PSV Eindhoven Frustrates Arsenal
21. Feb, 2007 
9 Comments
Thus concludes two relatively poor performances in a row by The Gunners. While the game did have a few highlights we never really looked like we cared until PSV slid one just past Lehmann. It’s a familiar tale where urgency only comes out of the risk of a loss.
Instead of writing a full match report, which I’m pretty sure nobody really wants to read, I’m going to outline a few things that I’ve been missing from Arsenal’s game in the past few fixtures.
- Robin Van Persie, who’s obsession with scoring incredible goals has been sorely missed up front since his injury.
- Aliadiere, one of the few sources of creativity in Arsenal’s distressing performance against Blackburn.
- Henry, who despite a few nice chances here and there looked absent for huge stretches of the game. The way he receives a ball and holds it for 5+ seconds, standing still while looking for the perfect opportunity, frustrates beyong imagine.
- Top-form Gallas. It’s nice to have him back but it was painful watching him give up possession and get beat so often today. Our right side was entirely exposed as a result.
- The Beast. From underwhelming at his start for Arsenal, to overwhelming in his four-goal role in the Carling Cup evisceration of Liverpool, to underwhelming again. Why can’t we get “The Beast” on a regular basis?
So we look forward to meeting PSV again in two weeks at the Emirates. The pressure will really be on if we want to stay in the Champion’s League, but before that we meet Chelsea in the Carling Cup final. I’m hoping Arsene left Aliadiere on the bench to rest him for a starting spot in that game.
All that being said, I don’t think the loss today is going to be too much of a disaster for Arsenal. Considering some of the brilliant performances the team has put in, I would be more surprised if we didn’t find our form again in the next game. Yes, the last two performances have been pretty shoddy, but we’ve had an amazing run since the new year and it won’t be hard for the gunners to find their form again.
So what do you think Arsenal has been missing lately?
We don’t get “The Beast” on a regular basis because we don’t get him on the pitch on a regular basis.
Just like Theo (and imo RvP) is better coming off the bench, Baptista needs time to aclimatise on the pitch, and has looked better when given a full runout.
That’s a good point Mike, and if I were Arsene I’d give him some starts and keep Adebayor on the bench until the 70th minute, when his pace can make more of an impact.
I didn’t think we played that badly. Don’t underestimate PSV. Although they’re not a super-gifted team, they’re a very organised and disciplined team with some very solid defensive players and very good passers of the ball. In the first half we played well, pushed PSV back, and had a few chances. In the second half we were poor, but I think a part of it was due to fatigue. Even then, apart from their goal (which wasn’t really a chance), PSV only looked like scoring when the assistant ref decided he couldn’t bother using his flag.
we’re going out ! seen it to many times, we’ll struggle to break PSV down again
and probably miss it by a whisker. Wenger used the wrong tactics, he knew they were going to defend so he sholud have played the “5″ man midfield
and frustrated them. CL is like a chess match, I thought he learned that last season, the boys didn’t look interested, but they’ going to regret it !
My God !!!! The most important week in our season and we start it that way. God help us against Chelsea,Blackburn and PSV .How come every time Wenger states intent on the behalf of his team they crumble like a deck of cards are they too young ??? are they spineless ????too timid ???or what is the problem ???.Two of the most important games and we never looked like scoring .Blackburn defended well but …..still and Psv dont get me started.Rubbish !!!! and someone ought to tell Monseiur Henry to get his head out of his ass and start performing instead of standing around sulking he is bloody hell paid a kings ransom for it.
I dont wanna to hear about fatigue,mental tiredness and all that bullocks…….This is Arsenal for goodness sake we have almost climbed the mountain, now lets piss all over it.
Um, HELLO. They’re missing Robin Van Persie and his awesome cuteness.
Oh wait, you already mentioned that in your entry.
I agree with RvP, TH14, Gallas, the Beast and Aliadiere. TH14 needs to have a sound system in which to play. Gallas should not have been used on the right. The Beast is invariably placed out of position and Aliadiere is a true Arsenal style player.
So what else is missing. Solid clearances with the feet by Lehman. A solid clearance like Almunia’s allows players to breath. A poor clearance as is usually the case with the otherwise brilliant Lehman makes players lose a breath as the ball is ping-ponged back into the danger area.
Eboue is missed at the back. Otherwise you have a tender Gallas playing there out of his favoured position. Being back in the centre strengthens the defence. And allows Toure to make some surging runs to instill some drive into the team.
A rest for Fab has been missing. Denilson can easily play in Fab’s position. I think he has played brilliantly in all matches he has played recently. Against Bolton he won 90% of the 50/50 balls that Bolton are used to winning and his ball winning, tackling and technique on the ball and distribution were superb. Ever since Denilson’s performances I have noticed a weaker more mistake riddled Fab. In the BR game I would have subbed Fab for Denilson as there was no penetration, incisiveness and thrust from Fab and even against PSV Eindhoven. Maybe it is a coincidence. But Fab’s performances have fallen in comparison to Denilson. I would like to think that he is reassured that there is plenty of room for Fab, Denilson and Merida in the team.
Tactical courage. I would like to see AW implementing some tactical changes, the discernment to see the opportune moment and courage in taking calculated risks. See Respect Highbury in http://gunnerblog.com/?p=546. for a great critique on tactics and AW.
The ability to create dangerous situations from corners. With some players who are great with whipping, curling, dipping and powering the ball I amazed my levels of expectation fall whenever we take a corner and yet when we defend one I fear for the worse.
That’s great Phillip, I think you nailed a lot of important things in your comment. The corners are definitely lackluster, and that seems like something that shouldn’t be too difficult for a team to get good at, or practice more in training. We have no consistency in taking them, and my blood-pressure always skyrockets when we defend against them.