It's been a while...I haven't penned my thoughts down for ages. That's probably because of the way the team has been performing in recent years. Not really a lot to be positive about. But about a year ago I lost a friend I used to bitch about Arsenal to whenever I needed to rant so now I have to revive this blog to act as an outlet.
Let's start with the abject performances against Sunderland and, more recently, the Russians from West London.
Losing to the blues was actually kinda expected and acceptable, though they could have done better with their performance. But what I feel is unacceptable, and what will come back to haunt Arsenal, is their loss to Sunderland.
I've always believed that winning the league isn't all about beating the top 4 teams. It would be great to beat them and seriously stamp your authority, but to me, winning the league is about beating the "lesser lights".
They didn't seem interested at all against Sunderland and they were made to pay. There was hardly any penetration in the final third. It's like they forgot how to play like they were playing at the start of this season.
Perhaps it the 2-week international break but that's just an excuse. If you really wanted it, you'd go out and get it. That's what champions and winners do.
As with Chelsea, they were outclassed - simple as that.
I watched the teams appear out of the tunnel and thought to myself the difference in physical size between the 2 sets of players is so outstanding. Chelsea have the brute strength of Drogba, Anelka, Lampard, Essien, Obi Mikel, Terry and Carvalho. Arsenal had....um, does Vermaelen count? Then maybe we can throw in Song but that's about as physical as they get.
Speaking of Song, why in the world was he subbed at half time? If anyone could give them a better physical presence in midfield, he can. Not Denilson.Denilson has his moments, but I feel he's only marginally better than Diaby.
Diaby stinks. Really. Diaby is one of the worst players to don the red and white of Arsenal. I've not seen a more lazy, slow and inconsistent player than him. He lacks confidence and never takes a game by the scruff of it's neck like Cesc does. He's such a disappointment and he doesn't have fire in his belly to fight for the team. Just watch him get brushed aside easily and not even bother to get his ass off the turf to fight for the ball he'd just given away.
Denilson also gets brushed aside with alarming ease. And he doesn't fly in with tackles. If he's to take his place as DCM, he's got to get stuck in. He's also slow and his range of passing is elementary. Diaby doesn't have that problem though - Diaby doesn't pass (at least not to his team mates).
Song has been a revelation. Why sub him at half time when you're 2 goals down? AW should have taken Denilson out instead and put Walcott in his place. At least there would be a shield for the defense and the other midfielders can do more up front without worrying too much about tracking back.
Let's take a look at Chelsea's 1st goal. Denilson didn't close down Terry fast enough to throw him off. Then comes Gallas - looked like he was doing his old pals a favour. Absolutely no attempt to clear the ball as it passed him and reached Drogba. And what of the identical 2nd? But everyone has a bad day at the office and perhaps that was his.There's no point talking about the 3rd because the first 2 goals already knocked the stuffing out of Arsenal that it didn't matter.
And what of our fullbacks? Sagna can't cross to save his life. Eboue might be useful in that department. Clichy can't cross either but he's injured. Gibbs and Traore are probably better crossers off the left but both still have much to learn about football in the top flight.
Then, the dreaded final 3rd. Why doesn't anyone make anymore runs into the box and open things up. Just watch our forward line stand static in and around the box. It'll never open up for them that way. Never. No longer do we have intelligent forward players who make darting runs and split defences like we did with Ljungberg, Pires and Henry.
The forward line is also very slow now. In one counter-attack after clearing a Chelsea corner, 3 red/white shirts were "racing" in attack through the middle. They made one pass and the next thing you know, the Chelsea penalty box had 6 blue shirts covering all angles. Credit where it's due - Chelsea defended very very well. The fact that they've shipped the least number of goals against is a testament to that.
Plenty needs to be done. Buying players is one way but I don't subscribe to that completely. I still think these kids can do more (though they're very light weight). AW just needs to address the issues: Crosses, intelligent movement in the final 3rd and a tougher/faster/better DCM to partner Song in case 2 are needed.
That'll do for now...
No comments:
Post a Comment