Kevin Whitcher
Well if you could choose one game to lose between now and the end of the season, it would be last night’s one in Athens. The only thing that brings any relief is the fact that the group result was not contaminated by Arsene Wenger’s decision to treat this game as a workout for some fringe players. Imagine if Dortmund had won 4-0 or Marseille had gained only a draw and then caught the highlights of Arsenal’s game.
A mixture of too many passengers and incompetents meant that the only thing we learned from this debacle is that the back-up – with the notable exception of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – are not exactly chomping at the bit for first team consideration. Andrey Arshavin’s already saving himself for the Euros next June and his lack of commitment is horrible to witness. He just doesn’t care.
Early on, Arsenal pumped a few balls up to Marouane Chamakh and it was a tactic that needed to continue, as Olymiacos’ pressing game was not giving the defence a moment’s respite. However, the visitors reverted to doing what they know best, except they didn’t expect the Greeks to be quite so in your face in Arsenal’s own half. Wenger’s famed possession game crumbled into nothing as the pressure led to numerous chances as the Gunners pretty much wilted in the face of adversity. The midfield had real problems getting any kind of a foothold on the game, and considering the respective workrate, ability and experience of the trio in front of them, no wonder.
The counter of this high pressing game was that on the rare occasions when Arsenal got numbers forward, the Greek defence was sliced open as easily as their own had been, with some gilt edged chances going begging. I won’t go into details about the blunders at the back, but they are proof of how a settled backline is vital, because the back-up options don’t bear thinking about. We’ve see defensive horrorshows away in Europe before, and this one joined the list. Mike Preston summed it all up in a one line email – ‘Come back, Almunia. All is forgiven.’
I’ve not heard the news on Andre Santos, but it poses a problem if he is out for any length of time. Ignasi Miquel is a decent enough prospect, but he can be caught out at full back. Then again, so can Santos. There are worse players we could lose, although I think his experience is no bad thing.
Still, Arsenal win the group and ultimately that’s what matters. This defeat will quickly be forgotten, although I hope the younger players on duty learn from the lesson administered on the football field. I fear it’s too late for some of the older ones.
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.
