Kevin Whitcher
Yesterday’s home draw with Norwich showed us both sides of Arsene Wenger’s latter day Arsenal. Great going forward, but poor at the back. 1-0 up, 2-1 down, 3-2 up and - incapable of closing out the game - 3-3 at full time. Three points from the last 12 available suggests we are witnessing the team’s annual end of season collapse. If Tottenham win both of their remaining fixtures then Arsenal will either face a play-off round to make the lucrative Champions League stages or – should Chelsea win the final of this season’s tournament - Europa League football.
It was strange, as for the majority of the match, it looked as if only one team had something to play for – and it was the one wearing yellow and green. Norwich worked hard to deny Arsenal space, and their harrying was rewarded with a deserved first half lead. I was not alone in viewing this match with some trepidation ahead of the kick off. In theory, with two teams to play who have nothing at stake, the necessary six points should have been a relative formality. But that requires some degree of professionalism and focus to win the two matches. As we have seen all too often with Arsenal since the move to the new stadium, these are not always guaranteed. Watching this group of players, there is definitely a ‘Where has our Arsenal gone?’ feeling. Where is the spirit of old, even witnessed earlier during Wenger’s reign? Why has it all gone so lacklustre, with players not seeming to motivate themselves?
I have written before how the team seems to have become heavily reliant on Mikel Arteta, and the 3-3 draw was further proof. As a defensive shield, Alex Song and Aaron Ramsey were nigh on hopeless. Song showed us the sublime side of his game with the ball that set up Robin van Persie to score his first goal, and then the desperate side of things with his pass to the opposition at a time when Arsenal were ahead 3-2 with the clock ticking down. Sadly, such a waste of possession is a common sight during Arsenal games these days, and Song is often the culprit. The team’s inability to hold onto a lead has become almost a given. The continued failure to see out matches goes back to the 2007-08 season and has never really been addressed.
Something new is needed in terms of the coaching, and I bring good news. Assuming Pat Rice is finally allowed to retire, Neil Banfield is favourite to get the job. Yes, that’s right. Someone who will really challenge Arsene Wenger and shake things up at London Colney. Steve Bould was asked again if he was interested in the job – as he was a year ago. He refused it for two reasons. One, he wants to be allowed to coach, as opposed to put out cones. Two, he wants to retain employment once Wenger does finally go. And on £20,000 a week who can blame him. If Bould were allowed to actually get his hands on the defensive side of the team’s game, there would be some merit in giving him a shot. But the man obviously knows the situation he would be getting himself into and doesn’t want to work under those conditions.
So the manager’s obsession with playing football the right way means that his team can look marvelous going forward when they get the bit between their teeth. But when possession is lost, it’s time to hide behind the sofa. With that approach, taking part in the Champions League can only be about the income, as there is a cat in hell’s chance of actually winning the thing.
Not too long ago, I pondered whether Arsenal fans would prefer to be in their club’s position – third in the table – or Chelsea’s. This was before they had played their two cup semi-finals. Most opted for Arsenal’s, but I wonder if those who did would change their mind now.
So Arsenal are hoping for favours this afternoon from Aston Villa and Manchester City. I really do not think that anything can be expected from Villa going on their recent form, but I believe the Gunners should finish fourth. So it looks like a case of ‘Come on Bayern’ on May 19th.
47 goals conceded in 37 Premier League matches. Points dropped at home to Fulham, Wolves, Wigan and Norwich. Fortress Emirates? People were saying before yesterday’s game that if they cannot beat Norwich and West Brom when they had to, Arsenal wouldn’t deserve third place. An announcement in the programme stated, 'We won't open the window for season ticket renewal until the confusion over the Champions League is settled. Renewals must take place before by 31 May'. Actually, the club will accept your money in the middle of July if you tell them that is when you can afford to pay it. But more significantly, it demonstrates that behind the scenes, they are well aware that the team are unlikely to win two must-win matches against sides that have nothing to play for.
The writing’s on the wall for Arsenal’s third place hopes. The sad thing is that the same cannot be said for manager’s future employment. Someone at board level has to develop the temerity to instruct the manager he needs to employ coaching staff that will concentrate on the defensive side of the team’s game and allow them to do their job. But no-one in the boardroom has the bollocks to stand up to the manager. And if you allow the situation whereby Arsene Wenger is interviewing candidates to be his own boss, that is what is going to happen.
So more of the same next season…
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