This is kind of random, but do any of you play a football management simulator? I grabbed a copy of Football Manager 2010 off Steam for $10 a couple days ago. I chose Arsenal (of course!) as my team to coach.

Good lord this game is difficult. So far I have managed a 2-2 draw with Hull, a very nervy 1-0 win over Blackburn (they almost scored 4 times on air balls into the box, sounds familiar?), a goalless draw against City, and a 2-3 aggregate loss to Celtic in the Champs league qualifiers that sent me packing to the Europa League.

I've tried both of our current Arsenal's current formations (a 4-5-1 with advanced wingers and a 4-3-3), and neither one produces good offense. When I go 4-5-1, Clichy and Sagna play to the wing to send crosses in but Van Persie, Walcott, and Arshavin suck too much in the air to beat their defenders (sound familiar again?). When I play 4-3-3, my 3 forwards get packed into the box but the opposing defense packs in too, so there is no room for ball movement and my players can't even get a good look at goal.

I've tried ordering my Gunners to play short passes, long passes, play in a fluid formation, play in a rigid formation, play with flair, play unfancy ball, work the ball into the box, shoot on sight.... none of it seems to make a difference.

One sleepless night later, I am a very confused and unloved virtual manager. Arsene, what is your secret to success??

Oh and any advice from the armchair generals here would be appreciated.