During the 1948 Football League (Division 1)
campaign, “…much of Arsenal’s success came from the reliability of their
defensive method. (Skipper) Joe MERCER labelled it as the ‘retreating’ defence.
The prevailing style of the day was to try and win the ball in midfield with an
attempted tackle on the opponent in possession. If that tackle was lost then there
was little sophisticated covering. Mercer, with MACAULAY as a shrewd ally,
preferred Arsenal to leave the ball with the opposition and back off, packing the
centre of defence. Arsenal’s captain had noted the success of such manoeuvres in
basketball during the war, when he’d played service games with Americans. The
crowd did not always like the tactic, newspaper comment denounced it as
negative, but the rest of the First Division, with the exception of Derby
County, who beat Arsenal twice, could not fathom a solution. The seven-point
margin at the end of the season was ample testimony to Arsenal’s worth as
Champions.”
- (Excerpt from) The OFFICIAL Illustrated History
of Arsenal 1886-2004, by Phil Soar & Martin Tyler, Page 93
"Our Defence is Kevin Costner..." - MODENINE
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| Laurent KOSCIELNY (Boss-cielny) |
