Kevin Whitcher
Wow. Arsenal are ahead of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea in the table after 15 matches, in a season in which at times they have looked like champions elect in some games, and chumps in others. With only Leicester ahead of them, there is no doubt that this is a very wide open title race.
Manchester City are suffering injury problems as bad as Arsenal’s. Manchester United are playing as if George Graham circa 1993-94 were their manager, whilst Chelsea have imploded. But two things could unhinge the Gunners’ aspirations to be champions. The injuries to key men and a lack of defensive discipline. Both need to improve.
Sunderland are no great attacking force, but on the counter attack exposed Arsenal too many times for comfort, leading to a nervous atmosphere in the stadium. With excellent chances, they could have gone ahead at 0-0 (Borini), also at 1-1 (Fletcher) and leveled the game near the death before Ramsey made it 3-1 (Van Aanholt). Was the lack of defensive solidity a consequence of playing Flamini instead of Coquelin? One fears the Flamster is not disciplined enough in the holding role to cover for what may be a two month absence for his more switched on compatriot. Were Jermaine Defoe playing, there is every chance that a team in the relegation zone might have denied Arsenal precious points.
However, at the other end, in the absence of creative forces Alexis and Cazorla, Arsenal did fashion chances of their own. They dominated possession and although it took time to find their groove, they unpicked Sam Alardyce’s team often enough to ensure the points, albeit on a nervy afternoon. The opening goal was another Ozil creation, and thankfully converted by Joel Campbell. Giroud’s header from Ramsey’s cross was an excellent finish. With Sunderland chasing an equalizer, there were a number of decent chances before Ramsey finally killed the game with the ball ricocheting around the area.
It was a much needed win after the series of two draws and a defeat, and the thought that Arsenal are so well placed in the table after such a disastrous November defies belief. There is no question the title is there for the taking, but whether or not the team has enough in them to put together the run that will be necessary to propel them to glory is really a question of watch and wait. Good results against Olympiacos and Villa will set the side up nicely for the visit of Manchester City in what could be one of the most significant fixtures of the season. A couple of draws in those games might not augur so well.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has a chance to press his claim for a first team place, and one imagines it will be between him and the more defensively disciplined Joel Campbell as to who starts in Greece on Tuesday night. This assumes Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud will both start. Given the lack of alternatives and the need for goals, it would be strange if Wenger left one of those two on the bench. Yesterday, the Ox did not perform with any particular distinction, but he needs games. Unhappy at the lack of first team action, amidst talk that he wants away, he needs to perform better to convince that he is worth retaining. I have a feeling Campbell will get the nod in Greece, if for no other reason than the immutable law of the ex (the Costa Rican having played for the opposition for a season).
Aaron Ramsey played in his favoured role and did look good. I have written before that there is an element of Bryan Robson to his game, although in this day and age, making the kind of challenges the former England skipper did would see him collect too many yellow and red cards. But in terms of box to box, he has plenty of fuel in the tank. He does though need a more disciplined partner than Flamini or Jack Wilshere. But Arsenal neglected to fill the Morgan Schneiderlin shaped hole in the squad and looking at yesterday’s display, the fear is they will suffer the consequences more than once before Le Coq’s return.
Still, hope springs eternal, and the table does not lie. Arsenal could finish first, sixth or anywhere in between by the end of May. Certainly it is a less predictable season this time around. Liverpool and Tottenham could yet sneak into contention, although where the latter are concerned, my thought is that their midfield is probably too inexperienced to see the job through at the business end of the season. As for Liverpool, their chances may well depend on the business they manage to do in the January transfer window, and the fitness of Daniel Sturridge.
Compared to the Spanish and German leagues, the English competition is far more interesting as a spectacle this season. At times it feels like a tombola as to who is going to be top on any given weekend. Strange times, but certainly an opportunity for someone. Will it be Arsenal? If I were a betting man, I would say that without Coquelin and Alexis for an extended period, my money would be elsewhere. However, as the late Brian Moore, once said, it is most definitely “up for grabs now”.
To finish, some sad news. 90 year old Ernie Crouch, well-known member of the Arsenal supporters club, was killed by a gust of wind that blew him into a bus yesterday as he made his way to the stadium. He has followed Arsenal since attending his first game in 1934, and was a regular home and away, his final match being Norwich away last weekend. For those unaware of Ernie, you can read more about him here. Rest in peace Ernie.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale at the away game against Villa next weekend, and indeed out in Greece thanks to the legendary Alex. It can also be bought online here. A new issue will be on sale at the Manchester City game with a free 2016 calendar.
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