Kevin Whitcher
Those that travelled to Eastlands yesterday did so more than in hope than expectation, and saw an end to end game that neutrals enjoyed from the sound of the TV pundits. As a Gooner, it is difficult to look at such an idea objectively. If the team lose, it takes a lot to convince me I have seen a classic game. However, Arsenal definitely traded punches, but in the cold light of day, I would have to say that of the chances missed, the best ones were undoubtedly Man City’s and I have to say I thought they were worthy of the three points.
With makeshift full backs, Arsenal were always going to be in for a testing afternoon. The high offside line the defence played was a gamble that ultimately cost when Mario Balotelli broke free on the left and set up the chance that led to the winning goal. Given the wealth and quality of City’s attacking options, perhaps a more cautious approach might have been the order of the day, but who knows. City are playing very well at the moment and on home turf seem infallible. So there is no disgrace in losing 1-0 there. What is important is that the Gunners bounce back on Wednesday night against an obviously struggling Aston Villa side and secure three points.
Roberto Mancini’s team are very well drilled in defence, and Theo Walcott was unable to get much change out of Zabaleta and had a poor game as a consequence. Arsenal certainly did create opportunities, but too often lost possession cheaply in promising positions, not something you can really afford to do given the magnitude of the challenge.
However, the big plus, in contrast to the visit to Old Trafford which acted as the catalyst for the changes which have seen the improvement as the season has worn on, is that the team’s overall workrate and application is so much better. And if you are going to lose, then fans will forgive a team if they know they have given their all. Szczesny had a stormer in goal, but ultimately it wasn’t enough. However, his talents will win the Gunners a lot of points as long as he is at the club, it was just a case of you can’t win them all yesterday. He could only parry Balotelli’s strike and the players waiting to pounce on the rebound is something we’d like to see from our own forwards.
Arsenal did worry City when they did get forward. The Van Persie goal might not have been given offside on another day and the same goes for the penalty area handball that the referee did not penalize. The Gunners made a fist of it, but it was not enough. It’s another league defeat, making five in all now, but this one hurts much less than the others suffered this season.
Apologies to regular readers that this particular editorial is a little later than I’d have chosen. Had to prioritise the next issue of The Gooner which goes on sale at the Boxing Day game v Wolves, assuming the match goes ahead of course, tube strike and all that.
The current issue of the Gooner is available to buy online here. It will also be on sale outside the upcoming Villa away game.
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.
