As an Arsenal fan, I have seen the good times, but most recently (and quite often) the bad and the ugly, infact quite hideous. Once again the ugly has reared its head, after the clubs best start in years, certainly defensively-speaking. Whether it be a cogent argument of not, the facts do not lie; Since the international break Arsenal have simply not been the same team.
After being unbeaten in five games at the start of the season, conceding only 2 goals in the process, Chelsea rolled up to the Emirates and squeaked a 2-1 win. I was concerned. With just one game to go until the interlull, we had to go to West Ham on a chilly Saturday October evening and I foresaw a tough game. Such fears however, did not materialize, and we gave an excellent showing, with Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla running the show in an impressive 1-3 win. Make no mistake; West Ham will be hard to beat at the Boleyn ground for the remainder of the season. I was upbeat.
Certainly moreso, as our return game was against Norwich at Carrow Road. Norwich are a tricky side to play away no doubt and after sharing 6 goals the last time the sides met, there would have been trepidation. But the last team to play Norwich away were Liverpool, who lets be honest are a team in transition and yet they are capable of scoring 5. So Arsenal, having scored 10 goals in their previous 10 league games, should have been optimistic, and strong favourites to record a win.
But the big factor for me was the absence of Kieran Gibbs. Gibbs' progress at the infancy of stage of this season, should not be overlooked. His defensive ability has doubled but his pace and elusiveness has also been a headache for teams in the attacking phase of the pitch. In Gibbs' absence Andre Santos has had to cover his position. Ask any Arsenal fan what they think of him and you will get a response along the lines of; 'Santos? oh he's good in attack but he just cannot defend'. Case and point the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge last season. That is what we have seen of late, only now we don't get his attacking.
After conceding just 5 goals in 7 games, scoring 13, since the Norwich game, that rate has increased, letting in 7 goals in only 5 games, but more worryingly, scoring only 3 against Schalke, but only a stoppage time consolation versus Man Utd and a late, controversial Mikel Arteta goal at home versus QPR. The goals have dried up and I would argue its down to the Presence of the brazilian left back. Andre Santos is comparable to Glen Johnson in his lack of defensive nouse, but good attacking threat. I know for sure if I was a centre- back next to Santos, I would be terrified. I imagine that is whats occurring with Vermaelen, psychologically. In the first Schalke game at the Emirates, Santos was utterly out of his depth. In the first half he was repeatedly out of position, but looked totally out of shape and seemed to have little or no fitness.
Then there was Andre Santos at Old Trafford last weekend. Another inept performance, but what was so shockingly evident was his lack of care, passion or commitment. This was epitomised by his childish behaviour, begging for his 'mate' RVPs shirt. Now I could forgive that at the end of the game. but this is half time. It's like me turning up to work, doing a half assed job, just to be paid. The difference is I would be sacked. This is a professional footballer getting paid an obscene amount of money, in his case unjustly. Its a disgrace.
Then there is the performance as a whole. I understand the whole not wanting to concede 8 goals again. But as soon as Robin scored, we effectively shut up shop. Both teams played poorly. But the difference was, Utd looked like they gave a fuck. They simply didnt need to play well though, because Arsenal had no intention of attacking. That is a disgrace. Robin was right about the direction of the club. It sickens me to see him in a Utd shirt, but i cant be angry at him, because he is bang on.
I want to go back to my main focus of this article, that being Arsene Wenger. I don't wish to cover old ground, but I feel I may. So I want to look at why I am doing so in the first place. I want to make some things abundantly clear in my mind at least. Arsene Wenger revolutionized Arsenal Football; we are now a big, profitable club. But successful as our beloved CEO Ivan Gazidis states? Successful? we were successful, in 2005, heck we were in 2009, but this is 2012. Enough is enough. Arsene Wenger was a revolutionary manager and was superb at picking talent, grooming them and making them incredibly gifted footballers. But what about today?
In this writers mind, he was revolutionary, but unfortunately he is not evolutionary. That is where we are today. The only manager who has lasted longer than Wenger in management is Sir Alex. 25 years of ups, downs but much success. But he has not been the same manager throughout his tenure. He has evolved. He has had to. Wenger has not evolved, or at least not to the degree that he should have. Mainly because Arsene is now a law unto himself; He is essentially untouchable in his job. He would never be sacked, he would only walk away (which I would say is now a distinct possibility). His frugal spending habits, have made him the apple of his bosses eyes. The club is always in profit. Net spending is significantly less than net profit. For this reason, his shortcomings are never highlighted to him, because in Peter Hill Wood, Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kronke's eyes he is making them very very wealthy men indeed.
Wenger has always liked playing with 4-3-3 formation. In the Arsenal heydays of old, Henry would be supported by Pires on the left and Ljungberg on the right. Then the midfield would do the rest; Vieira, Petit and Gilberto would hold and push up also. These guys were bossed of the ball. Todays equivalent is Aaron Ramsey. Now I like Rambo, but I'm sorry he is not good enough for Arsenal Football Club. he repeatadly gives the ball away by trying to do to much. In the last few games prior to Fulham, he was deployed on the right on the 3 up top. Wenger seems to think that Ramsey is Iniesta. Sadly, he is not and too often is found wantingAs we saw on Saturday and as I predicted, Fulham pushed Arsenal very close again. The width of Riise and Kacaniklic, together with the guile of Bryan Ruiz and the ferocity of Berbatov was a big problem for the deflated outfit to handle. Even at two nil up, I was never convinced it was plain sailing (unlike that illiterate, unqualified pony, Robbie Savage). It just seemed to me the team looked as flat and had no ideas and lacked directed, with Wenger flapping about like a turkey at Christmas, in its vain attempts to avoid the farmer. Its just not right.
This is now Arsenal's worse start to a season under Wenger. Thats 30 years ago, 1982, when we had 14 pts. But football was different then to the fast paced game we have now. I would argue, that even with the likes of Vieira, Petit, Gilberto, etc. that they wouldn't have the same impact. This is what Arsene does not comprehend. Football changes. He is like the old-fashioned grandparent who refuses (or doesnt acknowledge) change. So, 25 years ago we were, on paper better than now. That means pre-Wenger. If that doesnt mean Arsenal have gone backwards, I dont know what evidence there is.
Its all just so stale. If Wenger stays, with Gazidis preached Financial Fair Play within 2 years we'll be nearer Liverpool than Man City. That is food for thought. We thought the North London derby last year was pivotal. It could just be Wenger's last one(s)
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