Kevin Whitcher
So 125 years. How apt that Arsenal should win on their anniversary game with a scoreline regarded as untypical of Arsene Wenger. But fans came to celebrate a history longer than the current manager’s 15 years, and the presence of figures from the 1971 and 1989/91 sides before the game brought back many a fine memory of narrow victories past. The most intriguing aspect of the whole shebang for this observer was where the various ‘legends’ were dotted around the directors’ box to watch the game, and indeed what they made of it. Robert Pires was seated next to Fabio Capello. I wonder if they had any kind of meaningful exchange?
Everton’s role was to poop the party, and although the scoreline suggests they did a decent job of trying, the reality is that only Arsenal’s shocking profligacy in front of goal during the first half avoided the second being a training ground exercise. At least Van Persie’s wondrous volley meant the first half mistakes did not ultimately cost. However, Walcott, Gervinho and Ramsey need to be putting extra hours in on the training field to convert gilt-edged opportunities. Credit to the side for fathoming the chances, but zero marks for conversion. When the captain finally had an opportunity, he was blocked by Theo. It is amazing that Arsenal have put a decent run together given the rarity of most of their attacking players being able to find the net. And it begs the question of how Arsenal can fill a Van Persie shaped hole when the player departs next summer.
Still, we have the rest of this season to enjoy one of the world’s best strikers, and three points are three points, so I for one am not going to complain about a performance if the end result is mission accomplished. (For all the haters in the comments, what follows is not moaning but observation and opinion, as some seem unable to distinguish the difference.) Perhaps we are seeing the benefit of sacrificing the likes of Bendtner, Denilson and Vela, players who owed their careers to the manager, and replacing them with experienced heads that have learned their trade under a different, dare I say it, more pragmatic approach. Sure Everton came on strong towards the end, you’d expect them to, but for the most part, the panic of old was gone. The Gunners look less likely to sacrifice leads these days and I have no doubt the presence of Arteta and Mertesacker, as well as the returned Vermaelen, has helped a lot in this regard. These players are old enough and wise enough not to get suspensions as a consequence of being wound up by opponents, and no-one’s worried about a young prospect’s career being killed any more. In fact, the younger players that are in the team are learning and improving. Alex Song’s game seems to have got better, and he will be a big miss in January when the African Cup of Nations comes round. It will be interesting to see if Frimpong or Coquelin gets the nod to fill in, my preference being the latter, who seems more mature in his decision-making. (Ed’s note – since posting, it has been pointed out to me that Cameroon failed to qualify for the ACN, which I have to say came as a bit of a shock. Still, a very nice one. Who’d have thought it? Obviously not me!) Ignasi Miquel is another who will benefit from playing in a backline with older heads when the opportunities arise.
I thought Aaron Ramsey had a poor game against Everton. A willing tryer, but too many passes misplaced, given his reputation. He is understandably inconsistent given his age and perhaps he is playing too many matches and fatigue is affecting his performances. He is playing as effectively the fourth attacker, and I wonder what the alternatives are, should he need a rest. If you had more defence conscientious wide men, you could afford to play Arshavin there, but that isn’t going to happen in a month of Sundays. The Russian should have been played in the hole from day one, but he has been misused by the manager, with the consequences of the disinterested individual we see today. I sat next to a Russian friend at the game and he told me our number 23 is still captain for his country and performs outstandingly in his national colours. What a waste, another legacy of what will become known as the wasted years when the manager was given free rein to indulge himself after the stadium move.
Still, those days look to be behind us with the late August splurge, and results like yesterday’s give us some optimism going to Eastlands next weekend. Granted the team has nothing to lose, but it is a real opportunity to rise to the challenge as they did at Stamford Bridge. I worry about a contest like David Silva v Johan Djourou, but we can only hope the fill-in right back has a blinder and that Theo Walcott is mindful enough to double up when Silva is working on his flank. It’s a chance for Wenger’s team to demonstrate how resilient they can be. If they have any aspirations of getting something from the game though, the finishing needs to be better than it was against Everton.
The current issue of the Gooner is available to buy online here. It will also be on sale outside the upcoming Man City and Villa away games.
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.
