Arsenal’s clinical finishing patches up shaky defence

Arsenal’s seven goal encounter with Turkish side Fenerbahce, epitomised a thrilling night of Champions League football where 36 goals were scored in total around the grounds.

Fenerbahce’s ground in Istanbul has an infamous reputation.

Chelsea lost there in April, and until tonight, the Turkish champions were unbeaten at home in their last 15 European games in three years.

Attack-minded set-up

Despite this, and despite not having three first choice defenders in captain William Gallas, Kolo Toure and Bacary Sagna, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, selected an attack-minded starting 11.

The tall, powerful Togolese striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, started alone up front, but had the useful support of Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby playing just behind him.

This was Abou Diaby’s first European appearance of the season, since he opened the scoring so emphatically at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-finals in April.

The long-legged Frenchman’s dribbling ability, quick movements and body strength make him altogether unpredictable and a real challenge to mark.

Diaby added presence to the five man midfield, and his early interception in the centre, contributed to the build-up play for Adebayor’s opening goal.

The opening half of the game was characterised by fluent, exciting forward play and suspect defending from both teams. Arsenal were able to exploit Fenerbahce’s square positioning through Theo Walcott’s pace and drive which led to their second goal.

In such an open game, the winner will be the side that is most exploitative of the other’s weakness and most lethal in finishing their chances.

Arsenal did just that. They recorded six shots on target in the whole game, finishing five of them, compared to the home side’s seven.

Shaky defence

For all their clinical finishing, Arsenal’s patched up defence did look very vulnerable at times.

Left-back Gael Clichy and centre-back Mikael Silvestre left the left-side wide open at times for Fenerbahce’s Spanish striker Daniel Guiza and Semih Senturk to push forward.

Defending set-pieces tends to be Arsenal’s downfall, and in the nineteenth minute once again they were caught short at the back post, allowing Guiza to volley across the six yard area and gain a fortunate deflection off Silvestre.

No defensive midfield

Arsenal’s stand in central defensive pairing of Alex Song and Mikael Silvestre, were not aided by the absence of a natural defensive midfielder.

The central midfield was often exposed as Diaby was given license to go forward and Nasri and Walcott stretched the width of the pitch.

Fabregas’s natural inclination is to be the playmaker, leaving Denilson (see picture above - courtesy of Jasmine Krancjar) to do his fair share of defensive duties.

Denilson’s inability to stand into Mathieu Flamini’s departed role, still remains a real concern for Arsenal, and on nights where finishing might go astray, they need to find a way of being tighter defensively.

This was a night, however, that celebrated attacking flair and promising players of the future.

As 17-year-old Welshman Aaron Ramsey announced his arrival on the European stage with a goal in the ninetieth minute, Arsene Wenger’s ethos should live on.

Back to Basics suits Phil Brown

Responding to Hull City’s win over West Ham United on Sunday, manager Phil Brown concluded: “The way you maintain success is having good basics.”

And with maximum points taken from their last three games against challenging London opposition – Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, Brown’s straight-forward philosophy seems to be working.

‘Good basics’ are essential for survival in the premier league, which is the first key target of all newly promoted sides like Hull City. Doing the basics well - essentially being committed, dogged defensively and using set pieces – has served Bolton Wanderers well since their promotion in 2001.

Suitable signings

Making significant, suitable signings also helps to make that considerable step up to any division. Phil Brown recruited well in the summer, bringing in two experienced premiership players in George Boateng from Middlesborough and Sunderland’s Paul McShane on loan for the season.

Brazilian Geovanni from Manchester City already had a settling in season under his belt and his vision and eye for goal - that attracted former Manchester City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson to sign him last season – has been seen in his wonder goals against Arsenal and Tottenham.

The Geovanni signing was crucial for Hull. Having a well-organised and committed team is essential, but having that spark, that player that can turn a game on its head, can significantly increase a team’s self-belief and determination.

Brown’s loan signing of Guinean defender Kamil Zayatte also looks a shrewd one. He is powerful and quick, and won nearly every aerial challenge against Everton early on in the season.

Riding your luck

A bit of luck can also play a significant part in establishing a winning streak.

Phil Brown has been able to put out the same starting 11 for the previous three games, all of which they have won.

West Ham at the weekend spurned a fair share of chances to open the scoring and then to equalise. Valon Behrami shot just wide of the post, Craig Bellamy blazed over and Matthew Etherington volleyed into the side-netting.

Hull’s Kamil Zayatte could have made it two in the second half, however, when he broke away through the centre to fire a rising shot just over the bar.

The Tigers might have ridden their luck at times, relying on the profligacy of established premier league sides like Arsenal and West Ham United. But they have also been dogged and resilient, and produced some genius moments through their nimble Brazilian.

‘The Times’ sportswriter Nick Szczepanik ‘s choice of headline “Bubbly Hull City continue to float on air”, however, adds a cautious tone to this newly promoted side’s early success.

"Music through unconventional means"

Sidestepping football for a moment, Shlomo and the Vocal Orchestra deserve a raving review for their thrilling performance at the Southbank Centre on Friday night.

As a human beatboxer, Shlomo is capable of recreating a diversity of sounds using just his mouth.

He is the most listened to beatboxer in world history – after his collaborated tune with Bjork was performed at the Olympics opening ceremony in Athens – and has just commenced a year long residency at the Southbank centre.

His latest series entitled “Music through unconventional means” pushes the boundaries of beatboxing by incorporating it with all kinds of musical artforms:

· complex hip hop
· trance
· drum and bass
· world beats

Human beatbox choir

In his show, Shlomo beatboxes into a loop sampler, creating different layers of sound and energy.

When the Vocal Orchestra join Shlomo on stage, they form the world's only human beatbox choir.

The eight musicians boast a diverse range of musical backgrounds – from classical trained singers to drummers and rappers.

Bellatrix’s contribution warrants a mention. She is the UK’s leading female beatbox artist who plays bass whilst beatboxing.

The artists combine to create imaginative sounds and incredibly moving pieces.

This is truly feel-good music and the creativity of the artists is a wonder to behold.

Shlomo's next event is on Saturday 13th December at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank. Check it out.

Xavi Alonso fancies an Italian job

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this week, Liverpool midfielder, Xavi Alonso, admitted that his attraction to Italian club, Juventus, “still remains in tact”.

Juventus had been in talks with Liverpool over the signing of Alonso in the summer, as the English side sought to fund a move for Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry.

No price was agreed, however, and Juventus sealed a deal for Danish international, Christian Poulsen, from Sevilla FC, instead.

Surprising timing

It is not only the timing of Alonso’s comment that is surprising. Indeed, Liverpool have made a unusally consistent start to their Premier League campaign this season – they are currently unbeaten and sitting second to Chelsea in the table. Alonso has played a vital role in this, playing in all seven games for the club so far.

Alonso has also had to overcome any loss of pride on two fronts:

• One, Christian Poulsen was chosen ahead of him,
• and secondly, Juventus coach, Claudio Ranieri’s recent swipe that he did not sign the former Real Sociedad player because he was too slow.
  

Barcelona link

Today the Spanish media linked Barcelona with a move for Alonso in January. Alonso’s response – “…I have still not decided on a concrete date for my return to Primera Liga" – is far from reassuring to any concerned Liverpool fans.

If Liverpool are still sitting comfortably around the top of the Premier League come January, however, that return to the La Liga might be put off for one more season, at least.

Can Abou Diaby fill the void in Arsenal’s central midfield?

After yet another spell on the sidelines, 22-year-old French midfielder, Abou Diaby, is set for a first team return following the international break.

Since his transfer from French club Rennes in January 2006, Diaby has so far failed to establish himself in the Arsenal first team for a consistent period. This has been largely due to a succession of injuries.

On the sidelines

Most notably, a horrific ankle injury sustained in a brutal challenge with Sunderland’s Daniel Smith kept Diaby out for eight months very early on in his Arsenal career.

Since then, niggling muscular strains have interrupted Diaby’s progress. Speaking to Arsenal TV this week, Diaby said he feels strong and ready to fight for a first team place.

Arsenal are currently craving for Diaby’s potential dynamism and long, elusive legs in the centre of their midfield.

Arsene Wenger failed to recruit a sufficient successor to the combative Mathieu Flamini in the summer, and Arsenal have paid for it in some of their Premier League results already.

Flamini's tenacity in the centre of midfield was missing in Arsenal’s away loss to Fulham in August, and their recent home defeat to Hull and away draw to Sunderland last week.

A lack of clinical finishing by the Arsenal strike force has also been responsible for those lost points. But the young Brazilian, Denilson, and Cameroonian Alex Song do not yet seem to have the composure or the ability to make a telling challenge or bursting midfield run.

Diaby has this ability. Comparisons have continually been made between Diaby and ex-Arsenal captain, Patrick Viera. Viera has himself referred to the player as having “the right potential”.

Up until now, all Diaby has is largely untested potential in Arsenal’s central midfield. In his 28 appearances last season, Flamini’s form consigned Diaby to the left-side of midfield.

Although Diaby did not always look comfortable in this converted role, he did come up with some magnificent goals - a wonder strike against Derby at home in the league and a pivotal Champions League goal at Anfield.

Physical presence

Diaby’s tall, imposing frame and physical presence suggests he is better suited to the centre, and he has continually professed this to be his preferred role.

Before Diaby’s unfortunate collision with John Terry in Arsenal’s Carling Cup Final against Chelsea in 2007, he had comfortably held his own in central midfield. Indeed, his superb dribbling around Chelsea’s box led to Theo Walcott’s opening goal.

Diaby will have to learn to eliminate ill-timed challenges from his game in order to provide Arsenal with a much needed defensive rock in their midfield.

At a towering height of 6ft 2ins, Diaby could help anchor a midfield entirely bereft of tall players (Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri both measure 5ft 10ins). This addition of height to the midfield would also augment the under-fire defence – Kolo Toure and William Gallas’s central defensive pairing has been criticised as deficient in height.

Many young players come to Arsenal because Arsene Wenger offers budding talent, rare opportunities to test themselves at the highest level. Diaby is now ready for that challenge and the gaping hole in the centre of midfield is counting on him to succeed.

Why Chris Waddle is talking twaddle

Daily Mail sportswriter Chris Waddle has today suggested Fabio Capello should drop England hat trick hero Theo Walcott because his game is too one dimensional.

According to Waddle, Walcott’s only asset is pace, and he argues that this will not suffice in international games when teams tend to sit deep and need to be broken down.

Certainly when Walcott is given space to run into he looks deadly, as seen in Arsenal’s home game to Slavia Prague last season, when he scored his first European goals for the club.

To argue that pace is all Walcott has to his game and to profess that he never sees him “run at opponents, go outside them, beat them one on one”, is vastly overlooking this Englishman’s strengths.

Walcott's dynamism beats four Liverpool players

Arguably one of the most exciting moments in last years’ Champions League is when Walcott made that dynamic, skilful run in Arsenal’s encounter at Anfield in the quarter finals.

That run was inspired by pace, yes, but Walcott did not simply have wide open space in front of him like Waddle would have you believe. He had to take on and indeed, beat four Liverpool players in one on one situations, in order to get to the byline and assist Emmanuel Adebayor in making their dramatic equalising goal.

Waddle also makes the point that as this is Walcott’s first real debut season for Arsenal; coaches have not yet found ways to stop his blistering pace.

Once again, however, Waddle is underestimating the consequences of what Walcott achieved through his hat-trick against Croatia a month ago.

Walcott’s style of play was thrown into the spotlight; every Football Manager across the world would know what this boy was about and how dangerous he could be. Arsene Wenger had been concerned after this game that Walcott would be man-marked and called for referees to give him added protection.

Indeed, both Wenger and Walcott would have been concerned that his game would be affected, if all he had was pace to burn.

The skill to overcome defensive tactics

As Waddle himself comments, teams play it safe against high profile and potentially pacey opposition by defending deep and not allowing them any space.

That’s what Dynamo Kiev did at home to Arsenal when they were one nil up in the qualifiers two weeks ago, and what Sunderland did throughout their game to Arsenal last weekend.

To a large extent, both teams were successful in thwarting Arsenal’s efforts as a result. And perhaps they would have been entirely successful if Arsenal had not had Theo Walcott in their side.
Walcott resisted the hard tackles and strong physical pressure in the Dynamo Kiev game. He refused to lie down or give up when his team fell behind in a difficult game in the Ukraine.

In the ninetieth minute, his efforts were rewarded when he tussled past players to get to the byline and produce an assist for his captain William Gallas to poke home.

Equally Walcott’s legitimate assist to Robin van Persie should have stood in the Sunderland game. A game in which he did not exert his game enough, but still made what should been a telling contribution.

Walcott's competition with Shaun Wright-Phillips

Certainly Shaun Wright-Phillips has looked a born-again footballer since rejoining Manchester City in the summer. His deliveries and confidence going forward makes him a strong favourite to start the next two England qualifiers. And indeed, Walcott does need to continue to develop consistency to his game if he is to be a definite starter in the England side.

Ultimately, Walcott has earnt his place in the England side to face Kazakhstan, however, because of his ability to change a game for both club and country through his pace, intelligence and skill. And like Waddle, I consider Capello the manager to make the right call.

(Image courtesy of PLHee)

Should David Moyes and Everton break ties for a brighter future?

As Everton manager David Moyes appears to be getting ever closer to signing a new five-year contract, questions are being raised as to where he and currently 15th placed Everton are heading.

With consecutive top six finishes for the first time in the Premier League, there was confidence at the start of this season that Moyes could further build on that relative consistency.

Notable signings

Moyes’s most successful seasons with Everton have been largely due to some shrewd acquisitions. When they broke into the top four in the 2003/2004 season, Moyes replaced Wayne Rooney with James Beattie, and Mikel Arteta came in for the influential midfielder Thomas Gravesen.

Arguably Tim Cahill has been Moyes’ best deal to date, however, plucking him from Millwall for £1.5m. Cahill finished the season as top scorer for Everton.

Everton’s success has been largely dependent on these astute transfer dealings and breaking their club record spending on a player year on year.

Central midfielder Marouane Fellani from Standard Liege is Everton’s record-breaking signing for this season. He signed on deadline day, and so far his £15m transfer fee has not looked value for money.

Physical approach

It takes strong technical ability and physicality and occasionally a bit of luck, to break into the dominant ‘Top Four’ in the Premiership. Physical strength and commitment to the challenge, has long been recognised as Everton’s asset.

Everton beat Arsenal at home in their 2006/07 campaign through Andrew Johnson’s late goal largely through their robust approach and Arsenal’s profligacy in front of goal. Click here for a clip of the goal.

Everton had conceded 16 goals in their first eight games of the season prior to losing to Standard Liege midweek. Their characteristic closing down of players was absent.

Defensive frailties and a greater fluid partnership between Yakubu and Louis Saha will need to be rectified if they have any chance of challenging for a high league spot this season.

Aston Villa: An ideal model

Aston Villa currently lie fourth in the Premier League after six games played. Villa have physical presence all over the pitch in Nigel Reo-Coker, John Carew and Martin Laursen and scintillating pace and technical panache in Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner.

Villa boast home grown talent in spades, and among them Gareth Barry was a firm target for multi-winning Champions League side Liverpool.

If Moyes wants to achieve sustainable success with Everton, it’s going to take some fresh development of ideas and talent such as Villa’s in order to compete.