Another promising run of results, another setback.
Arsene Wenger could not have been more correct when he said that with Arsenal’s season was a case of two step forwards and a step back. The elimination of Udinese from the Champions League was followed by the 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford.
A win over Swansea and a gutsy draw against German Champions, Borussia Dortmund was followed by a defensive shocker against Blackburn. After notching up wins against Shrewsbury, Bolton and Olympiacos, it seemed as if the Gunners had finally turned the corner.
But Arsenal’s resurgent form finally came to a crashing halt against the one team, Arsenal fans couldn’t bear to lose, Tottenham Hotspurs. Spurs had gotten off to a start just as bad as Arsenal, suffering two defeats in as many games but a run of three wins out of three had put them two points above the Gunners despite having played a game less.
Arsenal’s inconsistent and unconvincing displays combined with Tottenham playing some good football ensured that for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s rein, the Gunners went in as underdogs. While it’s still early days to say if the balance of power is shifting, there is no denying that Tottenham have a squad that is just as good if not better than the Gunners.
The final result read 2-1 in favor of Arsenal’s biggest rivals and while Tottenham deserved three points, Arsenal can count themselves unlucky to be on the receiving end of their fourth loss of the season.
Some might say I am complaining, but let me state a few facts. The first goal scored by Rafael van Der Vaart never really should have stood. He clearly controls the ball with his hand before shooting past Szczesny and this is another fact that has been conveniently left out in all match reports and post match analysis. The critics, will of course say that Arsenal should have prevented the ball from coming in and while Arsenal could have done better, the foul was made and a freekick should have gone for Arsenal and the goal scrapped. The question of poor defending shouldn’t make a difference as it was a handball and that was that. But then again, we must understand that the view offered to the referee wasn’t a great one and when one takes into consideration that only Mertesacker appealed for the handball, it becomes fairly clear that the view available to the referee wasn’t a good one and the decision is one of those that might go against you on some days and might favor you on others.
The second bit of controversy stems from the resulting celebration in which Van Der Vaart runs into the crowd to celebrate. Normally that is a yellow card offence although there is some debate, whether he actually violates any law during the celebration. Since he was already booked, he should have been sent off which he wasn’t since he never was booked.
I actually support the decision not to yellow card players for offences trivial like this and this where I would like to draw all your attention to Wenger’s reaction. Wenger is always portrayed as a whiner, a man always looking for excuses and yet in this case, when he actually supports the opposition, he gets absolutely no credit, which is a shame.
According to the stereotype made by the media and several critics of Wenger, he always looks for excuses and yet when he could have easily made a larger issue out of it, he chose to remain silent and let the issue die down, which I see as a class act from a manager under immense amount of pressure from all directions, including his own fans.
When an excuse is made by him, people are ever so quick to spring on him and rip him apart and yet when he shows class, he gets no acknowledgment.
But what was evident in the goal that Arsenal conceded was the lack of co-ordination and understanding among the players, something that shouldn’t be surprising. Arsenal had three of their centrebacks out injured with Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou all on the sidelines. This meant that defensive midfielder, Alex Song was forced to play alongside summer signing, Mertesacker in the heart of Arsenal’s defense. The duo put in a solid shift midweek against Olympiacos and while they did give a good account of themselves against Spurs, the lack of understanding among the four members of the Arsenal backline was there for all to see.
This is something that shouldn’t worry Arsenal fans considering that this is just the first match the particular back four played alongside each other. Song is not a centreback predominantly and this was just his third match in the past two seasons playing in defense. Mertesacker was playing only his sixth game in an Arsenal jersey and only his third alongside Gibbs. No defense can achieve an understanding overnight and it will require time to blossom into a solid defense and the return of Koscielny and Vermaelen will only aid Arsenal’s defense.
I believe that with the likes of Mertesacker, Vermaelen and Koscielny in the central defensive positions, the Gunners can maintain a good defense and with the likes of Johan Djourou and youngster Ignasi Miquel providing valuable depth, Arsenal’s defense has the potential to play consistently.
Arsenal went into halftime with an one goal deficit but with just six minutes of the second half gone, the Gunners found themselves back on level terms. Arsenal’s makeshift centre back, the ever consistent, Alex Song bombarded down the left and crossed into the box for Welsh midfielder and captain, Aaron Ramsey to tap home. The Welsh teenager has endured a tumultuous season so far with some seeing him as being below par this season while I see him as a victim of the formation Wenger is employing. When Wenger did employ the 4-2-3-1 like he did against Bolton, Ramsey did thrive and that formation is the key to Ramsey thriving.
Despite getting on the scoresheet, not many have been too pleased with the Welsh midfielder, but I think he deserves some more time and when played ahead of Arteta and the defensive midfielder he will thrive. Many expect him to make the same impact as last year’s breakout kid, Jack Wilshere but let’s not forget that Wilshere did not have to deal with a career threatening injury and he too grew in stature and in quality only as the season progressed and did not start all that brilliantly.
Another overwhelming positive to take away from the match was the performance of Francis Coquelin. With Alex Song moved to centre back and with Emmanuel Frimpong having played in midweek, Arsenal’s depth was once again there for all to see as Coquelin put in a man of the match performance and was rightfully named Arsenal’s Man of the Match at the end of the match. We have been talking about Frimpong all season with his enthusiastic and energy packed displays but having played three matches, Coquelin has impressed in all three. His feat becomes even more special considering that two of the starts came against Manchester United and Spurs with both being away matches. Against the Red Devils it was after his substitution that Arsenal fell apart completely and at showed his quality at White Hart Lane. The loan spell at Lorient seems to have benefitted him hugely.
The winner scored by Kyle Walker was hugely reminiscent of the goal scored by another youngster at the very same ground. Danny Rose had scored a belter in the 2009-10 season and even in that case there was a slight error on the part of the goalkeeper. Szczesny could have done better and could have stopped it from going in.
But despite that mistake, the Polish keeper once again showed great skill with a string of solid saves including two key saves against Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker. Talking of Parker, the English international is proving to be a solid buy for Spurs with another efficient performance as he ensured that Arsenal’s summer signing, Mikel Arteta who has been fantastic so far along with Ramsey failed to gain a foothold in the midfield battle.
Many have been criticizing Wenger for failing to sign Parker and I see the criticism as pointless. Song is easily as good as Parker and Coquelin and Frimpong are two very able backups who are ready for first team football. But even if Wenger was looking to sign a player in that position, he had his sights set on Yann M’Vila who I see as a great player and a really world class talent and it looks like Arsene will continue his attempt to sign the French player in January.
If there was a huge negative to take away from the match, it was the loss of Bacary Sagna to injury. I actually believed that the French International was nearly indestructible, but sadly I was proved wrong as a fracture has ruled him out for at least three months. With Vermaelen, Wilshere all out injured, the last thing we wanted is for one of our best players to get injured. Sagna is easily one of the best in the world and his injury is just as damaging as the defeat to Spurs.
The injury to Sagna meant that when the Gunners went behind, their task became all the more difficult. Gareth Bale is a talented player and pace is one of his biggest assets and he tormented the young Jenkinson and this added to the threat posed by Spurs on the counter.
The sale of Emmanuel Eboue means that Carl Jenkinson is the only replacement at right back. Djourou too can play in that position, but the Swiss international looks short on confidence and had a poor afternoon against Blackburn Rovers in the right back position.
Jenkinson is talented no doubt and can blossom into a fantastic right back, but that is the future. Right now he is raw talent who had some good moments against Udinese and Liverpool. He had a poor game against Manchester United but he was not aided one bit by the removal of Coquelin as the Gunners pushed to get something out of the match.
The injury to Sagna comes just too soon for Jenkinson and I really fear for the youngster. He can handle himself in a few games but over a three month period he will be exposed. The one advantage is that he has a two week period during the international break to work on his game.
On the whole, while some media reports might indicate that the Gunners were completely overrun by Spurs, Arsenal and Spurs fought out a hard fought battle with the winner showing more ruthlessness in front of goal.
At the end of the day a few basic errors cost us a point or even all three.
With four defeats out of the seven games the club has played, Arsenal have to get at least 15 points out of the 18 available and it is very possible. The squad isn’t half as bad as the media makes it out to be and the manager isn’t a senile fool (yet another creation of the wonderfully impartial media) and the fans at the stadium have been so great that brilliant is a huge understatement.
Following the defeat the clamor for Wenger’s exit has intensified once again and as always I see it as being pointless. Both Stan Kroenke and Ivan Gazidis have pledged their support to Wenger and sacking him mid season is both futile and pointless.
Criticizing him is required no doubt, no person should ever be above criticism but after a point endless criticism does no good. I see so many people analyzing every word he says just so that they can criticize him and even more people who wait to bring him down but never give him the credit he deserves.
We must realize that he is our manager and supporting him is all the fans can do. Support him, back him at least till the end of the season, that’s best for the club.
Yes, the result is disappointing. Yes, we are facing an uphill task to finish in the top four. Yes, these times aren’t easy. But we are Arsenal fans, we will come out of this fighting and our love for the club will always remain a constant.
It’s difficult times but the end is far.
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