Kevin Whitcher
Last season’s corresponding fixture against Everton was settled by a late goal – a volleyed finish by Robin Van Persie. A wonder goal. The evening before the match, I had attended the Arsenal Supporters Trust AGM and afterwards, in conversation with a fan who thinks Arsene Wenger can do no wrong, I posited that the club needed to spend big to replace the likes of players that have left such as RVP. It was put to me that Olivier Giroud was every bit as good. From this kind of comment, I have become convinced that there is some kind of hypnotic cult going on amongst certain of Arsenal fans who will believe every word the manager says, and refuse the evidence of their eyes.
Giroud was purchased as a direct replacement for Van Persie. The club knew back in May 2012 that he wanted to depart and Giroud was bought in June as a consequence. He is an honest pro who will put in a shift. However, for a centre forward, he does not score many with his feet. And that has been a palpable weakness in his game this season. So it proved yesterday evening. There was one glorious chance he put wide before the interval and there were others where he did not have the quality to convert genuine opportunities into goals. Arsenal are trying to get by on the cheap and it works up to a level. But it is a level that is becoming increasingly difficult to charge significant money for as the struggle to sell club level for next season is demonstrating. ‘Club level waiting list’ was advertised on the surround between two of the tiers on the West Stand last night. Waiting list? How long? As long as it takes the club to pick up the phone. People are not renewing.
There is the usual guff about spending big this summer, but the manager might actually be forced to do it to get some bums on the expensive seats. In recent summers, it was relayed at the Trust AGM, the board have been urging him to spend, but he has only done so cautiously. Arsene Wenger does not want to buy big. As long as the club is making profit, then he is allowed to continue doing things his way. So in 2012 the club paid £9.6 million for Giroud. Thierry Henry cost not much less than that 13 years earlier. The price of quality has risen somewhat in those years. Arsenal need to be spending at least what they received for Van Persie to have any prayer of replacing him.
There were other frustratingly missed opportunities. Kieran Gibbs’ waste of a fantastic second half situation with time and space to pick out a colleague with a decent pass that would take out the keeper. He played the ball into a throng of Everton defenders instead. Mikel Arteta, clean through, decided to take on his man rather than shoot and was dispossessed from behind. Quality is lacking in the final third. Bad decision making is costing the team points.
Granted, Everton are no mugs, the best side Arsenal have faced since Bayern Munich at home in February. They defended resiliently and created a few chances of their own. The home team undoubtedly shaded this match but the visitors could also have won it. They were certainly assisted by a very lenient referee in Kevin Friend who should have dismissed Darren Gibson and also let Fellaini off with two obvious yellow card offences, at least to the naked eye. I have not seen any TV coverage as yet to confirm. The official certainly allowed Everton to demonstrate the physical side of their game with Jack Wilshere a particular target.
The number 10 had a much better game than on Saturday. At times, he did try to do too much and ended up losing possession, but he was the main driving force behind the team and it is obvious why the manager is so keen to get him match fit again. It was interesting to see Szczesny back between the sticks, and he had a far better game than those before he was ‘rested’. Podolski still did not get a start, but at least there was never any indication that Gervinho would be leaving the bench.
The end of the season will tell us whether this was a point gained or two lost. I believe if Arsenal can win at Fulham on Saturday, then four points out of six for these two matches is an acceptable return. But if the Gunners were to suffer defeat at Craven Cottage, with Manchester United on the horizon, we may be looking at plenty of Thursday and Sunday football next season.
For a 0-0 it was a decent enough 90 minutes. Plenty going on. However, the failure to beat Everton was ultimately a legacy of a lack of investment to retain the standard of squad we once enjoyed. At key moments, players fell short. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for, with the exception of us mugs in the stands.
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