Kevin Whitcher
An acquaintance bumped into Abou Diaby after the Orient replay in midweek (hello Sami). He asked the midfielder why he never shoots even though he dribbles round half the opposing team. His response was, "The Boss tells me to pass tip tap." There was another instance in the second half of the scoreless draw yesterday. A large part of Arsenal’s success this season has been due to the midfield triangle of Song – Wilshere – Fabregas. The captain is injured as well as Song. Apparently the latter has been playing through injury lately, which may explain his personal drop in form. It also speaks volumes about the manager’s genuine view of his back-up options for the defensive midfielder position that he would continue to play someone carrying a knock. It was also the reason I was disappointed a defensive midfielder was not signed in last summer’s transfer window. These money saving decisions often come back to haunt you. Why did Arsenal’s scouting system not pick up on David Luiz, who looks like an excellent buy and could easily have provided quality cover in a number of positions? There’s millions in the bank but no-one in the stands cares about the value of Arsenal shares. Sadly, those in the directors’ box feel different. They are running the club with enhancing its value, rather than winning trophies, as the priority. And that is why Arsene Wenger is in a job for life as long as 60,000 people are buying tickets every home game, regardless of whether they can be bothered to turn up.
Anyway, yesterday, the midfield of Diaby – Denilson – Wilshere was not as creative or fluid as required and Arsenal stuttered. It was a performance not dissimilar to that at Wembley. The team managed to fashion some decent chances but rarely looked as good as their reputation. Creatively, without Fabregas, they seem to be a far lesser force. I have a memory of Samir Nasri doing very capably in the attacking midfielder role earlier in the season, and many were surprised he did not start there at Wembley. Maybe Arsene Wenger didn’t feel like doing this because he would then have had to start Marouane Chamakh, although for many, even out of form, he offers more than Diaby. Against Sunderland, Wilshere and Diaby seemed to take it in turns to fill the role, but in spite of Wilshere’s sheer effort, it didn’t really gel. This may have also been affected by Bendtner being a less savvy footballer than Van Persie whose quality of movement is often overlooked.
In spite of this, Arsenal did enough to win, and I accept that you can have off days in title run-ins, performance-wise. What matters is that – on those days – you win. The team were the victim of poor officiating not for the first time this season, Arshavin the victim both times. At least he is back in form, and is probably the main threat on Tuesday in the Nou Camp. They fashioned some decent chances and the Sunderland keeper certainly earned his money with some fine saves.
But it was not to be. There is an argument Arsenal should have been more attacking and gone for it from the start a bit more by fielding a 4-4-2 formation. There is certainly a view that tactically, Arsene Wenger can be fairly predictable. This was a match in which the team needed to post a statement of intent and put pressure on United, but it was an opportunity missed. One person believed they had half an eye on Tuesday evening, but I do so hope that was not the case. The league title is the best chance of a trophy and in the unlikely event Arsenal do get the required result at the Nou Camp, they will still have to triumph against three further quality teams to win the European Cup. It’s a long shot, especially for a side for whom defending is not a strong point.
I can honestly say that the result against Sunderland did not surprise me. We’ve seen before with this group of players that, when given an opportunity to add to Arsenal’s tally of league titles twice in the previous three seasons, start dropping points like there is no tomorrow. Key players are lost to injury every time, the back-up boys are not quite good enough and there seems a bit of a lacklustre feel to the performances as the flowing football seems to come to an abrupt halt. I can live with the fluidity going if it is replaced by real graft, commitment, and energy but to see Abou Diaby strolling around the field playing tip tap is not what I associate with champions in the making. He is an example of a player that a different manager would have got shot of pronto. Indulged because of his supposedly wonderful technique, but simply not in possession of the attitude that won Arsenal pots in the past. Look at France in last summer’s World Cup. Stunk the place out. And the man at the fulcrum of the team? Our very own number two. Sami asked Diaby on Wednesday night to explain his reaction that led to the red card and the collapse at Newcastle. His response was that it hurt so much getting tackled in the cold and he lost it! And therein is the reason that – if you rely too much on certain players – you win nothing. His equivalent in the period between 2002 and 2004 was a certain Ray Parlour – not a guaranteed starter, but a go to man if injuries struck. Ray is one of the 32 players celebrated on the cores of the exterior of the stadium. I can’t see Abou Diaby ever joining him up there. Memo to Arsene Wenger – get rid of this useless overpaid slacker.
There is still a chance. In this of all seasons, the title can still be won. The draw yesterday was not terminal, the end of the challenge - in fact it could be argued to be a point gained if United do slip up at Anfield this afternoon. But my feeling is that maybe too many cheap points have been dropped. We’ll see. The team have all to play for and – critically – Fabregas will return by the time of the visit to West Brom. That alone will be a huge boost and a fit Robin Van Persie for the Blackburn game would be the cherry on the cake. That, of course, is blind optimism. Van Persie’s next actual appearance will be when the kit’s been changed after the summer holidays. However, the Gunners have something to play for and if they can get enough players on the field who give a damn – Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere, Sagna, Djourou, an in-form Arshavin (who when he does put in a shift can make a big difference), a fit Song, Walcott (for the sheer havoc) and Szczesny (who played well yesterday), then the title is still there for the taking. They need to return to winning Premier League matches pretty damn pronto though. The odds are by the time they visit the Hawthorns they will only have the league to go for, so let’s hope that for once, cup exits do not have a hangover on league performances.
And if Fabregas is to miss any further matches, it is imperative that Nasri plays in his position. The alternatives don’t work.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale at away matches only from this point on. For those who wish to buy it online please click here.
