Arsenal FC: 5 Conclusions from the Game Against Fulham

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Fulham today in a torrid performance. Arsenal looked off colour today after their 2-1 Champions League win over Dortmund. Fulham took advantage of that and Riise forced a mistake out of Vermaelen to make it 1-0 FULHAM. However, Arsenal fought back and Walcott crossed for Vermaelen to equalize in the 81st minute. Arsenal had chances to win the game but failed to make them count largely due to the brilliance of Mark Schwarzer.

Basic Lineups and Formations

Arsenal lined up in their usual fluid 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-1-3. Song played higher up than usual, taking a box-to-box role ahead of Arteta, who played his deep lying distributor role. Robin van Persie linked up with Ramsey, playing the false nine role and Arsenal as a whole again looked to play through Walcott, with Djourou being pushed up to support him.

Fulham's lineup was more interesting. It seemed like a very straightforward 4-4-1-1, with Belgian Moussa Dembele acting as the link man between midfield and attack. What it became, however, was a 4-2-2-2, played across four lines, with Ruiz coming narrower than Dempsey to try and restrict the Arsenal midfield three, with four pressing three rather than three pressing four. On the whole, Fulham set up in a similar fashion to Dortmund. Of course, they do not nearly have the same pressing expertise, resulting in Arsenal having more chances in the first half. Dembele was given a free role of sorts, he was drifting all over the pitch.

Riise came forward quite a lot, presumably to link up with Dempsey and cause Djourou problems due to to his advanced wing back position. Again, this accounts for the space Walcott got. As for Thomas Vermaelen, Fulham, as Dortmund did with a superior pressing model, left the centre-backs isolated as "they could let Arsenal keep possession there." Ultimately, it was this laissez-faire attitude which led to the first goal.

It was understandable that neither van Persie nor Ramsey had a completely stellar game. This was because, from a tactical point of view, van Persie was enclosed in a zone of four, with Senderos, Hangeland, Etuhu and Murphy all having varying degrees of responsibility to restrict him. As for Ramsey, he was Etuhu's primary responsibility, as he frequently moved to Ramsey's position. The midfield was already squashed due to the bank of four Fulham pressing.

In conclusion, Fulham tried to isolate van Persie but made some of the same mistakes as Dortmund did by leaving Walcott free by pushing Riise up. Doing what Dortmund had tried to do but less proactively and less pressing based did not work again Arsenal.  

The Rise of Diaby

Diaby was once a shining example of Arsene Wenger's youth project at Arsenal. A talented box-to-box midfielder, Diaby had a great touch and magical feet. However, injuries struck him down and he seemed to be at the end of his Arsenal career. Recently, he has shown evidence of re-invigoration in cameo appearances and seems like a player reborn.

Champions League Hangover

After a Champions League match, a team is often tired as it goes into its next league fixture. It loses its hunger for the game and manages to drop its intensity. This was especially visible in Arsenal's more ponderous approach against Blackburn.

Walcott, Ever Improving in His Qualities

Today, Theo Walcott provided a sublime cross for Thomas Vermaelen to head in Arsenal's equalizer. The cross stood in response to years of cross-cum-shots, years of easily losing the ball after getting into dangerous areas. In short, years of frustration. Today, Theo Walcott was a standout performer for Arsenal football club, another match which perpetuates his good form.

Arsenal:Completely a 1-Man Team?

Robin van Persie did not score today. True, he still played quite well, but he did not score. Nor did he have a hand in the goal that Arsenal did score. What this demonstrates is the fact that Arsenal are not completely the one-man side that people say they are, that other people can score for Arsenal.