Comments on: Arsenal and Chelsea confide in their similarities

By: The Brain

The Brain — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:47:04 +0000

Maybe it has to do with his tremendous work rate and his willingness to track back and defend. He can provide all of the attacking qualities from a wide position

Agreed. That’s precisely why it’s the best option to play him wide, for him and the team. Nevertheless, I’d like to see him given a go up front and let him play with his instinct. Of course, there are a few caveats: that it requires the right wide midfielders and not touchline huggers as he got in the first game of the season v Sunderland.

However, I feel Podolski’s spontaneity and individualism might gives us a different dimension going forward. On the left, perhaps there’s only one way he can really play and that’s through give-and-goes and the combination with Santi/Gibbs.

On the other hand, Giroud central and Podolski left gives us an immediate balance that Podolski down the middle doesn’t yet guarantee. And I’m convinced Giroud is good for Podolski, as he is for Santi and indeed the rest of the team, creating space and occupying the centre-backs.

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By: Tee Song

Tee Song — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:32:57 +0000

Regarding Podolski, he played centrally for Cologne so it’s not as if he can’t play there. He’s displayed the strength to hold off defenders and play with his back to goal, he can drop deep and link play very well as well as drive at defenders with the dribble, he’s got an eye for a pass, his movement is excellent plus he has the quickness to trouble defenders when he makes his runs, and of course he’s a very good finisher. So why doesn’t Wenger deploy him centrally? Maybe it has to do with his tremendous work rate and his willingness to track back and defend. He can provide all of the attacking qualities from a wide position (Theo should take note) and still provide a measure of defensive security on the flank, something which other wide forwards might not. His goal against Liverpool was an example of his complete game. He had dropped back to help defend when TV5 intercepted Gerrard’s pass and passed to him, deep in our half. He turned and found Cazorla and then hustled forward, beating Glen Johnson to finish the move.

I hope our strongest lineup will include a confident Giroud centrally with Podolski wide left, so if Wenger has that same vision he’ll continue to play Lukas mostly as a left sided forward. I’m sure with rotation, Podolski and Gervinho will play centrally. However, if Podolski plays centrally we lose his defensive workrate on the flank and I’m not sure we have another forward who provides that. As an aside, if we ever start pressing higher up the pitch again, Podolski as the center forward would work well.

Like or Dislike: 3 1

By: Forza Gunners

Forza Gunners — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:04:12 +0000

Just been on chelsea’s we aint got no history site and they claimed Diaby is a less skillful Ramires I nearly choked.

Seems to me that it has slipped their minds that in the cup final we only lost a stranglehold on the game when Diaby came off after kicking JT in the head.

If they play Lampard in the middle with Mikel, they wont know what hit them. As long as Diaby is on form.

Like or Dislike: 1 0

By: ThaatArsenalGuy

ThaatArsenalGuy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:32:53 +0000

Brilliant post again. I think Chelsea will be easily turned over. I have not been impressed by their play this season. Stoke were made to look like a decent team at the bridge. I see a 3 1 arsenal win. I’m much more worried about the man utd match. Until then, let the good times roll!

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