Morning Gooners,
So here we are again, everyone is bickering and licking their wounds over another painful away defeat and I still don’t have broadband at home.
The Swansea defeat has invoked the sinking feeling we had back in August (maybe it has something to do with the transfer window). Bringing in the new year has brought about our old problems; no defensive cohesion, individual errors and no fight.
We’ve all replayed the Swansea game in our heads since Sunday so I’m not going to go dissect the whole game to analyse where we when wrong. There are certain points I would like to raise that are still fresh;
1) The Full back dilemma:
Wenger said a couple of weeks ago that to lose points due to lack of cover at left back would be ‘criminal’, well he’s done the crime so now we’re doing the time. IF we have been in the market for a left back on loan (let’s say Bridge for argument’s sake) shouldn’t this deal have been secured by the Fulham game? Why have we waited so long to put the problem right? I attribute both those defeats to our lack of full back cover.
What people are doing unfairly is criticising Djourou and Miquel. Yes both have made mistakes and both have been caught out of position on occasions but in Miquel, we are talking about a rookie centre back who is being asked to play left back far too often. I actually think Miquel has done well considering the mess he’s been thrown into.
The reason we didn’t bring in cover at full back is because Sagna and Vermaelen are nearing returns into the first team. It’s a feeble excuse that has cost us 6 dear points and will have an impact come May.
2) Too many passengers:
I was there on Sunday and the frustration at a number of players not pulling their weight was vocal through out the away stand. The main perpetrators were Arshavin, Walcott, Yossi and for the first 30mins, Song.
Arshavin, has the ability but he doesn’t want to be there. His heart looks elsewhere and his performances are a pale shadow of the player we know he can be.
I defend Theo as I truly believe people are way too critical on him but on Sunday he looked a player devoid of any confidence, running the ball out of play and unable to find a Red shirt with a pass. He took his goal fantastically but he needs to step up and step up soon.
Yossi, correct me if I’m wrong but his best performances have come off the bench? For a player of his experience, he should be able to dictate play and calm things down atSwansea. Instead he gave the ball away along with cheap freekicks. Not good enough.
When we have stand full backs and 3 passenger players, the rest of the team really don’t stand a chance against a great footballing team asSwansea.
3) Expectations on Ramsey:
Aaron’s name was on the lips of many fans for the wrong reasons on Sunday night but I feel sorry for the lad. Wenger himself told us not to forget this was practically Ramsey’s first full season in the first team, unfortunately Le boss has forgotten that himself. Ramsey is a talented player but he is being asked to do the most difficult thing in the footballing world, fill the void left by Cesc. Ramsey isn’t ready to dictate play and control games in the final 3rd on his own. Sunday’s performance optimised what I’ve seen for the last month, he tries too hard to be the player he thinks we want him to be. Clever turns, flicks and backheels that never materialise, easily dispossessed and tiring at the end of games.
We need to buy a playmaker to save the set up of this team and also let Rambo mature into the player in his own natural time. A school of thought is maybe that Jack will step up into that role but again how much expectation are we putting on to a young head??
I know may of you are waiting to criticise the team, Wenger and board below, you probably have every right to. I am hurting as much as any one of you but the bottom line fact is that this is the club we love so we need to get behind the players regardless of issues. 4th is still up for grabs and the United game at home is our chance to react the right way.
‘Wake up and focus’
Enjoy your Wednesday.
Comments welcome – @Tottz82
