Kevin Whitcher
In the 2006 League Cup semi-final, as strong Arsenal team were eliminated in extra time of the second leg at Highbury by a long ball pumped down the middle which the defence were unable to deal with. It was a tactic that was used very effectively last night by an Ipswich side often pressed into their own half by Arsenal’s possession football.
Ipswich’s performance showed what desire and commitment can achieve, as in turn did Arsenal’s against Chelsea two days after Christmas. However, one thing that has to be said about Arsene Wenger’s team in 2011 is that they are not able to switch into ruthless machine mode and control matches in which they are not performing at their best. Ipswich created so many chances that there was never a feeling that the visitors were ever comfortable. In fairness, the Tractor Boys, with slightly better finishing, could have won by more. This was a team that saw three changes from that hammered 7-0 by Chelsea, playing with 24 hours’ less rest than Wenger’s. The first two minutes saw the Gunners slice through Ipswich like a hot knife through butter, and a comfortable and enjoyable evening looked in store. It didn’t quite turn out that way.
Arsenal’s selection was stronger than that which began against Leeds, with Fabregas, Walcott and Wilshere starting. It allowed Nicklas Bendtner to take up his favourite position as the focal point of the attack. He had a stinker. Several other players gave below par displays, which disappointed given the fact that a final at Wembley was at stake. Of course this performance will soon be forgotten about if Arsenal do turn it around at home in the second leg, but ultimately, it was down to the defence to make sure that the very least that was taken away was a draw if the attack were firing blanks. However, they were caught out by long balls played up to a solo striker too often for comfort, even with Djourou in the side.
Naturally, there is an argument that a mix and match team featuring some off form players in need of game time is going to lessen the chances of getting a result. And yet, a good number of the squad players have actually managed to get some football under their belts since Christmas. So eventually, rustiness becomes less of an excuse. Ipswich’s keeper had a good game, saving well twice from Walcott and Priskin up front gave a lesson to some of the opposition players in what it means to give your all for the team. Dare I say there was an element of complacency in the Gunners’ ranks last night?
I’m not going to go overboard and state that this team is hopeless on the basis of a first leg cup tie defeat. They didn’t play well in a game that they were expected to win. Ipswich were 8-1 to win on the night with the bookies. What does seem clear though, going on the last two matches, is that whereas in the years when Wenger was winning the FA Cup between 2002 and 2005 (and often played weakened sides in doing so), the difference now is that his squad players are simply of lesser quality. Edu was never a first choice, neither were Wiltord or Kanu. In defence, Oleg Luzhny was a reserve if everyone was fit. And yet, when Arsenal rested some of their stars, they still managed to do the job, at least against teams you would expect them to beat.
That doesn’t happen so much anymore, and the reason is that the quality of the squad has been allowed to decline. But then again, Arsenal used to spend money on players that were more experienced then they do these days. Players that knew how to control matches when things were not quite happening as planned. Arsenal in 2011 find it very difficult to play with complete authority, and perhaps successive high profile reverses over the last three seasons are the reason. Psychologically, they seem fragile, and it’s an issue the manager does not seem to be addressing. My own solution would be to draft in two or three proven winners and swallow the cost in return for the improvement they would bring. Certainly, some of the money could be recouped if the likes of Denilson were sold to clubs who should know better for £11 million.
Arsenal have the chance to sort themselves out in the cups over the next fortnight at Elland Road and at home. Let’s hope there are less errors in those matches than we have seen in the last two.
I received some short emails on the game, so here they are…
From Ian Henry
Can someone please tell me what is the point of Bendtner, Denilson, Arshavin and Eboue being in the team? What an unmotivated, lifeless, lazy and ultimately stupid performance.
A few weeks ago Wenger said this is the best squad he has ever had. This week Wenger wins the award for being the best manager of the last decade or something like that. Well, the best manager of the last decade has to get his best ever squad to win the next four games, including the Ipswich match by two goals, or the season will effectively be over by the end of January.
From Mark Burman
Never have we seen so many achieve so little for so long whilst wearing an Arsenal shirt. Only JD can look in the mirror and say he played well. The Marianas trench of dire performances, there are no depths left to plumb. As pointless and as painful as trying to paraglide under a Portugese Man 'O' War. Three games, three wins or an eternity of shame.
From tfg
Laughing stock
Perhaps our reserves should play in the second leg, after their midweek success against Villa.
There is a lot that can be said about Ipswich beating Arsenal at Portman Road.
Regrettably, like the team performance, I simply can't be bothered.
Ipswich Town 1 - 0 Arsenal.
History repeats itself.
I think that says it all.
From Sami S
Wenger’s lost it! His smile at the end shows how bothered he was. We will go to Wembley but this is just another sh*t performance to add to 2010-11. Can't see him using the usual justification of "at least we showed spirit" in this one! Why's Chamakh always on the bench? Why let Denilsh*t constantly play?
From Mike King
Having just suffered through three hours of the worst two performances of the season, against championship opposition in Leeds and Ipswich where we failed to score a single goal from open play, I was left wondering if anyone has any statistics of the success ratio in matches where Eboue and Denilson both start for the Gooners.
I am not suggesting they should shoulder all the blame for another two insipid performances, but it does seem to me that whenever those two are in the starting 11, we either play poorly or lose. Can anyone provide the percentages of wins, draws and losses in an Eboue/Denilson Arsenal?
