Only caught the highlights from the Carling Cup match, but you don’t have to be the keenest football scholar to understand what happened.
Remember when Arsenal were winning for fun a couple of years ago? Tremendous team spirit back then. I seem to remember all the players huddling together is a sign of solidarity. Haven’t seen that in a while.
Right now the squad is just a mish-mash of parts due to several factors - injury, age (both young and old), lack of depth/competition for spots. It’s all adding up to poor performance.
While I don’t have anything against him personally, Sol Campbell simply should not be playing for this club. Maybe he’s still injured, but his playing is below Cygan right now. Yes, I’ve never liked Sol as a player, but speaking as objectively as possible he’s simply not good. If he was French people here would demand he be let go this morning. He’s literally an embarrassment right now.
Apparently Wigan should have had a couple of penalties, I didn’t see those plays but let me guess - Sol was caught out of position because he can’t read the game, has horrible footwork and is not 100% fit. I accept the fact that Kolo being away limits our options. Also, I’ve harped on the fact that the defense hasn’t bee our problem this year. That being said, we’re doing it with smoke and mirrors. Of our four central defenders, who do you rate right now?:
Kolo - Our defensive rock (by default)
Phil - Huge drop off from last year
Sol - Ghastly, and fragile
Cygan - Not so much
Yeah, that’s probably not going to win you the Champions League (or apparently the Carling Cup).
Reyes’ penalty was not spectacularly taken, but give credit to the keeper for a nice save (guess).
RvP showed once again that he can be a difference maker and Gilbert looks to gibe Lauren a run for his money. I know the back four need continuity, but I’d like to see both Lauren and Ashley dropped if they provide anything less than their best effort every game. I’m not saying this is the case, but if Ash and Lauren can’t be arsed then in go Clichy and Gilbert. Same goes for Gilberto now that Diaby is in the squad.
31 Responses to “Season From Hell - Chapter 47”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
January 25th, 2006 at 9:19 am
Wigan’s “penalties” and there were 3 “appeals” amounted to nothing and weren’t ever liable to be penalties.
For once we had a referee in Mr Dowd that wasn’t going to be conned and waved play on. At full speed they looked pretty dead on, but the first was outside the box anyway.
The first two were mainly caused by Jason Roberts getting physical with firstly Senderos and secondly Sol. He has a way of turning into the defender and then leaning his full weight into their chests. What do you do with your arms when a 180lb player is full onto you? Arms get tangled and on both occasions Roberts had hold of our players other arm…
The third “appeal” was one directly from the “Andy Johnson Penalty Cookbook”. Run at the keeper who goes down to try for the ball, flick the ball over or past him and then continue your run into his prone body… at no time will the ball go in the net as it is well wide and if you fail to make the keeper collide with you it’s safely in the ball boys hands anyway! Jason Roberts was a star and did it perfectly, except Mr Dowd has read the same book!!!
Ours? Reyes crap penalty well saved by Pollitt. Henchoz moved his hand to the ball to give it, should have been some justice for the TWO handballs in the FA Cup Final. But Reyes was ****e.
Other goal attempts. TH14, through twice and chose to shoot with the outside of the right foot, both saved by keeper. Does no one blast the ball anymore?
And to cap off his great evening, Reyes was needlessly yellow carded and lucky not to get a red card when he girly slapped an opponent. Even more girly he had his woolly gloves on…. Now he misses WHU next midweek.
I agree about Gilbert played well after an intial 5 minute wobbly spell at Everton. RvP excellent VFM since we bought him.
Gilberto, we missed him when he was injured, but I don’t think he’s come back anywhere near his pre-injury class or level of performance. Let’s hope Diaby can acclimatise quickly.
January 25th, 2006 at 9:19 am
I agree…the season has become one of transition to one of flat out replacement. Here’s what I’d like to see:
Lauren in midfield for Fred. Gilbert at right back. Why not? The kid made a goal last night, and our best chance at Goodison Park. Might as well get the best out of his strong start before he learns to be hesitant, fragile and anxiety-ridden.
Sol out and on the market. Sendy on the left, Kolo on the right (boy, do we miss him). Ash if he can stay fit. Clichy to be fitted with bionic legs.
Helb over Pires, who should get one year or he can f*ck off to Valencia and hang with Edu (or can we get Edu back?).
Henry wherever he wants to play. If we lose him we lose a host of home goals, but we better get more than 10 mill for him. Barca knows he’ll have a few more years in him there than if he stays in The Premiership.
Gilberto should be off to Brazil or Guatemala. He played better last night, but I think we’re better off creating a hole to be filled. That’s how bad he’s been. We’re better off with NO ONE there. At least it’ll force other clubs to get the ball themselves rather than have him save them the trouble.
As a general rule for future buys, keep the youth policy in the reserves or on the bench. Right now, all we need is mid-range talent that can combat the mid-range talent that looks like high-end talent against us. We can outfit a midfield for about 15 million that will do the job in a league full of hard tacklers and crap pitches.
Its time to think basic, 1 nil to The Arsenal again. If a team comes along that decides to run with us on the floor at home, we should still have enough talent out there to punish them. Expect it once or twice a year.
We will rise again, but as I see it, we’ve still got rock bottom to hit.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:11 am
I don’t think our guys played badly last night. It proves my point is that it is whether you win or lose and not how you play the game. Our center backs did 2 of the most ridiculous fouls in the box I’ve ever seen. In the end, after 2 hours of running, Roberts got his breakthrough. Give them credit as they fought for the entire 2 hours.
On a positive, I think Bergkamp starting the game improved our overall passing. We always look good when he plays but for him to play two hours was a bit much and his touches weren’t as clean at the end of the game.
Diaby looks better than Flamini and it’s as simple as that. Wenger got that one right. I’d like to see him and Fab. Gilbert has impressed me everytime I’ve seen him this year. Hleb did well to release him down the right. Henry came to play last night and that’s always good for Gooners. Gilberto’s passing is simply not up to the standard and he needs a break.
Our fullbacks played well but our CB’s were atrocious. Like I said before, Phil is garbage. Campbell can still play but he’s losing his edge. He looks good with Kolo. Senderos simply gave up on the two goals we gave up in our last 2 games. Kolo would never quit in the middle of a fight. Garbage.
In the end it was a game that we should have won and did but it wasn’t enough to get to the final. You simply cant afford stupid mistakes in the back and we paid the price last night. Could Lehman have saved that goal? The shot was too close to Almunia. Those are the hardest to save. Give Wigan credit as they found a way to get a result in a game they were outclassed. We outplayed them but also gave them a chance and they had to be in the fight in order to take it.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:13 am
I’m the Anon.
January 25th, 2006 at 10:37 am
I thought the Senderos one was a definite penalty, Roberts was rugby tackled to the ground.
Campbell’s was 50/50.
On the third one the Wigan **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) lost control of the ball and deliberately fell over Almunia’s body, some refs might have given it though.
I thought Reyes might have had a pen when he was deliberately taken out by Henchoz on the edge of the area - ref bottled it. He also bottled sending off the bloke with the stupid haircut after taking Reyes legs away. So I don’t think Wigan have much to complain about on that front - not that they’re complaining at all now.
January 25th, 2006 at 11:20 am
We have no options in defense with Kolo and Eboue at the ANC.
So its Sol Sendoros and Cygan, name your posion.
Who’s fault is that? Ask Arsene, he didn’t plan for this???
Speed on the wings. Its crucial to our well being and crucial to our fast countering that used to be our livelihood.
Pires and Freddie ain’t providing it.
Rosicky? Pennant? SWP?
3 we don’t have… !!!
Overmars had it… it changed us overnight.
Robben was providing it for Chelsea last season, before he was injured…
It can transform a team into another dimension.
Cole back and healthy and a speedy winger running wild on the left would help our cause tremendously…
I haven’t heard a SINGLE rumor of Arsenal bringing any one else in during this transfer period.
If we don’t, we aren’t likely to get in the top 4…
in my humble opinion…
we don’t have anyone transforming this team on the pitch…
January 25th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Just wondering: WHY CHICAGO?
Is that where the majority of the Arsenal Americans are based?
(or at least in that vacinity?)
I’d have definitely gone to NYC…
and I’d even possibly have gone to Philly…
but Chicago is too far away for me…
I’d be interested to see the demographics of Arsenal Americans… I’d never really given it any thoughts!
January 25th, 2006 at 11:42 am
I think Gilbert can do Lauren’s job while he moves up to right-sided winger. Then I would like, erm…okay, somebody at right center, Sendy and Cygan.
We do need to get wide, but we’ve got no options once we do. Freddie up front on the right with RvP on the left might be interesting. At least they both can move into space to give Reyes someone to pass it to.
We can do this if we get the first goal. And if I were Wenger I would instruct them to direct ALL shots at the keeper. They’re sure to find the corner of the net, then.
January 25th, 2006 at 11:59 am
The season is done; finished so I hope we start looking ahead. Lots of things were said even before a ball was kicked but Mr. Wenger knows it all and still manage to fcuk it up. Let look at the long term. most of these kids won’t cut it esp. with no foundation so let start spending some money.
We spent the first half of the season blaming anyone we can think off and the best excuses money can buy. Well that was not good enough. As most of the newspapers editorial articles suggest today if this is a transitional season then we have a long way to go but again Wenger will do nothing about it.
As I said yesterday, Sol and Senderos were like guys from the wwf. Maybe they were trying to be hard men. At the end of the day Wigan deserved the victory after 2 clear-cut PK’s turned down.
I hope the Arsenal so-called stars and Wenger see what it is like for a team to work real hard for a win with commitments, passion and grit and don’t give up until the end.
Now Mr. Wenger is talking about priorities. I can’t see us beating Bolton with this lot even though in football anything can happen. If you need some help I’m help Wenger is not too late.
1. Ship Pires/Sol/Freddie/Gilberto off as soon as possible and buy some players not talent. We have more talent than any club in the world for the past 6 yrs and still have not seen them. They end on loan and never to be seen.
2. Sort out this defence. The worse Arsenal defence I?ve seen in almost 20 yrs.
3. Midfield, no more lazy bastards but guys you can pass the ball and defend as well. Talking about men not boys. Keep Cesc and Hleb but please get rid of the countryman of your Flamini. He is a waste.
4. Buy the Reading Goal keeper and stop all these past their sell by date goalie we have.
5. Reyes - Enough of this kids silly games. Diving all over the place and punch-throwing ass. Sorry I don’t want to see guys like him at the Arsenal. He can join United or Chelsea and most folks will care less. This guy is always trying to get other players send off.
6. Gilbert - I hope you play the lad with common sense. Don’t turn him into another Senderos.
7. We need 6 news players before the start of next season. Players who can play in the PL not one season wonders. 3 Defenders and 3 Midfield players will be a start.
8. Let have some competition within this team. Stop these players living in the comfort zone.
You can take it or leave but if you leave it this time next year we will be having the same debate again.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
SPEED!
We don’t have the speed that Freddie / Pires once did… they are slowed by age and injuries.
We need that “burst”… we need that “burner”… that can outrun people on the counter.
Cole is BIG in that respect… the ability to go from defense to offense in about 2 seconds flat is GONE. It was a thing of beauty that we did consistently and it was breathtaking.
We have nobody that runs like Overmars / Pires once did, that wrought havoc on the oppostion.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
There is nothing that would please me more than a massive clear out. Pires, Gilberto, Cygan, Reyes all should go. Senderos should go on loan and Sol & Freddie should lose their starting places. Too much comfort at this club.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Oh Yes, we do need a massive clear out.
I forget about Cygan in my list. I don’t think Sol and Freddie should lose their starting places but sell them or ship them off.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Maybe in the SUMMER.
But right now, you have to actually field a team!!
We need everybody on the team, because we have no depth.
We are still fighting for a top 4 finish, because you won’t have to “clear out” anyone of value if we don’t get it… they’ll be running out of here… including Henry.
So the ideas of moving players out and jettisoning so and so, and all that jazz… is wonderful for the Summer, but the problem is, we have a lot of important games to play between now and then, and we’re 4 points out of the top 4.
We need answers for the PRESENT… for NOW, and tomorrow… and next week.
If we aren’t bringing in anyone else in the transfer window… woe is us…
We can talk about the Summer after the season… we have IMMEDIATE problems that have to be sorted.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
It’s never a good idea to make wholesale changes, but slowly but surely over the next 2 years, Gilberto, Pires, Cygan, Flamini, Senderos should all be flogged off and replaced by experienced 24-28 year olds who still have some desire in their belly.
Why any team in Europe would want to buy a next to useless 32 year old like Pires is beyond me. But I think the contract situation is clearly affecting him, you can’t just have a rule which says every player over 30 is on a 1 year deal, players have different personalities, they are not machines, some react well to having a gun pointed at their head and others don’t.
Reyes had a good game generally, his passing was spot on. He was floundering in the last 10 minutes - but he had already been playing nearly 2 hours of football up to that point.
January 25th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Pires has offers from both Roma and Valencia, from whats been said in the papers…
He has some value out on the market, because I don’t think he’s “useless”. He just doesn’t have the legs he used to, or the service that he received when he had COLE running up the left side with him.
If we could let him go, I would, but you have to have someone to replace him… not a “project with potential”.
January 25th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
You know what’s the most frustrating thing about all of this for me? Not that we’ve got vets that are at the very least “playing” like they’re past it. But that it seemingly happened overnight.
Sure legs and pace have been lost, but look at a player like Del Piero. He gets smarter, makes smarter runs and takes smarter shots. There’s supposed to be a lot to play for in one’s twilight due to experience!
That’s why I think its as much mental as anything. There’s an unwillingness behind every lame run, sloppy pass, and failed finish. When Vieira was still here, it was obvious in his play and he’s said as much. Now its rampant and reaching into the minds of the kids. Wenger may have f*cked it all up in 18 months, but the whole idea never had a chance to start.
Add injury to insult, and here we are. When I see us play half-assed, and I can tell my passion for the club has grown, I see stars and my cat hides under the bed.
Does anyone on the side still Up the Arse?
January 25th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Surely it’s the managers resposibility to motivate these players or lay it on the line? Wenger is obviously not doing that.
You’re right though, not only is there a lack of the right players in the right positions, but some simply aren’t trying.
I actually thought that apart from the two dummies at the back Arsenal played well last night. Wigan have every much impressed me, I don’t know where they get the energy from - but its clear they’re riding on the crest of a wave. In my opinion they will probably completely collapse in two months.
January 25th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Well… seeing that they are currently tied with Arsenal… I can’t see them “collapsing”. They will finish in the top 8.
I should get my money down on your predictions though…
January 25th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
It’s strange, while in many ways I want to strangle Wenger for refusing to spend money on a defender, I admire him and somewhat agree with his repeated statements that the team is ready to take off.
If you saw our game against Middlesborough and Wigan last night one cannot have failed to be encouraged by our attacking football. We have players on the precipice of greatness. Okay, maybe slight exaggeration, but Hleb and especially Reyes at home, are beginning to turn it on. Even Gilberto is fantastic at home in my opinion.
All of our attacking players are comfortable in their own skin at higbury but quite the opposite is true away from home. So I belatedly agree that our key failing this year has been OFFENCE. The sheer strength of our attacking at highbury overrides the deficiencies in our defensive third but away from home the same fusion of attacking talent are less in tune and thus cannot respond when the defence gives away a cheap goal. Having said that, we have never come back from behind at highbury this season (although we rarely have been behind) so maybe we would still lack belief at highbury as well if we went a goal behind. We certainly didn’t have much against Chelsea.
Having said that our offence has been the key issue, our defence is probably just as culpable. Away from home we need a strong defence because I’m fairly sure with the scores at nil-nil, and our opponents less inclined to foul us into submission, we would eventually find the breakthrough. However we’re constantly forcing it, trying the iron fist in a velvet glove approach when there is too much Velvet.
Geez, I’m confused. Arsenal eh, before we were too successful to be called an enigma, now fellas, that is what we are, one big enigma.
p.s- I think playing Lauren as a steady right-sided midfielder is a great idea. He could tuck in and do the things seemingly beyond Gilberto.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
You guys are talking a lot of smack but did you see the game last night? Arsenal played some pretty good football last night and scored two very good goals.
Wigan just kept throwing punches and, at the death, landed a haymaker. It wasn’t a pretty goal, just some very sloppy defending. Sol and Phil were absolutely horrible last night. Also, if Gilberto’s passing were better we would have totally dominated.
Last night we were much better than Wigan except in the back. Also, their keeper was phenomenal and he kept them in the game. I can honestly say that if Arsenal had played their away games the way they played last night we would be in the top 4. With Bergkamp in the team we just looked a bit more dangerous. van Persie’s goal could be goal of the week. We missed Kolo last night but when we get him, Eboue, and Cole back we will be a bit stronger and deeper. If we can hold on until those guys come back and stay healthy, we could actually go on and win out. That should put us top 4
Gilberto didn’t play really well last night but he played much better. I think he’s feeling the effect that Diaby has brought to the team. By the end of the season he will move Gil or Gil will play better. Diaby’s passing was a little slow but that will change. We’ll see what happens.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
I like your comment about Lauren in the midfield. We could have him, Eboue, Helb, and Walcott pushing Freddie. If Fred doesn’t step up then bench his arse. I’m sure Freddie will step up though. He always had his best seasons when Parlour or Pennant were around.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
We could go on and win out????
are you mad??
Based on what exactly can you possibly make that statement?
We absolutely SUCK on the road. Thats not just fixed over night.
Yes, we could WIN OUT… and Chelsea could LOSE OUT. Neither is going to happen.
We haven’t beaten a good team in AGES.
A lot has to change for this team to be close to the Chelsea, Liverpool, United lot. Right now, we aren’t in that category this year. We are a step below. Have been for a while.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
I do not know why the hell Reyes was asked to take the penalty. He does not believe in blasting the ball into the net. He prefers to place his shots. Why didn’t Lauren take it like last season? That would have changed the complexion of the game and we would not be here complaining about the outcome. If Reyes did not get sent off against Manure in last years FA cup final thereby missing out on the penalty kicks, we might not have won the cup as I would expect Reyes to hit a softie to be saved.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Joshuad - I’ve always enjoy reading your comments but not this one. Take the word if out.
Also, if Gilberto’s passing were better we would have totally dominated.
I can honestly say that if Arsenal had played their away games the way they played last night we would be in the top
At the end of the day Wigan deserved their victory no 2 ways about it, no buts and ifs. As Henry said we are learning some harsh lessons.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Yes. I agree with you that Overmars was an impact player. And so was Anelka. Now we only have Henry. Reyes was supposed to be the new impact player but he has not demonstrate so for the past 2 years. van Persie seemed to score in the most crucial moments but still have some way to go to become an impact player. Perhaps Adebayor will be that new impact player.
When things are going well, Arsenal performs like a smooth 8 cylinder BMW but the chips are down, there is no leadership on the pitch to change things. I think Wenger must be regreting his decision to release Vieira.
January 25th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Yes, and the harshest of all of them could happen if he transfers to Barcelona, because we can’t manage to field a good team any more!
Hey… I have a pair of tickets for the Charlton Athletic match… you probably already are going, but you are welcome to it.
I am still looking for a Liverpool ticket, my mate will give me his if I can’t get one… he’s a season ticket holder… I’m sure he’s had enough of what he’s seen on the pitch this year already!
Cheers!
January 25th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Especially as Lauren was a midfielder, and Wenger seems happy to tinker with the defence.
It could be a good idea to play Lauren in central midfiled when Cole is back, he could replace Gilberto. But I don’t think it would be as simple as you would imagine, you need a very good first touch to play there and a real footballing brain, if he’s going to take 5 games to get used to it then the experiment is probably not worth it. For every tackle he makes he might hand it back in dangerous positions - but still worth trying as a one-off.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Good points, joshuad. And I agree with them all. We lost the semi on account of one of the worst performances in the first leg and a stupid away goals rule.
And we’ve been handcuffed by 4-5-1, albeit something we needed to try since our execution of 4-4-2 now seems like a game “for adults”.
But we need to get the business done at home. Losing to a bouncy ball is just bush. Ultimately its Wenger’s fault. He’s telling them what to do, Gilberto included. We went out there to turn it around and the monkey, well fed apparently since number 49, bit us again at the death.
Too much of the same old. And more to come, I fear.
January 25th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
My sixpence on 6 main players after goin to game:
Politt……Best player on pitch and kept them in the game with some outstanding saves. bergkamp shd have done better but the guy kept thawting us, fantastic performance.
Roberts….gave our defenders a torrid time and is the type of player iv admired and love to see at arsenal to mix it up. Should have had two penalty’s as well. Robust lone frontman performance, excellent.
ok…….now for our 4…
Gillbert..best player on pitch for us. Outstanding for goal but equally great at covering and defending. True star of future. glad for lad, head held high tomorrow. Love the attitude…and hope he and Hoyte will compete for right back next season. One big +.
Campbell and Senderos…this Cannon and Ball double act were absolutely atrousious this evening. Honestly one frontman and neither cd handle him. All night never got to grips. Senderos badly at fault for late goal as he nudged it fwd, when he shd have smashed it away. campbell was worst player on pitch and it’s kinda sad to see his dimise. By that i mean his pace and positioning were poor. I am saying this because of the high standards he has set…i mean Roberts is the type of player he is made for….no excuses.
Gilberto- i counted he gave ball away 11 times in our own possession. IMHO he’s more of a liability than asset and is surely up for drop. His name and status as WC winner is surely a cover for his lack of motivation in games…he’s been our worst player without doubt unfortunately.
Apart from that great goals, and a wonderful game. Hope Wigan win it, but gutted. No gooner can say it wasn’t coming as the ball went fwd. So hope Wigan stuff the flukey Mancs.
January 26th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Reyes has one of the most powerful shots in our team. He hit the ball cleanly enough, it just wasnt well placed. The keeper guessed right and made a decent save. I have seen worse penalties this season.
January 26th, 2006 at 5:50 am
Have to disagree.
At this level players look for penalties at every opportunity. Watch the replays of both incidents and note the lean angle of Roberts and where his left arm is, the grip he has on Sendoros and Sols “blind side” arm is pefection. It leaves them with no option but to hold him back. And the Senderos “penalty” started outside the box.
Luckily Mr Dowd was not fooled.