Kevin Whitcher
The visit to the Britannia was a far truer test of Arsenal’s new defensive resolve than the opening fixture v Sunderland, and the team came through with flying colours. In spite of third choice keeper Vito Mannone needing to make his first appearance since the calamity away at Olympiacos last season, the Gunners controlled the game and only rarely looked uncomfortable at the back. That is a major development in the attempt to put right the wrongs of the previous campaign, evidence that the introduction of Steve Bould to the first team set up is having some obvious positive effect. When the two line-ups took to the pitch, it was re-assuring to see that, in terms of height, this no longer looked like men against boys. Many of Arsenal’s players looked tall, and there was little sign of being physically intimidated.
In the match that followed, the back four played well, including the two young full-backs, players about whom there have been doubts whether they could cut the mustard in the past. Both worked the flanks energetically and were available to support in attack, as well as rarely being caught out of position when Stoke had the ball. To an extent, the home side did at times retreat and leave Peter Crouch as a lone front man, but they had to come forward more than Sunderland, and so the game was more of a spectacle than the previous weekend’s fare.
The midfield of Arteta, Diaby and Cazorla were hugely influential in dictating the play, and Stoke rarely got a look in. Perhaps helped by an early yellow card, Tony Pulis’ team were uncharacteristically restricted to about only two moments of unquestioned physical savagery.
Up front, problems. The visitors' dominance was not translated into the required win. Too often, attacks came to nothing because of either poor decision making, inaccurate final balls or simply below par finishing. It is still early days, and a forward trio of Podolski, Giroud and Gervinho are not going to have the familiarity required to establish the understanding that is needed to convert opportunities. Too often Stoke managed to crowd out the Gunners’ attacking threat.
People want me to lay into the team from the outset, and I was criticized for using the term ‘work in progress’ last weekend, on the basis that the Arsenal team has been developing for too long. Yet, as long as key players are going to be allowed to leave, then new faces have to be integrated, and it is not going to be an overnight process. There is a separate debate to be had about the way the club operate in this regard, but that is a discussion I will return to in the days after the close of the transfer window. It is vital for the credibility of Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis that Arsenal do not end this window making a profit on transfers from the summer once again, which means splashing some cash, especially if Theo Walcott is sold, with whispers that Paris St Germain are the only club seriously interested in taking him. Making a £20 million profit in the market might look good on the annual accounts, but what it says about the club’s ambition to compete would be damning indeed.
Returning to the attack against Stoke, Podolski and Giroud showed they were up for the battle, but when all is said and done, failed to do what they were on the pitch for. Gervinho had a quieter match than last weekend, and was guilty of the same charge of no end product. Behind them, Cazorla did everything right until he had a shot on goal for the second week running. Perhaps the dice aren’t rolling Arsenal’s way at the moment. Perhaps it will come good. The season is far from a write off after two matches, and realistically, the end of October is the time to make a true judgment on a new-look Arsenal, one which is more experienced, more physical, more organized.
The abandonment of Project Youth and attacking idealism based on 100% possession of the football has finally come about too late to preserve Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie as Arsenal players. To have those two surrounded by more streetwise players and defensive organization would probably have brought trophies in the last five seasons and possibly given them reason to remain in north London. As it is, we have to move on with what we have, try and consolidate and launch an assault on honours from a solid defensive bedrock. On that level, it is an encouraging start. If things had gone slightly differently, we may have been celebrating two ‘1-0s to the Arsenal’ and maximum points, but football doesn’t reward ifs.
It’s unfortunate that the club now face a tough trip to Liverpool – who will be ravenous for points after starting the season with even less than the Gunners. If the inability to score continues, then we may be looking at a case of poor judgment rather than ill fortune. Once is unfortunate, twice is careless, what three times would tell us is that there is a fundamental flaw in Arsenal’s way.
The current issue of the Gooner went on sale for one home match last weekend v Sunderland. It will also be available outside the away end at Liverpool next weekend. 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 as a taster before deciding whether or not to purchase the whole thing
