Pradeep Kachhala
As Arsène Wenger sat amongst the clouds on Tuesday, and perhaps with some perplexity regarding the number of empty seats, the football gods gave him a stark warning on the lack of depth within his squad. In the space of ten minutes, perhaps our most injury-prone defenders stuck to regular protocol and hobbled off. If this is any indication that Wenger needs to buy at least one more defender and quite urgently, then nothing will. However, it was telling that he opted for Jenkinson ahead of Traoré and Squillaci. Much has been spoken of the swift promotion of a defender playing non-league football last term, and, while he looks more than competent, I fear a prolonged spell in the team may expose him against the very best attackers.
The game itself was difficult to watch, and it has been a while since an opposing team not called Barcelona came to the Emirates in the Champions League and played the superior football. Ramsey improved with the game but he and Song left spaces for the Calcio midfielders all evening, while Rosicky is absolutely not the playmaker to fill Cesc’s boots. Upfront, our notable pace was missing the guile of RVP. Chamakh no longer looks interested, which is worrying given he will play a key part in the season when Bendtner moves on and RVP gets injured or misses a few games. However, next week will be particularly nerve-wracking in Italy; the glimmer of hope is that RVP returns and Ramsey is played in the position Rosicky occupied on Tuesday, with perhaps Frimpong sitting alongside Song. The clean sheet may prove to be vital. Incidentally, I have been more than impressed with Frimpong: perhaps he will be a good Emmanuel rather than a bad one - i.e. more Manu Petit than Manus Adebayor or Eboué.
One player has started the season in imperious form. Szczesny looks every bit the number-one keeper and is a massive factor for us going into the next leg with any hope. I argued with my younger brother - a season ticket holder at Old Trafford - that not only is he is better than De Gea, but he may prove to be the difference in our saving six to twelve points which, come May 2012, will be vital. Last season, the combination of Fabianski and Almunia cost us at least nine points (WBA home and away, and Newcastle at home).
Theo Walcott has publicly begged for the chance to play up front but I am slightly confused as to how this would work long-term, given our 4-3-3 formation. Firstly, a quick comment on our current tactics: this 4-3-3 was designed to get the best out of Cesc, so with him gone it does seem folly to continue with this and try Rosicky or Arshavin in this position. Furthermore if Walcott played through the middle in the current design, where would this leave RVP? If he dropped into the Cesc role, one of Ramsey, Wilshere or Song would have to make way whilst we would be penalising ourselves by dropping our top striker deep. I think the only way to play Theo through the middle would be in some kind of fluid 4-4-2, i.e assume squad stays as it is with no more additions (I hope this isn't the case !)….oh and everyone is fit...stop laughing….
Szczesny
Sagna - Vermaelen - Koscielny - Gibbs
Ramsey - Song - Wilshere - Gervinho
Walcott - RVP
The key here is that Ramsey occupies the right but comes in where necessary - much like Ray Parlour did, while Walcott can work off RVP. Without doubt, he is not a winger and Ramsey's delivery as shown on Tuesday is much better. Walcott could be a potent striker; many times his composure on one-one-one situations has been very good, while his pace down the middle would frighten central defenders where full-backs at the moment force him out wide and let him deliver a usually sub-standard cross. Notice; the vast majority of the time, only when he comes inside is he effective, and he clearly likes scoring goals rather than assisting.
Finally we now have a plethora of young players keen to fill the wings, such as Miyachi, Chamberlain and possibly Joel Campbell. Whether this will force Arshavin to improve his game remains to be seen.
Liverpool at the weekend and our first home league game of the season. Stating the obvious, it is an early indicator of whether we have any hope of finishing in the top four as we face a team that has clearly rebuilt and has the type of players AFC have had trouble dealing with in the past. Stewart Downing always seems to play well against us; Suarez has the guile to cause us trouble, while the size and power of Carroll - especially at set pieces - will be of concern all afternoon. However, the side is yet to gel, and it may be a good time to play them rather than later on in the season where I feel they will gain some real momentum. My thoughts are that, on current form, we may escape with a draw; our form since February has been relegation fodder (three wins in 15 or something?) and bar Tuesday's flattering win, we don't look like gaining any confidence just yet. In addition we are missing Song, Gervinho and probably Gibbs and Djourou, as well as Wilshere. So we are looking at a Ramsey and Frimpong midfield, with possibly Traoré or Jenkinson filling in at the back.
I am usually more positive than negative but the current state of the squad makes it difficult to be anything but slightly pessimistic without sounding idealistic and making oneself subject to much ridicule. There are 13 days left in the window and, while it is better late than never, I feel that, regardless of our great stadium and current financial position, it is much like having a massive house with no furniture... keep scouring those awful gossip columns for some hope.
