Was it the bogeyman?

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
22 Nov	3:00 PM	P	Manchester City (A)	0	3	Lost

Is stripping William Gallas of the captaincy the beginning of a new era under Arsène Wenger, or is it merely the beginning of the end? That's the question I'm asking myself this morning. Not to be melodramatic about it, but yesterday's dismal result in Manchester was no surprise to me. And when you're not surprised that you've been thrashed by some team you normally beat in your sleep, then you know you've got problems. Hopefully yesterday was just the nadir, the bottom of the barrel being scraped. I suspect not. I questioned after the Stoke City game whether we would make it to the end of this bleakest of Novembers without a not so magnificent 7 sitting in our loss column, and was told to stop being so self pitying,well a defeat at Chelsea next week will see our losses at six.

Six games by the end of November. Twice as many as the whole of last season. In fact, I believe I'm right in saying we only lost 7 games in the whole of last season. Arsène, what have you done with our Arsenal, and can we have it back please? Of course, this Arsenal side, being the side they are, they could roll up at the Bridge, having- hopefully- qualified for the next stage of the Champions League in midweek and hand out a footballing masterclass. But it doesn't seem very likely now, does it? And the way Chelsea have set about their football this season also may mean a double humiliation for us as they beat us at "our" own game. But as this stage, it's all negativity and conjecture. Who knows what will happen in a week's time?

Back to yesterday, I didn't listen on the radio (I have that radio jinx thing going on) and I didn't watch the "highlights", but it sounds like we got paggered. It occurred to me late Friday night that the only option at right back was Gavin Hoyte. I feel a tad sorry for the captain of our reserves. He has played well in the Carling Cup this year, has sat on a few benches for the first team and when he finally gets the call, he's only occupying, presumably, the same side of the pitch as Robinho! Welcome to the first team Gav. Oh well, at least it should get easier from here, Florent Malouda beckons next Sunday. Seriously though, doesn't this selection highlight the flaw in Wenger's stated confidence in his kids? Why is Gavin Hoyte's first exposure to the first team in an away game against the country's most expensive import? I know he's 4th choice right back, but surely he could have had some minutes before hand- there have been opportunities. But no, the boss would rather give Alex Song and Eboue game time, so Gavin becomes a last resort selection. And, whilst we're at it, why is the so impressive Aaron Ramsey sitting behind Alex Song in the central midfield pecking order?

Not that this is why we lost, I'm not saying that. It comes to something when Arsenal get beat 3-0 and in no way do you let it affect your evening, we ate (self cooked) biryani, drank snowballs, played Grand Theft Auto, then some cards and then we went to bed. And at no stage, well not after Joanna Ryan said to me at 9pm, "What do you mean you've got a blog to write? It's Saturday night!" did I let the defeat bother me. I didn't, because I fully expected it.

One last thing before you go though. Manuel Almunia couldn't catch a cold, so he shouldn't be our first choice keeper and frankly, given the more established presence of guys like Clichy, Touré, Cesc and, um... that headcase, Robin van Persie, if Almunia was to be given the captaincy, it would really show that Wenger has no regard for what being the captain of Arsenal means. Not that this wasn't being said when Gallas got the armband. But isn't it amazing that there are only four members of our first team who have got more first team experience than the distinctly average spaniard? I say that and Kolo was beginning to warm the bench and I think I would prefer fully fit Eduardo to Robin, so that leaves Gaël Clichy and Cesc. We don't know whether Cesc is planning on being around much longer, so the choice almost by default- but my previously stated preference in any case- has to be Gaël Clichy.

User Comments

Sege Bee

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 11:57 PM - Reply

Well written..nuff said.didnt bat an eyelid too during and after the match...fact is the TV was on...n I never bothered to look at it..was busy with other stuff.Only checked out the first goal..like u said..in the old times.a game like this would have ruined my weekend but it didnt cos I expected it.I rmba an article where someone wrote that we were the new SPURS...if we the fans feel this way, i wonder how the layers feel.we are beginning to embrace defeat and accept.Next thing, we'll start settling for a top 6 finish
we've got a real problem on our hands

raiden

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 01:17 PM - Reply

i believe that the armband should be given to cesc fabregas.i know that its not given that he will stay at the Emirates but i believe that he would be more influential as a player if he were the captain and it would certainly give him one more reason to stay at Arsenal,hopefully for a many more years.though i don't think that clichy would be a bad choice.

RD

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 12:36 PM - Reply

Nice articulation of the inner turmoil that most Arsenal fans are experiencing right now. But worry not... these things happen, and whilst many will point to the appointment of Gallas as captain as a huge mistake - it could have been a masterstroke. Wenger is a risk taker and his risk taking has led us to countless silverware - against all the (financial) odds. It's a huge testament to his work that finishing 3rd and 4th is considered not good enough for Arsenal - look at our net spending compared to, say, Spurs. At some point, the visionary risk taking was going to come undone. It has happened. We're not suddenly a terrible side; right now, Arsenal fans need to get behind the team. We are not going to win the title this season, but we still have a lot to play for. We're not suddenly a mid-table side. This is a mini crisis - a confluence of exogenous circumstance and risk taking gone wrong. Let's not put extra pressure on the team or Arsene, because I'm certain they're placing enough on themselves. Let's do the hardest thing possible right now... just bite our lip and support our team and accept that we've just come through a really rough patch.

PS. Almunia - he's an average goalkeeper, I agree. However, he is by all accounts one of the most popular members of the dressing room and a real motivator. He's also very vocal on the pitch. I'm sure Cesc will get the captaincy, but I don't think Almunia would be a poor choice...

Mark

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 12:16 PM - Reply

I fully agree that cesc or clichy should be made captain but can you honestly see either staying if theres no silver ware this season? Gael Clichy is probably the best left back in the world at the moment and I wouldnt blame him leaving if Barca or Real come knocking. We all know Fabregas has been a long term target for the above mentioned too.

Kagiso,Botswana

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 12:08 PM - Reply

He should just give the Captaincy to Cesc, Clichy is a good player who should not be burdened with the stress of being a captain. a captain should be able to fight for his players (remember when Cesc chocked lampard in a carling cup final)and Clichy for me is as soft as Almunia. wenger has to buy a proper defensive midfielder and use denilson as a sub for Cesc.

Haris Kurbardovic(Macedonia)

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 10:03 AM - Reply

I agree c`mon 5 looses and we stil havent played at Stamford bridge , Old Trafford and Anfield its a shame I have nothig to say anymore that Arsene suprised me its like he won everything and he doesnt care anymore.3 place and its OK i am playing with young players c`mon we want the 1.Why did Hleb and Flamini left he should of gaved them more money they deserved it and if they didnt want even then to stay then ok and when they left he should buy somebody like Flamini in the midfeld.THANKS !!!!!!!!!

Subhrajit, New Delhi, India

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 09:21 AM - Reply

Good but not so great article... I am still wondering what was your objective when you started writing this one... Anyway Paul I am always biased towards Joe...

In any case no team can win anything without a defense. Leave alone a very good defense, we do not have a defense. Clichy and Silvestre... What were they thinking??? Even in invincible side we had a very good defense, may not be great one like Adams & Company. However; Arsene needs to buy good players I mean players whose roles are well defined... I am not sure whether Yaya Toure can do it as he does not have the enrgy of Flamini. WHy not get Flaminin back... C'mmon Arsene keep your ego to yourself... Essien can do it but he wont come... We need s good defender... We need a good winger as well like overmars/pires...

Can some one tell me how our wage bills are higher than Liverpool??? If we are a team of kid...

kukun

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 08:51 AM - Reply

since last season i said the willie will give more affected to harmonize in emirates camp.he arrogant and too much in mouth.not use brain but much in mouth.different with vieira...use a spirit not just a mouth.clichy and fabregas is good example for captain..kolo toure also in list.Loyal,strong and not too much use the mouth.wenger must find establish defender,that compulsory for arsenal now.

mark

Posted on 24 Nov, 2008 at 08:38 AM - Reply

Was it the bogeyman?
Nah, its called law of averages.
If England used excuses like that, I think we would have won a world cup, more than a few times since 1966.

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