The tackle that started the comeback

The team needed a lift after results of recent weeks. A 1-0 win is great but coming back from 2 goals down to win it, is surely going to give the team the boost that we so desperately need. A game of two halves is the old cliche but certainly applies in this scenario. A visit to either Sunderland or Middlesborough is the price of the win and we surely got to fancy getting past them and in the quarter finals.

True to his words, Arsene Wenger opted to play his strongest available line-up. Apart from the change of Francis Coquelin at right back over Johan Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski coming in for Wojciech Szczesny, it was the same team that lost to Manchester United. After a week of the manager being called into question because of his decisions in that game, one would certainly expect a response from the team to show their support of the manager. That was entirely non-existent in the first half.

Alex McLeish set out his Aston Villa side to be a little more adventurous than his Birmingham side used to. Playing a front 3 with 2 holding midfielders and 1 roaming one in Stephen Ireland. Somehow that worked as we found space very limited in the first half with possession mainly kept between the midfield and defence. We could not find the way through a sturdy and well organised Villa side.

But we had almost all of the possession. With every passing minute, you can just see how more and more players in red and white foraging further forward to find the opening goal. Our defensive shape was missing and each time Villa won the ball back, the likes of Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor were pulling away easily to retrieve the pass. One such move caught us out but Laurent Koscielny was on hand to clear it for a corner.

It was from this corner that we conceded. We were at fault on two counts here. The first was that Villa took the short corner and we only had Aaron Ramsey to cover 2 players. No way a single player could defend against two and Robbie Keane was allowed to cross the ball into the box. Inside the box, our players were static and Per Mertesacker could see that Richard Dunne was going for the ball. He neither went with him nor gave any instruction to his fellow team mate of the situation. Fabianski had no chance to save the header.

Disaster struck at the stroke of half time. Another counter attack by Villa and we were split apart again. This time direct from a corner we had at the other end. Ireland had all the time in the world to play Bent in through on goal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thomas Vermaelen tried to cover but couldn’t get close. Bent’s initial shot well parried away by Fabianski but the England striker pounced on the rebound to slot in from an acute angle. The chorus of boos that rang around the stadium going into half time was unnecessary but hardly unjustified.

I’m sure Wenger gave the team a barracking in the dressing room because we come out with renewed vigour and clawed to not only level the tie but went ahead. All in the space of 15 minutes. It was breathtaking to say the least. It showed the spirit and desire that was so lacking in the past couple of weeks. For once, we showed that we wanted it more and we were justly rewarded.

Two penalties slotted home, sandwiching a Theo Walcott goal was enough to send us into the next phase of the competition. Rather ironically, the 2 players who scored for Villa were at fault for conceding the respective penalties. First Dunne was a fraction to slow and clipped Ramsey. The pass from Alex Song to put Ramsey through in the first place was exquisite. No problems for Robin Van Persie, sending Shay Given the other way.

Two minutes later, Walcott picked the ball up on the right and turned Stephen Warnock inside out. Electing to shoot instead of passing to a team mate, Walcott was lucky that the clearance from a Villa player hit him and went straight into the net. I was ecstatic, how the ball went in hardly matters for now. Under par in recent weeks, Walcott made the goal, however lucky he was in the end.

The third goal came just another 5 minutes later. Koscielny who had been in imperious form once again strode majestically forward, bringing the ball out of defence. A return pass later, he was heading towards the penalty box, tracked by Bent who had followed him all the way. No arguments again on the validity of the penalty as the contact came. Once again, RvP dispatched it in the opposite direction of Given’s dive.

Job done and from that moment on, it was about preventing Villa from scoring. We did go on and have a few chances but in the end, the 3 goals salvo was enough for the win. At times, with 30 minutes still on the clock, we might have allowed the opposition to come back at us. However, with the introduction of experienced head in Bacary Sagna, Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry, we never looked like losing our concentration.

Several players had a very good game. As mentioned before, Koscielny was one of them. The other was Tomas Rosicky. The Czech was tidy in his play and drove forward in a way we’ve not seen for some time. Rosicky has been decent for us in recent games and that can only be a good thing. Ramsey played another full 90 minutes and at the moment, you can see him getting very tired at the end of games. With Arteta now back in the fold and Rosicky’s positive contributions, it will at least give us a chance to rotate in that department.

[update] RvP might face a ban if his elbow on Carlos Cuellar was deemed to be premeditated. It was unnecessary considering we already had the lead then. Seemed intentional from my point of view though lots of differing opinions elsewhere. I dread to think we could lose him for 3 games.

We went through the whole range of emotions with that game. Final result is the only thing that matter. For now, we march forward.

Likely starters

There’s a trip to Bolton looming in midweek, where we’ll continue our climb up the league table in search of that Champions League spot. But first there’s the matter of the FA Cup to deal with. A small matter or a big matter? Depends on the individuals. Arsene Wenger loves a bit of this competition but not over qualification to Europe’s premier competition. Where does the rest of the Arsenal community stand on this?

I understand the financial implication of us failing to qualify to Champions League. I can also get that the pool of players for purchase (if money is ever spent) will be reduced significantly if the Europa League is the competition on offer. I know many season ticket holders might be more reluctant to renew and not bothered to go to watch Arsenal on a Thursday night. All very valid points.

I don’t want us to finish lower than 4th as well but I can’t say that I wont follow the team’s adventure should they really end up playing the Europa League. Ultimately, I stand where Wenger stands. That there should be no prioritisation of competitions. No choosing of the league over the cups. We should play our best available teams for each and every match, that includes Villa tonight.

Winning matches breeds confidence and we’re in very low supply on that front. The players needs a lift to get back to where we were before the 3 consecutive league losses. Progress in the FA Cup will only be good for us. A good win tonight might just be the catalyst to turn our season back on the right course. There will be fewer days to recuperate what with the trip to Reebok Stadium but the boost that could be taken from a win tonight must not be underestimated.

For all points and purposes, it means that Robin Van Persie must play. Yes, I know that Park Ju Young needs to be given matches to at least see whether he’s worthy of remaining with the team and no one wants to see that more than me. However, the gulf in quality is too obvious to be neglected. If Wenger wants to start them together, by all means, but hopefully not the Korean over the Dutchman.

Thierry Henry might also be in contention should he not fail the late fitness test together with Bacary Sagna and Mikel Arteta. That said, with only 40 minutes from 2 substitute appearances under his belt, it’s safe to say that Henry is not yet match fit. With another 4 weeks left to go on his loan stint, there’s very little chance of us seeing Henry in first full (34 year old version) flight.

The return of Francis Coquelin is one very good news. He has shown so much promise this season and should continue to get minutes here and there throughout the rest of the season. I think he will play tonight but where he plays is the bigger question. Does Wenger stick with Nico Yennaris after his composed display against Manchester United? Does Wenger prefer the left footed Ignasi Miquel to stay at left back? Or do Wenger intend to give Alex Song a breather in the defensive midfield role?

I don’t claim to think for the manager but I will be tempted to start Yennaris and Coquelin in both the full back positions. That will leave Song in midfield. If we’re winning the game with a couple of goal’s advantage (yeah, I know. When was the last time that happened?), then Miquel could come in for Song and Coquelin can be moved back into midfield. No disrespect to Miquel. He’s being asked to play in an unfamiliar role which he has coped well, to a certain extend.

Szczesny
Yennaris—Koscielny—Vermaelen—Coquelin
Ramsey—Song—Rosicky
Walcott—Van Persie—Oxlade-Chamberlain

Miquel would certainly relish another chance in the first team in his preferred centreback position, a position which Wenger will have to make choices tonight. Thomas Vermaelen is a damn good player but he’s no left back. His presence in the middle is needed and the fact that we’re able to field our best partnership in the centre of defence should be motivation enough to field him there with Laurent Koscielny. Per Mertesacker has done well to a certain degree but he can have no complaints if this selection is made.

Up front, the last thing fans want to see is this match being used as another 70 minutes for Andrey Arshavin to pick up his form again. Our appetite has been whetted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and we want more. Don’t think even RvP himself will have to much to argue with that. If AOC is chosen ahead of Arshavin, it will only be because of his performance last Sunday and not because Wenger is succumbing to the pressure from fans’ voice of discontent after the whole substitution debacle.

We did beat Villa away in the league fixture but only by the skin of our teeth. Villa are not particularly good side but we will do well not to fall into a sense of complacency. In Darren Bent, they have a striker who is not adverse to scoring at the Grove. Though out of form this season, Charles N’Zogbia is another one who seemed to performed when we’re the opponent.

I can’t stressed how much I want us to win tonight. This is a very viable competition for us to win (nothing to do with United being knocked out) and it would be such a big loss to not go all out for it. But at this point in time, the team needs a big boost.

Nothing like a good win to achieve that.

The long substitution

It’s finally confirmed, the news that we did not want to hear. That Jack Wilshere has had a setback and would not be available in the date that we initially had hoped he would be back for. AC Milan’s games were touted as his return period but that will now have to be extended. The bigger question would then be, do we write off his season?

Having been so wonderful for us last season, playing so many games and performing at such high standards, the absence of Wilshere this season has been keenly felt. A player with the desire and that matches his abilities on the ball, a lion-heart in midfield. However, he hasn’t kicked a competitive ball in anger this season and with the extension of his comeback, Arsene Wenger and his staff should seriously consider a back up plan.

A back up plan which consist of writing off Wilshere for the rest of the season and finding a replacement player, either from the transfer market or promote within. No doubt, the second option is better left unexplored. Prior to this setback, Wenger has often referred to the return of Wilshere as a catalyst to kick-start our season. Last season, Thomas Vermaelen’s continuous absence and our reluctance to buy put paid to our hopes of the title challenge. History better not repeat itself this season.

I can’t tell you who is available in the market. I trust that the whole staff at Arsenal should have better information than a single person. We have to make a move now. There’s only so few days left in the window. At this point, even if Wilshere (who is better than Cesc, by the way) do make it back sometime in March or in April, the result we could have in between might already be telling. Wenger spoke in early January how we don’t want to regret not picking up full points due to lack of full backs. That did happened and again, history better not repeat itself here.

On the bright side, we will have Bacary Sagna, Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry and Francis Coquelin back for contention for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Aston Villa. While I’m not expecting Sagna to be back immediately after his long time on the sidelines but it’s nonetheless great to have back one of the most underrated player in the Premiership. Potentially we could have Sagna on one side and Coquelin filling in at left back until Kieran Gibbs is ready.

But at the moment, to have Nico Yennaris on one side and Coquelin on the other is not too bad an option. It would definitely allow the central defenders not to play in those positions. Johan Djourou and Vermaelen on the best of their days are not full backs. Neither have the capacity to cover the side of the pitch from both the attacking and defending side of play. Clearly Yennaris and Coquelin are both not specialist full backs either but they are midfielders, who like Matthieu Flamini before them, seems a better fit in a full back role.

Whilst there’s no arguments over the lack of full backs impeding our style of play, recent matches has also highlighted the importance of having Arteta in the side. Without him, we’ve looked more than a little lost in the middle of the park. There’s no fluidity in the passing and an obvious vacuum in terms of the support to Alex Song and the defence. Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun has been tried in that position but neither has displayed the same effectiveness.

Speaking of Rosicky, it now looks like he might stay at the club beyond the end of his contract this June. Now, Rosicky was a real gem when he first arrived from Borussia Dortmund. Playing in the 4 man midfield with Cesc/Flamini/Hleb, they were a great bunch. Then injuries started taking it’s toll on Rosicky. The long term absence due to a “special” kind of injury robbed him of his better years.

Now, Rosicky will turn 32 in 2012. That’s reaching an age when Wenger takes a less interest in a player. By comparison, this season has arguably been Rosicky’s most productive season in years. He has not had many match winning performance but neither has he has many anonymous moments. If we were to retain his services, it would indicate that Wenger treasures his experience and thinks that he can still an influence off the pitch.

Decisions are the bread and butter for a manager. He was criticised for it during the United game and has since been defensive about it but seemed to have gained some perspective with each passing days. Wenger is right though. The fans react and respond proportionally to the performance of the team on the field. If the team starts to show some fight and puts in their shift, the crowd will reciprocate in kind.

Does it work the other way around? Does a player get a lift by hearing the crowd sing their name or the club’s songs? Are they players or are they players who are fans themselves? Or does not that matter anymore?

The end is nigh

Does everyone realise that there’s only 5 days left in the transfer window? Technically the weekend doesn’t count but no reason why deals can’t be finalised then and the registration done by Monday or Tuesday. It’s all gone quiet on the Arsenal front. Newspapers has even gone bored of recycling the same stuffs over and over again. Of which I’m very thankful of.

First things first. I do want to see some money being invested to bring in reinforcement to help us get over the line. The “LINE” this season will be referring to the Champions League finishing in the table. We’ve got a more than decent first XI who could take us there on their own but no 11 players could play the entire 38 games over the course of the season. Let alone a set of players who weren’t even all there for the first month of the campaign and some who might not even be first XI had some of the other players been fit.

That there is only one name being linked with us right now is worrying but refreshing in a way. It’s not a name that we’re constantly being told that would pack his bags and join us. Eden Hazard story is frankly boring the crap out of me. If it happens then great but if not, so be it. This new name is Julian Draxler, an 18 year old attacking midfielder/striker.

What? Too young you say. I think the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signing has taught us a thing or two about signing prodigious young talent. I have not seen much of this Shalke lad, the only time I saw him was the German Cup final last season and he scored a wonderful goal for his victorious side. Even if this link is true and the deal goes through, it doesn’t mean that Draxler will for sure feature in our plans for the rest of the season. However, the club cannot stop thinking/planning for the future.

At the moment though, we’re going through our second bad patch of the season because of numerous injuries and the players who have come in, have not replaced efficiently. Laurent Koscielny does not agree with this point and he’s not completely wrong. It is about team work and playing for the team. A team that has less individual talents can beat a team with more individual talents, provided the team work and tactics are correct.

When it comes to team work, the ethics and understanding between the person standing next to each other on the pitch is absolutely crucial. Which is why I’m absolutely delighted to hear that Robin Van Persie or whoever initiated it, called the team together after the defeat to Manchester United and tried to iron out the faults of the team. Or perhaps, what is required out of them as Arsenal players.

I can only seem to recall two times of such precedence within the Arsenal camp. The one after the brawl at Old Trafford where George Graham rallied the troops and the other one where Tony Adams told off Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit to prioritise their defensive duties. The latter might have just even been the 3 of them, I can’t be certain now.

More importantly, it’s about how the rest of the team receive the discussion. Whether they will look at themselves and realised that the performances of late hasn’t been good enough. That despite our current problems of player shortage in certain positions does not warrant the lack of application or effort. That we were lacklustre in first half was obvious for everyone to see and we did not up our game until we were chasing the game.

A lot of us were angry, myself included, at the substitution of AOC. Claus Lundekvam’s tweet probably didn’t help matters. I don’t think anyone can deny that some of the boos thrown out during the substitutions were also aimed at Andrey Arshavin. It’s not only because of the opposite form that both players have shown over the course of this season but because of the application/effort that they put on the field.

At this point, I would still argue with anyone who suggest that AOC is a better player than Arshavin. I don’t mean on present form but in terms of the talent and capability of each individual player. Yet, why is everyone reacting so furiously at the sight of the latter replacing the former? Arsene Wenger reminds us that Arshavin is still very much the captain of Russia but that is hardly the point to be used for this argument. Fans appreciate the effort put in by any player. Ray Parlour has obviously less ball skills than Arshavin but he’s loved so much more by the Gooner army.

It pains me to see how much Arshavin has fallen and how inefficient he has become. It’s the exact opposite of what Marouane Chamakh is. Plenty of willingness but clearly out of his depth and bereft of confidence. A situation that if continues, might give a returning Sanchez Watt a chance. The 20 year old striker recently returned from his loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday and he will be hoping that Morocco continues their losing streak and Chamakh doesn’t get back into form before returning to Arsenal.

At the moment, I’m not saying Watt is the answer but if this Chamakh is considered a viable option by Wenger, then so can Watt. The younger of the two is inexperienced and may not be the most talented of player to come our from the Arsenal production. However, I certainly do think that it has come to “anyone but Chamakh” . Considering Watt’s age, there’s a perfectly logical chance that a run of games with the first team will turn his career back on the right direction. Benik Afobe would have relish this chance had he not been injured himself.

Still hoping for someone to turn up.

Not the debut we hoped for

A 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United with each side coming on top in one half is not the worst of results. However, the manner in which we lost the game, left a bitter taste in the mouth. After what happened in the reverse fixture early in August, many Arsenal fans (including me) wanted to exact revenge but also conscious of the fact that we want to avoid another thrashing. Yet, we could’ve just easily won this game.

Arsene Wenger was bold with his selection. Thomas Vermaelen was thrown in straight from the start and looks a little short in fitness as can be seen from him tiring towards the end of the game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got a start ahead of Andrey Arshavin and that is probably a big wake up call thrust in the direction of the Russian. A sign which Arshavin didn’t take too kindly to and we’ll come to that later.

It was a poor a first half from Arsenal that we’ve seen this season. It wasn’t about United being better than us but more of the case that we were shittier than them. Just like at the Liberty Stadium, we were losing the fight in midfield. Alex Song tried to be authoritative and it worked on occasions but that tactics went to bits each time his attacking senses take over. Tomas Rosicky was the best of the trio while Aaron Ramsey tried hard.

Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, two players you don’t normally associate as players who could win the midfield battle, were outfoxing our trio despite the numerical disadvantage. Every opportunity that they had, they tried to feed the flanks. Nani or Antonio Valencia were sticking wide and slipping away from their markers each time one of their midfielders had the ball. Sometimes, even Wayne Rooney dropped off and supplied those angled passes wide.

Johan Djourou was being tormented by Nani the entire first half. The big Swiss had a poor game, failing to keep track of the United winger. Pace was an attribute giving advantage to Nani but still Djourou afforded him all the time and space in the world. He should have stick close to Nani but didn’t  and it was no surprise that when United took the lead late in stoppage time of the first half, it came from our right. This time, Giggs double up on Djourou and delivered a sumptuous cross. Vermaelen wasn’t aware of the presence of Valencia and the United man headed past Wojciech Szczesny. Poor defending all around.

Having identified Djourou as the weak link, Wenger took a further risk by putting on Nico Yennaris for him. The youngster did well and we suppressed the threat down the right side. The second half was also an indication of the tactic and bravery of Wenger’s selection in dropping Arshavin. AOC, who was peripheral in the first half, failing to be on the same wavelength as his team mates and moving in-field when not required to, step up a notch or two in the second half.

No longer interchanging positions with Theo Walcott, AOC stayed generally wide and pushed on. Every time he received the ball, he was dangerous. He was strong on the ball and the markers were unable to nick the ball of him. It was no coincidence that when we equalised, AOC was the creator. Cutting inside from wide, his pass released Robin Van Persie and with a swing of the left foot, the captain scored.

We were buzzing. A disjointed first half was replaced by a more purposeful second half and it was a great equaliser to match. Yet, just 3 minutes later, the atmosphere and impetus was lost. AOC was replaced by Arshavin and the manager will have to take the blame for this one. Yes, AOC could be tired having not played 90 minutes of Premier League football before and perhaps he might not have defended better than Arshavin for that goal but that is such a ridiculous argument.

The initiative was on our side. United were on the back foot, the ground was vocal and supportive after the equaliser. Everything killed by a substitution. It gave United every bit of confidence seeing their tormentor going off the field and replace by someone who looked like he could hardly give a toss what happened. Fact of the matter is, Ferguson saw the substitution of AOC and then took off his right back for an attacking midfielder. Even their manager was dismissive of whatever effect Arshavin could have on the game. RvP too, seemed displeased about it.

It was bad defending again which cost us. Arshavin is no defender but every bit of justifiable  to expect him to do better in that situation. The calamitous defending inside the box, failing to clear the ball and a lucky bounce went back to Valencia who had already tie ribbons around Arshavin. The ball laid off to Danny Welbeck, free of pressure to slot home. Per Merstesacker for the second time of the night, lost bearing on Welbeck’s position.

We had chances to either equalise earlier than the RvP strike or to take the lead in the game or to equalise for the second time that night but none was forthcoming. No better chance than the one which RvP fluffed having seen Rosicky nick the ball of Chris Smalling who slipped. The shot went wide when RvP had the goal at his mercy. We even saw the introduction of Park Ju Young onto the Premier League stage but it was too big an ask for the Korean to drag us back into the game.

Plenty was dreading the potential outcome of the match before but were rightly angry at the inept performance that was dished out by Arsenal. This was United for the taking and we missed our chance. Missing the chance to beat United was one thing but this was another lost opportunity to claw back some points on those we have in front of us for the Champions League spots. Again, we were unable to take advantage of our rivals dropping points.

Laurent Koscielny, AOC and possibly Rosicky could look back at this game with much pride over the work that they put in but the rest will have to take a long hard look at themselves and seriously think of their next move. If they wish to continue playing for the red and white, such performance is not acceptable.

Closer margin but pride hardly restored.