Sat 11th September 2010; 15:00, Emirates Stadium
Arsenal Chip At Title Summit As Anti-Humble Pie Insurance Is Sold In Plenty
ByThree points were a must and we got them; so far so good.
While Fabregas’s injury is a worry, we aren’t exactly impoverished for creative players who can run the show from midfield, so it’s not worth losing sleep over his injury just yet.
Tomorrow’s game against Porto is crucial, and Fabregas has been a captain by appointment and performance. It isn’t to undermine either fact when I think that between Rosicky, Nasri and, in a pinch, Arshavin, the creative core is in competent hands.
Samir Nasri, evidently the man of the match on Saturday seems to be regaining his vim and that bodes well for the games ahead. What a lovely tango that was between Fabregas and he to open our scoring. Marvellous stuff.
Further up the field we continue to indulge in that familiar vice; profligacy in front of goal. I have previously observed that we need Bendtner, Eduardo, Vela and Walcott to find their feet to better negotiate the games ahead and so far only Walcott has shown signs of dusting away the cobwebs.
Whilst it wasn’t a sterling performance I’m delighted at the goal Theo got and the effort he put in as both his physique and confidence would benefit. Nicklas Bendtner, on the other hand, blows hot and cold. Just one of those days? I hope he doesn’t have many more such through the remainder of the season.
Fingers crossed for Eduardo and Vela of course.
As for the goal we conceded, you have to ask why Bendtner wasn’t challenging for the cleared ball in the center circle. And did the defence simply assume the clearance meant the job was done? Why wasn’t there anyone sticking to Nugent like a burr? We have to address this aspect of our game seriously and urgently.
I have high hopes for Denilson, but he seems to be on a poor run currently. Nothing – Judgement, touch, positioning – seems to be in gear at the moment and it underlines the critical importance of having Song available right down to the wire.
Neither Denilson or Diaby seem, yet, to be acceptable substitutes in a crunch.
I hope we’ll likewise have Campbell, Gallas and Vermaelen on hand going forward as Mikhael Sylvestre only inspires unease in me.
Insurance purchases against ridicule should this Arsenal side win the title have begun.
Expect the queue at the counter for those purchasing the anti-humble pie alternative to lengthen with every three point haul hereon. Equally, one slip up, even a draw, and a chorus of “we told you they don’t have it in them” should fill the air; just symptoms that our wonderful free and fair press is alive and kicking.
Since free speech is still a privilege we plebeians are kindly allowed, perhaps I should point out the fact that a league topper is, quite simply, one who amasses the most points over the 38 games: a straightforward concept if ever there was one.
To those who whinge about “imperfect” methods of league topping, I point to the statistical implausibility of the “Invincibles” phenomenon – just twice in history to date; and even then, presumably, you can moan about the excessive number of draws. You can’t satisfy prejudice.
I throw out that accusation unhesitatingly as nowhere do I see a sober assessment of the balls we’ve juggled over the past 5 seasons. I’ll say it once again: Build a new stadium, consistently draw the paying public in, maintain Champions’ League revenues, report healthy finances year after year, and, to top it all stay in contention for the league title despite a season plagued by injury woes; Why? seems a report card deserving of at least respect if not praise.
I’m not claiming we’ve been perfect; far from it. But any assessment that shies away from the context and pretends that we’ll only top the league as beneficiaries of charity from our “betters” is worthy only of contempt.
On a related matter, we’ve been reading that Gallas is likely to leave for Roma and that Carragher’s contract extension doesn’t seem to be a given, with him making noises about being prepared to move elsewhere.
While fully cognizant of the fact these remain speculations, and are the usual noises associated with negotiations, I’m tempted to ask our readers if they think there’s something to the Carragher story and if he’d be worth making a move for should the opportunity arise.
Porto ahead. Team news and speculations tomorrow.
Speaking of industrial portions of humble pie being baked at London Colney, you might want to read how the grave digging pundits and hacks are squirming about Arsenal’s title challenge.
Morning Saloner (what has happened to poor Darius, has the injury jinx got him also?)
I disagree on Diaby, he has been superb off the bench for us since he and Nasri turned the cup tie at West Ham.
I thought Denilson was good on Saturday, getting back to his best.
I have huge respect for the players being able to deal with the pressure that they are under, I hope it holds, because I am starting to get the jitters now with the run in so tight. I really think that it is down to us and Utd, I can’t see the chavs keeping pace. If we can win these next 4 games it will give us a shot, but the tough ones will be the 3 with the scum, away on wigans awful pitch then shitty at home. If we can get 7 points form that and win all our games up to then we should take it.
Tomorrow…
…Again the nerves are jangling. I hope that we start with Arshavin in Cesc’s free role, Nasri and Waloctt wide and Song and Diaby holding. Bendtner must start, and the defence picks itself assuming Campbell is fit, if not I can see Song dropping back and Denilson playing midfield – Silvestre cannot be allowed enar the pitch for this game. Sagna was obvioulsy rested in preperation for taking on hULK AGAIN.
So, I hope we will see: Almunia, Sagan, Campbell, Vermaalen, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Walcott, Arshavin, Nasri, Bendtner.
dissagree about the tough games that arsenehollis mentions-far as i’m concerned they will be hull city-they have a grudge & are niggly b***trds(the likes of boateng,hunt,fagin etc)we have a bit of histoty with them & tango man brown,also birmingham away-again will be a v.physical battle-jock mcleish will prob get a t/call from fellow blue nose to try & kick shit out of us-last but not least fat sam & blackburn(who he’s trying to turn into the new bolton-except stoke have beaten him to it for now)again plenty of history there & he’ll have no qualms in trying to cripple us..there the 3 games i’m most concerned about-i would advise for all these 3 to have the sol man playing-he’ll be needed!
Arsenehollis.
The injury jinx hasn’t hit me as yet…don’t worry mate.
I’ve been otherwise engaged this past week/weekend and Saloner has admirably held the fort – thanks to him.
I’ll be bakc even before you know it.
I was quite chuffed at Bendtner’s reaction when he was substituted as he approached the bench with that impudent smile and holding his hands out as if to say “what could I do – the bastard refused to go in”…
While his profligacy tested my sanity, what I liked about him is that he still contributed to the overall play, and he didn’t hide away from his shameless misses. He still had the mind to open up spaces and get into good positions. The goals will come.
Theo clearly had enough of giving Bendy the chances and said – “you know what? Fuck this and fuck Chris Woddle – I’ll do this job myself”…Good lad. I’m happy for him.
Papers are reporting that Wenger will risk Cesc. I personally think he should just have him on the bench but go for Nasri to replace him in central midfield.
If Campbell is not available, then Song is a shoe in to partner Vermaelen with Nasri, Diaby and Denilson in the midfield.
wat u talkin bout diaby has been first class??? u hav high hopes for denilson? so hav i tat he will fk off back to brazil he is the worst player at arsenal i dread sein his name on the team sheet
Interesting read Saloner.
I think we should carry on taking 1 game at a time- all the games are difficult so there is no point looking for them. The next league game is Hull, which will be hard, particularly after the Porto match. I think the Wigan pitch is being relaid, which would be a blessing.
Nasri was more than evidently motm, he was superb. It is encouraging that him, Diaby & Denilson can step up to the plate, when Cesc is missing. Rosicky is still a little bit off the pace but is coming along.
I fully agree with Darius about not playing Cesc unless he is fully fit. There are many examples of us coming unstuck with playing injured players. Without Cesc we lose going forward but possibly gain defensively. I don’t see us winning 1-0 we have to go into the game in the knowledge that we may have to score 3 or more.
Denilson started shakily but grew into the game to be a key player in the 2nd half. He has had a poor run of form after Christmas, which I suspect has been down to him not being fully fit. An excellent player, who’s full effort is not appreciated on a tv screen.
Bentner reminds me so much of the young John Radford. Getting in the right places but often not getting it quite right with the finishing. It ended with him scoring plenty & him going on to be one of the all time great greats of my time. He actually played exceptionally well, perhaps Jenson has a spell put on him.
Theo seems to be a player who is either on form & brilliant or useless. If he is starting to get on form & can keep fit then he will make things a lot easier for the run in.
No-one has mentioned how not interested Arshavin was when he came on. I thought he was a disgrace, particularly with that scare at the end, yet could of got more than the goal he scored.
Flint.
Nasri has always impressed me though I think it’s taken him a while to settle down. Perhaps his price tag as one of Wenger’s most expensive signings (alongside Arshavin and Reyes) raised expectations.
In a way, he is a more influencial signing than Hleb who he replaced, especially because he is more direct and is not shy in front of goal.
I don’t want to take anything from Hleb because the boy could open up spaces with the ball stuck to his foot. Nasri however reminds me of a bit of Freddie Ljungberg combined with the trickery and finesse of a one Bobby Pires.
At the moment, Nasri is the shoe in replacement for Cesc, though Rosicky in better form can also do a good job.
I think on Theo, there’s just too much undue attention on him and this creates artificial pressure. The lad needs the space to develop his skill and he has time on his side.
Bendtner will most definitely come good. His misses in front of goal are a work in progress. For now, his overall contribution and link play bring a lot to the team.
I gather that Cesc Fabregas didn’t train this morning and has just been ruled out of tomorrow’s game against Porto.
As for Arshavin, I think he has some crazy mood swings that he feels he can balance with his moments of brilliance.
I must admit, there’s a few games where I’ve felt we’d be better off with another player as his overall contribution to the game was minimal.
I think though that with Fabregas missing – Diaby, Arshavin, Rosicky, Eduardo and Bendtner must have a big game.
Not to judge him too harshly but up until his goal I was wondering what Arshavin was doing on the pitch, thought Nasri was MOTM too. his sublime turns to throw off his marks blow me off every time but that chip to Fabrigas? I am yet to find the right words to describe it. Anyone else notice Burnley seemed to pin us back in our half after Bendtner went off? He may miss alot of sitters but he does give us a different dimension.
Its good to have most of our injured players coming back, tough job for wenger deciding who plays and who sits on the bench, the thought of Rosicky, Edwardo, Walcott coming off the bench must be a nightmare for any defense out there.
Looking forward to a win tomorrow, anything less and we are out!
Firstlady.
Bendtner is an example of the type of player that Wengerball requires. He’s not just a striker geared to put the ball into the net if you will.
When such strikers have an off day like Bendy did on Saturday, then you’re effectively playing with 10 men. The good thing about Bendy, RVP, Eduardo, etc is that they are very good link players who exquisitly weave play in and around the box and bring the rest of the team into play.
In a lot of ways, Bendy got away with his misses by virtue of his overall play. On another day – he would be slaughtered
Thanks for the comments folks.
Arsenehollis: Diaby is promising, let me be unambiguous about that. But will he consistently do the job over 90 minutes that Song has been doing so well? Not yet, specially at such a crucial juncture in the season, is my view. I hope the lad develops to the full potential of the physique and skill he’s blessed with however.
King Gooner: Every game hereon is crucial and difficult; each, simply put, is a cup final game. “Accept no slip ups” is the mantra of the moment.
Anto: A little more patience with Denilson may yet be worth your while. I think he’s going to be an exceptional player for Arsenal for quite some time to come.
Flint and FirstLady: Both of you touched a nerve by bringing Arshavin up. For some time now I’ve been wondering if this idea of blending talent matured elsewhere with developing in-house goslings, and expecting it to buy into the shared sense of purpose, is a good idea at all, thanks to Arshavin. Quite a few times this season he’s come across as someone who’d vastly prefer playing with developed stars as opposed to being a leader in a developing ensemble. I held my tongue for fear of jumping the gun. Exactly the same doubts assailed me with Gallas in the aftermath of that infamous Birmingham game. But he’s knuckled down and, if nothing else, been professional this season. I guess the rest of the season will clarify the question. We’ll see…
Darius: Bendtner certainly puts himself about to good effect; can’t take that away from the lad. A better conversion ratio ofcourse would be welcome when our top gun is out injured and the rest are only finding their feet. It’s a purely circumstantial pressure.
Just a friendly suggestion regarding Arsenehollis’ “jangling nerves”: Develop a superstition, it’s somewhat of a remedy; and no, I’m not kidding.
Saloner – I have many superstitions: lucky seats, knickers, socks, i cut my toe and fingers nails every match day and only on match days during the season (they get pretty long by the end of an international break), I follow a set pre-match routine to get ready to go out and always arrive very early to get mentally settled into my spot. However, the closer we get the more sane I seem to become about the whole affair, still do the voodoo, but find myself feeling calmer for matches – it is the waiting that kills me, I can’t stand all this no mid-week farce.
Just for the record, I think Diaby has been our most impressive player since the turn of the year. He has curbed some of the attacking flair, but he is doing an amazing job defending and bringing the team forward from defence to attack – this has passed without notice or hype, but he has been simply superb lately.
Tomorrow, I would play Arshavin in the Cesc role. It would suit him better and carries less defensive duties. Nasri and Walcott wide with Bendtner bringing them all into play.
What an attacking 3 that is: Nasri, Arshavin, Walcott and all without cesc or rvp – what a squad.