Former Arsenal midfielder Stuart Robson claims Arsene Wenger has finally rediscovered the magic formula that proved so invincible during the Bergkamp and Henry era of the club.
Arsenal have been in majestic form this season, losing only twice on their way to scoring a record 36 league goals at this stage of the season.
Signs are suggesting Wenger may finally have formed a team capable of ending The Gunners' five-year wait for silverware, and with Chelsea on the horizon Robson warned The Blues to be prepared for a much more direct Arsenal side.
"In the last few seasons the fans have always talked about Arsenal's intricate passing, and yes, they can pass the ball intricately and they are clever with their movement," he explained on Sky Sports News.
"But Arsenal are now playing far more direct than they have for several seasons. I think that's the change in philosophy Arsene Wenger has had this year.
"He's maybe looked back to when Dennis Bergkamp was playing and when Thierry Henry was playing, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg, and asked why did they create so many chances with their forward movement?
"That's what he has tried to replicate this season."
Great skill
Robson is keen to point out he does not mean 'direct' in the sense that Arsenal occasionally fell into whilst Emmanuel Adebayor played up front, he means 'penetrative' and 'clinical' for the want of two better words.
"You'll very rarely see an Arsenal goal nowadays where they play a backward pass. They penetrate very quickly and they play a direct style of play.
"There are two types of direct football. There's the direct style that Stoke will play with the centre forward flicking balls on, which gives the ball away cheaply but you're applying pressure.
"There's possession football where you pass the ball around and penetrate occasionally, but Arsene Wenger has the balance right now by getting his team to pass the ball forward in a direct manner, but with great skill."
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
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