Ian Tanner
Mention Fawlty Towers’ ‘The Germans’ episode and, pound to a penny, you’ll be met with: “Don’t Mention the War!” etc., which we Brits find endlessly funny. For me, though, it’s the final line that steals the show, uttered by one of Basil’s Teutonic hotel guests, who asks, rhetorically: “How ever did they win?” On Saturday evening, Arsene may well have asked same at THOF, doubtless as angry and frustrated as Herr Fawlty when having a bad day.
Be that as it may, Arsenal’s 15-month unbeaten-at-home Premier League run has ended. There! I’ve said it. Please don’t shoot the messenger. This inconvenient factoid is as unpopular with Arsene’s detractors as the thickening Antarctic ice is with “global warmers”. Some perspective wouldn’t go amiss; and we don’t have far to look. If you think that we’ve got problems, spare a compassionate thought for the Neanderthals that infest Sh*te Hart Lane; they’ve already seen their not-so-Super Spurs lose four times this season.
Our previous home league loss, to Aston Villa in August 2013, was down to several appalling referring decisions against now fit-again Laurent Koscielny. Saturday’s reverse was down, at least in part, to appalling luck. Want to disagree? Well, let’s turn things around for a minute and tell me where the following argument breaks down.
Imagine what Arsene’s critics would’ve said have the reverse happened: Yes, we won 2-1, but Moan United hammered us, dominating possession and chances throughout. Our first goal was fortuitously deflected into the inside-netting, having been diverted from its supposed intended target, namely the corner flag in front of the Mancs. Our second, in the 85th minute (!), was from our first and only meaningful shot on target in the game as our opponents through caution to the wind (ain’t that the truth?).
Yes, we should’ve been more clinical, and yes, the players went gung-ho far too early, as has been noted elsewhere, including by Arsene in his post-match interview. But there are many positives from Saturday’s performance, to which we should not be blind just because we feel so frustrated at yet another loss to Fergie’s old team. Here’s one: our starting-five attacking players on Saturday were aged 21 (The Ox), 22 (just, Wilshere), 23 (just, Ramsey), 23 (just, Welbeck) and 25 (just, Sanchez). If – and I suppose you’ll say it’s a big IF – they all stay fit, they’ll only get better, individually and collectively.
Yes, things could be worse: by the time you read this, (I hope) the whores of Manchester Citeh have been eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League for the third time in four years.
