Same Old Arsenal
The game on Sunday with Arsenal and Chelsea was not as close as most of us thought.
It was an easy game for Chelsea, brushing aside the young boys fewer than five foot at the Emirates with not a bead of sweat broken. Before the game, Arsene Wenger had promised the game would showcase to the world how his team were genuine title contenders.
Oh how silly he looked after the game. It doesn’t matter Arshavins ‘goal’ was not allowed to stand, the Gunners were swept aside. At home.
Credit goes to Chelsea of course but I still think they will struggle without Essien, Kalou, Mikel and of course the powerhouse that is Didier Drogba when they leave in a few months.
What was surprising in the game was the lack of aggression by Arsenal. No player showed any will to win and looked fresh out of ideas and it’s only hit Demember. I said it before and I will stick by it, Denilson is the worst player in this current squad. I would put him on par with Pascal Cygan, another flop. What’s wrong with playing Aaron Ramsey, who is miles better than yet another Brazilian midfielder in the Premier League that fails to live up to the hype?
I don’t think the team as a whole covered themselves in glory either. In a way, Arsenal reminded me of Chelsea last season, when they relied on Di Santo to play up front alone and expected goals to come from inexperience. So when Arsenal bought on Vela, I knew there was no way back.
Wenger praises his player and hoodwinks fans with empty rallies. His seemingly unbreakable protection he offers his players is wearing thin. He failed to buy and is counting the cost of it now. How many times in the last five years has someone said that? When I first heard Van Persie was out for five months, my initial reaction was, where’s the cover? Wenger wanted Chamakh, but refused to pay an extra five million Euros. Bonkers!
Out of the title race, and only two points in front of the diabolical Liverpool. What a great start to the season. Wenger continues with his excuses and will play a young team in the Carling Cup. Count the Gunners out of that one too, thank the stars Arsenal are vying for ‘bigger’ trophies instead.
Arsene doesn’t mind taking the flak for his players, but fans knew better than this at the beginning of the season. Shoddy stuff, and almost laughable that the Gooners thought it may change. It’s still the same failing team, why did we expect different?
If Arsene wants support from fans, the team has to change. If by some miracle Arsenal win the league, then I will buy a Denilson shirt. Although I don’t think I will be rushing to the Armory any time soon.
Topics: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Chelsea, English Premier League, Match Reports
Football News 24/7
Good article. You have said it all. Euro league is waiting for him if he doesnt take time.
December 1st, 2009 @ 21:43Good article.Infact tht is what i alwys wanted 2 shout. We don’t av a team 2 compete for any trophy since the exodus of “invinsible” team. We luck the bench tht can come out & fill the gap as if nothng is missing. If we funs hope for any trophy in the near future,am sorry to say none.. Wenger is there to make profit.He grome the players and sell them when we need those player most. I knw Cesc is abt to be sold & replaced by either Ramsey or Denilson. Wait n see. We are now acardemy for Barca and other europe giants club. Unless we replace Wenger with the likes of Rijkaard Arsenal will never win any title under Wenger,unless he change his policy and spend on bringing world class player not small boys who don’t knw wht to do when cornered.
December 1st, 2009 @ 22:47The most puzzling thing is, we played better against Man U and lost. Man U were better against Chelsea and lost – and we looked out of our depth against Chelsea. Do we believe we can beat Man U but lack belief against Chelsea?
December 1st, 2009 @ 23:02You knob jockey!! Why did i waste my time reading your poor excuse for an article.
You sound like a kid who’s been playing football manager too much! We’re not even half way through the season and apparently it’s over… grow up you prick!!
December 1st, 2009 @ 23:13Im surprised it lasted this long…
December 1st, 2009 @ 23:50I agree with you Gurjeevan
December 2nd, 2009 @ 00:00I feel it is very ironic reading all the fall out from us devastated Gunners. This defeat was the worst since last seasons CL second leg semi final versus MU. Its had the same effect, we left that game feeling like we were totally outclassed. The same feeling is there again after Sunday. AW said after the first leg against MU last season ‘you will see a different Arsenal next game’. He was on the mark, Arsenal were blown away after 9 minutes.
Chelsea and Man Utd raise their intensity on big games. Arsenal do not seem to be able to do that, they coast along playing at a good level and then they get hit by a freight train like the one that rolled through on Sunday!
Eduardo’s confidence is in tatters, he has not scored a league goal in months and they need to pick him up, fast, or else he simply will not make it. Big problem is the defensive intensity at midfield. Arsenal were undone down the right flank in a 5 minute spell when the midfield did not close down the Chelsea attack. Ashley Cole was left alone down there and he cashed in big time. Wenger made a bad decision to leave Walcott out. His pace and trickery would have kept Cole on the back foot and he might have been more concerned about his own defense than he turned out to be. Instead he was free to come in behind the Chelsea offense and support it like he did all first half. Anelka fed him perfectly for the second one. Remember! Then Arsenal’s back pedaling defense did the rest. It happened twice in a few minutes and that was it, game over. Same in CL last season. Wenger is deluding himself and has become too attached to this group of players he is simply not tough enough on them. At Chelsea/Man Utd if they do not perform they do not play, and someone else is brought in asap. Wenger sells a couple of players each year and keeps bringing in more, the end result is the team never gets to where it is aiming to go.
If Wenger fails to deliver this year as is almost certain now. I think he will step down! Anyone feel that coming! He can only go so long predicting success. If Arsenal cannot qualify for the CL this time he has nowhere left to hide.
I’m quite sure Arsenal will qualify for the CL.
Title chances are over though.
December 2nd, 2009 @ 06:11We will win th carling cup with the young guns. Arsenal is one of the best team in Europe you cannot question that. Yes a bad day against chelsea and all, but the faith will be repaid, and soon.
December 2nd, 2009 @ 04:00How is it possible that Arsene Wenger builds our Arsenal team in one RVP with no other options knowing very well that he is made out of glass? I have watched a number of frustrating games in which we play none creative football from minute one to the last minute and the maneger does nothing about it. You do not see where a goal will come from unless its an own goal. Someone convice me of any player who can be considered an Arsenal great in this squard!!! Mr. Arsene with all due respect, think of buying typical Arsenal players because we have heard enough of your 5 years lies project.
December 2nd, 2009 @ 06:02Everyone keeps saying that Chelsea will suffer when the Africans leave for the AFCON. U seem to be just following the hype. Jst take a step back and look at the fixtures Chelsea has during this time. There are 3 of the.
December 2nd, 2009 @ 07:38Hull City, Burnley and West Ham. All of these are easily winnable with even the subs and the likes of Gael Kakuta and Fabio Borini on. And should Ancelotti go out and buy say, Aguero and Ribery..Well, all i can say iz “Who needs the Premier League? Chelsea iz in a league of its own.”
you’ll win the cc with the young guns?? hahahahah…did you see what happened to spurs today to utd’s youngsters?? a full strength spurs side, at that. keep passing the ball arsenal, keep passing the ball!
December 2nd, 2009 @ 08:43I wish I could be as optimistic as Ahmed and Amsh! But, the evidence at hand suggests that TF is more realistic in his assessment of the future. AW has now stated that he will buy a striker to replace RVP. Is that an admission that RVP is the only quality striker we have in the squad? Chelsea will not win the CL or the C based on the effort of only one player. Yes they have key players too, but they have adequate cover and more importantly. They have players who can step up when Anelka, Drogba, Fletcher, or Terry go out injured. The result is that the team does not suffer nearly as much disruption because of the loss of one player. In Arsenal’s case Eduardo’s confidence level is a major problem now. Wenger has to get in his head fast. Second problem is the defensive commitment at midfield. Its not aggressive enough. Last problem is the defense itself, there is not enough strength,height, and aggression in the center of defense. Vermaelen is aggressive but too short against opposing centerbacks or players of the quality and size of DD.
December 2nd, 2009 @ 14:58fletcher plays for utd…just wanted to clear that up….
December 2nd, 2009 @ 18:41One game and we enter the debate is arsenal any good? Of course they are. Its just a temporary slip-up nothing more. We have lost the CC.( I hate to admit that pibber you were right) but all is not lost. Have faith that counts. may be chelsea might have a slip-up too. Arsenal are facing Confidence crisis rather then injury one.
and @Ridhwan
Burnley at home can be competitive don’t underestimate them. So are hull. And even Sunderland.
December 3rd, 2009 @ 04:13You’re fscking bonkers man.
Arsenal is a business, and it should be run as a business. Winning is important of course, but not at the cost of a financial meltdown. Never lose sight of the long term consequences. Short term gains mean nothing if the future is not secure.
I would rather watch a team playing Arsenal brand of football week in, week out rather then win every trophy there is. What is the point of having values if you can’t stick to them?
Besides, a business is supposed to make money. If it doesn’t even do that, then why bother in the first place?
December 5th, 2009 @ 04:13yup….arsenal still same old and i think they cannot win the epl!!!!!!!!!ARSENAL SUCK.GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED
December 5th, 2009 @ 10:10I did say a couple of weeks back that Arsenal fans were getting ahead of themselves. Lack of defensive strength and an over reliance on 1 or 2 key players is the problem.
But most of all I have to observe that the Arseanl concentratin on youth, which has been going on for 3/4 seasons now, just isn’t producing the goods.
The King has no clothes and unless Wenger spends (much) more Arsenal are going nowhere.
And does anyone know if there is a interpretor for erwf somewhere in the world? I’d love to know what he’s rabbiting on about but it’s mostly a mystery to me.
December 5th, 2009 @ 19:02Wow you don’t address any of the issues I raise, but rather, you mock me. May I ask what is the purpose of that?
Firstly, you must understand that Arsenal is a business. A business is supposed to be profitable, or else everything else is meaningless.
Secondly, even if we disregard the first fact, financial security is still more important then instant success. I ask all Gunner fans who are reading this right now: would you prefer a treble this year and relegation the next, or a place in the top 4 fighting for a trophy every year for many years to come?
Thirdly, sticking to the Arsenal style of football should come before winning. I don’t know how many people would agree with me here, but is winning ugly better then playing a good game but losing? I would argue not. Football is also a form of entertainment. If it does not entertain the audience, then it is again, meaningless.
If you, Condell, or any of you Man Utd fanatics, disagree with me, or find my points wihtout merit, you are free to address it here.
December 5th, 2009 @ 22:26