TFG
Cup Finals offer no consolation to the runners up. When you lose against an essentially one dimensional outfit, conceding two soft goals, there is no place to hide. I expressed concern in my last article that Obafemi Martins might hurt us. I would much rather have been entirely wrong; as it was, the ghost of Augustus Caesar’s impromptu sit down reared its ugly head. On that occasion, Luton Town were the recipients of such good fortune; this time, it was another giant of the game who reaped the proceeds of our inadvertent generosity.
Analysis of the game is rendered nebulous: calamitous defending and indecisive over-passing made their chances of winning the trophy all too presentable. The worst of the bad luck endured affected availability for selection, however injuries occur; notwithstanding the extraordinary excesses perpetrated by the ilk of our two most recent opponents. You don't necessarily have to be the better side: the idea is to score more goals than the opposition. Ultimately, trophies, not possession or promises are the currency of the game.
Football is unforgiving. I wonder if Leyton Orient will fancy their chances in the FA Cup replay. On this performance, Manchester United and Barcelona will be quietly concerning themselves with who they might face in the latter stages of the respective competitions. In a two week period during which crucial games require favourable outcomes, not all of which are in our control, this was the worst possible start.
Whilst making a conscious effort to avoid melodrama, you do still have to wonder whether this game defines the crossroads point of this season and beyond. As ever, Arsene Wenger extolled the virtues of his squad’s mental strength. Lamenting extensive injuries in the post match comments left him exposed to accusations of not strengthening in the January transfer window – he will have known this, despite every comment made to the media being carefully weighed. Essentially, he was inviting his team to respond to their latest disappointment and us as fans to get behind the team. The relationship can be extremely symbiotic following hurtful defeats.
Obviously, Arsene Wenger was asked about Koscielny and Szczesny. Whilst the former may be dismissed by some as not good enough, I still think that he is a better squad option than Squillaci and that overall, his contributions are satisfactory, if not outstanding. In respect of Szczesny, I would strongly suggest that those who might call for us to buy a new ‘keeper in light of his error at Wembley think again. I still believe that he is a top quality custodian and I am inclined to think that the defender was more at fault. In any event, were it not for at least two excellent saves the game would have been beyond us, such was our paucity on the day. I recognise that a bad decision early in the game saved him from suffering his erstwhile colleague’s fate in Paris; but I am by now wearily familiar with the inconsistencies of officialdom.
Ironically, by virtue of our inability to restrict a last minute goal by Leyton Orient, we now have a chance to regroup and get back to winning ways. It will not reduce the immediate pain, but will give us a game prior to Sunderland to raise ourselves. I am sure that Szczesny will bounce back – his attitude and temperament appearing exactly what is required to show us again why we should keep our faith in him. Koscielny will maintain his level of endeavour and hopefully also learn the harsh lesson handed to him.
Since this is a team game, it should not be forgotten that we had chances to win the game, but a propensity to indulge in superfluous passing once again negated some of the better openings forged. The responsibility is collective, both on the day and for the remainder of the season.
Should Arsenal win one of the remaining competitions available to us, then it would be reasonable to argue that they have indeed responded to the disappointment of The Carling Cup Final. Conversely, there is the concern that they have again failed to convert promise into silverware and that they simply do not have the wherewithal to cross the finishing line as victors.
My view is that there is little to be gained in attending games for the remainder of the season with a sense that it is anything but counter productive to deride the players. There are forums which are appropriate for the purpose of raising genuine concerns. Equally, those whose responses are of the “Whinge, whinge, moan…” or “Go and support Spurs…” variety would better convince me that there are not issues needing to be addressed in the summer, if they supported their argument beyond such oft heard repost.
I am not the only one to have raised concerns about the strength in depth of the squad and inability to replace key figures when the need arises – succinctly evidenced by Cesc’s absence at Wembley. However, there are just over three months before any additional resources can be introduced. Until then, I would like to see Aaron Ramsey’s involvement increase on a judicious basis and also Jens Lehmann’s distinctive influence in ensuring that Szczesny marshals his defence to ensure no repeat of an infamous humiliation.
Importantly, in the time remaining before the end of this campaign – when Arsene Wenger has acknowledged that he must accept judgment – we the supporters should continue to encourage those who represent our footballing aspirations. Not blindly, nor without constructive comment, but nevertheless wholeheartedly during the games forming the basis upon which conclusions may be drawn. Illustrious nights like the win over Barcelona are somehow more validated by the awfulness of defeat on other occasions – to fully appreciate one, you have to have suffered the reverse – although the hope is, not too often.
Of this I am certain: whilst I hope that we do collect the silverware necessary to diminish the horror of this particular episode; if we do not, then it is very much time for a rethink in the summer – either in terms of technical input and techniques adopted or personnel – or both. The Club has no divine right to win trophies, but neither should it expect fans to continually subsidise an ever evolving and expensively underachieving experiment. The jury is out and if this really is the best squad which Arsene Wenger has worked with, then I very much hope that we can return in May to deliver a positive verdict.
If it transpires that he needs to make significant changes, then I hope that Arsene Wenger is realistic enough and shows sufficient humility to do so. Somewhere between the positions of the so called AKBs and AMGs resides the reality of this situation. We need to reward our best players and backroom staff, including the likes of Steve Rowley, without extending the same benefits to those who may be less deserving. There are sufficient challenges looming to separate the chaff from the wheat and for those involved to work themselves into the future of this Club.
Should that future incorporate new ownership in the coming months, I suspect that there will be far less sympathy or patience shown than may be currently afforded. At present, the Club can no longer deny that its fan base are neither unilateral in their unquestioning support; nor that there is not an increasing urgency for definable success – which for the avoidance of doubt means a major trophy.
For now, that chance has been squandered. There is yet time to retrieve our season. Insofar as we can control events on the pitch, we need to make sure that we do our bit, from the appearance of the first player warming up until the exit of the last at full time. The players, for their part, need to understand their responsibility and offer every possible encouragement to get behind them.
