Kevin Whitcher
This was effectively the Arsenal team that beat Chelsea and Birmingham, whilst being unfortunate to gain only a point against Manchester City. It is the team that will determine whether or not Arsene Wenger is able to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in seven years at the end of this season. It is certainly not the team that failed to win matches against Wigan, Leeds and Ipswich.
There were fresh calls for the manager’s head from some quarters after the performance at Portman Road. Undoubtedly it was disappointing, but in fairness to Wenger, he should be judged on what his first eleven do. Yes, West Ham were very much there for the taking, but there have been occasions in the past when the Gunners have made exceedingly hard work of relegation candidates, and often seem to labour against West Ham, as the reverse fixture this season proved (remember Alex Song’s late, late winner).
I received an email after the game from Gooner contributor Howard Lamb, very much a glass half full merchant. He enthused, “One of the most complete performances since the Invincibles.” Unfortunately, the memory of certain crosses from our full backs prevents my own enthusiasm from reaching these heights, but it was certainly a dominating performance that gives cause for genuine optimism for the remainder of the campaign. I don’t think we can dream of beating Barcelona just yet, but given that Manchester United do not look like the team of two seasons ago, there is certainly a title there for the taking if Arsenal can develop some consistency, and crucially win all the points they should be expected to. Howard continued, “After Wednesday - Jekyll and Hyde. Can RVP stay fit? If only? Szez looks the business – maybe that’s what was missing.” Certainly Van Persie’s return to form is timely and critical if the team is to play at its optimum. His intelligent movement around the opposition half is something no other player in the current squad can provide. If he is injured again, the fear is that the season will go to pot.
As for the keeper, many Gooners would pick him over Fabianski and my own view is that the manager should stick with the man in form once the more senior player is fit again. He’s young, but his confidence is both laudable and justified.
One suspects that both the Leeds and Ipswich cup games in the next two midweeks will see mix and match selections, with certain players rested. It’s a gamble, but one the manager is going to take ignoring the clamour from the fans. The two competitions he prioritizes have not changed, and right or wrong, he will not field a full strength line-up for any domestic cup match. If Ipswich are eliminated, as they should be in spite of their first leg lead, then I hope an exception is made for the Wembley final, regardless of which players have appeared in the competition up to now.
Arsenal need to keep winning to develop some momentum. It will be interesting to see if cup exits with weakened teams have a detrimental effect on the league performances. They seem to have had in the past, but let’s hope that’s a question we don’t get an answer to and that the club remain in both cups. As for the Premier League, Wigan visit next week, followed by a series of very winnable matches. Injuries could do for Arsenal’s season, especially to defenders where numbers are getting very low. It happened in 2008 and it happened in 2010, both seasons when the Gunners had a great chance of winning the title. Those losses exposed the squad as not deep enough, a phenomenon we are already seeing this time around.
My own feeling is that the key men will not be able to complete the campaign unscathed, going on experience if nothing else. However, if they can, the performance at Upton Park demonstrates that Arsenal, once again, have an opportunity to lose the nearly men tag.
