http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/ The home of Electronic Arts Community en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:43:26 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/images/ea_images_main/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/ http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/1117-my-style-arsenals-style-abfcs-style.html Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:28:17 GMT This is my third blog and its about the way Arsenal play this season. The team must master the ‘ball circulation’ component to be able to determine... This is my third blog and its about the way Arsenal play this season.
The team must master the ‘ball circulation’ component to be able to determine the correct moment to start the attack. However, ball circulation is a means, not a goal in itself! To carry the play on the opponents half of the field places high demands of the build-up. There is not much time and space to work in and you have to deal with high defensive pressure. Fast combinations and excellent positional play are a must. Circulation football!
To lose possession close to the middle line when building-up is almost ’suicidal’ in this risky style of football. One touch passing is also a must in the building-up team function of this strategy. This demands additional tactical insight from the players as situations quickly have to be surveyed. Each player has to anticipate even more.
To carry the play means that one time you choose to play in a high tempo and the next time you use delaying tactics to slow the play down. A play-making team must take full advantage of the space and must have defenders who can quickly change the point of attack, wing forwards who remain on the outside, etc.
The transition from defence to build-up must be executed very quickly. The team tactical manpower in the centre of the field(central defenders, midfielders and striker) is of great importance.
During the build up, the tactical coherence between the central defenders who must be thinking of playing the ball forward, the attacking midfielders and the central striker is very precise work. When possession is lost, it starts in the opposite direction. Good ball circulation puts high demands on the quality of the positional play, the mastering of the tempo and the speed of action. ]]> xWinnerxWisherx http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/1117-my-style-arsenals-style-abfcs-style.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/958-wengerball-evolution.html Sun, 17 May 2009 13:45:39 GMT The Arsenal style, or should I say Wengerball has changed considerably over the last 4 years. For a large amount of Wenger's reign, we saw a brand of football which was based on moving the ball vertically up the field as fast as possible. This was a technical variation of hoofball, where the aim was the same but the difference being that it was done through ground balls and not high passes. The speed and precision at which it was executed was literally breathtaking. There was a saying that Arsenal were more likely to score when defending their own corner. Wenger had perfected a counterattack which no team could deal with, and it culminated in 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and a 49 game unbeaten run.

Despite it's success in the league, the style failed pathetically in Europe. After comprehensively beating teams on the weekend it was baffling as to why the Gunners came unstuck against lowly European opposition. The question than arised, why did it work in the league but fail in Europe? After persisting year in year out, the answer started to become apparent. Teams in Europe simply never afforded Arsenal the space to move up the field, and they refused to push forward denying the opportunity to counter. The problem was that Arsenal could only play at a fast tempo but were unable to slow it down. As a result, they couldn't control a European game when they had to look for attacking solutions other than using the fast paced attack which had proven ineffective. The style had a deep flaw and managers like Ferguson than took these tactics and started deploying them in league games. This realisation turned the tide with managers up and down the country starting to enjoy success at Arsenal's expense.

Something radical had to be done, Chelsea had now emerged as a serious Premier League contender and Arsenal were no longer able to destroy teams like in the past. Without evolution, Arsenal were in danger of being left behind. Than the most controversial decision of Wengers time in North London was made. Captain, Patrick Vieira was sold and was replaced by the small frame of youngster Cesc Fabregas. The Frenchman had been one of the major components of our fast tempo game. He was largely behind the upfield pressing which was vital in winning the ball in order to start a counter attack. His replacement was made of completely different metals. The Spaniard brought a different type of game to Arsenal. No longer were the team going to try and win the ball quickly and attack, but instead were going to look for attacking solutions which involved intelligence, patience and most importantly possession. Wenger moved quickly to complement his new star by purchasing playmakers Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rosicky. We had seen a transition in style and the first sign of it's potential success was evident when the club reached the CL final for the first time.

Like version 1 of Wengerball, the evolved style started to draw it's critics. It was labelled boring and keeping the ball for large period's of time was a problem for many, especially when the results were not justifying the change in style. It took 2 years before it showed any signs of fruition, and a league title was almost won as a result. Unfortunately a few players who were instrumental in the implementation of Wengerball v.2 decided to leave. Hleb and Flamini left and Rosicky is still out injured. The 2 playmakers were than replaced by youngsters Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott this summer. The new wide players have started to show qualities which were prevalent in previous Arsenal teams. They both move the ball quickly up the field whilst looking for solutions through short passes. There are now players that have the qualities of both the past and present teams. This season we have seen signs of v.1 and v.2 both being displayed in tandem by the Arsenal. The 3rd version of Wengerball could possibly incorporate the best qualities from the two previous styles. Wenger may well have the cracked the code which could enable us to threaten for both the league and the CL, simultaneously. ]]> xWinnerxWisherx http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/958-wengerball-evolution.html http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/889-swashbuckling-style-arsenal.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:14:12 GMT One such aspect is the characters; Athos the strong, determined leader, Aramis, the intelligent, inquisitive, deep thinker, Porthos, the flamboyant... One such aspect is the characters; Athos the strong, determined leader, Aramis, the intelligent, inquisitive, deep thinker, Porthos, the flamboyant character capable of doing the unexpected. I am sure all arsenal fans can put those characteristics to faces within the arsenal camp, not to mention Dartagnian the young, confident, talented apprentice who wants to impress and prove his worth; well we can put many a face to that can’t we. However the key comparison lies beyond both these aspects and rests on the true aura which surrounds them and that is their style.
The musketeers were an intelligent, valiant and swift offensive force who aimed to do what is right for their king and for their people whilst fighting the forces of the evil cardinal who wore red. They were fashionable, daring and dependable. On the battle field where they put their swordsmanship to use they fought with great technique and grace, often letting their enemy come at them and pouncing on any mistakes that are made. Their fighting style and skill was like no others at their time and each member was capable of pulling pieces of individual brilliance when needed and when pulling together as a team, they could face down the mightiest foe.
Arsenals style of play on the pitch is championed and considered by many to be the best style of football out there at the moment. When I was in Morocco recently, the conversation in the taxi’s often turned to football and everyone I met considered arsenal either as their team or the best team to watch. My friend who travelled to Thailand recently experienced the same thing. A universal agreement over arsenals style, which has bought great success and pleasure to many, shows that they stand out among the rest. One reason the gunners stand out so much is due to the nature of their surroundings.
The premier league has always been one of the top leagues but the characteristics which define Arsenal are not typical of the characteristics of the premier league. The English game is traditionally fast, physical (often brutal), direct and fuelled by the virtues of heart, bravery and determination. Giving it all to get the ball in the back of the net was worth more than how it was done for that is where the passion lied, in how badly you wanted it and bearing your soul on the pitch.
National symbols for countries soccer tradition reflect this too, Brazil have the famous Pele celebrating still and that goal against Italy. Argentina has the maradonna goal and the Batigol celebration, whilst Holland has that famous picture of the Cryff turn and that Van Basten goal. The most famous pictures representing England (other than the Moore world cup celebration) are the blood soaked heads of Butcher and Ince and one of Psycho screaming. The spirit and guts of the English game is the paramount aspect, rather than the quality of what was being achieved on the pitch.
Not implying that the English team or league lacks skill or quality (far from it) but I am sure the reader can see what I am getting at.
Arsenal Wenger came into English football as an unknown quantity and turned that passion on its head. He wanted to see strength, guts and determination as much as the former wanted to see great moves and pieces of fantastic skill but what was most important to him was how it was all done, how the players achieved what they achieved on the pitch.
He created a style of football which has two key aspects, the passing possession play and the counter attack. Both formidable on their own but when combined form a lethal style of football which even pure heart and soul cannot stop.
Arsenal passing game involves a quick short passing game across the whole of the pitch, focusing on swift movement and great positioning; the long ball is pretty much an auxiliary move.
This quick passing game is played with the intention of finding a killer ball; a ball perfected by Bergkamp and now Fabregas, although anyone is capable on the day. The killer ball is a ball which puts a player into a position with a great chance of scoring, usually a through ball or a sideways pass.
This ball may come after 4 passes or 44 passes but with the gunners it does not matter, patience, as well as intensity is one of their virtues. Due to the high standard of defending in the premiership the killer ball cannot always be found in the first dozen passes and so it gives the opposition time to regroup defensively and set their lines. This may spell doom for most other teams who will either resort to a long shot or inevitably lose it when they are out of ideas but not for Arsenal, they are happy to pass it around.
Teams often look to defend well against arsenal and stay tight and get right into their players to prevent their passing game but the gunner’s movement is often so immaculate that a pass is always on. One could be forgiven for thinking that the gunners have more than 11 players on the pitch because someone is always there. Players such as Rosicky, Van Persie or Fabregas may work a position to shoot from outside the box but a key hole through ball to a forward is a favourite and often causes havoc in the opposition defence.
This play may not lead to a goal but if the opposition clears or wins it back Arsenal’s defensive players are usually in a great position and just win it back to start the process again. This style means that arsenal have a lot of possession and due to this, as well as the intense concentration it demands of the opposition team, they usually succumb sooner or later.
Arsenals other aspect to their game is the counter attack. This demands no patient but rather a lightening fast reaction to an opposition attack after winning back the ball. When the opposition bears down on their goal Arsenals attacking players get into positions to be passed to in space when the ball is back in their possession. This is usually one on each wing, one in the middle and the forwards waiting to burst the offside trap and draw defenders.
Arsenals defence is quick and confident and when the opposition is committed to the attack a defender will swoop in take the ball and initiate the counter attack. Arsenal’s attackers are equally quick and opposition teams with their players committed to the attack are left handicapped against the onslaught. The player with the ball will burst forward with pace at goal and a situation is often faced where he has acres of space to himself or there will be more fellow players in attack than opposition defenders meaning that a player will almost certainly be available for a killer ball, unless the player wants to go all the way himself.
This simple but effective tactic is not as complex as the first but it is equally if not more effective. All Wenger’s teams during his reign so far, have been masters of it.
When you combine these two tactics together it can be seen why arsenals style is superior to all other styles out there. The passing game demands patience and possession with great use of expression and creativity. The intensity and discipline of constant waves of attacks are usually too much for the opposition and the goals come flowing. Defensively this tactic is perfect because if the opposition does not have the ball they cannot score.
If the opposition consequently does get the ball then they will be set up for the counter attack. They either hold players back to prevent it thus weakening the attack, leaving the world class arsenal defence with an easy job or they commit and hope to score or keep the ball. When Arsenal get the ball back they will charge on in their counter attack in the manner mentioned or if the opposition has enough defenders or the quality to stop it then they will just revert back to the passing game and start again.
This leaves a conundrum for opposing teams as to how to play them. It is so difficult that teams such as Blackburn have actually claimed foul play as a valid way of stopping them claiming “how else can you stop them, they are better than us”. Arsenal often receives a physical game because only the very best teams can actually try and win through tactical play. This physical game tries to rattle the players and keep them from flowing by fouling and giving away free kicks. The fact that teams do this is a testimony to how feared and effective the arsenal style is.
Over the last 10 years Arsenal have been one of the top scorers in the whole of Europe with the quality of the goals being of the highest order. The style is unique, incomparable, often unstoppable and superior to virtually all other styles. The musketeer virtues of speed, guile, grace, technique, gallantry, determination, intelligence, confidence and courage shine throughout the team and throughout the club as a whole. The players are heroes to their fans and are highly esteemed by lovers of great football. They stand out from the rest and though they do not always achieve what they wilalalala is not through want of trying, and they always stick to their unique philosophy and will never lean to ugly play to get what they want. This is the honour of musketeers.
So next time you hear the gunners referred to as the musketeers don’t just dismiss it, give it a second thought because who would have thought that a 21st century team could embody the personality and characteristics of four 17th century courtly gentleman. ]]> xWinnerxWisherx http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/blogs/369343-xwinnerxwisherx/889-swashbuckling-style-arsenal.html