The Arsenal Column

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

Posts tagged “Fabregas”

How Arsenal have been shaping up for 2011/12

Midfield rotation With all the talk of Arsenal’s pre-season performances centring around defensive meltdown, it’s arguable (and we will argue that in our next article this week) that replacing Cesc Fábregas – or at least replicating his creativity – will be Arsenal’s main concern this impending season. Frustratingly for us tactical anoraks and dissectors, he [...]

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The Cesc Fábregas dependencia

If Cesc Fábregas does leave Arsenal this season, it would be without any notable legacy. He should go down as one of the legends. Indeed he is one of Arsenal’s greatest individuals; the statistics and archive footages will testify to his outstanding ability but crucially, the trophies do not. He has, of course, won the best of the [...]

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Ten conclusions to make from Arsenal’s season 2010/2011

1. Mental fragility cost Arsenal the season There is a valid assertion that with the youth policy, certain characteristics – in some cases, the key characteristics that make up the anatomy of a successful football club – have had to be exaggerated and the others, harder to reproduce. Indeed, the most attractive qualities of Arsenal since [...]

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Cesc Fábregas-inspired Arsenal punish Blackpool’s adventurism

If this win is to re-ignite Arsenal’s title challenge – a title challenge which had threatened to actually descend into “considerable disappointment” – then it is probably apt that it was a game which displayed Arsenal’s season in a microcosm that invigorated them. Arsenal were exuberant in attack for most parts, picking off Blackpool’s courageously high [...]

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Analysing Cesc Fàbregas’ impact at Arsenal

Keeping Cesc Fabregas in the summer was a symbolic one, if not already indicated by his position as captain of this side. Fabregas is the talisman; the highest profile player and a leader of his generation. If he ceased to believe in Arsène Wenger’s project then what hope does a youth development policy have? Little [...]

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Braga fail to cope with Arsenal’s rapid interchange as inspired by Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas was in talismanic form as he helped Arsenal dismantle Sporting Braga 6-0 in Champions League Matchday 1. On the face of it this was another quintessential Arsenal victory against Sporting Braga but this 6-0 demolishing of the Champions League débutantes was built on clinical attacking play and a solid defensive foundation. Arsenal didn’t allow the ball to get [...]

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