Pradeep Kachhala
In RVP we have some hope of perhaps yet salvaging something from the season. On Sunday against Sunderland he lit up the opening 30 minutes and his sublime free kick ended up being the difference between the two sides. It remains to be seen whether he will re-sign next summer, or whether the top brass deem him worthy enough to break our wage structure. However, if RVP continues such performances until the end of the season, fans may demand he be paid the market rate in order to retain his services. His importance to the team fills me with a ‘what if’ scenario... In between 2007 and 2010 he was missing for vital periods where we were challenging for silverware. Part of me feels he should remain at the club simply due to the faith and patience Gooners have had over the past 5 years with all his fitness issues.
5 wins on the trot at home. It wasn't entirely convincing but was another small step in rebuilding the team's confidence. At times we looked like the AFC of old, passing with verve and panache, however there was a sticky period toward the end of the second half where we suddenly turned into a different team. Herein lies the problem with the Gunners, in the space of 90 minutes we have often seemed like watching two different teams, the key is to be consistent over the entire game and learn how to ‘dig in’ when the opposition eventually has the ball and decides to have a go.
Empty seats again at the E******s. I believe this is a combination of issues, firstly the team's current predicament, secondly the inflated prices to watch the likes of Carl Jenkinson play (more of him later) and finally the fact that we forever seem to be on the television means that fans are quite happy to sit at home rather than make the journey. Ultimately it means the real fans get access to tickets again and hopefully I move up the season ticket queue...
RVP wasn't the only one who should be praised for putting in a performance against Sunderland, I thought that Song and Rosicky were excellent, the former got stronger as the game went on while the latter took the game by the scruff on the neck in the second half. There is now a real competition for the right back slot in Sagna's absence, which along with hard work on the training ground may be reasons for Jenkinson's rather positive performance. I have often criticised him in my articles, even commenting to friends that Karl Pilkington (he from an Idiot Abroad) may have been a better signing. Yet, what Jenkinson lacks in terms of obvious natural ability, he can make up in attitude and desire to improve. That doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that he should be the de facto right back this season, once the Verminator is back (some time this century), I can see Koscielny and Jenkinson rotating. Djourou is certainly not an option and has regressed rapidly since February.
Tomorrow sees an away trip to Marseille, who managed to thump Dortmund 3-0 previously. Overall we remain undefeated in the Champions League which is a statistical anomaly if ever I saw one. Dortmund, Udinese and even Olympiacos have all been unlucky against AFC this season. Hopefully away in the Stade Velodrome won’t be a case of the chickens coming home to roost; a draw would be nice, a win would lift off the pressure on remaining home games though. Saturday sees Stoke arrive in north London, a team who I feel really know how to annoy Arsenal with their style of play. If anything though, they are not as direct as before, hence another win would be welcome prior to Stamford Bridge on Saturday week. By this point 10 games would have passed and will give us some indication of our prospects this season.
(Ed’s note – Apologies to Pradeep, but I’ve been asked to give this Football Supporters Federation event a plug. At the Rifle Club? If both Southampton and Portsmouth fans turn up, it might get a bit tasty! Job done)
