No Regrets - Will Miracle Continue?
The Coach
By Boris Mellor
December 12 2008
Arsene Wenger has no regrets that he sacrificed top place in the CL group to have a fit team for the Boro game. I can't say I blame him, I just wish his team had shown a little more spirit at Porto, and not just rolled over. However the important thing now is that the sacrifice proves to be worthwhile.
Wenger has said that it is a miracle that Arsenal are still in the Premiership race; with the worst defence amongst the top four he certainly is not wrong. Indeed the fact that Arsenal are clinging on to the leading pack by their fingertips is the reason why the manager has taken no chances in preparing for this game.
This time last year he took a squad that had been on the road all week to the Riverside and suffered his first defeat. He is trying to avoid that this time. Talk of Boro being a bogey team is nonsense, true they have won two out of the last three at the Riverside, but that has been more about the weakness of this present squad than Boro greatness.
It wasn't so long ago that Boro was six easy points a year and the only doubt was would Arsenal score four or six. True Boro can, and have beat any team on their day, but it isn't their day very often, except recently against Arsenal.
The Gunners have eight points less than this time last year, and ten points more than Boro. For the miracle to continue only a win will do, anything less will see the top three pull further away.
No Nasri No Style No Pace
Most of the injuries have miraculously recovered, except Nasri who was victim of a very nasty Palacios tackle last week. Nasri played a key role against Man U and Chelsea; and it shouldn't be forgot that it was his going off against Wigan that reduced Arsenal to a shambles.
True Fabregas is the lynchpin, but he is surrounded by one tempo journeymen. Without Walcott and Nasri the midfield has few surprises, or goals, to offer. It must be frustrating for Fabregas, but he is proving to be a good captain. If Boro try to stifle the Arsenal midfield it will be difficult for Fab to find room. Ade and RvP will have to try and find the space beyond midfield, but probably without the support. It could prove dour, but as long as they can grind it out that is all that matters. There again if we can get back to the old habit of scoring five I shan't complain.
Arsenal Squad: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Silvestre, Sagna, Denilson, Diaby, Fabregas, Eboue, van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey, Wilshere.
These guys had a nice long rest before the match so there was no @#$%& excuse to draw 1-1 with boro. We had to win this game and once again after weve just had a big result, this team suprises us with a bag of @#$%& performance.
Im sick to my stomach watching certain players play, Wengers experiment has gone on too far and to me I think I know where I would like Wenger to go at the end of season but out of respect for what hes done for us im reserving that judgement until we @#$%& up badly, possibly finishing out the of the CL places with no trophies, then the pressure will be on him.
All this rotating@#$%&with the youths has to stop. If Wenger even dares to put out a second rate team for the FA Cup im going to right a letter to him personally. We need consistency and maybe because some lads arent playing week in week out, then there not having time to get that "telepaphic understanding" type of football were known for.
But for now ive seen enough, season is over and ill be chuffed to finish in the top 4 at this rate.
90% of the @#$%& problem is you just cant motivate this team. Theyll wear their heart on the sleeves when were playing United or Chelski but when it comes to the second rate games they think that the result will just come.
Not the case. I hate this team Wenger has made, full of half hearted boys trying to play a mans game. What I would give for just one Adams, or one Vieira, or even a Lehmann. Those were real winners who knew what it took to win.
Oh and the next player to come out and say "were still in this title race" needs to be shot,
We're a f***k.in' shambles.
