Kevin Whitcher
It’s too early to make any sweeping conclusions about the season to come from the opening competitive fixture. Two years ago Arsenal swept Everton away 6-1 at Goodison Park and looked every inch champions in waiting. In the Premier League’s initial season, I have a recollection of Manchester United taking a single point from their first three matches.
Having said that, some familiar sights cropped up during the 0-0 draw at Newcastle. Arsenal players reacting to provocation in a manner which will see them suspended for future games – on video evidence in Alex Song’s case. There was also an element of spurning excellent opportunities to shoot or play a killer ball when Newcastle’s defence was opened up. It was ventured to me that had Cesc Fabregas been playing, the latter might have been less of an issue. Certainly, statistics prove Arsenal are more likely to win matches when he plays, so the prospect the number 4 leaving means that those who remain have to step their game up as a direct replacement seems unlikely, certainly of the same quality.
Gervinho had an excellent chance to strike the ball first time inside the area during the first half but dilly dallied and was swamped by a thicket of defenders. He may be new but he’s picked up the Arsenal way pretty damn quick.
Joey Barton did what he is known for and went about making niggly challenges and annoying opponents. The best way to deal with this is not to react in the way that Song and Gervinho did. However, this has long been an issue for Arsenal. How many times was Patrick Vieira sent off for reacting to provocation? There is a discipline issue with many a Wenger player and it’s not something that seems to ever be addressed. Barton may not be a pleasant individual, but he knows how to press buttons, and as long as he achieves results like yesterday’s, he will continue to do so. The scenes at the end were bemusing, an Arsenal love-in for their main protagonist. It was hardly the stuff of Old Trafford and Ruud van Nistelroy early in the Unbeatables season. Granted, at least it meant no further bans, so on that level, I’ll not criticise the multitude of hugs for the Newcastle tweeter, but the spirit demonstrated by the Gunners that day eight years ago symbolised a group of players whose determination not to lose seemed greater.
A clean sheet was a pleasant surprise, although Newcastle seemed content to play for the draw. The value of this result will be clearer in a few months’ time. Although the suspicion now is that Newcastle will definitely finish in the bottom half of the table and lose a number of home matches. They are lacking in quality in certain positions, and goals may be hard to come by this season.
However, as the defence was not severely tested, it is not easy to conclude that they will be better this season, but with Vermaelen and Gibbs starting more matches this may be true, especially with Szczesny in goal. It is key that Vermaelen stays fit, and it was informative that Koscielny got the nod ahead of Djourou. However, injuries have become a constant in Arsenal’s seasons in recent years, so quality investment is required. And we will know a lot more about the current first choice selection after the next four games.
At least, assuming the Fabregas and Nasri deals are concluded in the next couple of days, there is time to spend the money those transfers will net, and it is vital that Arsenal do utilise the money they receive for two of their best players. And critically do not miss out on players through arguing about £1 million here and there on the fee. The idea of Tevez joining for £20 million plus Nasri is somewhat fanciful, although on the assumption that Robin van Persie will get injured, it would be the kind of signing that could have a huge impact on Arsenal’s chances. And there would still be enough money for a pair of centre backs.
It was interesting to read in The Independent that it was Stan Kroenke who informed the manager that the principle of keeping Samir Nasri for one more year was bad business, and if that was the case it is good news. Wenger’s stubbornness should not impact on the team’s chances of success anymore that it already does. Let us hope there are more changes afoot. Still, I guess for those that consider the bottom line for Kroenke is the balance books, the decision to cash in on an asset that will be valueless next June is consistent with that philosophy.
The signing of new players may of course be partially dependent on eliminating Udinese, although that will leave only a few days to conclude any deals. There will be plenty of nail biting over the two legs of that tie, not least in the directors’ box, as well as the technical area.
As for the Newcastle game, there were some good performances. I was pleasantly surprised that Rosicky had a decent game, I never thought I would ever see that again. Gibbs too continued his decent form from the pre-season friendlies. I thought Theo Walcott was poor after his entrance, although perhaps his injury is a factor there. No-one knows what to expect from Udinese on Tuesday evening, with a view from some quarters that they are unlike a typical Italian side and might go all out for an away goal. The stakes are high, many key players will be absent for a variety of reasons, and the depth of the squad will be tested to the full. It promises to be an interesting evening.
This season’s first issue of The Gooner will be on sale outside the stadium on Tuesday and Saturday and can be bought online here.
