How do we score goals

So let’s see. What are the various ways you can score goals? I categorize them as under

1) Open play 

        a) Outside the box 

        b)  Inside  the box 

2) Free kicks 

3) Corners 

4) Penalties 

Of course you can have own goals. But I guess we will not be planning to score those.

So, when you analyze Arsenal goals in relation to the above. One thing which strikes you is that Arsenal score more goals through option 1b, than any other option.

Though that looks great and is amazing from a football perspective, from a win percentage perspective it is quite disappointing .No matter what, Arsenal will find that there are days when goal scoring through the fine interplay will be difficult. If anything last year was adequate testimony to that.

The result at old Trafford is proof to this. Man u scored 8 goals. Off the 8, following is the statistic 


1) Open play 

        a) Outside the box - 2 

        b) Inside  the box  - 3 

2) Free kicks                    - 2 

3) Corners 

4) Penalties                   - 1 

If anything it tells you that the threat factor is high. Teams which play against Manchester united have to plan defensive tactics for more than one type of play. 

Now the converse is true for Arsenal.Way too many times have opposition teams sat back and defended, knowing we attack only in one way.

How many of us actually remember the last time Arsenal scored from a free kick? I can actually remember that our last goal from a corner was by Djourou against new castle. I may be wrong. But that is the distinctive goal I remember. 

So the solution is simple. Plan for a variety of goal scoring options. 

.

When Frimpong pulled the trigger against Liverpool, I was thrilled to bits. It’s a caution to the opposition that we are capable of shooting. The result was not there, but the opposition would have taken notice. 

That is what is required. In the same way free kicks, which require technical ability to combine the desired pace with direction. Get that dip and curl it. When was the last time we saw one of those from a gunner? 

The squad today has a few who can bend it. Arteta, Chamberlain, Robin, Park all of them, if you look on you tube have more than decent free kicks. 

Corners, one thing which has always baffled me is van persie taking the corners. He is the lead striker ( a good one at that ) and one of our better (taller) players. Surely he should be standing in the box as a target man? 

This needs to improve as well. Now that we have a 6 foot 6 in the team. For corners we need to rely on TV , Mertasacker , Song , Robin and even Gervinho. Get the bodies in the box and have a go for it. 

Need intense practice. I was amazed when Arjen robben sent that bomb of a left foot volley against Man u at old Trafford two years back , that sent man u packing in the champions league. 

The same way Barca practice various combinations of the corner and free kick. Of course they have villa to bend them. Arsenal needs to learn from these. 

There needs to be more than one plan. If we are against a stubborn opposition who get 5-6 players against our 4-5 front men . Instead of passing and waiting to get a clear shot , take the shot. 

This is what young gives Man u . 

Unless there is a smart plan we will end up drawing some games we should have won. Like we did last season.

We have had a good record at penalties, but have missed key ones. (Old Trafford game again)

The key is each opposition needs to be planned against. Swansea is up next, I am sure we will be able to beat them with our passing game. But how about securing that win and then trying a few other options of scoring. 

Conceding 8 against Man U and not scoring against Liverpool has not helped our goal difference. We need to set that straight by thumping the smaller teams. No mercy.

We have the capability; it is just that we need to harness it and use the training sessions to improve.. Make the players more potent and smart and yes keep the opposition guessing. 

There is no point complaining against the long aerial balls of other teams, it’s time to give them a taste of their own medicine.

How did the transfer window go for Arsenal?

There has been a lot of talk about the way Arsenal have done business. Before the window started Arsenal had all the experts screaming as to what has been wrong with the club’s policy. Primarily being, bringing in youngsters and waiting for them to bloom.  It would be fair to say our first move in the window was a pretty strong one with Gervinho. As the window progressed Arsene did what he is best at doing. He picked up some youngsters who are undoubtedly the future stars. If you need proof look them up on YouTube.

Our transfer window was more dominated by outgoing players than incoming players. Once Arsenal sold Cesc and Nasri everyone screamed Arsenal were committing hara-kiri. But look at it this way. Arsenal have had Nasri and Cesc together for the last 4 years. Yes Arsenal played great football. But even they could not pick us up when required. Not to say they were solely responsible. But it’s not the end of the world. Truly speaking both the sagas were having adverse effect on our campaign.

Offensively Arsenal still have a plethora of players who are a threat any day going forward.

But the real problem has always been the defense. The problem has been addressed well. Arsenal now have four centre backs. You would have to say Vermalen and Mertasacker will be starting automatically. It’s not bad for Koscielny and Djorou. They have taken up the bulk of the burden last season. Impressing most of the time but failing at key moments. They will now have an opportunity to cool their feet and also analyze their game. Of course that is if Vermalen stays fit and I can hear a million gunners praying for that.

They key addition has however been Santos at left back. Gibbs is undoubtedly one for future and has wenger’s confidence. But his frequent breakdowns don’t help the cause. Santos has the experience is relatively injury free. He will allow all the other defenders to play in their regular position and he himself looks decent. Importantly is saying the right things.  Right back has never been a doubt. Sagna is the best in his class and Jenkinson will be an able understudy.

The midfield has been the topic of discussion and what seems to have triggered the discussion is the departure of Cesc and Nasri. Plus the defeats to Manchester united and Liverpool. Both the games our midfield was nonexistent, especially at old Trafford. The new additions are Arteta and Benyoun (loan). You would have to say these look like stop gap. But there is no doubting the quality. Remember Arsenal will have Wilshere back.  That is the biggest missing piece. Arteta is no doubt quality, how much quality, enough quality? We’ll let time decide.

The wingers department and the strikers department is adequately stocked. This season should bring the best out of Walcott. I bet for it happening. He looks determined and hungry. The new additions of Park, Chamberlain , Miyachi are all talented enough. Great things are expected of the young duo . But they should be given time.  They will surely excel.  In the meanwhile one player who needs to pull his socks up would be Arshavin , the gunners faithful expect a lot more from the Russian and he surely has the skills to fulfill.

A lot of media reports have been screaming about the death of the youth project. Well something tells me Wenger is still at it. Probably, rightly so.

Last word: Bendtner supposedly said, he would never want to come back to the emirates. Well the feeling is mutual.