Kevin Whitcher
Arsenal started the match at Bolton like a train and the opening spell promised a good night for watching Gooners. The football was zippy and penetrative, all that was lacking was an end product. Once again, decent chances were spurned. The best of the match enjoyed by either side was undoubtedly Theo Walcott’s one on one in the first half. It was similar to the miss against QPR in late December. At least then, it didn’t cost. This time, two points went down the drain as a consequence. This attacker has made 21 appearances for England and failed to find the net in 20 of them. At best, he is an impact sub, a Russian Roulette footballer who spurns too many opportunities to justify starting a match. The day the club cede to his wage demands and offer him a contract extension will be a black one. Quite simply, he ain’t good enough and is now costing the team points.
Not that the failure to score is entirely down to the number 14, he was merely guilty of missing the best of the chances. The plain fact of the matter is that when the captain fails to score, goals are hard to come by. RVP hit the woodwork twice, but he isn’t going to find the net every single time he takes the field. His hair seems to be turning grey prematurely, and some would say no wonder, given the amount of pressure he is under to save his club’s season. I think it’s fair to say the only way he will not be departing Arsenal this summer will be if he gets another of his long term injuries that keeps him out of the Euros. Which would have made the decision to buy a striker in the January transfer window a sensible one. Thierry Henry may be having some positive influence off the pitch, it is difficult to say. He certainly isn’t handing on enough tips to improve the finishing of those who are missing the chances though. And on it, the goal against Leeds aside, there have been no special moments. Maybe he will give the fans a couple more before he departs, but in truth, I don’t think anyone believed he would dramatically turn the club’s season around.
Once again, The Ox was hauled off before Theo, which makes you think there is some kind of pre-ordained pecking order when it comes to substitutions. The number 15 is clearly a better player than Walcott, and by extension more likely to produce something that might lead to a goal. It was ventured to me after the game that the team once again lost all momentum when he was removed from the fray. Certainly substitutions are proving a bone of contention for many these days, although the manager seems relatively inflexible.
The gradual decline in the quality of the squad over recent seasons has seen the finishing position of the club go from top two, to third or fourth and now, it appears, probably fifth or sixth. The dreaded Europa League with all those Sunday games looms as a possibility. Granted, Arsenal may only be five points behind Chelsea, but there are two other clubs closer to fourth place. We are now watching the legacy of the manager’s decision to reward potential handsomely, only to see it let him down on the field. Denilson, Bendtner and Eboue have gone, although the inability to find a buyer for the former two means they are still a drain on Arsenal’s resources as you can be sure their current clubs aren’t picking up all of their wages. Older players such as Almunia are still around, being paid to kick his heels. Arshavin has lost interest while Rosicky is inconsistent. Walcott still gets selected. Alex Song lacks the focus required for his position, exposed most blatantly when Mikel Arteta is not in the team to bale him out. A lot of money has been wasted through poor decision making on players who might have got through the door at, say, Old Trafford, but wouldn’t have lasted long unless they bucked their ideas up. Alex Ferguson has certainly paid money for some pups in his time, but he is big enough to admit his mistakes and dispense with them sharpish. At Arsenal, Wenger’s stubbornness to be proved right means they stick around like unwanted guests.
Arsenal, historically, have struggled at Bolton. However, the Bolton of old were physical and combative. Owen Coyle’s side are less of a challenge. There is still a little bit of cynicism, in players such as Mark Davies, but the opening exchanges exposed that they were a side there for the taking and three points was the order of the day. Certainly the visitors desperately needed them against a team that will probably end up just outside the relegation zone. So it’s one point in twelve, with Blackburn to come on Saturday. I would say it’s unthinkable that Arsenal will fail to win that one. But these days, you just can’t be sure. If Van Persie doesn’t score, you have to wonder.
At least the cups can provide a bit of distraction for a while, because in the Premier League, this is turning out to feel like a very long season indeed. The critical club level and hospitality box renewal invitations are sent out in February and March, the income from them critical in the club’s business plan. The way things are going, the thought that some kind of a shake-up may be required might even reach as far as Denver, Colorado. God knows, something needs to change, and the sooner the better. The slow creeping decline is like Chinese Water Torture and I suspect a good number have seen enough for now and won’t bother coming to witness more this Saturday.
The current issue of the Gooner can also be bought outside the stadium at the game v Blackburn this weekend. It is also available to buy online here. You can also get an e-version of the issue to read on your ipad/tablet/iphone/android. The app is free and you can download the first few pages of each issue to decide whether or not to purchase the whole thing
