It's turning into a bit of a cycle. One minute I start thinking 'we can actually do this', then the team commits the most heinous of sins and loses to the unmentionables.
It's amazing, though, how much ability is there in this group of players, not the forever-tomorrow potential that the Boss loves so much but actual clear-as-day, right-here-right-now ability. Nasri, Fabregas, Arshavin, Van Persie... these are all world-class performers, not legends of the game by any means yet, but players who would make it into any matchday squad in the world. How can these players turn up and capitulate like that to 'them'?
I have an opinion but, like it or not, there is no definitive answer.
This team has developed technically and physically over the past three years. The core group of players Wenger wanted has been kept and these have been supplemented with some astute purchases on the transfer market.
If this were a team of machines, we'd win the league every year. But it isn't, and like all-things human, there's the mental factor as well. And it has weighed this team down for years.
Wenger harps on about it all the time, this 'mental strength' we must show and how he believes the players have it.
No they don't.
That is a lie the Boss tells all the time.
And I call it a lie because there's no way in hell that genius of a man would delude himself into thinking that. He's just protecting his players and I admire him for it, even if it does grind my gears at times.
And in reality, the team collapses. Regularly. It's not something that's going to go away overnight and we'll probably still be talking about it at the end of the season. But mental weakness is taking away from this team's success and if it's not dealt with we'll be stuck in this limbo, between first and fifth, for five more years and I don't want that, I want this team to achieve what it is capable of.
This is Wenger's biggest challenge ever. In the past the mental strength was there with the likes of Adams, Keown, Henry and Vieira. But no one has showed they can provide it in this team. And I don't know who will.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Arsenal Winning Me Over.... And I'm Loving It.
Everton 1 Arsenal 2
This match right here was it. It was a championship-winning performance. 100% of what Arsenal fans deserve. Every single player on the pitch showed what they're made of today.
They showed pride in the great Arsenal jersey. Commitment to the cause. Everything you want from your team.
This is the proudest I've been all season! They really were tremendous. Sagna and Fabregas scored excellent goals. Song was having a nightmare with his passing but he never once stopped running. And Arshavin had one of the hardest-working games of his Arsenal career.
I know what I said about this team not having the fight but two games later I'm singing their praises. Does that make me hypocritical? No it makes me a football fan.
But it is only two games. It's a good response from the team but they could just as easily collapse again. But I believe we can continue this.
C'mon The Arsenal!!
This match right here was it. It was a championship-winning performance. 100% of what Arsenal fans deserve. Every single player on the pitch showed what they're made of today.
They showed pride in the great Arsenal jersey. Commitment to the cause. Everything you want from your team.
This is the proudest I've been all season! They really were tremendous. Sagna and Fabregas scored excellent goals. Song was having a nightmare with his passing but he never once stopped running. And Arshavin had one of the hardest-working games of his Arsenal career.
I know what I said about this team not having the fight but two games later I'm singing their praises. Does that make me hypocritical? No it makes me a football fan.
But it is only two games. It's a good response from the team but they could just as easily collapse again. But I believe we can continue this.
C'mon The Arsenal!!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
No Way In Hell.
Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1
That was our worst performance in years. Forget West Brom because we had one player perform on that day. But today, there was no one. And Fabregas lead the shit brigade that was this Arsenal team.
They were useless. Couldn't pass. Couldn't shoot. Couldn't defend. Not one Arsenal player did anything of note in the whole game. Our best moment was Walcott hitting the crossbar from an impossible angle, after that there wasn't one decent chance created.
The goal was an indictment of the Arsenal defense. Fabianski comes out when there is no need and the defenders stare with their tongues out as Carroll jumps unmarked and ploughs the ball into the empty net.
Wenger brought on Arshavin and Van Persie to try and save things but the problems we had couldn't be solved with strikers. Our midfield was a joke. Song and Fabregas gave the ball away time and again. Wilshere, god love him, was physically out of his depth and kept quiet throughout. But the worry at the moment is Fabregas. Last week against West Ham he was poor and today he was even worse. Every pass forward he made was wrong. In truth Wenger should have showed some bottle and taken him off. For anyone. Even Djourou would have made a better go of it. He was truely that bad.
I'm not going to pull the wool over anyone's eyes and say:
'It was only one match.'
'We're still in it.'
We're not, it's over, we're out. Unless Chelsea and Manchester United implode, I mean literally collapse inwards, we will not win the league. The most we'll get is third. And even that will be a struggle if Man City find form.
It's a sad moment in our history. We have a team of players more concerned with their next club or their next international friendly than playing for Arsenal. Our players and Wenger failed us today.
That was our worst performance in years. Forget West Brom because we had one player perform on that day. But today, there was no one. And Fabregas lead the shit brigade that was this Arsenal team.
They were useless. Couldn't pass. Couldn't shoot. Couldn't defend. Not one Arsenal player did anything of note in the whole game. Our best moment was Walcott hitting the crossbar from an impossible angle, after that there wasn't one decent chance created.
The goal was an indictment of the Arsenal defense. Fabianski comes out when there is no need and the defenders stare with their tongues out as Carroll jumps unmarked and ploughs the ball into the empty net.
Wenger brought on Arshavin and Van Persie to try and save things but the problems we had couldn't be solved with strikers. Our midfield was a joke. Song and Fabregas gave the ball away time and again. Wilshere, god love him, was physically out of his depth and kept quiet throughout. But the worry at the moment is Fabregas. Last week against West Ham he was poor and today he was even worse. Every pass forward he made was wrong. In truth Wenger should have showed some bottle and taken him off. For anyone. Even Djourou would have made a better go of it. He was truely that bad.
I'm not going to pull the wool over anyone's eyes and say:
'It was only one match.'
'We're still in it.'
We're not, it's over, we're out. Unless Chelsea and Manchester United implode, I mean literally collapse inwards, we will not win the league. The most we'll get is third. And even that will be a struggle if Man City find form.
It's a sad moment in our history. We have a team of players more concerned with their next club or their next international friendly than playing for Arsenal. Our players and Wenger failed us today.
The Toon.
Newcastle will come today with one thing in mind: spoil. I'd be surprised if Andy Caroll is partnered by Ameobi today because Newcastle will leave themselves very open in midfield. So I expect a five-man midfield from them with the likes of Alan Smith and Joey barton asked to 'disrupt' our passing movements.
But, in reality, there isn't much they'll be able to do if we come out and play with full commitment. Fabregas will dominate and the likes of Walcott and Nasri will support him and should rip their backline to shreads.
I say 'should' because there is an uncertainty about how this team will come out and play. In our last two games, we've been average at best and if we don't lift the performances, a long day is in store. But I think with Fabregas back in the side, it's unlikely to happen.
Next on my agenda is the Van Persie call-up. It's a farce and I'm fuming about it. The Dutch coach, Van Marwijk, says he talked to our striker and then decided to call him up. If this is the truth then what the fuck is Van Persie playing at? He's been out for over two months while on our wage-bill and he has the cuntishness to declare himself fit for a pointless friendly. For me, it's the height of disrespect for Arsenal Football Club and he really should know better.
In other news, I read a few headlines about Wenger's 'affair' with some French rapper and that there was a club statement over it. In truth, I don't really care about it. The one thing I would say is that it's a shit excuse for a bad performance today.
I like the sound of 3-0. It's a pretty recurrent scoreline in this fixture and I think Walcott will continue his good run of goalscoring. Chelsea play Liverpool at Anfield today and despite their horrendous form the Scousers might pull one out of the bag. So, by tonight, there could possibly be only two points between us and Chelsea despite their far superior start to the season. Sound!
But, in reality, there isn't much they'll be able to do if we come out and play with full commitment. Fabregas will dominate and the likes of Walcott and Nasri will support him and should rip their backline to shreads.
I say 'should' because there is an uncertainty about how this team will come out and play. In our last two games, we've been average at best and if we don't lift the performances, a long day is in store. But I think with Fabregas back in the side, it's unlikely to happen.
Next on my agenda is the Van Persie call-up. It's a farce and I'm fuming about it. The Dutch coach, Van Marwijk, says he talked to our striker and then decided to call him up. If this is the truth then what the fuck is Van Persie playing at? He's been out for over two months while on our wage-bill and he has the cuntishness to declare himself fit for a pointless friendly. For me, it's the height of disrespect for Arsenal Football Club and he really should know better.
In other news, I read a few headlines about Wenger's 'affair' with some French rapper and that there was a club statement over it. In truth, I don't really care about it. The one thing I would say is that it's a shit excuse for a bad performance today.
I like the sound of 3-0. It's a pretty recurrent scoreline in this fixture and I think Walcott will continue his good run of goalscoring. Chelsea play Liverpool at Anfield today and despite their horrendous form the Scousers might pull one out of the bag. So, by tonight, there could possibly be only two points between us and Chelsea despite their far superior start to the season. Sound!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Gael Gaffe Again In Poor Arsenal Showing.
Shakhtar 2 Arsenal 1
Well we learned a few things in this game. And rather than go through the details of the match, I thought I'd give my thoughts on tonight's team.
First of all, there was no leaders in the team tonight. In the second half, when we were looking for the equaliser, the players' passing was awful. Away from home in the Champions League, the team lacks a certain amount of composure without Fabregas. We've seen it before (Porto away last season) and as much as we like to think that we have enough attacking players to cope without him for a few games, the reality is different. Nasri, nor Wilshere, are ready to do it yet and Rosicky really shouldn't be wearing the armband.
The lack of a replacement for Song is a serious concern. Perhaps the boss reckons Diaby could do it but fitness and consistency are two things he hasn't been blessed with in recent seasons so he's unreliable for this role. Eastmond is very young and has very little experience at this level. And you can't count on an inexperienced player in one of the most crucial positions on the pitch.
Gael Clichy ruined all the good work he did at the weekend as regards the supporters' faith in him. The mistake for Shakhtar's winner was so basic. All he has to do is knock it out for the throw and instead he does nothing, lets Srna rob the ball and Eduardo did the rest. Gibbs must be kicking himself that he's out injured when there's a massive opportunity to bench the Frenchman.
The one positive from tonight was Walcott's goal. It really was a beautiful goal as he raced away from inside his on half to roll the ball home from 20 yards. He's looking very sharp and Arshavin must be worried for his place on the team.
We play Newcastle at the weekend and hopefully we'll have one of Song or Fabregas in the team just to consolidate things. As for CL qualification, we'll definitely qualify in top spot. The only thing that's left to be decided is whether we do it away in Braga or at home against Belgrade.
Well we learned a few things in this game. And rather than go through the details of the match, I thought I'd give my thoughts on tonight's team.
First of all, there was no leaders in the team tonight. In the second half, when we were looking for the equaliser, the players' passing was awful. Away from home in the Champions League, the team lacks a certain amount of composure without Fabregas. We've seen it before (Porto away last season) and as much as we like to think that we have enough attacking players to cope without him for a few games, the reality is different. Nasri, nor Wilshere, are ready to do it yet and Rosicky really shouldn't be wearing the armband.
The lack of a replacement for Song is a serious concern. Perhaps the boss reckons Diaby could do it but fitness and consistency are two things he hasn't been blessed with in recent seasons so he's unreliable for this role. Eastmond is very young and has very little experience at this level. And you can't count on an inexperienced player in one of the most crucial positions on the pitch.
Gael Clichy ruined all the good work he did at the weekend as regards the supporters' faith in him. The mistake for Shakhtar's winner was so basic. All he has to do is knock it out for the throw and instead he does nothing, lets Srna rob the ball and Eduardo did the rest. Gibbs must be kicking himself that he's out injured when there's a massive opportunity to bench the Frenchman.
The one positive from tonight was Walcott's goal. It really was a beautiful goal as he raced away from inside his on half to roll the ball home from 20 yards. He's looking very sharp and Arshavin must be worried for his place on the team.
We play Newcastle at the weekend and hopefully we'll have one of Song or Fabregas in the team just to consolidate things. As for CL qualification, we'll definitely qualify in top spot. The only thing that's left to be decided is whether we do it away in Braga or at home against Belgrade.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Step Forward At Eastlands
Manchester City 0 Arsenal 3
This was a convincing win regardless of the circumstances. We showed exactly why we're a top four side in this match. The sending-off certainly did City no favours, but the win cannot be diminished for it.
Our record in these games is pretty sub-standard. When it comes to the biggest games we normally choke. But that didn't happen Sunday.
Every man put in a solid performance on top of the spectacular ones of Nasri and Fabianski. Fabregas gave his typical 8/10 display which kept the team ticking and would've have gotten on the score-sheet only for Hart's penalty save. The backline showed some jitters at times but dealt well with most of the situations put before them.
All the goals had quality in them. Nasri's one involved a terrific one-two with Arshavin topped by a smashing finish. Song's goal was the killer blow as he pounced on a loose ball in the area to power the ball into the top corner ('I'm actually Ronaldinho' Fever does something constructive for once). The third was my favorite as Nasri slid a beautiful, disguised pass into Bendtner and he raced into the box and placed his shot inch-perfect into the far bottom-corner beyond Joe Hart.
Things mightn't have been so rosy had it not been for Fabianski's performance in goal. He produced two terrific saves, one at 0-0 and the other at 1-0, from Silva who can count himself unlucky not to have found the net because both shots were terrific.
It was a great win and it will boost belief within the squad because it's been ages since we've taken the scalp of a big team. Up next is Newcastle in the Carling Cup. Momentum is crucial as we head into our worst month of the season so a win is important to keep spirits high. I'd expect Walcott and Bendtner to start in what should be a decent team with perhaps the likes of Lansbury and JET also getting games. Newcastle have nothing to lose so they'll probably come out and play. All in all, I think that if everyone does their job on the night we'll win.
But you can never quite tell with this team.
This was a convincing win regardless of the circumstances. We showed exactly why we're a top four side in this match. The sending-off certainly did City no favours, but the win cannot be diminished for it.
Our record in these games is pretty sub-standard. When it comes to the biggest games we normally choke. But that didn't happen Sunday.
Every man put in a solid performance on top of the spectacular ones of Nasri and Fabianski. Fabregas gave his typical 8/10 display which kept the team ticking and would've have gotten on the score-sheet only for Hart's penalty save. The backline showed some jitters at times but dealt well with most of the situations put before them.
All the goals had quality in them. Nasri's one involved a terrific one-two with Arshavin topped by a smashing finish. Song's goal was the killer blow as he pounced on a loose ball in the area to power the ball into the top corner ('I'm actually Ronaldinho' Fever does something constructive for once). The third was my favorite as Nasri slid a beautiful, disguised pass into Bendtner and he raced into the box and placed his shot inch-perfect into the far bottom-corner beyond Joe Hart.
Things mightn't have been so rosy had it not been for Fabianski's performance in goal. He produced two terrific saves, one at 0-0 and the other at 1-0, from Silva who can count himself unlucky not to have found the net because both shots were terrific.
It was a great win and it will boost belief within the squad because it's been ages since we've taken the scalp of a big team. Up next is Newcastle in the Carling Cup. Momentum is crucial as we head into our worst month of the season so a win is important to keep spirits high. I'd expect Walcott and Bendtner to start in what should be a decent team with perhaps the likes of Lansbury and JET also getting games. Newcastle have nothing to lose so they'll probably come out and play. All in all, I think that if everyone does their job on the night we'll win.
But you can never quite tell with this team.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Light-Blue Chelsea
Tomorrow at Eastlands, we play the second-biggest game of our season so far and I don't think anyone is disillusioned by the size of the task.
City have a very impressive team, with a lot of very good players. I'm not sure if they have anyone in the same bracket as Fabregas or a bothered Arshavin (the rest of our 'worldies' won't be playing) but nevertheless they're a solid outfit.
Andy Johnson and James Milner, provided they're playing, could terrorise our fullbacks, Clichy in particular. If Squillaci or Djourou play on the ball too long, they'll be robbed by a seriously in-form Tevez and that can't happen if we're going to win.
I think that their front three will be De Silva, Tevez and Adebayor though. De Silva was very impressive when he came on against Blackpool and Adebayor is flying high after his hat-trick on Thursday with Tevez an automatic starter.
Their midfield nearly plays like a back-three. Toure, De Jong and Barry will do little more than sit and defend. Their back-four is anyone's guess really.
So there is a lot to deal with in that team. It's the exact same situation that we had to deal with at Stamford Bridge: a big physical team that can score goals. The main differences between that match and this one is that we're down Wilshere and Koscielny but we have Fabregas, Walcott and Bendtner back.
Our captain and Theo will be instrumental. We didn't have Cesc's... pure awesomeness, to be frank, against Chelsea nor did we have Walcott's pace on the wing. Those two things could very easily win us the match tomorrow. But other things will also have to be in place for that to happen.
A solid foundation in midfield is crucial. Alex Song and Nasri will have to be disciplined. And I'm more than confident that they will perform. I don't think Diaby will start because Arsene did say last week that he isn't 100% right since his recent knocks to the ankle.
Last year, we had a nightmare getting back in numbers and if we fail at that again, we'll lose. Walcott and Arshavin will have to support their fullbacks when we don't have the ball and Fabregas will have to work back consistently too.
I think that over-defensive tactics on City's part will see us control the game and win. If Mancini decides to let his side come out and play then we'll still score on the break.
I'm feeling really confident about this game and I can see us winning by two goals. I know our record in these fixtures is awful but I feel a change coming. So I'll say 0-2 with Walcott to open the scoring.
City have a very impressive team, with a lot of very good players. I'm not sure if they have anyone in the same bracket as Fabregas or a bothered Arshavin (the rest of our 'worldies' won't be playing) but nevertheless they're a solid outfit.
Andy Johnson and James Milner, provided they're playing, could terrorise our fullbacks, Clichy in particular. If Squillaci or Djourou play on the ball too long, they'll be robbed by a seriously in-form Tevez and that can't happen if we're going to win.
I think that their front three will be De Silva, Tevez and Adebayor though. De Silva was very impressive when he came on against Blackpool and Adebayor is flying high after his hat-trick on Thursday with Tevez an automatic starter.
Their midfield nearly plays like a back-three. Toure, De Jong and Barry will do little more than sit and defend. Their back-four is anyone's guess really.
So there is a lot to deal with in that team. It's the exact same situation that we had to deal with at Stamford Bridge: a big physical team that can score goals. The main differences between that match and this one is that we're down Wilshere and Koscielny but we have Fabregas, Walcott and Bendtner back.
Our captain and Theo will be instrumental. We didn't have Cesc's... pure awesomeness, to be frank, against Chelsea nor did we have Walcott's pace on the wing. Those two things could very easily win us the match tomorrow. But other things will also have to be in place for that to happen.
A solid foundation in midfield is crucial. Alex Song and Nasri will have to be disciplined. And I'm more than confident that they will perform. I don't think Diaby will start because Arsene did say last week that he isn't 100% right since his recent knocks to the ankle.
Last year, we had a nightmare getting back in numbers and if we fail at that again, we'll lose. Walcott and Arshavin will have to support their fullbacks when we don't have the ball and Fabregas will have to work back consistently too.
I think that over-defensive tactics on City's part will see us control the game and win. If Mancini decides to let his side come out and play then we'll still score on the break.
I'm feeling really confident about this game and I can see us winning by two goals. I know our record in these fixtures is awful but I feel a change coming. So I'll say 0-2 with Walcott to open the scoring.
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