Kevin Whitcher
A game Arsenal had to win to get their season back on track after two defeats on the trot, and on paper, the first of six highly winnable Premier League fixtures before the visit to Stamford Bridge in early February. But as has been well established this season, Tony Pulis’ West Brom are a tough nut to crack. Defensively hard to break down, few would have been surprised by the game that we witnessed yesterday.
Giroud started, with Iwobi and Sanchez wide, with Walcott and the Ox both injured. There are some that will feel Theo’s absence might help the team, and I watched the game with the Highbury Spy, who is definitely one of them.
Gibbs started in place of Monreal, who did not cover himself in glory at the Etihad, but Monreal looks like he will get his place back for the foreseeable future after Gibbs picked up an injury in the second half.
Arsenal struggled before the interval. It was a cold afternoon, many fans had not been able to make it to the game, and things felt a bit flat generally. There were a few glimpses of goal, but little clear cut. West Brom rarely ventured forward in serious numbers. After the interval, the intensity was noticeably raised and the quality of the chances definitely improved. Ben Foster was in good form, and timewasted as long as he could before finally seeing a yellow card. Sanchez hit the post, and the time for more chances was running down.
The day was saved by a quality cross from Ozil and excellent front man play by Giroud to engineer a looping header over Foster. Four minutes of normal time remaining and relief for everyone. A draw would have been a further nail in the coffin of Arsenal’s title hopes, which are looking bleak enough as it is after Chelsea’s recent run.
The Spy insisted I mention his opinion that Arsenal looked creatively bankrupt after Iwobi’s removal on 71 minutes. It’s not one I share, although I certainly rate Iwobi. I also realize that the reason he is usually taken off is because Wenger generally takes his wide attackers off (except, sometimes, Sanchez), and because Iwobi is still young and the manager does not want to risk burning him out. However the Spy’s view of pretty much anything is all or nothing. I told him I would mention this in the piece on the game, do with it as you wish.
I watched Match of the Day last night and seeing Chelsea’s hunger, it reminded me how significant the manager’s role is in the performance of his players. Contrast Chelsea now and a year ago. The personnel are pretty much the same. One thing Antonio Conte has brought to his side is a real passion – you can see it when the players celebrate with him after goals and at full time. Even someone like Cesc Fabregas, who is not guaranteed a starting spot, is playing for him when he gets the chance.
Do the Arsenal players feel the same way about Arsene Wenger? Are they as motivated, as driven, as determined. Do they need to be to win more key matches? The performances at Goodison Park (outmuscled) and the Etihad (outplayed) have raised a lot of questions that have been asked before without a satisfactory answer. Chelsea – since Conte has decided to utilise his favoured formation – have mixed playing result football (the 1-0s so familiar from Juventus) and blowing away sides (such at Bournemouth yesterday). In fairness to Arsenal, Chelsea only managed to beat West Brom 1-0 at home as well. Then again, Chelsea beat Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad, with both Aguero and Fernandinho in opposition.
So Arsenal’s aim must be to hang onto Chelsea’s coat-tails and wait for the run to end, although some will be more concerned with the improvement in form of Manchester United and Spurs. The Gunners need to make hay while the sun shines against Palace, Bournemouth, Swansea, Burnley, Watford. Do the flat track bully thing they are capable of and watch others drop points in more challenging fixtures. With some of the away trips still to come this season, the Gunners will need some points in the bank just to remain in the top four.
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