Gavin Garthwaite
What a sterling performance from Jack Wilshere last night. I think we all know what he is capable of and yesterday proved how vital he can be for the team. I thought he broke up the play really well, filled in defensively when needed, won some good challenges, and also showed a superb creative side, including an assist for the goal. This is a big year for Jack and he has the character to deliver this type of performance, week in week out. Critics are arguing that Jack was allowed to blossom in the absence of Aaron, but I disagree. They can spur each other on to help the team achieve great things this year.
Ozil and Santi showed marked improvements in their performances from the Everton match and had we showed a more ruthless side to our game, the tie could have should have been put to bed long before the final tense 15 minutes. Merse mentioned that we need a striker who loves scoring goals, as opponents would not show any fear when facing an Arsenal frontline. How much would an Ian Wright cost in today’s money!? If you look at the strikers at any one of our rivals then you would be pushed to agree that we are lacking in this critical area. We knew this last season and for too long now we haven’t learned from previous lessons, season after season.
Coming back to Wednesday night’s game - The Ox looked dangerous at times but we didn’t feed him enough and he was largely frustrated out on the right flank. Alexis played the lone man role superbly and ran his socks off for the cause. Not only did he get his goal but he ran all night and won numerous free-kicks and corners to relive the pressure on the team and in time he will only get better.
Playing with one striker is an extremely difficult position to play and I felt sorry for Alexis as he looked isolated on a number of occasions, but he wasn’t fazed and kept going until the end. For me, his best position is on the flanks, with the ball at this feet and running at people.
Giroud apart, Wenger hasn’t got the trust to play anyone else there on a regular basis. And when you have Joel Campbell, Poldi and Sanogo on the bench ready to come on and replace an exhausted striker but are overlooked, you have to ask - are we equipped enough to maintain a title challenge?
Defensively we are sound. Chambers will continue to improve and Gibbs will eventually return but I can’t see Wenger investing in a World Class central defender before the transfer window closes. Debuchy has settled in well and he was unlucky with his sending off yesterday. These referees will continue to make these petty decisions and the players will have to become savvy about playing to these conditions.
Flamini does a job in the defensive midfield role, as does Arteta, and played well - but my worry is that when we visit places such as the Etihad, Anfield and Stamford Bridge, we need someone in there of such quality that we don’t allow a repeat episode of last season. We were opened up far too easily, so we have to improve - there is no two ways about it.
Wenger is known to complete transfer business late in the day and with the Champions League qualification now assured, he has the platform now to acquire what we need before the transfer window closes on Monday. With the FA Cup under our belts everything is now in our favour, the question is - will Wenger capitalise on this and show his intent…
