I think Arsenal’s main problem this season has been psychological. I am not usually one to talk about the media, but I think the mentality of the Arsenal players after Vieira’s departure coupled with the picture painted by the media of Arsenal in dis-array have contributed greatly to Arsenal’s disappointing season (thus far). I don’t know how much mental strength is to be expected from the youngsters, so, on that account, I can see how some of the blame can be placed on the older players.
I was a big fan of Vieira. After his departure, the only remaining Arsenal player from when I began supporting the club was / is Dennis Bergkamp.
However, I saw, quite clearly in fact, that Vieira’s best days with Arsenal were behind him. His heart may have been at the club, but his mind was elsewhere.
Probably, because his departure was so unexpected (or so it was made to seem), the players were shocked. But, I don’t think their reaction was beneficial to the club at all. It seemed like they were moping, more than anything else, and that (coupled with a few less significant things) is what I attribute to Arsenal’s performance this season.
I also do NOT really think the way the club puts Thierry Henry on a pedestal is good for the team either. Without doubt, he is the most exciting player at Arsenal, and he is definitely our most recognized and in terms of individual awards / records, none at Arsenal can touch him. But the praise he gets, even when he performs way below par, from Arsene, at times leaves a bad feeling somewhere inside me. Why not praise the team’s performance and leave it at that? If Thierry is the humble player I believe he is, then individual praise for matches wouldn’t really be necessary.
My $0.02.
3 Responses to “ARSENAL’S PROBLEM - Perspective from Chicago”
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January 28th, 2006 at 1:51 am
Interesting comments. It’s tough to say what goes on in the dressing room or in the minds of the players. I’m sure Viera’s leaving had some impact. However, I would hope that the collection of professionals we have - winners of countless medals and awards - would still be able to function like professionals. If it is the case that they cannot get past it then our problems do run deep as it calls for an even more radical changing of the guard.
I would think that the Colegate affair would’ve been much more disruptive. I don’t really have anything to base that on other than the fact that there was so much negativity surrounding it. Perhaps, that in conjunction with Viera leaving and some other factors all colluded to reduce dressing room enthusiasm/moral.
January 28th, 2006 at 2:03 am
If troubles continue for 2 seasons straight then yes I would say Arsenal has serious problems. One off season is normal I would say even 2 seasons is normal. Remember Arsenal is steadily growing - the youngsters AW has bought will be stars in the future. If they are not just like any other club they will be dumped and new ones will come in. Arsenal has shown ambition by signing the players in the Jan transfer window and you can bet your bottom dollar AW will sign more during summer after the world cup. Of course we there is no guarantee but with Bergkamp and Pires (most likely) leaving in summer I feel AW will buy atleast 1 established star….
January 28th, 2006 at 6:51 am
Yeah, I agree with most of what you said. I think he does the praise thing (recently at least) to get him to sign …
Anyways, I also think that Vieira was a more crucial member of our team than Henry. Make no mistake Henry’s goals and linkup plays are essential to our team…..but Vieira was the HEART of our team.
Anybody would struggle to name 5 box-to-box CMs that come close to Vieira……but as for Henry his job in the end is just to score really….nothing more !!! Much less talented players do that too…(eg. Owen does nothing in games but scores hattricks)
Anyway, i think Henry is being wasted as the “focal poiint of our attack”, especially since he likes to drift around……his best position to me would be just behind the main striker (say a Van Persie), here he can be drifting between the CMs and the CDs and causing untold havoc (just like Ronaldinho). Then he can really put his speed and dribbling skills to use.