From Dave McConachie:
Hi Myles,
I’m not sure if this has been said before though I am sure most of us have thought it or seen it and not really realised it but:
The main reason our defence looks such a shambles most weeks for the past 15 years or so is that all of them are encouraged to play their way out of trouble with short passes on the ground.
Opposition managers have recognised this and so press higher and higher forcing the inevitable balls up by any one of the muppets we’ve had – largely at centre back – over the years.
Most teams in the league, heck, even lower divisions are confident in their abilities to defend corners, throw ins etc so are happy just clearing balls away to safety ANYWHERE, usually via an aerial route.
As a kid you’re screamed out to “Get rid” and for the most part it’s the correct directive. No wonder English defenders aren’t known for their ball skills, but who cares! They aren’t there for creativity.
Obviously, all of this stems from one man.
And the reason this has never changed? Stubborness in the belief that his way is the right way even though it hasn’t been for a long, long time.
Went to my first game in 1988 and craving the days of GG’s defence. I’m actually most looking forward to a new manager who makes us hard to beat again.
#wengerout #ancelottiIn
Myles says: Correct!
The Arsenal players are possession-robots who obey His Master’s Voice and His Master’s Whistle.
Why did Monreal throw that ball to Mustafi when the score was 1-1? On a wet night in Swansea?
Because nobody else wanted it.
In school football, in university football, in Southern League football, in George Graham football, you always throw that ball down the line.
Why didn’t Arsenal do that? Because they are possession-robots.
And because nobody else was showing for that throw. So it went to Mustafi and he wanted Petr Cech to clear it but the keeper miskicked it to Jordan Ayew, who made it 2-1.
And then Arsenal lost 3-1.