Top of the League - Blip or Canary? Umbrella with holes
On me head Flap
By Boris Mellor
April 23 2010
Yes we are top of the league, the injury league that is, with 10 injured players before the Manchester City Game. Not all the injuries suffered this season are a mystery. Quite a few are impact injuries, with broken bones for Nasri, Fabregas, Ramsey, and Gibbs. RvP and Walcott injuries were also due to impact in often meaningless games.
There are the stranger injuries - why can't Gallas recover, or Song? Vermaelen has played 33 PL games, so that's not a bad return. Song might play this weekend but he has only managed to play 24 PL games. Rosicky and Eduardo have had 26 starts between them, plus some appearances as substitute, and both are ghost of their former selves.
Blip or Canary?
Most Arsenal fans are still stunned by the capitulation at Wigan, not just because it was a loss of three points, but because it raised issues of the weakness of the squad. Almunia is not a great keeper, but he is passable, unfortunately Fabianski drops a rick, or even two in every match he starts. It was also the second defeat in a few days after an 8 day rest.
Those who were expecting a fight for the title were to be very disappointed, but worse than that the hoped for third place is now under threat. The question is was Wigan a blip or a Canary in the coalmine warning that something is rotten about this squad? That this squad as a whole is not up to it? That like a couple years ago, after the Eduardo injury, they will be shown to be unable to overcome adversity.
Mental Strength?
Well if it isn't a Canary it certainly wasn't a sign of mental strength, this team seems to collapse whenever something is at stake. It reminds me of Ron Clarke the middle and long distance runner. He could win any number of races (5 and 10 thousand metres) between Olympics. He set no end of records when there was nothing to be won, but when it came to the Olympics it was zilch, not a medal to be seen.
Nobody appreciated Ron, no one talks about him anymore (Well you are. Ed. Don't be stupid have you heard of him? Yes I have now.), he ran some beautiful races, I went to the White City to watch him run, and he was a wonder to behold, pity he won nowt. The nasty old press insisted on writing about the winners of medals. I did think of starting a campaign to have it put right, there should be an award for someone who held 17 world records, but couldn't win a real title.
Wenger's Squad an Umbrella With Holes
Wenger claimed his squad was up to it, that it had strength in depth, that injuries would not deflect it. But the squad has proved to be like an umbrella with holes in it. Whilst the umbrella is furled and it's not raining it seems ok, but once it pours and it is unfurled it proves to be useless. Just like someone who bet on Arsenal to win at Wigan the user gets a soaking. Yet a lot of people have said in advance that this squad would not be up to it when it came to the crunch.
Squad not balanced
The reason the team has imploded is that the squad is unbalanced, yes there are plenty of midfielders, but it lacks enough good defenders. Gallas and Vermaelen are excellent, but Wenger started the season with only Silvestre as cover. It's a good job he signed Campbell at Xmas, but the big man, with the big heart, has not been able to play every game. Ironic that a manager who lauds youth has two CBs that contradict his right off at 30 policy.
Then there are the two goal keepers, is there any need to say more on that, though worth noting that neither are in the top ten of Premiership keepers. Finally Wenger says that if RvP had not been injured it would have been different. That being the case why didn't he get a replacement at Xmas?
Staggering towards the finish
A couple of weeks ago some thought Arsenal were part of a three horse race for the title, but now they are struggling to stay in the top four. Only three points against City can guarantee third place, lose or draw and it will be squeaky bum time. It would be a foolhardy fan who would put a £100 on Arsenal beating City. This is not a match I am looking forward to, it will be edgy, and the crowd will be edgy as everyone fears another collapse.
Curse of the Ex
I hope for all Arsenal's fans sake the curse of the ex doesn't strike, I can't bear to think of Adebayor scoring and costing the Gunners third place. Wenger was right to get rid of him, though it would have been better to sell him abroad, but he was wrong not to replace him. That failure might define Arsenal's season.
Get behind the team
However fed up we all feel this match is really is must win for third place, win it and the place is almost assured. Lose it and we go to Blackburn still needing points. The crowd mustn't transmit its nerves and unease about the squad during the match. Nothing but 100% support will do.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:25:11:42:19 by Padre Pio.
and players like rosicky and diaby wont give a @#$%& and just run cause they are asked to
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:23:12:34:47 by ArsenalForever.
Quote:The Crystal Ship
Its an over 32's policy. That has been obvious for 10 years.
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
for me the season is over and these remaining games are just fillers
Can We Now Trust The Process 🤔🤷🏿♀️ or Should We Still Remain Cautious 🙇🏿♀️
Blackburn away will be tough, as might Fulham at home.
If City were to win it would be a disaster, this is must win, and Wenger will have to play strongest team possible, no time for giving players a run out
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
If we dont win it will be squaeky bum time, and a draw might be enough for 4th.
But we should have finsihed 3rd comfortably.
thats the issue that Tom doesnt deal with
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Can We Now Trust The Process 🤔🤷🏿♀️ or Should We Still Remain Cautious 🙇🏿♀️
Tottenham 64 73
Man City 63 72
One point won by Arsenal finishes off Tottenham
Man City could only overtake is on Goal Diff
Man City Beat Tottenham Third is ours
Draw ditto
Spurs win we must at least get another point
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Onto to 3rd spot then.
One more point needed.
And what was Wenger and those players thinking during Wigan game.
Truman: "The buck stopped at this table"