1. Home
  2. Online Exclusive

No longer any sense of anticipation

When Arsenal meet Chelsea or United now the writing’s on the wall

15 December, 2010 9:00
No longer any sense of anticipation

Wilshere: team-mates should follow his lead

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOONER

Normally I decide to write an article, but today the feeling I have is all too familiar and one which I was fully expecting. So instead I shall try and keep things shorter with a few points of summary or stats based on my thoughts and/or things I have heard from friends…

From 2 to 11 (old fashioned numbers) I thought we were average to poor against United. Numbers 12 to 14 also offered little to nothing when brought on. With the exception of his average distribution our number 1 is the only player who I thought was very good.

When playing United or Chelsea, if they score the first goal you might as well switch off. You know they will shut up shop and we will fail to break them down, whilst they threaten on the counter attack.

We have now failed to beat United or Chelsea in 11 attempts, scoring only 5 goals. We have only won 6 out of the last 34 against them.

It was good to see a few challenges go in on Monday night. To have made double the number of fouls is no bad thing… although how double the number of fouls equals four times as many bookings is still a mystery to me. I believe the equation may be United vs Arsenal x Old Trafford = Howard Webb.

Whilst Howard Webb’s uselessness did not affect the result the above is still bemusing, as was the award of the penalty (with the help of his assistant). Also bemusing is how Ferdinand can Kung Fu kick an opponent in the stomach (ripping his shirt) when making a header and not even have a free kick given against him.

When challenges start to fly in (and Nani does his usual fake injury cry) Fletcher of course tries to start fights and become an additional match official. Once again the first Arsenal player to react to this and come to the aid of his ‘offending’ team-mate is Jack Wilshere. If every Arsenal player showed the same level of pride as Jack does I’m sure that would go a little way to an improvement in this team.

When watching games versus United and Chelsea I no longer get a rush of adrenaline or a sense of anticipation. Instead I have hope; I’m hoping to be proved wrong, but really just awaiting the inevitable. Until the time comes when we enter injury time on level terms or in the lead I don’t see the adrenaline returning… even then it will be accompanied by large spades of fear and nerves. I normally try to be glass half full, but against these two I feel whole glass empty right now.

And finally, come Saturday I will be in my usual seat, North Bank upper, cheering on the team 100% desperate for three points. Regardless of where we are in the league this will always remain the case. However, what is most crazy about this Saturday is that three points will take us back to the top of the table, even if it is only temporarily. It’s hard to believe, but somehow we are still in this title race…at least for now!

NEW! Subscribe to our weekly Gooner Fanzine newsletter for all the latest news, views, and videos from the intelligent voice of Arsenal supporters since 1987.

Please note that we will not share your email address with any 3rd parties.

Article Rating

Leave a comment

Sign-in with your Online Gooner forum login to add your comment. If you do not have a login register here.

comments

  1. Sean

    Dec 16, 2010, 1:50 #264

    we've won 6 out of last 34 against United and chelsea. A win against Chelsea would mean a win on average every 7 games oh dear.

  2. goonerman

    Dec 15, 2010, 14:52 #259

    Dont despair, keep supporting the team it will come good.The way you were talking any body think we were bottom of the league, not second keep the faith.

  3. Babatunde

    Dec 15, 2010, 12:16 #258

    Want change? Then stop lining the board's filthy pockets. Nothing will change until these mugs see a half-empty Emirates, then the message will get through. It's a cheap as chips team. It's a Ford Focus trying to take on a Diablo, it's pathetic. Cheap teams don't win leagues. The board think the fans are gormless sheep, and they may well be right. The goalkeeper situation is a piss-take, Alex Song is shite no matter what others say. We STILL ain't replaced Vieira! How long have we asked for a class winger to give width then? We used to be so dangerous on the counter-attack because we had lethal, fast strikers like Wright, Anelka and Henry - and not only were they fast as hell, they were clinical and deadly too. Now instead, we have some half arse-paced mediocre waster who is no better than Kevin Campbell and needs about 6 chances to score one with his feet. He could never create something out of nothing, useless in big games as you don't get 10 chances to put one away. As for the defence we can sign anyone we want but AW knows nothing about defending. He needs a number 2, not a yes-man like Pat Rice...but cannot have that, it's all about Arsene's dictatorship! He likes nice little boys who get fat juicy contracts, who have no competition for places and like it that way. All French back 4 etc. My club doesn't feel to have pride any more, the way we bend over for the big 2 is sickening. I want Wenger gone, it's long overdue. And until you Emirates attendees start showing the board you mean business, stop renewing overpaid STs etc...nothign will change, expect a pressure-free environment and loudmouth interviews year after year. How many more times are you willing to bend over and take this?

  4. R3DD3R of the Grove

    Dec 15, 2010, 11:32 #256

    You said it mate 'Instead I have hope - I’m hoping to be proved wrong' .. that's how we all feel. Arsenal, Home of Eternal promise yet to materialise.