Kevin Whitcher
Arsenal’s last two trips to Wigan have ended in disappointment. Surely, it couldn’t end in tears three times in a row. In truth, Wigan may not have been a great side previously, but they are definitely worse now. As almost certs for the drop, it would have been a dereliction of duty for Arsene Wenger’s side to fail to claim the three points.
But on this occasion, there were no slip ups, no loss of concentration and no way back for the home side. Arsenal took advantage of a weak team, and returned to winning ways in the Premier League. The first 25 minutes saw little in the way of Arsenal threatening in attack, as they simply failed to get going. Wigan had a very decent chance that might have changed the way the game panned out, but the scare was survived, and by half-time it was 2-0 thanks to a long range drive and a headed goal from a corner. Was this really an Arsene Wenger team we were watching? It is refreshing to see a variety of ways the side can now score a goal. In the not too distant past, the man running with the ball as Mikel Arteta did before unleashing his goalbound shot would have looked to pass. Sometimes, a direct option is the best. Would the corner that Vermaelen scored from have been played short last season? You can’t rule it out.
A third goal was especially welcome for two reasons – firstly, it made a Wigan comeback more unlikely than it was in the last two visits, and secondly because it was scored by Gervinho, although Robin van Persie created it. A much needed strike. Theo Walcott played intelligently to set up the fourth for RVP himself. It was a decent team performance in which it is difficult to pick out a man of the match.
Winning the games they should win is the key to Arsenal remaining competitive and challenging the top teams in the league. It hasn’t happened enough in recent seasons, but I suspect the greater experience that was drafted in after the 8-2 defeat on the last weekend in August has made a difference to this team. It’s a solution Arsene Wenger was loathe to indulge, an admittance that Project Youth always needed a guiding hand on the pitch. So now we have Mertsacker, Santos and Arteta to help call the shots, with the return of Thomas Vermaelen equally critical. There is room for the Ramseys, Walcotts and Wilsheres, but it is unreasonable to think these players would not benefit from some over 25s in the team. I think the one thing this season is proving is that the Invincibles squad was allowed to break up with indecent haste, and that the policy of a squad loaded with potential rather than knowhow was wrong.
Would Arsenal have dropped the points they did in 2009/10 and 20010/11 with this team? I suspect not. Still, better late than never. Another factor that is perhaps no co-incidence is that, after the Old Trafford debacle, there was a change of policy in the coaching at London Colney, as revealed by Wojciech Szczesny recently. The defensive players were worked on in isolation to bring about improvement in their organization. So although the Blackburn defeat occurred soon after, I think most Gooners are less fearful of the defensive collapses we have seen a little too often over the past three or four campaigns. A very welcome change. So I am not sure that this is a case of Arsene Knows, but more one of everyone knew, but the manager finally relenting to the obvious.
There is room for Project Youth, but it needs to be approached more pragmatically, as has happened in the past at the likes of Ajax, Barcelona and Manchester United. You don’t win anything with kids, but a blend of young talent and experience can take you a long way.
Let’s now hope Arsenal can press on and continue their decent run in the league, and show enough solidity to leave Eastlands with something in a fortnight’s time.
Finally, I know there are a number who will bemoan my having the temerity to write a negative word about the manager after a 4-0 victory, but I think it is important to analyse how things change with the team and why. So you cannot forget what has gone before in doing that. It’s the idea of learning from mistakes. I am delighted the manager has seen the light on the need for more experienced heads in the side, and changed his approach to coaching. That is Arsene Wenger admitting he has got it wrong, not a matter of a fan’s opinion. I will admit I am unhappy it took so long, but as he is going to be around a good while longer, it is at least a relief that things are changing.
The current issue of the Gooner is available to buy online here. It will also be on sale outside the stadium against Everton next weekend.
Kevin Whitcher’s newly updated version of the book co-written with Alex Fynn, ‘Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub’ is available in paperback from publishers Vision Sports for a reduced price of £6.99 including postage if you use the promo code ‘Gooner’ on the page that appears after you click ‘buy now’. Click here to order.
