Quote Originally Posted by redgunamo View Post
Disappointing, very. An Arsenal coach worth his badge ought to be able to go to Manchester City and get at least a 0-0 draw, no matter our patchy form.

Yes, we have issues but we seem to be preserving, perpetuating, emphasising them, rather than detracting from them and eradicating them. For example, yes, our centre backs are too slow. But the first rule of being a slow centre back is that you must never ever get caught out for your lack of pace. And that's a training ground issue, albeit not exactly a new one, before anyone says anything. Just what is going on out there?!
Slow centre backs in possession-oriented teams are always going to get into trouble on occasion. You can't control a game without playing a defensive line that, on occasion, compromises your defenders.

The problem is when you're a defender that's slow AND 'front-footed', like Mustafi. Sokratis, in contrast, knows his limits, as I think does Holding. And they defend accordingly.

What made Kosceilny world class was that he had that Keown-esque 'rash' like inclination to chase down attackers, but also had the pace to recover if he got himself into trouble.