Kevin Whitcher
I would put the physical attendance at the stadium last night for the game against Partizan Belgrade at somewhere between 42,000 and 45,000. There were certainly lots and lots of empty seats. I think the game had technically sold out, although it had gone on sale to the general public, as have all the European matches so far this season. Whether or not the team took their cue from the apathy of the non-attendees I do not know, but it was a subdued evening in north London. Still, it was pick your own seat after the latecomers had entered, and after 20 minutes, I was able to move about 15 rows forward to enjoy a more expensive view of proceedings.
There seemed a lack of urgency about Arsenal. It’s not the first time this season we have watched the team seem to struggle to find any kind of rhythm. It was comfort zone football. Keep the ball and gradually press the opposition and eventually something will come off. It certainly wasn’t worth whatever you paid for the ticket, and those who stayed at home to watch the game on ITV probably made a wise decision. Given what was at stake, this kind of approach was difficult to understand. As insurance against Braga getting a result in Donetsk, you would have believed the team were anxious to get the job done and dusted early on and then just play the game out against a side who had zilch to play for.
Kieran Gibbs had another costly slip which forced his withdrawal through injury. I won’t speak of another one he had in this very competition in May 2009, but it was a pity he could not get a full match under his belt when given a rare opportunity. Marouane Chamakh seems to have gone off the boil slightly of late. After a very promising start to his Arsenal career, you can’t hold it against him. Whether the loss of form is down to fatigue or the team around him not giving him enough decent service I do not know. However, at least Van Persie and Bendtner are now ready for active duty. The Moroccan has had to carry a big load for a good part of the season and deserves a break.
The penalty that gave Arsenal the lead should have been the spur to greater things, but I don’t think there was too great a surprise when Partizan equalised. At times, there is a lack of pressure on the ball when the opposition develop a promising position. This, in spite of Alex Song and Denilson starting last night. If you want to work out why the team are finding it so much harder to compete for trophies, just compare this duo to Patrick Vieira and Manu Petit. That is just one of the differences between the good times and today. You could go through the entire team and do that. Squillaci did a Gael Clichy and momentarily backed off when Partizan’s Cleo received the ball before scoring. I’d have said the more obvious danger was the guy about to shoot rather than someone he might pass to. It allowed the forward so much time that Cleo Laine could have put the chance away. And she’s 83.
The situation in Donetsk at that time was 0-0. If Braga had taken the lead or Arsenal lost by the time the games finished, it would be the Europa League Gooners were looking at this morning. Something was needed, and the hapless Arshavin was replaced by Theo Walcott to provide it. A winger who cannot cross, as least he had his shooting boots on last night and his volley to regain the lead was a sweet one. The delightful third from Nasri gave everyone some breathing space and a belief that against a team with no incentive to battle back, even we could not f*** this one up. And so it proved, although not without losing Bacary Sagna for the first leg of the knockout matches due to a red card. Fabianski pulled off a cracking save from the resulting free kick. A goal then could have caused the collywobbles for the last few minutes, but as it turned out, Shakhtar were winning in the other game, so ultimately this result proved totally academic.
There were two key reasons Arsenal lost this group. Having taken the lead in Donetsk, they backed off and were not good enough to defend their lead. Still, that could have been put right by victory in Braga. Although the team played for the draw that would have seen them qualify and the manager able to rest players in the final group game, the denial of a blatant penalty turned the tide. Arsenal lost their composure and ultimately the game. A win there would have seen them finish with 15 points and top place.
Everyone now knows we face one of Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern or Schalke. If they had won the group, it would have been one of Inter, Lyon, Valencia, Roma, Marseille, Milan or FC Copenhagen. There is an argument that it doesn’t matter whether you finish top or second in the group stage as all the teams that get through are quality. Maybe so, but would you prefer to be playing one of the four Arsenal will face or one of the other seven? It raises the question about the manager playing weakened sides after gaining maximum points from the first three matches. If Arsenal are fortunate enough to draw Schalke, then there is a decent chance of progress. Any of the other three will have Wenger’s team for mincemeat.
It would be interesting if the draw saw another clash with Barcelona, as a humbling for a second season in a row might get the message through to the manager that he needs to shift his focus on to the defensive side of his team’s game. Of course to do that requires the players to have commitment, resolve, determination and awareness. Qualities that were not much in evidence last night. And they take their cue from the man who picks the team. Will we ever see a solid Arsenal side again? Under the current regime, I wouldn’t put much money on it.
