Kevin Whitcher
Tony Pulis’s newly-organised Crystal Palace came to park the proverbial bus at Arsenal yesterday, a familiar phenomenon. Such games are a matter of waiting for the first home side goal to come, and hoping the opposition do not score against the run of play in the meantime. It can be frustrating, but Gooners have learned to be patient over the years.
The first half saw Wenger’s team create relatively few opportunities, the best of them being a chance for Nacho Monreal from the angle which the keeper saved with his legs. The left back had a similar opportunity to score against Southampton and perhaps the reason for his inclusion above Kieran Gibbs is the ability to make such runs. Defensively, at times he is caught out, although the same could be said of the Gibbs, so it is a difficult call for the manager.
Lukas Podolski made a rare league start in place of Serge Gnabry, and with a front quartet of the quality and experience of the number 9, Giroud, Ozil and Cazorla, it was difficult to envisage that Palace could keep a clean sheet for 90 minutes. Soon after the re-start, it was a deeper position that provided the breakthrough, although it was Cazorla who provided a delightful assist.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started the game in place of the suspended Mathieu Flamini, a change that might have been made anyway given that Palace were never likely to provide the attacking threat seen at Southampton. Certainly, the Ox provides greater balance to the midfield by getting forward in the way that Ramsey or Wilshere would from that position. A Flamini-Arteta axis is really one for the games where the team have to ensure they do not lose.
The manager sees deep midfield as a natural position for the Ox, and the argument was backed up by his performance in this fixture. However, one imagines the defensive and organizational side of his game needs development, and assuming he retains his place for the next couple of matches, we will have a far better idea how much work there is to do there. The suspicion is that Wilshere will be preferred if he is fit, which brings us onto another option for the position that has been ruled out, a certain Kim Kallstrom.
I was under the impression that the main purpose of the loan signing was because Aaron Ramsey had suffered a setback and would be missing for a further six weeks, a blow compounded by Mathieu Flamini’s suspension and understandable uncertainties about Jack Wilshere’s availability. Although on paper, the squad has an embarrassment of riches in deep central midfield, the reality is that for the series of key matches that are to follow in February and March, cover is needed. And now we have the story that the club knew about Kallstrom’s injury when the decision was made to sign him, one that will keep him out for at least six games. In the supporters’ forum that took place before the Palace game yesterday, fan representatives were told that Kallstrom has been purchased for the run-in. Really? Maybe they know more about the injuries to Ramsey and Wilshere than they are letting on, although ultimately, Kallstrom seems to be more of an Arteta-type of footballer. Anyway, there is much scratching of heads, an element of discontent and the whiff of total incompetence about this particular deal.
The perception that has arisen from the January window is that, within the club, there is no real point in taking on Manchester City and Chelsea this season by strengthening the squad, or a belief that as they are in contention up to this point, the current squad is strong enough to keep it up for the remaining matches. Yet, injuries to Ramsey and Wilshere are a concern, and surely, if the team were to lose either of Giroud or Mertesacker, it would be game over. It appears as if Arsène Wenger is prepared to gamble, safe in the knowledge that the perennial cushion of another season of Champions League football will soften the blow if his team do drop out of the title race. At the moment, with Arsenal sitting top of the table, then so far so good. However, the meek acceptance that the club cannot go toe to toe with richer rivals would be a real shame. Atletico Madrid are outperforming Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga. It can be done.
Back to the game and the Ox’s two finely taken goals. The second came about after some nice interplay with Giroud and provided the safety margin required. Palace rarely threatened, although at one goal down, could well have had an equalizer when Monreal let his man go at the back post. Szczesny saved to the relief of the home fans.
On the subject of supporters, credit to the Palace contingent for their constant chanting. Arsenal’s away support is excellent, but hats off to the Holmesdale Boys who really get behind their team even when things aren’t going their way. It should also be noted that, overall, Palace are not a carbon copy of Pulis’s Stoke. They seemed to play more football, although there were a couple of challenges that were ‘industrial’ to put it mildly. Still, these can happen in any game. There did not seem to be a policy of kicking lumps out of the Gunners.
There was an element of Arsenal playing at half pace at times, doing enough to win the game without busting a gut. That’s fair enough, although everyone accepts they will have to play better in the games to come. It was a case of job done, points in the bag, and looking at this evening’s game between Manchester City and Chelsea and hoping both teams can gain a point. Arsenal will drop points between now and the season’s end, but who they drop them to will determine their fate. They can probably afford to lose at Liverpool if they beat Manchester City and draw with Chelsea. However, not getting anything from their principal rivals at this time would probably leave them with too much to do.
The weeks that follow are going to be a critical period for this team. So far, the story of the season is one of winning matches they would be expected to, with very few cheap points dropped. It’s the games where they are the underdogs which present less of a case for champions in the making. They certainly have to beat Manchester United at home to convince anyone they have what it takes ahead of the tougher games in March. Positions of similar promise were achieved in 2008 and 2010, only for the team to implode, with key injuries a factor on both occasions. Let us hope it is not going to be another case of déjà vu.
The winners of our competition to win signed copies of Patrick Barclay’s new biography, ‘The Life and Times of Herbert Chapman’ are as follows - Gary Tredgett, Mick Venner and Tina Anderson. The correct answer was B – Huddersfield Town. Prizes will be sent out next week.
The current issue of The Gooner will remain on sale for next week’s home match v Man Utd and can also be bought outside the away entrance at Liverpool next weekend. It can be bought online here.
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