Kevin Whitcher
In terms of chances, in my view Udinese deserved to have beaten Arsenal last night. The home side had about three excellent chances to increase their early lead, but wave upon wave of attacks from the Italian side fashioned even more. Szczesny had a great game and kept his team in the tie. What a difference a quality goalkeeper makes to a side.
As for what was in front of him, this was particularly alarming. The first half saw the first choice defence out there and the only defensive change in front of them was Aaron Ramsey playing alongside Alex Song instead of Jack Wilshere. Arsene Wenger was watching from the directors’ box. If he is serious that he will only bring in players that will improve the quality of what he already has, all I can conclude from this display is that he has plenty to choose from before August is out.
For a European tie with the stakes as high as this one, it was critical that – at home – Arsenal controlled this game. They did anything but. Worse still, the team selection hampered Arsenal’s chances. Chamakh was totally invisible while Bendtner warmed the bench. The Moroccan striker’s form shows no sign of improving and – if Bendtner is sold – one assumes that Joel Campbell will be the replacement when Van Persie inevitably gets injured. But remember, the manager will only buy if he can improve on what he already has. And if he can’t improve on Marouane Chamakh, then we are in serious trouble. Maybe Campbell will set the Premier League on fire. He will certainly get the opportunity given the new captain’s injury record.
Arsenal got lucky, and in cups, sometimes, that is what is needed. The club’s last trophy owed a fair amount to fortune. On paper 1-0 looks like the scoreline of a typically tight European encounter, but this was anything but. Udinese cut through Arsenal’s ranks with so much ease that the club have to act now with the remainder of the season in mind. Of course it will be too late for the second leg, but Arsenal are well capable of netting one in Italy, and that will at least make life trickier for their opponents. For me, the tie is very much in the balance, although the Highbury Spy informed me that 80% of teams that win the first leg in Europe 1-0 ultimately go through. Here’s hoping. Can you imagine if we played Barcelona with that line-up?
Of course, you could argue that the second half saw two injuries and subsequent re-shuffles to the back line, but the chances fashioned came both sides of the interval.
I was emailed something which had been posted on facebook (by a Norman Lin) after the game, and it’s an interesting conversation point to relay. I’ve tidied up the grammar a little, but he wrote –
A Japanese channel started covering the game 15 minutes before kickoff and they showed Arsene Wenger taking his seat next to Ivan Gazidis just before kick off. The two did not seem to have good chemistry. For quite a while after they were seated they weren't even talking... and AW was actually leaning away from IG. It wasn't until Boro Primorac came and IG moved along a seat to allow BP to be seated next to AW that the latter started talking again. So who is upset with who now? Does the body language suggest all is not well on the transfer/negotiations front....
Food for thought, but then again, you’d expect Wenger to discuss the match with his assistant coach, but not necessarily the CEO. So I would not read too much into this, although I have no doubt that both the manager and Gazidis are all too well aware that money needs to be spent. The question is whether or not they will manage to screw up the negotiations or not. One thing last night confirmed is that the back-up boys are not up to the job and some of the first choicers – such as Song, Koscielny and Walcott (in spite of his goal) – are not of the quality required if Arsenal have serious aspirations of challenging in the league.
Robin van Persie will have a year left on his contract next summer. Vermaelen to write the captain’s column this time next year? Arsenal, going into 2011/12 are weaker than they were a year ago look like a team in decline. That the match failed to sell out and many season ticket holders did not bother to attend should tell the board that what’s needed is substantial change in personnel both on and off the field. I do not like to make conclusions from one match, but given the importance of this one, Arsenal were wretched. The team visit Old Trafford on Sunday week. This may be Arsene Wenger’s final season, but that will not be his final game. Granted, the team have kept two clean sheets, but if you watched last night’s match, can you honestly believe that is the shape of things to come?
This season’s first issue of The Gooner will be on sale outside the stadium on Saturday and can be bought online here.
