Kevin Whitcher
After three matches without an Arsenal goal at the Grove, yesterday’s first half saw four, and gave the manager some interesting selection dilemmas ahead of next week’s FA Cup Final.
Let’s start though with the left back position, where Kieran Gibbs’ continued presence would suggest that he has now replaced Nacho Monreal as first choice after a couple of goals against saw the Spaniard culpable. Gibbs has started ever since, and looks the likely starter at Wembley. If Monreal had been earmarked for a return, I feel certain he would have had a run out against West Brom.
Olivier Giroud and to a slightly lesser extent Aaron Ramsey have gone off the boil slightly recently, which gave the manager reason to start Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere. Arsenal’s attack has looked a bit laboured in certain matches of late, but yesterday the two new additions provided some thrust and purpose. Walcott, at centre forward, looked a more dangerous prospect than Giroud, because the opposition defenders struggled to contain him. Is that a contract negotiation I smell in the air?
Theo also notably scored a hat-trick for England against Croatia a few years ago. In his other 37 international appearances, he has notched up a further two goals. At 26 years old, he has yet to prove himself the consistent goalscorer Gooners have willed him to become, and many, at least before yesterday, would not have fought too hard to keep the player if the club had a decent offer for him in the summer.
Whether or not one takes the quality of the opposition into account as a contributing factor in his scoring three times is one for debate. In the first half, the Baggies were nothing like a Tony Pulis team. They were missing a competitive edge, which does happen at this time of the season in a lot of matches. The Gunners, with cup final places to play for as far as the numbers 10 and 14 were concerned, went for it.
Walcott’s opening goal was a thing of beauty, but it can be asked how often he has been in that position and not found such an exquisite finish. His second showed he does have the ability to take players on in the penalty box and beat them, whereas the third demonstrated a poacher’s mentality at the end of a fantastic move. It was a class display. But he needs to do it more often if the club are really to challenge for the title. Will we see a new Theo? He’s had great games before. And a lot of forgettable ones too.
Jack Wilshere’s strike was even juicier, so much so it made the Match of the Day goal of the season selection. After seeing a few go over the bar in recent weeks, it was nice to see one find the net. More significant, perhaps though, was the greater drive Jack added to the side, along with Walcott upping the pace and asking questions of the visiting defence.
On form, Wenger might start the pair of them next weekend, although this observer has him down as something of a conservative, so expect to see Giroud and Ramsey return, with the option of the two Englishmen in reserve. Is he a also a bit of a sentimentalist, with the keeper situation is up in the air? It was pointed out to me that last season, Fabianski played in the final Premier League match ahead of his cup final appearance. If Szczesny was down to play next week, wouldn’t he have played against West Brom? Then again, Ospina’s performance was poor. At fault for their goal, he was fortunate not to concede again with questionable handling. Certainly, if Szczesny is not selected at Wembley, there would seem little doubt the Pole is moving on in the summer, with Petr Cech the most likely arrival.
The second half did see a more competitive encounter, with the visitors contributing a lot more, and Arsenal continuing to threaten, without finding the finishing touch, sub Aaron Ramsey especially unfortunate on two occasions when he hit the woodwork. It was an enjoyable afternoon, and one without any stress, as soon after the start it became obvious the nightmare scenario of Man United winning heavily as Arsenal lost was not going to unfold.
Finishing third instead of fourth does indicate slight progress, even if the club gained five less points this time around. Obviously a trophy is needed next week for the overall picture to reflect the club has moved forward slightly. This summer is an important one, because it is an opportunity to demonstrate that the club have learned from the errors of past transfer windows. Do the required business and do it early. Stop quibbling over the odd million or two and make a decision on targets and stick to it. Strengthen in areas that obviously need improvement and don’t worry about killing anyone’s career by buying better. Out with the dithering and do the business.
Before I finish, a quick note to plug a book signing by the publishers of my last two books with Alex Fynn, Vision Sports Publishing. At the Tollington Pub, on Hornsey Road a little to the north of the west side of the stadium, the authors of the excellent ‘The Arsenal Shirt’ book, James Elkin and Simon Shakeshaft will be joined by former Gunners Alan Smith and Perry Groves to sign copies this Thursday (28th May) between 6.30 and 8.30pm. There is more detail on this flyer. Go and say hello to the authors and former players and get your book signed. If you can’t make it there will be details of how to reserve a copy if you follow them @thearsenalshirt on Twitter. Plug over.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
The current issue of The Gooner, a 64 page cup final special for £3 will be on sale on Wembley Way at next weekend’s FA Cup Final (with a free yellow ribbon for female purchasers until they run out). We also hope to have someone selling at the screening between Arsenal tube station and the stadium. The issue can also be bought online here.
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