Kevin Whitcher
It says something when the opposition team are trying to eat the clock when they are behind. Talk about damage limitation. The extent of Wigan’s ambitions on their visit to Arsenal points out that this is a team highly likely to be playing Championship football next season. It also highlights how cheap the points dropped at the DW Stadium two days after beating Chelsea in late December really were.
Still, it was a much stronger Arsenal line-up that took the field yesterday. So many chances were created, it could have been close to double figures, but a lot of shots seemed to go straight to the Wigan keeper. However, Wenger’s men did what they should be expected to do, which is make easy work of poor opposition.
Not having caught ‘Match of the Day’ yet, it sounds like that’s exactly what Manchester United did too. There is a belief that as United are not the side they were and have been getting away with it this season due to the drop in quality generally amongst the top sides, they will not actually improve. And crucially can be caught. It’s a valid argument, but there is another which suggests results create a momentum of their own and that the more United remain undefeated, the stronger their self-belief and determination will become.
Until they face them in April, all Arsenal can do is keep the pressure on, which means winning matches and creating a momentum of their own. In this light, the cup competitions do matter. I was told yesterday morning that Ivan Gazidis has instructed Arsene Wenger that he has to win something this year. Doesn’t matter what, just win a trophy. If this is true, it will be interesting to see who lines up for the second leg of the Carling Cup semi final on Tuesday evening.
Given that Huddersfield on Sunday is the subsequent fixture, I can foresee a stronger line-up for Ipswich than the FA Cup fourth round, especially with Everton visiting only two days later. You would imagine we’ll see Arshavin, Denilson, Bendtner and co starting at the weekend. Whether or not the Gazidis story is true, I cannot say, but I hope to God it is. Signs at last of the club’s key employee getting some direction from his employers. The pre-season tour that looks likely this summer is another indication that Arsene is not quite the king of his castle any longer, although I am sure that these matters have been discussed rather than forced upon him, as he is effectively a director himself in all but name.
Robin van Persie could afford to miss from the penalty spot and still nab a hat-trick. Theo Walcott did well to set up his third goal, but could have scored three himself. It was that kind of afternoon. There will be matches when the side cannot afford to be so profligate in front of goal.
A final thought. Wigan beat Arsenal 3-2 last April, coming from 2-0 down. Which begs the question why they took off a forward and put on a defender for one second half substitution. They know Arsenal are fragile if they concede a goal. Strange. Still, take the three points and don’t argue. Let’s hope momentum is maintained in the cups to set the team up for the visit of Everton.
Gooner issue 211 with a free 2011 ‘cult kits’ calendar can be bought online here. It will also be available on Tuesday evening from sellers outside the stadium.
