Phil Senderos has been at Arsenal since 2003 and has never really established himself a role in the starting line-up.
He is now 23 and still has time on his side, so there is no doubt that he is still improving as a player and will get better.
He seems more comfortable playing alongside Toure at the back and some Gooners feel that this is the best defensive partnership at the club. The pair forged a solid combination in the absence of Sol Campbell in our run to the Champions League final and were part of the best defensive record in the history of the competition.
I'm torn with Senderos. I really want him to do well at the club because he's a nice guy and STILL may prove his doubters wrong.
There is no doubt that he performs a lot better when having a long run of games and improves as they go on. But I always have the worry that at any time there is a costly mistake just around the corner.
For a player of his size he seems to get bullied too much. Senderos is a big boy and shouldn't be letting strikers push him around. Perhaps it may pay for Le Boss to get Martin Keown back in to help Senderos use his size and aggression more.
I also wonder at times if the Premiership is too fast and aggressive for him. Maybe a slower league like Serie A would suit Senderos more? His best performances for Arsenal have been at continental level in the Champions League, and that is played at a slower pace.
The problem is at a high profile club like Arsenal every mistake is highlighted and criticism seems to hurt a sensitive guy like Senderos. If he can develop a thick skin then perhaps he can silence the critics.
He has two world class centre backs in front of him, but the two world class centre backs in front of him haven't really gelled as a partnership. So there is a chance he can break the partnership of Gallas and Toure and cement his own role in the side.
Although he is young we can't keep using his age as an excuse for his mistakes. He has been at Arsenal long enough now and needs to step up a level. He plays regularly for his country and has plenty of experience.
So the question is, can Senderos ever make the breakthrough at Arsenal?..........
Keep it Goonerish..........
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I don't think he has the composure to cut it in crucial games or if he has to lead the line.
ReplyDeleteHe's quite a likeable character and often shows he is capable but just makes too many simple errors for me. Much nicer bloke than that c0ck Gallas though!
I think you're right. Italy would be the best palce for him. He has always played his best games against Italian outfits.
ReplyDeleteI think Wenger should cut his losse and get rid.
ReplyDeleteIts obvious that Senderos isn't going to make the grade at a club like Arsenal although he would do well at a club with lower standards.
remember a young tony adamas aka the donkey to some.
ReplyDeletehe like senderos struggle at their early stages at Arsenal but with time the mistakes went from Adams' game and he was a solid no compromise defender.
senderos needs time that is for sure, the gamble is he may never be good enough for us... but he may be the next tony adams
Next Tony Adams?!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha mate
Without doubt the biggest cock up in Wenger's reign is persisting with this chump for 5 years. He seems to cost us crucial points every single year. If he retains Senderos this year and it happens again, Wenger should be sacked for negligence. I for one would be absolutely furious if Wenger keeps faith with this player only for him to have another nightmare performance at a key time in the season. One attribute that you cannot train into players is composure. Senderos doesn't have any - he is no better now than he was 5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteAt 23 Adams was 10 times the player Senderos is now.
ReplyDeleteNo, No, No, he lacks the most important of all attributes-Speed. If he's not quick now, he never will be. This would not be so bad if he had some idea about good positional sense,but he also is lacking in that department. Prone to making mistakes, he is brave but that is just not enough.
ReplyDeleteAt 23 Adams was the better centre back? Dont make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe Prem/Div 1 was a joke then, there were no really great players. Tony did brilliant in the cup winners cup but was never tested in the European cup early on as Senderos has. Tone also looked painfully out of his depth internationally, something that cant really be levelled at Senderos.
Senderos isnt a technical player, he needs a run of games like Parlour did to get going. Once he is in his rhythm he is a solid centre back. When you take him out and put him in for the odd game he struggles- our best run came when Toure was a joker in Ghana and Phil stepped in to increase our lead at the top.
He makes errors, but I dont see many other centre backs the same age who have achieved as much as him- if people start naming the likes of Richards, Albiol, Kompany and Zapata Im just gonna ignore them. None of them have played for a big club, none of them have done much internationally and none of them have any more medals than Senderos. Centre backs hit their peak late 20s. You just have to be patient- a word that doesnt seem to exist in glory hunting Arsenal 'fans' dictionary.
i def think wenger should stick with senderos. hes got the skills t make it and if we sold he to a mid table team like villa or newcastle he'd b a massive hit and we'd b kickin ourselfs like with diarra. in some respects his position at arsenal is a lot like adebayors and flaminis was a year ago, two players who were soooo frustrating to watch because they obviously had the skills but played so badly it was hard to watch.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 20:21 is the only one with a good post here, hear hear.
ReplyDeletegood post. i'm in the majority that he wont make it. i too like him but feel arsenal is a step too high for him. a club like newcastle would benefit.
ReplyDeleteYes he can if he is protected by a good defensive midfielder. Gilberto did it well in that Cl long run. He reliable when we are playing at home. In knock out games he gates me nervous if we are playing away.
ReplyDeleteWhen he plays regularly, Senderos is one of the best. He only shows weakness when he is in-and-out of the team.
ReplyDeleteVery congested game. I wasn't impressed much, but they showed sharpness than on saturday. Vela needs to get ready. Walcott should too. I nall, they looked good, but lack-luster is the problem. Hope to have the big guns back. Nasri, Toure and co.
ReplyDeletevideo highlights at: http://www.arsenalspot.webs.com
The big difference for me between this season and the others he's had before, is that now really will be his season to finally prove it. I get the feeling this could be Gallas' last year with us, especially if the armband ends up with someone else this season or the season after, for whatever reason.
ReplyDeleteI'm more than happy to give him this one last campaign to prove himself. If after 2008/9 he's not improved, then get rid.
I'd like to see Senderos make the cut at Arsenal but I just don't feel that we can afford to wait any longer for him to develop into the solid defender we require. I'm afraid that Senderos just isn't good enough for a club like Arsenal that is looking to win trophies and compete on all fronts every season. With our current defensive problems, I think that Wenger's loyalty towards him is standing in the way of us bringing in the proper central defender that we require.
ReplyDeletewat the fuck did u achieve at 23... so easy to write shite on your fucking blog.
ReplyDeleteTHERE IS ONE HUGELY IMPORTANT FACTOR EVERYONE OVERLOOKS WHEN THINKING ABOUT SENDEROS.
ReplyDeleteWHAT THE FUCK WOULD HE LOOK LIKE WITH HAIR!
I do like senderos, i think he is a nice guy. but this has to be his last year to prove himself. i always thought that we could play five at the back, and that would suit him best.
ReplyDeletealmunia
sagna toure senderos gallas clichy
nasri fabregas rosicky
adebayor van persie
this would leave the fall backs to really bomb on like wb, they can support the midfield. toure can cover rb and gallas lb when they go forward. but provides the cover when we are defending.
Sanderos was one of the better defenders at the recent EURO. I agree with you in that he lacks aggression. I think with agression comes speed. If he "improves" his agressiveness, I think he will become a good CB.
ReplyDeleteI like Senderos the guy, and the fact that he doesn't run to the Press or mouth off his opponents/teammates. He's also happy to play as back up at the moment, which is rare. I do agree with those who have said he lacks composure, and a defender or keeper who is prone to panicking and making stupid mistakes in key games destroys the confidence of the rest. I feel we have to let him go. Shame, but he's had a good enough go in the side.
ReplyDeleteThis guy and Hoyte i feel should be sold off. We could get better and more reliable players. I feel they have had enough exposure and they are performing way below standard.
ReplyDeleteSolid nothing more nothing less...
ReplyDeleteHe is a fantastic 3rd centreback, but as to whether he is good enough to breakthrough in the first team as yet I think he is not ready, can be caught out of posistion which is death for a player of his speed. However similar sized centre backs such as terry (well he is 2" bigger than terry) have no pace but don't seem to be caught out due to the system they play. He would only be able to fit into our system with us playing a deeper defense or if he learns to play a stronger offside and plays with a all action midfielder sitting in front of him stopping people running at him.
I have no concerns about having him in the team, its always a good thing to have true professionals who want to play for our club, but I do feel the time must come soon where wegner decides if he wants Senderos or Djourou for the future.
well Wrighty..
ReplyDeleteyou do realise that Senderos is hopeless?
Senderos is THE BEST MATE of Fabregas.
ReplyDeleteHe needs one more chance.