We all appreciate the great things Arsene Wenger achieved and with so little money. Arsenal's football under him is a great spectacle, you would enjoy watching them even if you are not a fan, almost like a poor man's Barcelona.

All great things aside, Wenger seems to have this stubbornnes about his tactics which has been costing Arsenal dearly for the last couple of years. Tactics, by definition, are bound change according to opponent, staff available, weather conditions etc etc. In Wenger's world they never change...

What would have Arsenal lost, if they had a more defensive 4-3-1-2 against Manchester United and Chelsea? For a second let's accept that it is really a matter of principle and Wenger wants to play his 4-3-3 at every game, but couldn't he see after the first half an hour that it is not working?

With Arshavin leading the attack and Nasri the tallest what is the point of bombing opponent's box with high crosses? Dribblings, shots and give and goes are all available but no, the right back should come and put the ball into the box high. Even after Bendtner comes on, he meets the ball mre in the flanks than between opponent's central defenders. I am sure Wenger has seen some Spurs games, doesn't Crouch-Defoe partnership offer any inspiration? Bendtner and Walcott can pull something similar.

Song is a star this year and Denilson impressed too but they are still far from holding the midfield when they are out numbered and outmouscled. Why not add a leg breaker with some physical presence and stop the gap that leaks onto the defense?

I do not have much to say about the defensive line. Maybe Clichy can be replaced by Silvestre to add some more thoughness, but overall they really don't deserve the stick.

Goalkeeping situation is the worst of all, hence the last. A decent keeper could mean an extra 10 point a season and Wenger has been showing a fine example of false economy by not buying a decent one. Not only that, his first choice keeper is not even the best keeper in his squad. Both Fabianski and Mannone are far more talented than Almunia. Every minute these guys play will make them a better keepers, they are young and have lots of room for improvement. Every minute Almunia plays will take him closer to his retirement and his game did not improve in all these games.

I am not going to take it as far as Winterburn and open Wenger's position to discussion. I am just saying that a bit of flexibilty with the game plan could have gone a long way. Thoughts?

I know you're expecting this, but there is a genuine lack of width in that team, which should hardly be encouraged in Wenger's side, perhaps.

Width is usefule when you play an attacking football. What I am saying is Arsenal shouldn't play attacking football when playing against tougher teams. 30 minutes into the game and we are 2-0 down, how many times can you recover from that against Man U or Chelsea?

Not sure of the dimensions of the Emirates pitch, but I know Highbury used to be one of the narrowest of Premier League surfaces. In those days, Wenger used to like to restrict the width opposition teams could play with, don't know if it's the same now.
:-)

If I was going to change anything about this formation, I'd have Arshavin and Fabregas sitting behind a lone striker. To my mind, Bendtner simply isn't good enough to play at this level tho.

I'm also wondering how committed Denilson is defensively. He was largely at fault for Rooney's recent goal with his lack of awareness and willingness to track back properly.
:-)

All in all, I can agree with FeriAts last comment. Arsenal have enough pace to work the counter attack. Would Wenger even consider a plan B tho?
:-)

I deliberetly excluded Arshavin because I am seeing signs of mental fatiuge in him. Can't blame him, he's been trying to fulfil a role he wasn't made for.

Bendtner is nowhere near Drogba,
Rooney or Berbatov but at least has the physical presence. It all boils down to why Wenger didn't buy after selling Adebayor really.

Denilson is commited, but everybody slacks off every now and then. Hence the extra defensive midfield in my formation.

In Brasil we usually say: a coach can't win a match. Of course this site is about tactical discussion, but the case is that Arsenal is not the same of 2004, or 97, not because of tactics... It is because of the players. Bergkamp, Henry, Pires and Vieira can give a title to a team. Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott and Song cannot! Can somebody explain this new Wenger policy of selling everybody to everyone and stay only with the youngest players? A brazilian journalist described Arsenal as: the world's best under 23 team. Yet, Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world, that's why Arsenal finishes the PL ahead of Liverpool, even with worse players. But it will never be enough to beat Chelsea or Man Utd. You have the pounds don't you? Stop selling your best players! It's very simple.

No Arsenal did not have the pounds. They spent like £450M on their new stadium, Wenger had no option but sell when an offer came in. Arsenal have the lowest wage bill in so called top 4, too.

I understand the situation and appreciate what Wenger does with the money available. I was just trying to make the point that Arsenal could have gone further if Wenger chose a different tactic for thougher games.

For the last couple of games Bendtner is playing as the front man, and he scored one or two. Maybe not the tall-short set up FeriAts asked for but still...

Thanks for noticing nvr :) He scored the opener against Porta a minute ago. I am loving it.