Thursday, January 26, 2012

After an Awful January, Things Can only get Better?


I don't know if you've noticed, but January has been pretty awful so far. We've lost all three of our league games, and we've gone back to our old habit of throwing away leads. United swept us aside with an ease that was almost saddening, given how massive the games between the two clubs used to be. The one bright spot this month was Thierry's winning goal  in the FA Cup, but, if we're going to look at this in the cold light of day, should we really have needed him to come on and win us the game in those circumstances, given the standard of the opposition we were facing? Nostalgic love for our heroes shouldn't blind us to the inadequacies of this Arsenal squad.

And then there's been the transfer activity, or lack thereof. At the start of the month, it seemed wise to most of us that we should be looking to at least get a player on-loan to cover for the fact that all four of our first-team squad full-backs were injured. But this hasn't materialized. Maybe he'll turn out to be rubbish, but the fact that Taiwo has gone to QPR till the end of the year shows that players were available in this position on short-term deals. Having to rely on out-of-position players has cost us games and goals - look at how many of the goals we conceded in our last three matches started from wide positions near the box. I've no doubt that if Sagna and Santos were fit that we'd be in fourth place at present. Sagna should return soon, as should Gibbs (but let's see if he has a set-back first), but that's still 9 points we've dropped due to inadequate squad management.

Then there's the lack of attacking options in the squad. Park finally made his premier league debut against United, coming on for a bizarre ten-minute cameo at the end. I wonder if we'll see him again before the end of the season. SSN reported that we made an enquiry for Rodallega today, but it will take a lot to get him out of Wigan at such a late stage in the window. There's also been the inevitable round of Hazard rumours on Twitter - I would love him to sign, having watched Lille a fair bit over the last few seasons, but I think he's a dead cert for Madrid this summer. Aside from that - nothing much. And while we have done nothing in the window, Chelsea have bought Cahill and De Bruyne, and I also expect that they'll conclude a deal for Shakthar's Willian before the window closes. It's deals like those which can be the difference between fifth and fourth come May.

So, we're relying on returning players and emerging players to be part of our push for fourth. Wilshere should be back soon , and Chamberlain has now forced his way into the first team. We can all hope that the Ivory Coast get knocked out of the AOC soon, as I think January has proved just how important Gervinho has become to the team, despite his profligacy in front of goal (as I write this, he has just missed a sitter in Africa). We also need Arteta back ASAP, as he has been a huge miss of late. Relying on an injury-prone player such as him to play every week was always going to be a risky strategy and I hope his knock doesn't turn into anything more serious. We have no-one else at the club (Jack included) who can control possession in midfield like Arteta does.

On September 1 I had high hopes that the January window would continue to see the overhaul of the playing staff that the summer window had haphazardly begun. Unfortunately it hasn't. And it seems that we are betting everything on hanging in there for fourth before we splash any more money. This seems an incredibly short-sighted strategy. If there was ever a time to speculate a little, surely it's now.

Instead, there's been a bit of an unnerving quiet around the club this week. Bits and pieces have slipped out in reaction to the booing on Sunday, including a full statement from Robin which backed Arsene, but little else. No hints at all that new faces might be coming in. One would hope that the silence is coming from the players closing ranks,  trying to ensure they give a big performance on Sunday through total focus. Looking at the fixture list, most of our games in February are eminently winnable. All we can hope for is that the worst of the season is now over, but I continue to worry about the lack of depth in our squad. Let's hope I'm wrong - surely things can only get better?

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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really disagree that Man Utd swept us aside. Anyhow, should've strengthened and not just rely on players coming back.

Anonymous said...

For the last four or five seasons Arsenal always seems to choke going to the finishing line. One season or two seasons is forgiveable but not three,four or five. That will be criminal.
Don't bet on the returning crocks giving the gunners a boost especially if the defence continues to throw away leads.

Anonymous said...

The present problems mainly on defence are caused by Arsene.He is too powerful and wants things played his way.For the last six seven years,the gunners have been
plagued by a dodgy gk and poor defence.There is no alternative voice to prod him when things go wrong.It's just like the emperor with no clothes. All have become Yes,Mr Wenger,Yes men.
Even with the injured players returning it will be a difficult task to dislodge Chelsea from 4th.It's not impossible but the gunners need to show a dramtic improvement in form especially in defence. Then they they must start winning six to eight matches in a row to have any chance of catching Chelsea.Oh
Btw the blues are undoubtedly going to get a few players to cement the 4th place.
Wenger can say anything he wants but if 4th place is out,this could be the season when his philosophy of the beautiful game could come to an end.
It would be great pity because had he not been so stubborn and receptive to change,the gunners could,imho, have won at least one Fa and epl trophy.

Anonymous said...

Where the heck have you pulled Van Buyten signing for Chelsea from? I've heard nothing about this deal at all, admittedly I don't go out of my way to find out about Chelsea but I'd think with an international CB it'd get at least SOME coverage.

I think things can only improve with the quality of players coming back, more is needed from the back-ups and some dead wood still needs to be burnt away but with the squads of the teams above us being pushed harder and harder whilst we get fresh-ish reinforcements, it's certainly not over.

Goonerboy said...

@anon 18.30 - sorry, I meant (Kevin) de Bruyne, not Van Buyten. Got mixed up.

Anonymous said...

Ah, cheers for the clarification, name sounds familiar now you say it, anyone know if he's actually any good?

Goonerboy said...

He has been doing well at Genk, but obviously a big step-up to the prem. Kinda player we're usually linked with.

Anonymous said...

I won't be surprised the gunners throw a fit come Feb/Mar/April.
There nust be a tactical review.Don't think Bolton will be easy meat.
Teams fighting for their lives will play anti soccer to nullify the gunners.If the gunners continue to prance arond the box like a lion dance ,get ready for another setback.
Btw it's the Chinese new year of the dragon.

Anonymous said...

Wenger has been linked with RM. I say the board must be fearless and him go.Ronaldo was sold and Mu still flourished.
If Wenger wer to go,don't think it would be abed of thorns,sorry roses and women.
The pressure will be many times greater and he could be fired less than six months on the job.

Anonymous said...

Wenger has been linked with RM. I say the board must be fearless and him go.Ronaldo was sold and Mu still flourished.
If Wenger wer to go,don't think it would be abed of thorns,sorry roses and women.
The pressure will be many times greater and he could be fired less than six months on the job.

Anonymous said...

Hey, we'll sign a helluvalot of players next couple of weeks ... Sagna back, Wilshere back ....... bla-bla-bla ... AW: "It's like a new signing for us" ... bla-bla-bla ...
Time he accepts Real offer and Mourinho comes to us for a change.

(Aziz, KL-Malaysia)

Anonymous said...

The loss to Man U was greeted by derision. Another defeat to AV could result in a stampede.Yeah I know it can't be that bad with the injured star returning.
You never know with the gunners dodgy defence.

Anonymous said...

Wenger says he won't change his philosophy. Well when the result is
Arsenal 0 Aston villa 1,he will have to eat humbl pie.
Wiat till the game is played.But greater challenges lie ahead. If the defence goes to sleep in the comin matches,he has alot of answering to do.

Anonymous said...

Wenger says he won't change his philosophy. Well when the result is
Arsenal 0 Aston villa 1,he will have to eat humbl pie.
Wiat till the game is played.But greater challenges lie ahead. If the defence goes to sleep in the comin matches,he has alot of answering to do.