Kolo Toure and William Gallas

[CLK_FPC]

If you have sky at 7.15 eurogoals one on one are going to be interviewing Kolo and Yaya Toure. In the interview Toure talks abit about his rift with William Gallas

What was Kolo hoping to achieve with Arsenal outburst?

He basically insinuates that Wenger allowed Gallas to influence his team selection and get him dropped

 

[JazzG]

Good on Gallas then because for most of last season and from January onwards the season before Kolo was shit more often than not. If he can't accept that then so be it but his performances were unacceptable and we mugged Man City getting £15mill for him.

 

[rocks13]

Good on Gallas then because for most of last season and from January onwards the season before Kolo was shit more often than not. If he can't accept that then so be it but his performances were unacceptable and we mugged Man City getting £15mill for him.

Haven't really noticed much improvement in the Arsenal defence without him though.

Their successful start has been based on outscoring teams and despite the hype around Vermaelen they still seem to be shipping plenty of goals.

 

[Grinner]

How about an improvement in the City defence?

 

[Jopub]

Good on Gallas then because for most of last season and from January onwards the season before Kolo was shit more often than not. If he can't accept that then so be it but his performances were unacceptable and we mugged Man City getting £15mill for him.

Interesting, I thought that was a big additional reason for his being unsettled apart from his poor performances due to the Nations Cup.

Jazz you seem to blame Kolo but tbh Gallas until only this season has not been half the player he was at Chelsea and behaved like a complete cvnt when skipper

Although this season playing better I've never been happy with Gallas' attitude at our club

He does seemed to have quitened down and concentrated on the football but, I dunno, - he's not real 'Arsenal' to my mind

what about you mate ?

 

[Ceks]

I would have been happy to see Gallas go, but the problem is that there really isn't anyone better to replace him with right now that is available to my knowledge. But like you say, he seems to have quietened down now and appears more focussed on his own game more, which has seen an improvement, despite a shipment of goals still, but I put that down to our style of play, you can't just blame the defence, it is the whole philosophy of our play. It is amazing when it clicks, but we are always left exposed at the back. Basically, we need a couple of superhuman players in the mold of Vieira and Campbell if we are ever going to sure up our defence. That is the conclusion I have come to.

 

[Ekeke]

I would have been happy to see Gallas go, but the problem is that there really isn't anyone better to replace him with right now that is available to my knowledge. But like you say, he seems to have quietened down now and appears more focussed on his own game more, which has seen an improvement, despite a shipment of goals still, but I put that down to our style of play, you can't just blame the defence, it is the whole philosophy of our play. It is amazing when it clicks, but we are always left exposed at the back. Basically, we need a couple of superhuman players in the mold of Vieira and Campbell if we are ever going to sure up our defence. That is the conclusion I have come to.

You might look to get in a defender who just worries about defending brilliantly, instead of charging up the pitch and scoring wonder goals or popping up at the right time in the box like Gallas. I mean its a great asset to your attacking play, but do you need it? And it doesnt solve your defensive issues.

 

[Ceks]

Yes we really should have defenders that can defend first and foremost. But I am of the belief that proffesional footballing standards have been slowly dropping across most positions, particularly the traditional ones. In spite of all the improved diets and training, players have got worse, or there are less exceptionally talented players as a whole at the moment. Point is, there aint nobody better, that we can afford, to replace him.

 

[Ekeke]

Yes we really should have defenders that can defend first and foremost. But I am of the belief that proffesional footballing standards have been slowly dropping across most positions, particularly the traditional ones. In spite of all the improved diets and training, players have got worse, or there are less exceptionally talented players as a whole at the moment. Point is, there aint nobody better, that we can afford, to replace him.

Well my suggestion wasnt really down to the fact that there are better players. But perhaps a bit more balance would improve you overall even if it was a lesser player.

Song, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy

All 4 of them are among the better players in the world in terms of bringing an attacking dimension from the back. But are any of them among the best in their positions defensively? I'm not so sure. And without a couple of players to just sit back and concentrate on defending for 90 minutes, you're surely always going to leak at the back.

I mean, really it should be Gallas and Vermaelen who sit back and let the other two get forward as much as they want. But it doesnt quite work like that with Arsenal. Its more like 3 go up and 1 takes turns at staying back.

And you might say that having a player like Song in there gives you that right to have 3 attacking defenders up the pitch. But he doesnt just sit there either. He gets forward too.

Cant say you arent entertaining though

 

[Grinner]

Yes but many teams who play us sit back and wait to be broken down. In that case the attacking defenders are absolutely necessary.

IMO Gallas is better than Toure so Wenger's choice in who to keep was correct. But he is on a dangerous line since we all know Gallas can act the cnut and walk away if he feels like it.

I think Toure comes over as a bit of a pussy with his 'Gallas was mean to me' bollocks anyway. He'd better not piss of Bellendamy or he'll get a golf club wrapped round his noggin.

 

[Ceks]

Song is good, but he isn't an athletic or mobile enough player to effectively cover his full backs or CB's particularly well. He puts in challenges, picks up bits and keeps possesion well nowadays, but is still a very static player. Not good when he, and 2/3 of the team are in the oppositions half. Our wing forwards do not seem to ever be encouraged to ever track back either. I still hope Wenger proves everyone wrong of course, but many defeats still lie ahead.

 

[B Cantona]

ArseCafe

 

[Ceks]

ArseCafe

FootballCafe

 

[Ekeke]

Yes but many teams who play us sit back and wait to be broken down. In that case the attacking defenders are absolutely necessary.

IMO Gallas is better than Toure so Wenger's choice in who to keep was correct. But he is on a dangerous line since we all know Gallas can act the cnut and walk away if he feels like it.

I think Toure comes over as a bit of a pussy with his 'Gallas was mean to me' bollocks anyway. He'd better not piss of Bellendamy or he'll get a golf club wrapped round his noggin.

All 4 of them?

I mean, teams sit back against us and yes then its absolutely vital that Evra is getting forward as much as possible. Now and again we'll have Rafael doing the same on the right... But we dont need Rio and Vidic making runs towards the opponents box and its not like your attacking players are worse than ours...

 

[Ceks]

Don't get too carried away here with the way you phrase this Ekeke, it's not like all 10 men drive into the opposition half when in possesion and attacking.

 

[Ekeke]

Don't get too carried away here with the way you phrase this Ekeke, it's not like all 10 men drive into the opposition half when in possesion and attacking.

Obviously not.

But if there are 3 central defenders likely to pass the ball then make a 60 yard run up the pitch and pop up in and around the opposition penalty area, one would be Gallas. Another would be Vermaelen and the 3rd would be Lucio.

I dont see why they need to be doing that. Your attacking players are quality and your fullbacks attack well. You should be able to break down teams sitting behind the ball as well as we do, without a central defender pretending to be a striker for a phase of play.

 

[Grinner]

I don't think the goals we've been conceding are down to lack of defensive cover though. Mostly it's been mistakes & set-pieces.

I don't see an issue here.

 

[p_ps_sock]

He does seemed to have quitened down and concentrated on the football but, I dunno, - he's not real 'Arsenal' to my mind

eh? Gallas is the epitomy of arsenal under wenger, petulant, extremely bad loser, toys out the pram at every opportunity. Every team wenger has built has had the same problems.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I can't help but think the gooners are indulging in a lot of wishful thinking about their central defence this season.

They're keen to remind everyone that Toure is a shadow of his former self and pretty much imply that his departure alone will have resulted in a stronger defence.

Vermaelen is being touted as the next Nemanja Vidic and the perfect partner for Gallas. Finally, they say, we've found a defender who will attack the ball, allowing Gallas to do what he does best.

As for Gallas, peterstorey would have us believe he's back to his very best and has been one of their two best players all season.

Finally, we've got this new formation. They're playing 433, with Song - who has also been singled out as being in outstanding form - anchoring midfield and providing the back four with the additional protection they lacked at times last season.

Bearing in mind that Arsenal are the only top four team who have had the luxury of having their first-choice central defenders available for selection in every game this season, you would expect all of the above to result in them being more or less impregnable at the back. Ok, impregnable might be taking things a bit far but definitely better than last season, right? I mean, surely?

Here's the rub.

• In the league last season they played 38 games and conceded 37 goals.
• So far in the league this season they've played 12 games and conceded 15 goals.
• In the Champion's League group stages last season, they conceded 5 goals in 6 games.
• In the Champion's League group stages last season, they've already conceded 4 goals in 4 games.

Bearing in mind last season has been written off as a fairly disasterous showing all round, those stats must make uncomfortable reading for Arsenal fans. Methinks everything is not quite so rosy at the back as the gooners would have us believe...

 

[peterstorey]

Central defence is fine as long as we steer clear of injuries. Defence as a team may be another issue. As for Song he made more successful tackles than Cana on Saturday (and made two of the best three chances of the game).

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Central defence is fine as long as we steer clear of injuries. Defence as a team may be another issue. As for Song he made more successful tackles than Cana on Saturday (and made two of the best three chances of the game).

Why are you less defensively sound than you were last season?

You have steered clear of injuries in central defence - unlike your title rivals - but you're still shipping goals quicker than you did last season, despite Song and all his "succesful tackles" (you seem to be getting more and more attached to stats these days, are you joining the dark side?)

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

I thought he was the Emperor....

 

[peterstorey]

Why are you less defensively sound than you were last season?

You have steered clear of injuries in central defence - unlike your title rivals - but you're still shipping goals quicker than you did last season, despite Song and all his "succesful tackles" (you seem to be getting more and more attached to stats these days, are you joining the dark side?)

A number of reasons, problems at left back (Clichy's been poor all year), goalkeeping (ridiculous number of rickets) and most importantly not managing or controlling the tempo of the game. The last being our biggest issue and the one that will do for the title challenge if it's not sorted.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

A number of reasons, problems at left back (Clichy's been poor all year), goalkeeping (ridiculous number of rickets) and most importantly not managing or controlling the tempo of the game. The last being our biggest issue and the one that will do for the title challenge if it's not sorted.

I'm curious about this bit. I thought the new formation freed Fabregas up to do exactly that?

I haven't watched Arsenal much this season but in the games I did watch, he looked to be in sensational form. Why would he not be dictating the tempo of the game? I always thought that was one of his best qualities?

 

[peterstorey]

I'm curious about this bit. I thought the new formation freed Fabregas up to do exactly that?

I haven't watched Arsenal much this season but in the games I did watch, he looked to be in sensational form. Why would he not be dictating the tempo of the game? I always thought that was one of his best qualities?

He does when we're going forward but he (and others) don't kill the game when they need to - partly know-how and partly gung-ho. This has been a persistent problem over the last 3 years and hasn't gone away.

 

[Jopub]

I can't help but think the gooners are indulging in a lot of wishful thinking about their central defence this season.

Naa many of us are not convinced and when the pressure really starts we'll leak

That will come more from the deficiences in goal more than anything else. Almunia is pants and will never be better than average . No defence can feel %100 confident whilst he's between the sticks imo. A good keeper is the foundation of everything imo

Gael Clichy has gone backwards frankly - fk knows why -he looked like fighting for accolades for 'world class' with Cole and Evra until the middle of last season and then .... His reversal in form and quality is very very alarming. Again it seems as if something specific has happened that we dont know about - is it Gallas ? cos since his arrival players have wanted to leave - Addy, Toure and it would not surprise me if thats Clichy too - just speculation on my part but I wouldnt be surprised.

They're keen to remind everyone that Toure is a shadow of his former self and pretty much imply that his departure alone will have resulted in a stronger defence.

He is a shadow of his former self, not really arguable is it

Vermaelen is being touted as the next Nemanja Vidic and the perfect partner for Gallas. Finally, they say, we've found a defender who will attack the ball, allowing Gallas to do what he does best.

Vermaelen is doing fine and is a definite improvement upon the fading Toure.

As for Gallas, peterstorey would have us believe he's back to his very best and has been one of their two best players all season.

Gallas is not back to his best when you consider his days alongside Terry at Chelsea where he basically cleaned up around Terry brilliantly. Saying that he's much improved from the last two years. Im still surprised he's there tbh and I can't see him staying. If he really did buckle down we'd see a fantastic player

They're playing 433, with Song - who has also been singled out as being in outstanding form - anchoring midfield and providing the back four with the additional protection they lacked at times last season.

I cant say myself Song has been outstanding - he's doing a job which when working does allow Fabregas more licence but I think Sing is one paced and imobile - no Flamini

Bearing in mind last season has been written off as a fairly disasterous showing all round, those stats must make uncomfortable reading for Arsenal fans. Methinks everything is not quite so rosy at the back as the gooners would have us believe...

Yeah but we're generally covering that with more goals but as we saw on Saturday that wont always happen

 

[Grinner]

Bearing in mind last season has been written off as a fairly disasterous showing all round, those stats must make uncomfortable reading for Arsenal fans. Methinks everything is not quite so rosy at the back as the gooners would have us believe...

Not saying it's rosy, just better than it was. We used to concede early goals and make the rest of the game a chase. Now we are usually holding out till later. Still conceding, which is very annoying, but we've generally scored a few first.

Jo is right that Almunia isn't good enough. Trouble is who is better and available? As for Toure, most gooners saw that somebody had to go between him and Gallas and based on form and the fact that we could get 15 mill, it had to be Kolo.

When Vermaelen gets the inevitable injury we'll be proper fecked though.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Who is better and available when it comes to Almunia? Are you serious?