Not Ugly Enough

By Boris Mellor
September 7 2008

Perry Groves told Arsenal fans on the ATV Friday night phone in, that Arsene does not need any more midfielders. With Fabregas, Denilson, Eboue, Song and Nasri, plus a fast developing Ramsey, Perry Groves feels there is enough strength in that area.

  There is also Diaby and Rosicky to come back soon. One caller pointed out that Song was highly rated in both the African Nations Cup and the Olympics. He had rave reviews in both competitions but some Arsenal fans do not seem to have noticed that.

However Groves argued that Arsenal needed a big Ugly Centre Half (apparently Silvestre is not ugly enough), by that he meant a big man prepared to attack the ball and be first to the tackle. Arsenal are caught out too often on corners and free kicks. He believes that Gallas and Toure are too similar; they both like to play the ball out from the back. He also felt that Silvestre and Djourou would not compensate for not having a big and ugly CB.

To my mind it is unlikely that Wenger will go big and ugly, he likes defenders who can play and add to the team's attacking dimension. Without doubt there are problems in the defence and they need addressing. But before we chuck the baby out with the bathwater it is worth remembering that Gallas and Toure were as good a pairing as any in the Premiership for over half of last season.

After Toure returned from the ACN the pairing never re-established itself. Maybe Toure was tired by the length of his season, and putting him at right back made matters even worse. I assume Wenger believes he can get the pair playing at top form again. If Wenger is right about that, and Groves is right about the midfielders then Arsenal may continue to overachieve.

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Groves don't need midfielders we need big ugly CB

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 07/09/2008 13:52

Arsenal Times
07/09/2008 13:52

Groves don't need midfielders we need big ugly CB

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Gooner_Sans
07/09/2008 15:02

I think a lot to do with the defence was the way our attack became a bit toothless end of last season. As the old saying goes sometimes the best form of defence is to attack.

But at the same time i'm pretty sure we do need a player like Vidic to play alongside Toure or Gallas to really get the best out of our defence.

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ArsenalForever
07/09/2008 15:07

gallas was horrible against austria

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Gooner_Sans
07/09/2008 15:25

Gallas isn't the player he used to be imo. Still good but not world-class anymore.

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AJ The Gunner
07/09/2008 15:46

time will tell.if we under achieve again this season then wenger should be blamed.

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FAB #4
07/09/2008 22:27

Problems were seen last night when Gallas was playing and they conceded from set pieces, own goals and even stuped defending from mostly Gallas.

He is over it......

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Optimistic Gunner
07/09/2008 22:51

Gallas is defintely on decline and a rapid one at that.

Next summer we definitely have sign a dominant CB to be paired up with Toure if Djourou or Senderos (assuming he returns that is) isn't up to the task.

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Zissors
08/09/2008 05:41

Quote:

AJ The Gunner
time will tell.if we under achieve again this season then wenger should be blamed.

Did we under achieve last season?

I dont think so.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:08:08:54:38 by Gooner.

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Bwana Wenger
08/09/2008 06:40

Why not throw in names like ferdinant and terry there also since u cant stop salivating of manure's vidic.

If, a team meant to finish 10 places behind the spuds finishing 4 stolen points behind the unworthy trophy buyers is under-achieving, then it is a very sad little world u live in.

Warning: Supporting Arsenal is not for the faint at heart... It requires hard balls...

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