Normal Service & Reality Return Wenger Should Accept Blame

Who is online?
- Users online
- Most online
- On this site
Where are they?

Oh no!

By Boris Mellor
January 2 2012
Yes the referee was rubbish, we could have had at least one penalty, but then so could Fulham. The referee was not to blame that Arsenal could not turn a bucketful of chances in the first half into another goal. Walcott and Gervinho seemed terrified whenever they got a chance. On one occasion presented with a decent chance to score Walcott gave what can only be described as a back pass to the Fulham keeper.

Thanks to a Koscielny header Arsenal departed for the half time break one nil up, it should have been 2-0 at least, three with a correct penalty decision, but the lack of striker power came back to haunt Wenger. The second half was nearly all Fulham and you could see it coming as Arsenal went deeper and deeper as the midfield failed to bite.

When Djourou started playing with himself after his first yellow I knew there and then that he wanted out, he had a big sign on his forehead saying please send me off they are skinning me Sure enough he got a second yellow.

Is Wenger to blame and why? Well you have to look at the bench and his substitutions. Arsenal needed a goal badly, it would have finished Fulham off. So what happens; Rosicky replaces Walcott, fair enough Theo was not about to score, but Rosicky never ever does. So Wenger’s duds carried on shooting blanks, not that often mind as Fulham were making the running. So the weakness of the substitutions failed to create the goal needed. RvP doesn’t score when he wants, and nor does any other striker, or midfielder in the pack. Shuffle it how you like it’s not good enough.

When Djourou got sent off and Squillaci came on I know I panicked; as Celine Dion says “Squillaci could create blind panic in a Nepalese mountain temple of meditation”. A big sign appeared in front of me, “the end is nigh”, Squeakyarchie always has a rick in him; I sat waiting for his rick.

But it was not Squeaky who made the first rick, it was Szczesny who flapped at a cross giving Sidwell a sitter, well that was the law of the ex fulfilled. Only a few minutes to go maybe we can get a draw, but I had forgotten Squeaky, sure enough up he jumps and heads the ball to Zamora, the ball was only going to one destination, and that was the back of the net. Does that count as an assist? Squillaci is not good enough for Arsenal, Wenger should have got rid of him ages ago.

This was another awful substitution. Don’t blame the team, better teams than Arsenal have lost at the Cottage, the team did its best it just wasn’t good enough. Better teams also win 5-0 there, but they are real; contenders, don’t be fooled by one bad Man U result. The timing and the quality and timing of Wenger’s substitutions was poor.

From Hero to Zero

Arsenal missed a chance to go 4^th against Wolves, then got lucky as top four teams lost; after struggling but deservedly beating QPR the team went 4^th, thanks mainly to Aston Villa’s stunning victory in St Petersburg. In 48 hours the team went back to 5^th as Chelsea beat Wolves.

Now here was a chance to go back to 4^th and open up a small lead over Chelsea. But all the talk of Wenger confounding his doubters by now having a chance to win the league was turned to dust in only five minutes of lunacy. Just like last season the team couldn’t hold a lead for only 5 minutes.

Don’t waste my time by using the ten men excuse, any team with mental strength can handle that, especially as they only had to hang on for five minutes. Yes this team works hard, but quality is still an issue. Wenger’s squad lacks depth, but if you expect him to strengthen it in the next month I expect you will be disappointed. But I am open to being pleasantly surprised. Lord help us if anything happens to RvP.

I pointed out in my article on the draw with Wolves that at home Arsenal are only scoring a goal a game at home, the last four home games in a row Arsenal have only scored one goal. A London Derby isnt quite away, but not quite at home. Yes the team has ground out results, but mainly against poor opposition with little to spare.

I think the idea that this team can win the league, unless Wenger buys, is a pipe dream. If he doesn’t then I believe my prediction made in August that Arsenal will struggle for 4^th place will, unfortunately, come true. It’s in Wenger’s hands.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Normal Service & Reality Return Wenger Should Accept Blame

Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)

Date: 02/01/2012 20:31

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:01:09:22:31:27 by Padre Pio.

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message