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| Former Arsenal hitman Ian Wright believes Gunners manager Arsene Wenger should sign Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to add some fighting qualities to the team in an attempt to save their title bid this season. The Gunners lost 2-1 at the weekend to title rivals Manchester United following a hard-fought game at Old Trafford, and Wright doesn't feel Arsenal have the tenacious qualities to battle with the very best. The former striker feels players who aren't afraid to stick their feet into the opposition are needed, and he has picked Gattuso as the one who would intimidate other sides with aggression. "Arsenal need to sign someone like AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso, an experienced, tough-tackling midfield enforcer who would not have allowed himself or his team-mates to be bullied by a player like United's Darren Fletcher," Wright told The Sun. Landing Gattuso is unlikely, as he is tied to the San Siro-based club until 2011. In addition, Wenger's philosophy has always been to bring in youngsters, rather than players who are reaching the end of their careers. |
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| SO a few weeks into the new season and the secret to beating Arsenal is out. Not that it is that much of a secret. It is exactly the same way teams beat them last season, the season before and the one before that. By bullying them. Arsene Wenger accused Manchester United of trying to kick his team off the pitch in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. There is no point complaining about it. He needs to address the issue by bringing in someone who will stand up to the bullies. If he does not, the manager's five-year wait for a trophy might go on even longer. When I played for Arsenal, we never let ourselves to be bullied. The likes of Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira would stand toe-to-toe with opponents and say: Have some of that! Then, once we had won the physical battle, we could press ahead with the football. That is what the current team need to do. Wenger's emerging team have no trouble with the footballing side of the game. The trouble is, they have no one who can have a scrap. Arsenal sometimes claim the rough and tumble side of the sport is not football. But strong tackling and rough-house tactics are as much a part of the beautiful game as a 22-pass sweeping move or jaw-dropping piece of skill. And Arsenal must stand up to that if their neat football is ever to be rewarded with silverware. But with the transfer window about to shut, the clock is ticking. Arsenal need to sign someone like AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso, an experienced, tough-tackling midfield enforcer who would not have allowed himself or his team-mates to be bullied by a player like United's Darren Fletcher. It is no good Wenger complaining about a lack of protection for his young players. They have to protect themselves, As referee Mike Dean and his team showed at Old Trafford, it is no good relying on officials. UEFA boss Michel Platini announced last week he is bringing in five referees at every game to improve football. If he wants to improve the product, he does not need more officials - he needs to take one away. Namely, the fellow who does nothing except hold up an electronic board and tell tales. Yes, the time has come to get rid of the fourth official. He is a complete waste of space, as Lee Probert showed at Old Trafford. All he did was snitch on Arsene Wenger to ref Dean, getting the Arsenal manager sent off. Referees hark on about respect but where was the respect for Wenger? |
| QUOTE (Rkane @ Sep 1 2009, 11:57 AM) |
| He had a great game against Inter the other week... |