Shearer Praises Wenger Master of Variety

Wrong Manager
By Boris Mellor
January 20 2008

Arsene Wenger and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer fell out just before the New Year, after he claimed Arsenal could not win the Premier League playing ‘beautiful football’. Wenger, always the diplomat, hit back by saying the former England international comments, which came after Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at Portsmouth, were, ‘stupid’.

Shearer admits Wenger got it right
After the 3-0 victory at Fulham Shearer was full of praise for Arsenal’s ability to vary it. What he was particularly enthusiastic about was that accurate crosses were delivered to a big bloke in the middle (remind you of anyone). He also noted that Arsenal still played the pretty stuff, but when that did not work they varied it.
   He argued that the two headers in one game was something new (When did the Gunners last score two headers in a game, by a forward, Cygan not allowed as an answer), and that the Rosicky volley from a great Eduardo cutback was the traditional Wenger style.    Wenger was on the same lines as Shearer in his post match comments he explained that getting goals from wide was "unusual for us, though it shows we have variety in our game”.

   Fulham had set out their stall with a conservative 4-5-1, making it difficult for Arsenal to find room down the middle. Against Birmingham, the Gunners had struggled to find the net, but this time they shrugged their shoulders, went wide, and were ahead after only 20 minutes.

African Footballer of Year rises to new heights
Who Needs Wingers?
   Football is more about players than formations, or even positions, in particular, it is about intelligence. What was pleasing about this performance was the way the players mixed it up on the field. Clichy often overlaps, but to be honest, his final ball often underwhelms me, but this time he gave the perfect cross for Adebayor to out jump the whole Fulham defence.

   Now the lesson of last week’s wobble is never to count on a one nil lead, so once again the Gunners looked for goals, and on 39 minutes Rosicky went wide to provide the cross for the BBC’s African Footballer of the Year to put Arsenal 2-0 up. So if this team can do wide what is the need for a winger?
   Even at 2-0 there were times when it looked like Fulham could score, but the defence, including the injured Senderos kept firm. Funny how they do not show re runs of our players being elbowed in the face. I hope his nose is not broken.
Wenger Traditional
On 82 minutes it was put beyond Fulham’s reach with an old style Wenger goal. Eduardo dribbled though a packed penalty area, true it was from the by line, and threaded a cut back to Rosicky, who did what he should do far more often, volleyed the ball in to the net. Game set and match. Wobble Over
   This was a good all round performance, with many good individual performances. Thank goodness Togo never qualified for the Africa cup, how would we cope without RvP, and the very much under appreciated, by some, Adebayor?
   Eduardo displays more facets to his game every match, Rosicky is returning to form, as is Hleb. Fabregas is slowly returning to pre injury form, and once he does Flamini will find some space in the box again.

For a large selection of Arsenal Books, DVDs, PC games AND MORE at Bargain Prices visit the Arsenal Times Store CLICK HERE

Shearer Praises Wenger Master of Variety

Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)

Date: 20/01/2008 09:56

Shearer Praises Wenger Master of Variety