Arsenal FC: Lessons from the Gunners on International Duty

As one of the superpowers of European and world football, Arsenal is among the clubs that has a lot of players that are essential pieces of their jigsaw puzzle.

Arsenal had a good number of ambassadors in last summer’s World Cup but Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were the only Gunners that got on the score sheet.

Inter-lulls are always scheduled to come in between club fixtures, and this one was no different. There are times you wish that the international break wouldn't come, especially when you’re in great form.

While there are other times when it can't come soon enough.

Arsenal is currently going through a bad spell and the international break has provided Arsene Wenger with enough time to go back to his drawing board to cook up new tactics. He can also inject a new approach to his side because this present Arsenal squad is in dire need of change.

Change can come in form of a new formation, such as the reliable 4-4-2 that almost propelled Arsenal to the Premier League title in the 2007-08 season before William Gallas’ antics coupled with those hopeless draws closed the curtain on Arsenal’s Premier League hopes.

Tomas Rosicky and Aliaksandr Hleb provided wit on the flanks while Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini the Flanimal forged an extremely good understanding in the middle of the park.

Arsenal has wingers that can do what Rosicky and Hleb did back in the day, but leaving Alex Song and any other creative midfielder like Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta or Yossi Benayoun would mean that Robin van Persie will play with a strike partner and I’m pretty sure that it would be welcomed by the Arsenal faithful.

Change can also come in form an injection of a defensive coach into the club’s current staff, because it’s fair to say that there are many men in Arsenal that defend like toddlers.

I was very impressed with the six-man defensive outlook Arsenal used in their box when defending corners in their game against Newcastle in August, but Wenger failed to stick with that tactic and his team has been duly punished.

A change in Arsenal’s fortunes is something that everyone has been praying for because the way the injuries, suspensions and ill-luck pile up can only be likened from the hands of Loki himself.

Arsenal sent some ambassadors to represent their nations last weekend as well as tonight, while some will get the final piece of international action tomorrow before returning to London to play Sunderland on Saturday.

Park Chu Young

Park Chu-Young proved again that he could be a beast in front of goal and he’s one player that deserves a run out in the club.

We also know that Park CY has told everyone that he has only two years to spend with Arsenal before representing the Korean Army, and he says that he wants to end his stay in Europe with a flourish, so employing the 4-4-2 tactic with him and RVP could bring devastating results for Arsenal.

Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey has shown the world how he can lead by example and he has always been vocal about his high hopes for Wales.

Gary Speed’s present side has some household names and the future is bright for that footballing nation with the likes of Ramsey and Bale the Chimp spearheading its football affairs

Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie has shown the doubters that it’s not every time he represents Holland that he ends up with a mysterious injury.

He also showed his adeptness on the right wing and his sleek and deft touches were vital for Holland, but it wasn’t enough as their 100 percent record with shattered to bits by Sweden in Rasunda.

Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny’s continuous wait for his French debut should have sent a clear message to him that there’s still hope for the bloke to join Poland, but the decision still rests with him.

He really showed everyone last season that Arsene Wenger knows a bargain when he sees one. He still has a thing or two to learn though.

Johan Djourou

Johan Djourou missed out on his nation’s qualifier against Wales through suspension, but it’s funny to see how he has gone back to the No. 4 slot in Arsenal’s defense after showing so much promise last season.

He had a stinker against Blackburn but I’m sure that he won’t dwell on it.

Per Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker used his enormous height to great effect when Germany played Turkey, but I was disappointed that it wasn’t exploited in White Hart Lane despite Wenger’s attempt to give him that Samba-esque role.

But I’ll point my finger at the remaining 10 teammates that were tasked with floating the ball up for him

Andrey Arshavin

Arshavin wasn’t really a peripheral figure when Russia beat Slovakia, but Arshavin is a player that really needs to step up for Arsenal because his place is seriously under threat.

Gervinho has usurped him from a starting berth on the left wing and he also has the potential threat of Ryo Miyaichi to contend with.

Lukasz Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski showed signs of rustiness when Poland played Korea Republic, but he’ll get another bite on the cherry when Poland play Belarus.

It’s really interesting to know that Fabianski and Szczesny are fighting for a place in both club and country, but I tend to wonder what happened to Artur Boruc because he was the next best thing after the great Jerzy Dudek.

Tomas Rosicky

Tomas Rosicky showed off the moves that made people call him the Little Mozart, and I certainly hope that the trend will continue in Arsenal.

Tomas used to command a first-team shirt for Arsenal when he arrived from Dortmund, but his hamstring injury paved the way for others and he has really struggled to get his place.

It’s more shocking to know that he can’t still get a place even after Francesca and Samantha left the club

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Wenger a lot to think about following his brilliant hat trick, but it’s also heartwarming to know that he can offer Arsenal some hope from the bench when the chips are down.

Marouane Chamakh

Marouane Chamakh scored for Morocco to seal their qualification to the African Cup of Nations after a four-year absence, but he hasn’t been able to recapture the form of his first five months at Arsenal, where he scored 10 goals in 21 appearances.

I hope he gets his act right soon enough.

Gervinho

Gervinho was suspect for being very selfish in his recent Arsenal matches, but he provided an assist for a former Gunner/junkie Kolo Toure.

Yao Kouassi has been a big hit at Arsenal and I hope that Sunderland will be on the end of his trickery and, hopefully, goals.

Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott’s assist for Young showed how massively he has improved over the turn of the year.

It’s really awkward to know that Fabio Hitler selected the one-dimensional Lennon and the winger whose name is taller than him, Short Wright-Philips, above Theo but England’s loss was Arsenal’s gain because it unleashed the beast within.

Nasri also unleashed the post-World Cup beast and he’s presently earning the big greens at Etihad Stadium.

Summary

Finally, it’s refreshing to know that the Gunners are returning back to London unscathed and they’ll be ready to rediscover their form with a victory against Sunderland.

I forgot to add the world’s best striker’s name to the list. His goal against Portugal sent Morten Olson’s men to the Group Stages of the Euros while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are going to the playoffs, but they could qualify from the Best Placed runners up category.

Ronaldo’s free kick was a thing of beauty but Ricardo Quaresma needs to be flogged, though.

We know that he’s the king of the outside of the boot technique, but I’m sure that God knew what he was doing when he gave us two feet.

Sayonara.