Ronnie Simmons
I’ve seen a lot of, shall we call them ‘constructive’ articles on onlinegooner.com recently. I’ll be totally honest and say that my initial reaction to such pieces is to be protective of all things Arsenal. Therefore, I typically get frustrated with most articles that want Wenger to be sacked, think our squad is garbage and our tactics are one dimensional. This is probably due to my incredibly bright outlook on most things in life, particularly my beloved Gunners. That said I wouldn’t consider myself an ‘AKB’ or someone who can’t consider anything Arsenal without bias – just someone who tries to focus on the positives.
For what it’s worth I have been encouraged by many things this season, so here’s a few from the glass is half full brigade.
Fabianski – since his full run in the side started (something he has never truly had before) he has made one big mistake against Newcastle (which on another day the team would have bailed him out by scoring a goal or two) and despite what the ‘experts’ say, has made potential point saving interventions at Man City, Wolves and Everton to name a few. For those who say he costs us 15 points a season – he is definitely well in credit and has made as few mistakes as Hart and Cech since his run.
Djourou – has shown his class and composure in many games this year. It is he plus one other when we are fully fit at centre back now.
Wilshere – has added depth to the midfield and has developed quicker than any of us dared hope, with still so much more to come.
Clichy – his performances still aren’t quite at the level of pre-2008 but recently I feel he’s coming back to form. His game against Man City at home recently was probably his best in seasons.
Nasri – added directness and goals to his game and could become a genuine world class player if his evolution continues.
Walcott – still divides opinion but has definitely improved his composure in front of goal and has become more intelligent with his movement. We still don’t use him to his full potential yet.
Sagna – in the last two months he has been incredibly solid. The best right-back in the league.
Koscielny – this may make you spit your drink all over the computer but I’ve seen enough of Kos to believe that with another season under his belt he will be a fantastic 3rd choice CB for us. He has impressive awareness and anticipation and is still only 25 so plenty to come.
Battling qualities – the performances at home to Chelsea and at Blackburn, Wolves, Everton, Villa and to an extent Sunderland have finally meant match reporters have had to think of something new to write instead of reeling off the old clichés about a soft underbelly, getting out-muscled up north etc.
Squad health (touch wood) – we are in pretty good shape in terms of injuries (touch wood again). For those giving Denilson, Bendtner, Squillaci and Arshavin stick after the Leeds game, please bear in mind these are squad players. Denilson is 6th choice in central midfield – the equivalent of Darron Gibson or Josh McEachran. Squillaci is 4th choice at centre back – the equivalent of Jonny Evans or Jeffrey Bruma.
Why can’t we get behind the players who take the pitch, irrespective of our preconceived ideas about some of them? Yes Bendtner can come across as arrogant, Arshavin looks lazy, Denilson does pass sideways quite a lot, Diaby is infuriatingly inconsistent (when he’s fit), Squillaci probably hasn’t settled as quickly as we’d like etc etc, but we are The Arsenal and we do things the right way – which should mean not booing our players (thereby avoiding another hugely embarrassing Eboue situation) but supporting them through thick and thin. The same should go for the manager too. With 29 managerial sackings in the English leagues so far this season we are held up as standard bearers for patience and stability. Yes five years without a trophy is a lean spell, but relatively speaking isn’t nearly as bad as the media makes out. Wenger deserves our patience for showing loyalty when he could have run to Real Madrid or the French Federation after the Invincibles when his stock was at its highest. Rough with the smooth and all that.
This leads me onto my final point. We’re challenging on all fronts – irrespective of what is happening at other clubs, the general quality of the league and some poor performances, we are well placed in all competitions.
Up the Gunners.
