Gilberto bashing

Last season Arsenal were losing because Gilberto wasn't there. Now they are losing because he is there? Make up your minds. Gilberto's game has not changed since he came, and he played the role he is playing right now that he plays with Brazil and the role that made him such a commodity after the world cup. Gilberto is not a tackler. When he tackles he misses and loses his position and Arsenal are exposed. He is a player who picks his positions very well and that is his strength. What did you expect? That he would suddenly become the enforcer he has never been? Arsenal played a unique style of football because they had a unique midfielder in Vieira. He is a one-off and anyone compared to him is a knock-off. He was a player who could take the ball off a centre back with three players hounding him and find his way out. That is the missing thread in the Arsenal play. So now that they do not have him Arsenal have to learn to play different.
Some peopel say the long ball is a plan B but it looks like the only plan nowadays. It just doesnt seem as if they can play the ball on the ground anymore and I put that down to Thierry Henry. Anyone who criticizes the great man has to be brave and I will put my hand up for that. He doesnt make runs, he doesn't beat players, he is neither another dimension to the Arsenal play nor is he part of it anymore. Now I am not saying drop him but could someone make him watch those first 100 Arsenal goals. They are available on DVD and this could remind him of what he could do. There were many times a Ljungberg would be running at defence and suddenly have noone to pass it to.
Having said that, playing without a recognised left back for two months is a big ask and without 8 defensive players for 6 weeks is a bit much. It is not an excuse but I am not sure many clubs can cope with that sort of thing.

But having said that I am not really worried. After all, Arsene knows.
I apply genius wherever it is needed.

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