The Media Effect.
I took time to critically analyse the Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City and came to realise how important the media can be in football. Both teams have been at the tail end of media criticism but one - Arsenal was more of a topic on daily basis, if not the team form, it's the players future or the manager's contract situation and funny enough Arsenal always find a way to be maligned in and by the media. Manchester city also had and are having a fair share of such castigation, from the manager's team and tactical setup, to age and squad dept, to anything we can think of.
My greatest worry about Mr Wenger has always been his inability to change and twist or say setup a team according to the playing style of his opponent, before now everyone knew we would always go with the 4-2-3-1 formation, I for once had glamoured for a switch to a two striker option to get the best use of our squad. The media did shout but it had normally fell on deaf ears but the pressure had been building and the team was at the receiving end.
Going back to analyse our loses to Everton and Manchester city, it would be glaring to observe that what the team lacked was tactical change in their approach game yet to Mr Wenger all was fine and as you and I could quote "it was just a day off". Other games like the draw away to Bournemouth showed same frailty and the media gang up began in earnest. Big Sam of Crystal Palace had no choice than follow the precepts of other managers to capitalize on the tactical deficiency of the team.
The sudden change in formation came as an element of surprise to the football world, even football as a game would have been wowed by such action, questions that comes to mind are: was it necessary because of the opposition team or was it the last throw of the die from Mr Wenger or is this to show that he is willing to change? Only time will give answers to such questions.
The win against city at Wembley could also be attributed to the media, first the public criticism of English players by Mr Wenger himself in the media, this we all know so well happens once in a life, Mr Wenger doesn't criticize his players openly and oh my word they had to step up and deliver the goods, The Ox looked good in the wingback role, Ramsey having a fine game, Rob Holding holding off and almost scoring in his debut in Wembley, at all front Arsenal was firing.
The had work by Gabriel, Ozil, Giroud, Xhaka and Monreal paid off at last, the formation seemed to had brought out the best from them but for how long will this work. Never forget, Wenger started with this formation in 1996 before changing to 4-4-2 and when we moved to the Emirates changed to 4-5-1.
To every Arsenal fan enjoy the moment and thank the media for pushing Mr Wenger and the team to Wembley. Wenger is on the verge of winning a seventh FA cup trophy and becoming the most successful manager of the tournament, maybe he'll go after this?
Expect more backlash from the media you Arsenal, I leave with this quote "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".
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