give the younger players confidence. You can argue that this need not be the case, being at the peak of their profession ought to be enough yet it is required to bring out the consistency of display in others that makes the difference between Champions and Also-Ran’s. Just when you’re thinking things over, Arsene comes in with the positive aspect again, the ability to redeem a seemingly lost situation by clawing back a deficit, to bring us out of the hole in which we were buried up to our hips. A positive encouragement with the requirement for the one step beyond the norm needed to take that one step further.
In highlighting shortcomings though, AW highlights some areas of weakness that still need addressing. The width of the pitch still cries out for genuine wide midfielder’s / attackers. Some of this may be addressed with tactical shifts such as the inclusion of Walcott or Eboue on the right, Eduardo perhaps on the left. To do so though means playing individuals outside of what their comfort zones, their natural positions. Additionally it means sacrificing the skill sets of others such as Rosicky and Hleb who are capable of weaving patterns, eyeing the pass to create for others but drift inside. A natural winger may solve one problem but create others. It is Arsene’s job to solve such conundrums.
An upbeat piece following on from a Summer of negative press. Which way they present it, I frankly don’t care. ’til Tomorrow.
Posted in Arsenal, Football, Premiership, Soccer
