Joshua Clements
After the disappointing draw away at Wigan, AW defended his selection by insisting that the ‘second-string’ players who drew that game could easily have all started against Chelsea. As uneasy a declaration as that was then, after the Leeds game it now appears to be verging on the deranged. The emotional attachment that AW has for several of the players in the squad has inflicted upon him a blind spot which against Leeds was on full display for the crowd to see. I am forever the Arsenal optimist and Wenger apologist... but in the case of Saturday some crucial questions need to be asked of the quality of some of those players in the 25 (one fifth to be precise).
Denilson seems to be a pointless detraction in a midfield that normally sweeps from one end of the pitch to the other. His naivety and blatant stupidity for giving away the penalty is a reflection of his overall contribution to the Arsenal, neither able to defend or attack, he is an anemic Song and a watered down diet ‘talent free’ Cesc Fabregas.
Bendtner, the self-proclaimed boy wonder, follows up his high endeavour and work rate with the ability to mislead people into thinking he is a striker. I can only think he is actually a centre half and at some point there was a breakdown in communication. Why else would everything he touch seem to go effortlessly away from goal?
Squillaci appears to be having an incredible tough time in his first season and for someone with so much experience you would expect better. His decision making is precarious and he looks generally awkward most of the time on or near the ball. Thank god that Djourou is starting to look like a world beater.
I include myself among those who have flip-flopped in their opinions on Eboue and after the disaster that was Wigan at home, I had written of the Ivorian as a goner. His revival in form along with the emergence of the ‘cult of Eboue’ seems to be a delirium that after Saturday needs curing. He is simply not good enough. Henry used to bemoan his inability to cross but it’s his entire game that comes into question, a joker on and off the pitch it seems.
And then there was Arshavin, whose descent from world class starter to fringe player / bench warmer has us all asking what exactly went wrong? Apart from the trip to Villa Park this season, Arshavin has been a failure in most of the other games he has played in, and his dire performance and lack of desire at Old Trafford verged on the unforgivable. It speaks volumes for AW’s perception of his players that it apparently took Cesc to question him over his continual use of the lazy meerkat just for him to get dropped. Against Leeds he was incredibly disappointing and by far the worst player on the pitch.
Anyway, these five players aside the squad is looking fairly strong and considering the performance against City last week there are far more positives than negatives at the moment. So fingers crossed these five can at least deliver us a Carling Cup final and our first trophy of the season.
Oh wait, I forgot about Rosicky... did he play on Saturday?
