The Arsenal Column

Arsenal Analysis and Tactics. All views expressed are those of Pat Rice. (Disclaimer: they are actually not his words).

Posts filed under “Scouting”

Scouting Report: Alan Dzagoev, CSKA Moscow

Alan Dzagoev showed exactly why he is Russia’s brightest new hope with a masterful display on how to use operational space. I was first alerted to the dazzling talents of Alan Dzagoev during a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in last year’s Europa Cup campaign and it is noticeable to see just how far he [...]

Continue reading this post

Scouting Report: Brede Hangeland, Fulham

Fulham’s Brede Hangeland is a towering defender but there are question marks about his pace, something he answered with his intelligent positioning. FK Vetra were never going to be the most demanding of oppositions for Fulham and therefore probably not the most appropriate opponent whereby to do a  scouting report of defender Brede Hangeland. However [...]

Continue reading this post

Scouting Report: Felipe Melo, Brazil

Fiorentina’s midfielder Felipe Melo is tidy and uncomplicated, just like another certain Brazilian at Arsenal although it’s his power which has turned many heads. They say it takes a player three years to come through the Arsenal world-wide scouting system but it seems highly unlikely Melo would have been on Arsenal’s radar for that long. [...]

Continue reading this post