Kevin Whitcher
So after the interval against Spurs, Theo Walcott put in the kind of contribution that might justify £85,000 a week – at least in the world of football wages in 2012. Before half-time, his performance was closer to the £8.50 a week bracket. And in a sense, perhaps his Jekyll and Hyde performance symbolized the team as a whole this season. The afternoon was a mix of joy and frustration: the frustration that – knowing Arsenal can play as well as this – that they don’t on a regular basis. Two players that certainly did much better than we have become accustomed to were Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun. Both had good reputations before coming to Arsenal but have rarely lived up to them. What made the difference against Spurs?
The selection of Benayoun made sense in terms of protecting Kieran Gibbs more than Oxlade-Chamberlain would have managed. However, there was certainly an argument to demote Walcott instead of the Ox, who could have played on the right flank instead. During the first half, it made a lot of sense that Andrey Arshavin had pretty much given up to the extent that the club have removed him from the wage bill. Having some kind of a football brain, to watch Walcott being picked above him week after week must have been disheartening and bewildering. The conclusion is that he and the manager never saw eye to eye, that the Russian was critical of Wenger’s methods and spoke his mind too freely, and was marginalized. The writing was on the wall as far back as that FA Cup semi final in 2009. What a waste.
Most Gooners were not hopeful of a result in this particular derby match, and the boot was unquestionably on the other foot, with Spurs going into the game as top dogs for the first time in living memory, or since the early days of the George Graham era at any rate. Which is a hell of a long time. And in truth, going 2-0 down did not come as a huge surprise. The nature of the goals was a mix of poor luck, but principally poor defending. Most worrying of all was that the visitors did not even have to play very well to fashion a two goal lead. Arsenal at times seemed shot shy, but it was the captain who dragged the team by the scruff of the neck and hauled them back into the game. To go in level before half time really set the side up for what followed, and the momentum continued after the break.
As the goals rained in, it was refreshing to see Arsenal play on the front foot and positively drive forward. Gone was the crab like football of the last two matches. This was like a reminder of the old days. Players actually making runs into the box. Perhaps Tottenham’s general confidence played into the hands of Wenger’s players. Keen to try and play their own game, they left spaces that could be exploited, and for once, duly were. The Gunners capitalized and the away section emptied as it became clear that there was to be no repeat of the 4-4 game of 2008, a symbolic moment when the rot started to set in at the club.
It was highly enjoyable, and Arsenal regained the now cherished fourth spot (a position they were disappointed to finish in last season, let’s not forget). There is talk amongst the optimists of staying ahead of Chelsea and overtaking Spurs to finish third. Certainly, if the team can perform like this on a regular basis, I could believe it. The question is, can they? Was this a one-off or a turning point? We’ve seen so many false dawns at the new stadium that Gooners could be forgiven for not raising their hopes.
I’d say it was like getting back together with an ex for a night. For a brief spell, it feels good – just like the old times. And you allow yourself to think it might all be okay again. You know what follows…
However, let us not take away from what was a wonderful afternoon, the kind we dream about as fans. That Spurs were given false hope by taking a two goal lead meant that the boot was on the other foot in more ways that one yesterday.
I am fully aware I will be vilified in the comments for not writing a 100% positive piece without any reservations, although for some strange reason I got off fairly lightly after pieces on the Sunderland (FA Cup) and Milan games. But my question to the keyboard warriors is this. Why couldn’t some of these players perform with this kind of commitment and purpose before yesterday? Because I simply cannot work it out.
The current issue of the Gooner went on sale yesterday and can be bought at the games v Milan and Newcastle. It can also be bought online here. There is also an e-version of the issue available 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
