TFG
Approximately a year ago, I suggested that the following factors would determine the outcome of our season (Now is the time to consider expectations). A year on, the position is not only no better, but significantly worse. The fundamentals have not been addressed and the record over our first ten games of the season confirms this:
D W L W L W D L W W
The last two games of that sequence featured victories over Shrewsbury Town and Bolton Wanderers. Since then, a lick of paint prevented Olympiakos from leaving The Grove with a point and following that, Spurs beat us with a speculative shot which attracted no challenge whatsoever.
The last two games of that sequence featured victories over Shrewsbury Town and Bolton Wanderers. Since then, a lick of paint prevented Olympiakos from leaving The Grove with a point and following that, Spurs beat us with a speculative shot which attracted no challenge whatsoever.
We have cleared out a number of ineffective squad members, but too many remain. Unsurprisingly, although Arteta and Benyaoun have shown the benefit of added experience, the loss of Cesc and, to a lesser extent, Nasri have exposed the paucity of options.
Carl Jenkinson will now (presumably) have to learn his trade in the unforgiving context of the Premier League, rather than the more appropriate surroundings of the Reserves. Coquelin and Frimpong are exciting prospects, as is Oxlade–Chamberlain, but to rely on them at this stage of their careers helps neither them nor the Club. I maintain that Wojciech Szczesny will become a first class goalkeeper – the thought of him getting injured this season makes me shudder. Equally, is it realistic to expect Robin van Persie to remain fit and available between now and May?
Some supporters would have you believe that Arsène Wenger can effect a turnaround of fortunes and that to question his methods amounts to heresy, or “plastic support”. I would love to see him generate further success, but the league table does not lie. It seems inconceivable that the “minimum requirement” of fourth place is attainable, and reality has at least hit to the extent that there is no pretence of challenging for the title.
If the next dozen league games follow the last seven in producing a point per game, then we are in trouble. Although we have key personnel to return, the alarming rate of injuries persists, and we seem to suffer disproportionately from the absence of first-choice players. Alternatives beyond the first eleven are compromised by either inconsistency or simply an inability to reach the necessary level. The escalating fear is that, as young players mature and graduate to the first team, the big clubs will be only too happy to offer them a better education.
All things considered, I am sorry to say that the immediate priority this season is to maintain our record tenure in the top flight – anything beyond that is a flight of fancy unless there is a marked revision of circumstances. I would like to think, following a farcical Summer, that there is a defined recruitment strategy for quality additions in January. Problematically, a downwards trend reduces the attraction for the calibre of player which could bring immediate improvement. A vicious circle is created, leading to successive downgrading of players as the rotating door turns; less likelihood of definable success and an attendant drop in matchday revenue further reducing spending power.
That Stanley Kroenke recently endorsed Arsene Wenger’s approach raises fundamental questions as to the majority shareholder’s motivation. Currently, there is a continued trend of surplus transfer funds at Arsenal, and it is increasingly difficult to deny that we are a selling club. Other than by selling its assets, or the Club itself, the only other avenue of significant income appears to be the ever-increasing number of corporate deals – several of which have drawn searing criticism from certain quarters. Football clubs rarely make money – much less mediocre ones.
Moving on then, to Tottenham Hotspur. Having won the first of their two Cup Finals this season (the possibility of actual cup ties notwithstanding) there was no shortage of “afters”. Our manager can be churlish, I have no doubt, but he has previously been accused of such behaviour without full discourse of the facts. As an example, Phil Brown and Brian Horton complained bitterly about Wenger after Hull City had beaten Arsenal away – but, in reporting the incident, the media neglected to mention the continual abuse of which Horton had been guilty throughout the game. I do not know what went on during the game on Sunday, but I was surprised by Harry Redknapp’s post-match comments.
I agree entirely that the chants directed at Adebayor, loathsome as I found him whilst even still at Arsenal, were entirely unacceptable: just as they were in February 2009, when Redknapp took charge of Spurs for a poor 0 – 0 draw in which Eboué was dismissed. If I am wrong, then I apologise without reserve, but I do not recall his condemnation at that time – nor of the songs sung with gusto about our manager. By the same token, there is an element among our fans who still delight in hissing during these games – and I am not suggesting that they do so in pantomime fashion. Ashley Cole has been subjected to abuse far beyond the confines of North London – but homophobic chants are also entirely unacceptable.
The various “Respect” and “Kick It Out” initiatives have paid lip-service to the problem, but offer no meaningful deterrent. Previous meetings between Arsenal and Spurs have often degenerated into accusation and counter-accusation. In light of all this, we should all welcome the joint statement made concerning these issues. If it is true that some “fans” spat at Bacary Sagna as he lay prone, then (assuming that sputum could not be directed from far away) it would be reasonable to expect sanctions to materialise. There is a theory that bad or demeaning behaviour can be excused in the name of “banter”. I would challenge that theory and also suggest that there is substantial case law to support this view. Ultimately, the question arises: would you want your children to behave like that?
