Ian Holloway's cavaliers need to rethink their high-line tactics after being cut apart by Arsenal's slick midfield
Blackpool's manager, Ian Holloway, might want to consider a man-for-man marking system with a sweeper and betray his praiseworthy cavalier principles – it might be his side's only chance of staying in the Premier League. In fairness Blackpool should have been awarded a certain penalty in the first half when Laurent Koscielny fouled Gary Taylor-Fletcher but that would have only disguised their defensive shortcomings.
Two faltering clubs lined up with similar systems after recent defensive lapses. Robin van Persie benefited from diagonal passes and his quick touch into the six-yard box gave Abou Diaby a tap-in for Arsenal's first goal. Blackpool had started sharper but with their defenders playing too high a line they were susceptible. Square defending compounded Blackpool's problems when Emmanuel Eboué surged through and scored from Jack Wilshere's well‑timed pass, the home side showing why they have the worst defensive record in the league.
Arsenal's front men continually ran off the cumbersome Blackpool defence, and when Van Persie or Samir Nasri were tightly marked they slipped around the back to receive a clever chip from either Cesc Fábregas or Wilshere.
Blackpool's insistence on playing a high line was suicidal. It is impossible to play an offside trap when pressure is not put on the passer. In the midfield third, Blackpool failed miserably to stop Arsenal's promptings. Charlie Adam, Keith Southern and Taylor-Fletcher had to prevent the passing player getting his head up and close him down much quicker. Fábregas in particular was able to find too much space.
Entertainment won in the first half, but Blackpool's penchant for attacking football leaves them horribly stretched and without a midfielder player to affect the opponent's possession and a defence supporting closely, this leaves acres of space behind and must give the goalkeeper Richard Kingson headaches.Holloway could have done with a defensive coach. Thoughts turned to the former Blackpool hero Jimmy Armfield, who would have offered great advice.
At the beginning of the second half, Arsenal looked lax and temporarily harassed as Holloway's men played with a flea in their ear. Brisk and bright in the sunshine, Blackpool bubbled with enthusiasm and pulled back a goal but they left too much space for good technicians to expose.
Van Persie had a great chance to make it 3-1 but volleyed over, again Fábregas catching out a statuesque defence with a direct pass. The assistant's judgment with the offside flag had to be spot‑on, a difficult job done brilliantly here. Theo Walcott escaped easily when Fábregas released him and Van Persie made up for his misses in the first half following his clever movement.
Although Arsenal will need to ship out one or two players, Gaël Clichy and Andrey Arshavin falling below the standards expected of them, Arsène Wenger will delight in the returning Fábregas's passing selections and Walcott's dangerous pace.
Source: David Pleat, The Guardian on 10 Apr 11
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