Kevin Whitcher
I was a little surprised to see how much Spurs missed Gareth Bale. Fair play to them for strengthening their squad ahead of actually taking Madrid’s silver, although it is evidently going to take a few weeks for their new players to gel.
So there may have been some wisdom in Wenger’s pre-match press conference words that there are only so many new players you can add without disturbing the balance of the team. However, it is too early to dismiss Andre Villas Boas’ transfer business as unsuccessful. That this was only the third match of the domestic campaign certainly suited Arsenal though. Things might look threadbare once you start looking at the bench, but the starting eleven were familiar enough with each other to largely dominate this game.
There was some very watchable football at times, and a sense of aggression that is not always evident. There was also some sloppiness which others might have punished – possession given away a little too easily sometimes. Jack Wilshere’s apparently suffering from a bug may have had an influence there. It was as well Mathieu Flamini had been signed up as the alternative would have been Rosicky dropping deep, which would not seem such a good option in a derby of this nature.
Arsenal’s goal was a thing of beauty in its build up and execution. Olivier Giroud missed a good number with his feet last season and it is reassuring to see that this weakness seems to have been rectified somehow. You can’t argue with the striker’s goals to games ratio so far this season, although there is a legitimate question as to what happens when he is injured/suspended/knackered. Yaya Sanogo? Nicklas Bendtner? I assume we have given up on the Theo Walcott as Michael Owen MK II idea. Giroud was immense against Spurs, putting in a battling display to complement the moments of finesse such as that which settled the game. He often ploughed a lone furrow with his fellow attackers not close enough to support him, but never complained.
David Beckham was in the directors box with his three boys but Tom Fox was in Ivan Gazidis’ normal seat with the CEO nowhere to be seen. I pondered with my neighbour, Don Sebastiano, his exact whereabouts, proffering Madrid as the most likely. News since indicates this may well be the case, with Mesut Ozil the ‘super, super quality’ player that the club seek to improve on what they already have and placate the masses. There is no doubt he would be an exciting signing and improve Arsenal going forward. I pondered in my editorial after the Fenerbahce game last week that we could be watching something akin to Keegan’s mid-90s Newcastle if the club did solely focus on attacking choices in its deadline day business. It will be hang onto your seat stuff with most likely ultimate heartbreak. However, as car crash football, you can’t argue with the thrills and spills the philosophy of ‘we’ll score more than you’ entails. Unless you want to win something that is.
However, one needs balance, defensive solidity to ensure enough results, so although I would be delighted and excited by the signing of Ozil, I hope before the day is out, there are other surprise revelations about what Arsenal have been up to behind the scenes while the peasants have been revolting at the gates. A Paul Pogba, perchance? Xabi Alonso on a two year deal?
At least, one way or the other, resolution seems near. Sky Sports tell us the fee is agreed for Ozil and a medical is taking place in Germany. It looks very close. I am writing on a wi-fi-less train so by the time I can get a signal to post this, his picture with an Arsenal shirt may be on arsenal.com. It would be nice if he were joined by a couple of others and the fax machine at Highbury House has steam coming out of it.
Arsene Wenger is now of the belief that an eighteen man squad is all you need to bring success. It is actually an argument that has some merit if the eighteen players are good enough and critically, versatile. And a little fortunate with injuries. I am not 100% convinced Arsenal are in quite good enough shape to justify not spending every pound available to them. Liverpool have started well. Tottenham will improve. Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have new managers. It could be an interesting season. For what it’s worth, I put money on Chelsea to win the League when Jose Mourinho was confirmed as manager. It is after all, a results game. Since the opening day debacle, Arsenal have had four very good results and their play has improved.
It was a decent atmosphere yesterday, and it was nice to see not too many empty seats at the stadium. If Ozil does join, I expect there will be a few genuine full houses to witness his first few home matches. We wait and watch Sky Sports News and see how apoplectic Jim White is going to become.
This season’s first issue of The Gooner (with exclusive material unavailable elsewhere) can be bought outside the stadium before the next Arsenal match away at Sunderland. It can also be mailed to you if you wish to buy it online. A new issue will be on sale at the home game against Stoke.
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