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How A Front Three Revitalised Arsenal
Defenders beware: Following a convincing win against Norwich, it looks as though Gervinho, Walcott and van Persie are here to tear you apart.
Against Norwich, in the first half especially, it was evident how well Arsenal’s attacking trio of Gervinho, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott has gelled. With Norwich seemingly trying to cut Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey out of the game in the final third, it was down to the wingers and van Persie to create things, and they certainly did that.
In the first half, Arsenal could have had a hatful of goals, if not for poor finishing, and the majority of these chances were due to the fine work of Gervinho and Walcott, with van Persie linking up with the wingers, providing the perfect foil for them. Gervinho caused many problems for Norwich defenders with his ability to wriggle away from close markers with ease, while Walcott used his space to stretch and worry the back line. The two of them, along with van Persie, combined brilliantly to tear Norwich apart and it was a wonder that Arsenal didn’t have four goals in the first half – at least.
Arsenal have been searching for a replacement for Alex Hleb for a while, and thought they’d found one in Samir Nasri. However, Nasri was not direct enough – although Hleb didn’t seem to like shooting, he would often be quite a direct player, only opting to pass instead of shoot. Now, they seem to have a new Hleb in Gervinho. He loves to ghost past defenders in the final third and is a vital part of Arsenal’s new more direct style. While he can be erratic, especially in his finishing, it seems obvious that his assists at least will be a big contributor to Arsenal doing well this season.
Now, they seem to have a new Hleb in Gervinho. He loves to ghost past defenders in the final third and is a vital part of Arsenal’s new more direct style.
As for Walcott, he has often threatened to come good but always faded away after a good run. The tweaks Arsenal have made this season in terms of becoming more direct suit him down to the ground though – he is required to use the space created by his team mates to run past and behind defenders, instead of having to play a part in the intricate build up play. Basically, he’s playing as more a wide forward than a wide midfielder, which is perfect for him. Playing off van Persie, in the form of his life especially, is perfect for Gervinho and Walcott. He’s a highly intelligent player, and is always available for a quick one two with either of them, as well as being there to apply the finishing touches to their crosses. Not only that but he often turns provider for his wide men – it was his fabulous ball which set Gervinho in on goal, only for him to spurn the chance.
At first this season Arsenal’s forward play had been slightly awkward and not at all cohesive, which saw them struggle. Now they’re playing with much more freedom and enjoying their football, and it’s clearly working well. It takes the pressure off of the midfielders too, Aaron Ramsey in particular, leaving them free to do their jobs while the forwards do what they do best.
Arsene Wenger had insisted his side just needed time to gel as a unit and he may well have been proven right here. The Gunners seem a completely different side now, and are climbing the table quickly. Long may it continue.
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COMMENTS
nice article, one thing i will say is that only messi ghosts past defenders like hleb when he was at arsenal
Gervinho isn't very good, wenger could have bought ashley young (who is apparently an arsenal fan) or gabby agbonlahor. if van persie gets injured arsenal are truly f*cked. because that jelly fish chamakh won't do the business. (i am not a villa fan)
Gervinho is more of a risk-taker than hleb. Hleb was a very responsible player who helped us control the right side, and his skill and passing made space for others. He was very underrated, but different to gervinho. Gervinho makes more dangerous runs with and without the ball and has more pace. He's very much an attacker, and as a results get's more goals and assists.
Gervinho is a very good player yogavo, watch how he tore up ligue 1 last season at lille. and besides, signing Ashley young is not the Wenger way. He take on the majority of English Players today is that they are overrated and overpriced. (Im a spurs fan)
he torn up ligue 1 and so did stephane guivarch.. gervinho is an average footballer in my opinion, he wouldn't get in the man city or united side, he probably wouldn't get in the spurs side either. english players are overrated and overpriced. i feel if you buy english/british they are less likely to f*ck off to spain or italy
Yogavo seems to me to like to like unneccesary argumen. Gervinho is better than Young or Agbonlahor when it comes to Arsenal type of play--keeping possesion and passing the ball. Young is a speed star, but contributes less to MAN U play as Gervinho does for Arsenal. Many fans of Arsenal even do not appreciate how the dynamics of Arsenal play has changed this season and how the wingers have made it so. When Fab was around, most of the balls come from the middle with slow Nasri and ineffective Walcott. Arsenal has succesfully built a new system utilizing the wings better, and getting much the needed goals. I do not need to watch French league of last season to know Gervinho...the piece here has said enough already. Gervinho can be hesistant infront of goals, but ask any defender in the premiership, he is one player no one wants to play against. If you have spped you can stop young and Agbonlahor...but Gervinho is a perfect dribbler, so no one ever stops him so far..
gervinho is certainly not better than young or agbonlahor. "keeping possesion and passing the ball" have you seen the way alex song retains possession? young is a speed star and walcott isn't? gervinho is technically poor and he can't be replied upon to be clinical. having said that he has fitted into the side well, i however still believe we could have got a better player somewhere else.
I like Gervinho. Not exactly a like-for-like for Hleb but looks good in that forward three. Walcott is playing better in this formation too but he's basically just a sprinter in a football shirt. On the whole though that line looks good and added to a decent three in the middle (Arteta, Song, Wilshere plus the likes of Ramsey coming in) and it looks quite decent. The back's still too shit though, the keeper aside.
yogavo are you shitting??? gervinho is a real thorn in the flesh for any defender... apart from the fact that he was a real hit in the league one last season, he brings dynamism to the arsenal play and tell me if there is any other better player asides from bale of spurs??? ashley what??? gabby what, we have a real sprinter in walcott and dont need of those two, if we need another signing in the front three, it is only Podolski and an able replacement for Song and yes Vertonghen in the defence!!! with those trio, trust me, it is not too late to win the league.
I agree with demmypet except I would like to think Coquelin could fill in for Song during the African cup...
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