'Grant got it wrong'

Last updated: 17th December 2007

Tony Cascarino

Cascarino: hit out at Grant

But Chelsea had Shevchenko up on his own and they didn't close down the Arsenal back four. They made it a bit of a footballing competition and if you're going to try that tactic then Arsenal will beat you.

Tony Cascarino
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Tony Cascarino felt Avram Grant's tactics cost Chelsea a point against Arsenal on Grand Slam Sunday.

William Gallas' first-half header proved to be the difference in a 1-0 victory for the Gunners, but Cascarino thought Grant's decision to play Andriy Shevchenko up front on his own was costly for Chelsea.

Middlesbrough ended Arsenal's unbeaten run last weekend by playing two up front at the Riverside, while Newcastle and Aston Villa also caused the Gunners problems in the last fornight by taking the game to Arsene Wenger's side.

And Cascarino felt Grant should have replicated those tactics at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

"I was disappointed with Avram Grant's tactics yesterday," he told Sky Sports News.

"If you look at the evidence, Arsenal murdered Aston Villa off the pitch in the first half at Villa Park two weeks ago. But Villa threw the kitchen sink at them in the second half, threw forwards on and pressed high up against them and did well.

"After that, Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate both played two forwards, closed Arsenal down in high areas and denied them the chance to get the ball down and play - because that is what you have to do against Arsenal or they'll outplay you.

"But Chelsea had Shevchenko up on his own and they didn't close down the Arsenal back four. They made it a bit of a footballing competition and if you're going to try that tactic then Arsenal will beat you.

"I don't know why Claude Makelele was there in a holding midfield role because that's the worst thing you can do against Arsenal.

"But once they changed their tactics and got Claudio Pizarro on alongside Shevchenko, they looked like they were going to cause Arsenal problems.

"But they gave away the first half and that's when Arsenal scored."