06 Mar 2026 11:34:41
I saw Ed25's comments about the style of play, and whilst I agree, I don't think Arteta has much option right now.
We've been vocally criticised under all of Artetas tenure by pundits and fans for being naive and not finding a way to win.
We've often played against 11 men behind the ball, which is within the laws of the game despite it not being fun to watch and limits the opportunity for free flowing football. The criticism of that is just that the game was slow or boring, not that the team doing it were doing anything to spoil the game - they were just being pragmatic.
I was fed-up watching us being stifled by low-block teams, and although I hoped we'd find a way to break them down mid game by a change of formation (e. g. 3412 with kai and Gyokeres up top, eze behind, Dec and zubi in the midfield with madueke and saka playing out wide to fire in crosses) but for whatever reason, formation change has not been tried. I still think we could and should at least try something very different tactic-wise but not holding my breath.
I don't want to win games of football by a single, scrappy rugby-style corner. Inhate anything that's seemingly unfair - holding, diving, fake injuries etc. That said, I hate watching an entire team sit behind the ball for 90 mins and either grind out a draw or worse, nick a goal and win it. And that's what I think caused our reliance in set-pieces and as it worked so we'll, sticking with it.
From the way football changes in style over the seasons based on what seems to work best (from 442, to 4231, 433 / Fabregas style players to much more physical amd athletic) perhaps someone will work out another style that will dominate and remove the opportunityfor low block teams and the reliance on corners, but I don't think there will be a move away from the current style organically.
For me, the best solution to improve the entertainment side of things are rule changes - but that needs to be both corners and open play.
Ultimately, City are playing more free-flowing football than us but have been beaten by teams worse than them, and aren't top. We're in pole position to win the league and that's what the fans have been demanding for years. If the low block is acceptable, I can't blame Arteta for being pragmatic, playing to our strengths and utilitising corners the way we do.
{Ed025's Note - finding a way to win is the main thing i suppose Jim, you are not the only team who are finding a way by fair means or foul to get a result mate but i dont have to like it, having seen a lot of great Arsenal sides i must admit the style does disappoint me (or should i say lack of) but hey ho, i want a date with Emilia Fox but thats not happening either.. :)
07 Mar 2026 22:44:11
Jim, Ed025 - I will say only that to form a complete picture of this Arsenal side, you need to watch the games against Leeds, Spurs, Villa, CL sides, etc. When the other team comes to play, it's fairly exciting football.
You do get the odd damp squib like against Brighton but look how far up the pitch they pressed. IMO there's a bit of selective reporting going on.
{Ed025's Note - i suppose its how you see things on a personal level Wire, im a bit of a football snob and like to watch skillful fast flowing play from teams who get me off my seat and entertain me, the Liverpool team under Klopp, the Utd side under Fergie and the Arsenal side under Wenger, i hate the way football is heading now where set plays corners and throw-ins are deciding the result mate, add to that the pushing, pulling at grappling in the box and players rolling around holding their faces when they get tackled...its all getting a bit much for me i must admit, Arsenal have taken that to a new level this season and you either cant or dont want to see it, are you the only ones?..NO, but two wrongs have never made a right..