Best Back

By Boris Mellor
April 1 2008

What a difference a month makes, a month ago there would have been no defensive worries for the forthcoming games against Liverpool. A month ago I would have been certain that Arsenal could beat Liverpool twice, and get one draw out of three games. Only a month ago it was clear that Arsenal were clearly the better team. I still believe they are, the league table doesn't lie, the Gunners are well clear of Liverpool in third place, but the present wobble cannot be ignored. In the 110 minutes Arsenal have been without Sagna they have conceded four goals!! His absence has destabilised the whole defence.

 Many who have criticised Eboue now say he should be automatic choice to replace Bacary, perhaps he is, but he didn't just slot in at RB against Chelsea did he? Was Wenger resting him against Bolton, or did he think Toure would be the better right back. I have sympathy with Arsene on that one, but it didn't really work out.

The least likely candidate is Hoyte, in my opinion his game at Man U proved, unfortunately, he will never make it at Arsenal. So should Wenger try Toure again? Well there are still a few other alternatives, he could put Flamini there, and then Gallas and Toure can stay where they normally play.

Another alternative is to play Gallas at RB and put Senderos and Toure in the middle, there certainly are a lot of options, but none feel that comfortable. If Arsenal can let Aliadiere score a goal so easily then Torres will be licking his lips.

I don't think the problem here is one of personnel, Toure, Flamini, even Eboue should be ok in the position, the problem is that the defence has become a shambles. No organisation, no drilling, and inconsistent leadership, all combined with a poor understanding of the offside laws.

Rather than worry about who will be at right back it might be better to worry about coaching and bashing the defence into shape, such a talented group of players should not be conceding so often.

I hope Wenger isn't serious about 0-0 being alright, yes in a way it is, it worked against AC Milan, but if the team does play for a draw it will have to concentrate far harder than it has done in recent weeks. Liverpool will be looking for a clean sheet, and then when Arsenal have lost their will to live a breakaway goal.

Liverpool know they cannot win the league and therefore will concentrate on the CL, in that sense they are a poor man's AC Milan. So we know Liverpool will be concentrating on getting the right result, and, as Chelsea know to their cost, in the CL they are different team.

This will be very tough fixture for the Gunners, the key to winning it will be putting a stop to the losses of concentration; defend well and the goals will come. Defend badly and disaster awaits, I doubt if Liverpool will throw away a two goal lead.

Who will play at right back against Liverpool?

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 01/04/2008 16:27

Arsenal Times
01/04/2008 16:27

Who will play at right back against Liverpool?

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Bergmars
01/04/2008 16:40

Pat Rice.

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Padre Pio
01/04/2008 16:52

Looks a bit slow to me these days

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Philly the kid
01/04/2008 17:08

you think? What're the odds on him keeping up with Torres over 10 yards? (sm6)

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negotiator
01/04/2008 17:11

i dont mind playing there, its only arsenal, they could do with someone like me

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Philly the kid
01/04/2008 17:22

yeah, could do with a straggler like you @#$%& off and making some 'real' friends.

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negotiator
01/04/2008 17:24

-----------bendtner----ade-----



rvp-----fabregas----w/e---------walcott



nego----gallas-----toure------sendorous


--------------flamini--------------


what you say guy

i cant name any more arsenl players but if i do some reaearch i'll post it

that team looks almost ass good as my pub team, but with me in it we should be a force to be reckoned with when we play derby county

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Optimistic Gunner
01/04/2008 17:54

I agree we need to organise our defence properly because as individuals our first choice back four defenders are top class but as unit they are mostly average.

I think we need a new defensive coach. We had Martin Keown as our defensive coach during our CL run in the 05/06 season but think he left last season.

A well organised back four of

Toure-Senderos-Gallas-Clichy

should take care of Torres and Crouch nicely.

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Merlion96
01/04/2008 18:01

Play 3-5-2 with Kolo-Senderos-Gallas.

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Zissors
02/04/2008 02:43

Eboue

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weedz
02/04/2008 10:44

Ebo at RB for me. The last 2 or3 times I`ve watched Kolo play at RB in a 4-4-2 he`s been very average. We may go 3-5-2 after half-time.

Since the end of WW1, 1919, when the FA restarted its 4 tier football league, with Arsenal fc in the 1st div, there’s only ever been one club to have never been relegated from Div 1/ EPL.

Arsenal fc

Let’s keep making history

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Padre Pio
02/04/2008 18:02

Eboue will ahve to get back into tackling mode

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BIGSNOOP
02/04/2008 18:24

I don't like the look of Babel vs Toure lets hope Babel shows his inexperience and Toure he's class.

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