Kevin Whitcher
If someone suggested to me that Edison Cavani was under the influence of some Chinese gambling syndicate to ensure PSG did not win against Arsenal in their two Champions League matches this season, I could believe it, so many gilt edged opportunities has he squandered in the pair of meetings. Let’s face it, on the quality of chances created, the French side should have taken six points instead of two from the Gunners in these group fixtures. As it is, their away goals last night should ensure they top the group. It is difficult to imagine they will not dispose of Ludogorets at the Parc des Princes in a fortnight. So ultimately, Arsenal’s fortuitous draws merely achieved an element of self-respect. They will make no difference to their finishing second in the group, given that the other two sides have managed to win two points apiece. What price Barcelona in the last 16?
Incredibly, last night, courtesy of a penalty after a dive from Alexis, and an own goal, Wenger’s team could have actually won the game. However, one thing we have seen from recent defensive performances is that there is no way on earth this team is going to progress when they come up against a more potent attack in the qualifying stages. The headline on the official website is a Kieran Gibbs quote - 'The team is more resilient than before'. Uh? Fortunate, I will give you, but resilient?
Granted, Arsenal are undefeated since the first game of the season. That is laudable. However, in matches against Liverpool, champions Leicester, PSG (twice), Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, the record is won one, drawn five and lost one. So eights points from 21. Certainly, staying unbeaten is a good habit for winning cups, but in terms of the Premier League, two draws is worse than a win and a defeat.
The team selection rewarded Olivier Giroud for his contribution at Old Trafford. The problem of late, is that Arsenal often look toothless against the better teams with Alexis as the central striker. So Giroud was worth a punt on that score, but things didn’t look any better. The combination play does not work against decent opposition. Before the penalty at the death of the first half, Arsenal had zero shots – either on target, wide, or blocked. Impotent. By the end of the match they had mustered four attempts on goal, just the one on target… Giroud’s penalty.
So the Alexis as centre forward experiment seems to have hit the rocks. Giroud we all know about. Arsenal have £100 million to spend and could have spent it in the summer. Wenger did buy Lucas Perez, but he’s injured and didn’t figure heavily before he was. Danny Welbeck is another Abou Diaby in terms of availability, so can’t be seriously considered an option (and United were happy to let him move on anyway, which tells you all you need to know). So Arsenal are unlikely to win enough matches without splashing the cash on proven goalscoring quality, or waiting for Perez to turn into the next Thierry Henry.
Arsene Wenger spent most of the game yesterday passive on the bench. Yes, Arsenal are still in contention for all the honours. Yes, they have proved difficult to beat. But the manager can see it for himself and is slowly withdrawing. His team lack the wit and drive to outsmart defences too often. He thought he had found the solution with Alexis as the main man, and for a while, it did look like it could be the answer. But time has told. The Chilean is surely going to get injured before long anyway, and whether or not he can maintain the energy that is integral to his style of play remains to be seen, but given the amount of football the guy has played, pessimism is understandable. Looking at Wenger himself, his body language, it really does feel like end of days territory. I think, finally, he might have privately admitted to himself that he has run out of ideas.
Antonio Conte came to Chelsea, let the players prove the existing system worked, then, 3-0 down to Arsenal, changed things. They now sit at the top of the table. Granted, Conte, with no European commitments (and now an exit from the League Cup), has time to work on the training ground to instill his methods. Critically, he has players able to adapt. Coaching. Instruction. Drills. Arsenal’s training sessions are about close control, quick passing in tight situations. Do they even prepare set pieces? Innovative free kick routines? The Gunners don’t make great use of scouting reports on the opposition. Back in 2006, the manager did not take a close look at Barcelona until the day before the Champions League final. That’s arrogant. The team play to express themselves and Wenger’s idealistic football more than they do to ensure they win matches. But last night, there was no pace, no zip and the opposition were technically superior.
So you get Aaron Ramsey, a creative player, in central midfield with Coquelin. When Cazorla plays in the role, the team are more dangerous because, creatively, the Spaniard is two footed, better at passing the ball and more likely to create problems for the opposition. Ramsey, although heavily involved, will often lose possession. His inability to close down quickly enough last night led to PSG’s opening goal. Better to have played Xhaka instead of Ramsey surely. And if you must play Ramsey, stick him on the right side and drop Iwobi, who has been struggling of late. Notably, Theo was benched after his no show at Old Trafford, although the Ox, who at least has a bit of determination to take on players from wide, remained on the bench. I have no idea of what physical state Mathieu Debuchy is in, but if fit, is surely a better option than Carl Jenkinson at right back. The latter failed to mark Lucas at the corner from which PSG equalized and Iwobi hardly covered himself in glory on the post. Ironically, the young Nigerian was due to be subbed, but the manager did not want to make the change until after the PSG corner. Why? He is an attacking player?
At least, going forward, there are a run of fixtures that should give the side the opportunity to build some confidence, get a run of wins. But ultimately, this is starting to look like one of those seasons where Arsenal will slowly slip out of the title race itself, concentrate on a top four finish, get knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League, and have a stab at winning one of the domestic cups. Some fans believe that’s good enough. Some accept it isn’t but have faith in Arsene Wenger to be the man that can bring back better days. And some are simply waiting and praying for next summer with the hope that we can all move on and at least try something different in terms of a manager. Oh to have had Diego Simeone in the technical area last night, because you know what? It feels like the passion has gone and we are just marking time.
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