Kevin Whitcher
With a Premier League fixture against Everton on Tuesday evening, it was hardly surprising that many of what is regarded as Wenger’s current first choice eleven did not begin this cup tie. It was possibly the reason that the club failed to sell out this match, and the ‘attendance’ figure of over 59,000, even allowing for non-attending season ticket holders, was difficult to swallow going by the wealth of empty seats in the upper tier behind the goals. If you want to charge normal prices, people are going to expect to see a side resembling the best that can put out. If you’re going to field the combined incompetence of Almunia, Squillaci, Denilson and Diaby, people are not going to buy it, literally. So if half the crowd didn’t bother to turn up, should it follow that half the side didn’t either?
Even fielding a shadow team, Arsenal – at home – should have had enough and then some to put a side from two divisions below them to the sword with ease. However, they made very hard work of it, and I for one would not have begrudged Huddersfield victory. Certainly, the Yorkshire side came agonizingly close to scoring a number of times. What they exposed was that with a central defence lacking Djourou and backed up by Almunia in goal, Arsenal are vulnerable as anything to crosses. The number 20 and Szczesny cannot come back quickly enough after this horrible reminder of why Almunia was dropped and why the Gunners were leaking goals like there was no tomorrow during the autumn.
The big fear was that the home side would start the match with the attitude that it was already won. Early on, they certainly dominated, but were guilty of some poor finishing and sloppy passing, which ultimately gave the visitors some encouragement. At times, it seemed there was a casual approach and a lack of focus. Squillaci’s crude bodycheck frankly got the red card it deserved. It was cynical and the man he took out would have been clean through. Bendtner's goal when Arsenal still had 11 players on the field relied heavily on a deflection to take it in. Arsene Wenger’s team has certainly enjoyed some moments of fortune in this competition already this season, perhaps a sign that they are fated to progress a long way.
Nasri’s hamstring is going to pose an interesting problem for the manager. Does he play Arshavin or Bendtner on Tuesday? He surely won’t move Van Persie wide to accommodate Chamakh, whose form has gone to pot. My guess is he will go with Arshavin purely on the basis that he prefers to field Walcott on the right. However, Nasri is a big loss, so let’s hope he does not miss too much action. Arsenal’s season depends on keeping their key players on the field.
It was certainly interesting to note the sudden rise in quality of Arsenal’s attacking play when Cesc Fabregas entered with the scores level. As in the first game against Leeds, the captain (even if Rosicky was wearing the armband at the time) saved the day. From where I was sitting, it did look like Nicklas Bendtner was pushed for the penalty, although I’ve since heard he went down very easily. Whether justice was or was not done, Arsenal were in the hat for the 5th Round draw and face a trip to sunny Leyton to meet the Os. Word is Arsenal supporters might be given the entire East Stand and 3,700 tickets, way above the 15% of capacity that is the rule for this competition. Mind you, Orient might be willing to hand over so many seats on the basis that they can then charge the earth for them! Still, it won’t be the £70 fans are being asked to pay at the Nou Camp. Then again, last time I checked, the Os did not have anyone of quite the same ability as Lionel Messi…
Sometimes cups are won with some questionable displays along they way (and even in the final, as 2005 will testify). Ipswich away in the Carling Cup is receding in the memory now everyone is trying to get a ticket for 27th February. So it will be with Huddersfield. However, the message from both games is clear. Some of the back-up players are either out of form or simply not very good. And you don’t want to be relying on any of these guys too much as a consequence. Arsene’s discovered, more by accident than design, a winning formula. It must be hoped the loss of Nasri does not affect it too much.
There is talk that Arsenal might sign a big name centre half before 11pm tomorrow. After today, let’s hope so.
The new issue of The Gooner went on sale at today’s match and will also be available from sellers outside the stadium at the games against Everton and Wolves. For those who cannot make it along to the stadium, it can be bought online here.
