Gunners Toothless Against Defensive-Minded Opponents

Arsenal’s approach and philosophy of play is anchored by quick through passes blended with attacking flair in 4-4-2 system. This formation enabled them to win three Premier League and four FA Cup trophies, winning the 2003-2004 EPL season without losing a single match under Arsene Wenger’s management.

They penetrated easily all types of defensive formations during the days of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp, Fredrik Ljungberg, and Nwanko Kanu, among others.

These players possessed physical, technical, and mental abilities that matched diverse game plans of Premier League teams. Henry, Pires, and Vieira combined well by executing slick-passing and faster-attacking flair football from the midfield to the flanks. They were creative and hence, changed their game plan quickly depending on the opponent's tactics.

After their exodus during the Gunners' transition period, things changed drastically. The new signings, namely Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott, and Tomas Rosicky, with the young players from Arsenal's academy, have not acclimatized well with the Gunners' playing formation. The current crop of players lacks passion, mental, and creative abilities required to play against defensive-minded opponents.

The Premier League teams that used to be rated as underdogs have discovered that Arsenal is stoppable when you close all the space in the midfield and park the defense. AW's playing formation has remained the same since the professor took over the managerial task.

They have always initiated their attacking from the defense to the midfield through their slick passes executed in a triangle form. Shooting from outside the box and long, aerial ball tactics are avoided.

Through and short passes dominate their attacking prowess.Thus, when playing against physical teams like Bolton and Stoke City, among others in the EPL, who prefer 4-5-1 systems of play, it becomes difficult for the strikers to penetrate a nine-man wall.

Arsenal has played well against 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations that give them space to utilize their quick short passes and attacking flair that precipitated so many of their classic goals. When allowed to display their style of play they are unstoppable and have won most of their fixtures against attacking minded opponents.

However, all is not lost. I still believe the Gunners' playing formation can bring success if creative-minded players can be signed during this January transfer window to impart fluidity, sparkle, and life in the current Arsenal midfield. The lack of the Fabregas, Hleb, and Flamini combination is being felt greatly.

These players combined well in the 2007-2008 EPL season, when initiating the Gunners' attacking flair. Their creative and defensive abilities propelled Arsenal to the top of the EPL table.

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