Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Thursday August 23 2007
Time: 11:33AM
UK time is: 18:32:02
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van Persie Will Not Be Lone Gunman
Arsene Wenger has confirmed it is not his intention to play Robin van Persie as a lone striker for the entire season.
Le Boss has had his hand forced so far this campaign, injuries to Emmanuel Adebayor & Eduardo Da Silva and only the inexperienced Nicklas Bendtner as cover, mean Wenger has had little choice than to play Belorussian dribble wizard, Alex Hleb behind the single forward.
The Arsenal frontman has been isolated much of the time this season with Alex Hleb in scintillating form just sitting behind the flying Dutchman. However, in my mind, it's no coincidence that when Nicklas Bendtner has crossed the white line as a substitute this season, he has changed the look of the team for the positive when reverting back to a 4-4-2 formation. Something Wenger seems to agree with.
"Alex likes to play through the middle," said Wenger on Arsenal.com. "But I must say if you ask Steven Gerrard or Tomas Rosicky or any of these kinds of creative players then they all say they want to play there.'
"However I cannot isolate Robin van Persie up there the whole year. It does not work on a longer period. It can work in some games but it cannot be the basis of your game. You need two strikers."
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Your Comments
i agree that playin Hleb through the middle is not the most effective formation. Although it seems to suit Hleb much more, it both crowds out Cesc aswell as leaving RVP isolated up front. I suggest play Eduardo up front with RVP vs Man City and really give the boys the best opportunity of knocking them off.
Aussie Gooner
It makes a lot of sense. Hleb is good at RM (ok, he is better just behind the striker but that doesnt mean he cant do a job at RM). RVP certainly looked less effective than he could be when left alone, and you could see the impact of the Bendtner sub during the Fulham game. RVP looked much better immediately after the sub. This only gives us an additional option wih our formation and thats good for a short term period.
prits
If we had a couple of natural wingers in the robben/alves mould then 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 as jose like to call it would work. RVP plays this role with robben very well for the Holland. Id like to see us try
....................................Bert....................................................
...........................cesc.............hleb.........................................
.....RVP.............................................................Rosicky..........
..................................Bendtner/Dudu...................................
gunner1981
442 is the way to go. Arsenal have never had traditional wingers under Wenger so I dont understand where this wide player thingy comes from. Bobby and Freddy both cut in and grabbed the majority of their goals from inside the 6 yard box. What every body needs to understand is that the game has changed over the last 3 years. The only way teams can contend against us is by playing defensive break away football. What Arsenal need the most is a central defender who's prime objective is to contend with the high ball. Senderos I feel can do this and watching him for Switzerland and the job he did against Blackburn showed me he can do it if he stays focused. The other thing is a power house midfielder next to Cesc. Gilberto or Diaby can give us what Flamini never will. Extra steel in the tackle as well as more attacking options.
Trennon
Trennon we no longer play with 2 holding midfielders so it is not always possible to play 4-4-2. Against blackburn 4-4-2 didnt give us the control in midfield that was required and was one of the reasons blackburn controlled the 2nd half. Remember 4-5-1 took us to the CL final and gave us wins over ManU and liverpool. Horses for courses this is a new team I think Wenger has still to find his true starting 11 and formation.(Diaby aint a defensive CM in the mould of vieira or bert)
gunner1981
i like the way you think 1981
anonymous
There's another Aussie/Ozi Gooner now! Except this one knows how to spell.
Ozi Gooner
Fair enough, guys. 4-4-2 sounds like the way to go, especially for home games. 4-5-1 seems only effective in tough away games. And RvP isn't the lone striker up front, he's more like the Dennis Bergkamp type. Adebayor did ok last year at ManU. Bendtner may be worth a test as he has the physical presence to lead the line, but probably needs to work harder on finishing. Not sure about Eduardo, what do you guys think?
Louisa
We all know it wont be 451. It will be 442 and hopefully Hleb on the left and Ade/Rvp up front. Edu is great but Ade works well with Rvp
Goofle
Gunner 1981, that is the precise formation we should adopt...most of RVP's goals are scored from the right midfield position...hleb and rosicky can rotate between central attack and left wing while the lone striker will be constantly supported by the on rushing Cesc or Hleb, Rosicky etc...we played something similar last season but unfortunately played RVP on the left where he was largely ineffective.
Anon 1
4 4 2 is the formation to in Pl and 4 5 1 in Chamions league
afghenry
RvP did the lone striker job much better than I thought he could but he had to take a lot of punishment in the role. All strikers prefer someone along side them and I reckon that RvP will feel especially liberated.
Amos.
adebayor shud be the target man
korodon
What do you think about having Walcott as a sub, coming on late in the gane and, using 1981's formation, putting him up front. I reckon late on that his pace on the break could be a classic. Now, if he can finsih well...
darinb007
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