DW Thomas
Lately, I feel depressed after Arsenal games. Each week I look forward to the game, like a child before Christmas, especially after an international break. My expectations rise before kickoff, but, time and again, I am deflated with Arsenal’s performances. After Saturday, it has to be obvious to all we are no longer a top four side. How could we give that kind of performance after many were rested, the new signings, and the 8-2 shellacking by United still on the players’ minds? When will Arsenal make a statement by their actions on the pitch? Unless we go on a long run of wins, say 5 or 6, we can no longer be considered one of England’s elite teams right now. Yes, Liverpool lost, but Stoke is a proven Premier League team on the rise, not a newly promoted team who has still scored no goals in four games. Chelsea and Man City each won 3-0, and Man United 5-0 at Bolton.
By comparison, Arsenal had to rely on a terrible goalkeeping error to win. And only after we avoided a last minute equalizer, a total sitter in front of our goal. Yes, we had chances. Van Persie hit the post, Chamakh should have finished his header. Ramsey and Walcott both had clear chances yet missed badly. Can no one shoot on goal with accuracy anymore? If you are paid the ridiculous wages per week our team gets, your ability to put a shot on goal with little or no pressure has to be better. Does our lack of shooting ability reflect the manager’s emphasis in training and tactics? Tippy-tappy vs. shoot the ball!?
How you can be an Arsenal fan right now and not be p*ssed off about everything? From how the transfer window and off season were dealt with, to the way Wenger seems like a man far outside reality in his statements to the press. At his last press conference it seemed like he wanted our pity - His words: ‘In my job you expect to suffer. So that’s why, when I go to hell one day, it will be less painful for me than for you, because I’m used to suffering. I could write a book about the summer. I think it would be an interesting one.”
ARE YOU F…ING KIDDING ARSENE?! I cannot ever pity someone about his job who makes more in a week than I make in a year. Less painful? It’s almost lunacy. On his salary, Arsene could afford a couple of life coaches, two or three shrinks, several cheerleaders, and maybe a nice little puppy to cheer him up and help him forget about his rough, hellish summer. Don’t get me wrong, I am a happy person, outside of being an Arsenal fan lately. But, what used to bring me joy and excitement consistently each week, now only saddens and disheartens me. In the past, even when we lost, we usually gave a good effort, showed class and heart. Against Swansea, it seemed the total opposite. A few showed desire and heart (Frimpong especially) but others were tin men. The team looked disjointed, individuals instead of a whole, going through the motions at times. Maybe they need time to gel. So why didn’t we sort out the transfer business early, like United? NO MORE EXCUSES! Please, I can’t take them anymore.
I really have no more patience for Wenger’s awful tactics and team decisions, either. He certainly seems like an old horse past his time. I have no faith in him anymore. Yet, even despite all this negativity I feel, I still keep hope in the team. Arsenal has become like an addicted sibling, who cycles through periods of rehab, recovery, and then falls off the wagon again. And again. And again. They seem to change, promise it, make improvements, only to repeat the same mistakes again. Arsene keeps telling us fans how they have changed, how it takes time. This excuse, that excuse. How many fans were on the literal edge of their seats today for the last 5-10 minutes of the game hoping for a second Arsenal goal to finish the game, but deep down expecting Swansea to equalize? Graham’s miss was a complete gift! And Ramsey could have put any one of 3 players through at the end, yet the pass was again poor. This is today’s Arsenal.
We did start brightly, Arteta linking up early and pushing the tempo. Yet, again, we didn’t score. Only when Vorm blundered incredibly did we get a goal. The second half was poor. Ramsey looked slow and laboured, like the new Denilson. Wow, did I just say that? Did I just compare the Wales captain to a “deadwood” player? I know, it surprises even me. His sideways and backward passing was abundant and frustrating. He took 3 or 4 touches at least, many times, instead of playing the ball quickly and decisively. We badly need Wilshire and Diaby back ASAP. Even Diaby has more forward thinking than Ramsey. Currently, the pressure on Ramsey’s shoulders seems too vast to carry.
Walcott was even more frustrating. He had some chances, yet more often than not he dribbles into dead ends. Déjà vu anyone? Maybe the wing is not his optimal position, but Sinclair by comparison looked a lot more dangerous. I thought the back four looked ok, but I can’t remember one good cross from Sagna. During the game, I kept thinking how bad our players are with their weaker foot. How can you, at this level, not be able to cross and shoot with both feet? Our counter attacking was mostly non-existent, as besides Arteta, our midfield seems to slow things down to possess the ball versus put the opponent on the back foot. I was happy to see Chamakh come on as I think he could be good if given more crosses and support and is much better than we usually see. He nearly/should have scored off a great run and cross from Gibbs. The type we rarely see these days.
If the goal had come, I think the end of the game would have been different and much easier. Yes we got the win and the clean sheet, but we did not feel like a team of winners. You can say, at least we didn’t lose or tie, but is that all we really want as fans? Not to lose? There was much indiscipline and inconsistency, Frimpong and Walcott to name two. With players complaining like Walcott did, no wonder opposition players try to wind us up all the time. Van Persie had some good chances, yet still looks isolated up top by our formation, whatever that may be. Looks like a 4-3-3, but at any given moment if fluctuates. I thought Arshavin looked good early, but faded later. Interesting that Frimpong lashed out at him after covering his man in our own box and blocking a cross.
Swansea deserved at least a point. Normally I don’t care how we win, as long as we win. 3 points is 3 points, no matter how we get them. However, as fans we cannot be satisfied with the team performances. Do we want to experience another game like the United fiasco? What is Wenger doing in training? Where are the improvements being made? Where are the faults being addressed? Déjà vu again.
Make no mistake. The next two weeks are big, hugely important for this season and the future. Anything less than good, consistent performances and we could truly be out of league contention for good this season. Or top four for that matter. And all of our next opponents will be better, save Shrewsbury. Look at these numbers after the first four games. 18-3. Man United’s goals to ours. 4-0-0 to 1-1-2. Man United’s record to ours. Not to mention City and Chelsea. I know the AKBs will not like what I am saying, but when will they see what is right in front of their eyes? I do not want Wenger out. I just want him to wake up from his nightmare. Maybe he will, I hope he does, but I am not holding my breath. And try as we may, through blogs, protests, meetings, we shouldn’t have to be the ones to pinch him!
The current issue of the Gooner went on sale at the weekend and is available to buy online here
