It was a strange feeling last night for there to be an Arsenal game taking place and it not being possible to watch it. It's such a rare occurunce as I attend all other home games and usually away games are live one way or another. The important thing is that Arsenal's kids won 2-0 to progress to the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
The goals were all that was shown on Sky Sports News and it looked like Vela had a good return to the (sort of) first team after being involved in the first and scoring the second to take Arsenal through. Former Arsenal player Jerome Thomas was sent off for a push on Wilshere, which somehow was Wilshere's own fault, according to West Brom's manager.
It sounded like quite an even game and it's no surprise really considering West Brom are a strong side and lead the Championship. I'm glad the kids managed to make it through as it gives them further chances to impress in the next round.
A co-worker who attended the game informed me that it seemed to be more like a 4-5-1 formation for Arsenal last night and it got me thinking about some of the goals we have conceded in the last few games, particularly the Man City game.
In the 4-3-3 formation we have been playing, the full backs have been far too exposed and it's no surprise that pretty much all four goals stemmed from mistakes or loose marking down the flanks against City.
The key to making this formation work is hard work and tracking back. Now that may sound like stating the obvious, but I think in a 4-4-2 it is easier to cover than this formation. If Clichy loses the ball going forward here there is no natural wide cover for him, same for Sagna, with all our play focused through the middle, and no wingers.
Barcelona, who as I have said before provide the inspiration for this formation, work so hard at making it work, and it is surprising to see players like Henry and Messi covering so much ground. But they realise that there can be no passengers in this formation. Perhaps the only player who doesn't have to provide some sort of cover is the central striker, in Arsenal's case Van Persie.
I don't want to get too bogged down in details with regards to the new formation as I believe it is still a work in progress, as is our first choice 11 to play in this formation. But players need to be very fit to play in this formation and they also need to be willing to work hard. These are things that will be tested as they become evident as the season goes on. I just hope Arsene has the players to perform in his new formation.
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