Ian Henry
I haven’t checked the UEFA site and the rules for registering players, but I doubt any players signed before we play Udinese could actually take part in those matches. So any purchases in the next 10 days are probably irrelevant as far the qualifying matches for the Champions League are concerned.
Having seen the way in which Benfica ripped Arsenal apart for much of the second half, and ignoring the profusion of youngsters who were thrown into the lion’s den, I don’t hold out much hope for beating a top 4 Italian side over two legs.
We will start the home match without RvP and Nasri (banned), Diaby (injured, although that may be a blessing) and probably without Wilshere and Walcott; if Fabregas is still at the club he’s bound to be described as unfit. Think about what sort of team would be put out in the home leg and ask yourself where the goals and creativity will come from.
Maybe Arshavin and Rosicky will show their class (LOL), maybe Chamakh will find his scoring boots (LOL again) or maybe Super Nik B will still be around and show us what a top striker he really is (start clinging onto those straws). And then think about the second leg and how our defence, with its profusion of top notch left backs and dodgy centre backs (what does Squillaci actually do, apart from draw a salary?) and ask yourself – if by some miracle we have a lead to defend from the first leg, do you think we will do so?
I honestly don’t know who to blame really – the board and Mr Gazidis or the manager, but given the way in which the naïve board and CEO constantly back the manager and accept his every word as the gospel, I blame the manager for the predicament the team is in. Every player has been signed by the manager, and every contract has no doubt been approved by the manager. Who, by the way, said that giving Bendtner the no. 52 shirt was a good idea?
But back to the team and its problems: the manager has had all summer to address the Cesc and Nasri issues; he hasn’t. The idea that Cesc, if he ends up staying, can remain captain is risible and insulting to the past captains of the club. He hasn’t addressed the centre back problem, he hasn’t bought an out and out striker and he hasn’t bought experienced cover for or an alternative to Alex Song. Frimpong is way too raw, Coquelin and Eastmond (where are they by the way?) are too small and fragile.
Last week both this site and the venerable Myles Palmer said the club would sign three players, including two English centre backs. I doubted that would happen and I still do. I honestly believe that Wenger will do no more than buy one defender (and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a left back rather than a centre back) and a replacement for Cesc/Nasri – even if they both leave, only one replacement will come in.
The squad was woefully exposed last year; this season will be worse. Come the end of the month I expect we will have a maximum of two points and be in the Europa Cup. And with no time at all to strengthen the squad. Will the AKBs be crowing come the end of August? You know what – I really hope they are, but I don’t believe they will be. Thursday night football anyone? On a personal level, I wouldn’t mind, because work commitments make Tuesdays and Wednesdays rather difficult. And we will be on Channel 4 or 5 which, as a non-Sky customer, suits me too. And just think of all those powerhouses of European football who will visit our great stadium. I can’t wait for the stadium announcer to tell us the crowd numbers.
Am I being too negative? I look forward to the comments and will finish by saying this – I hope every word of criticism and worry I have written here turns out to be wrong and misguided. My real fear is that I will be right.
