This is a low
Written by Paul Williams on Monday, February 2, 2009
The coolest thing about today ... well, it's the weather isn't it? No buses, here in London Town (or Kent as I call it), no trains and a limited tube service means a bonus day under the duvet. Brilliant.
Everything else seems to be not so brilliant, though. I said before Everton that we had to win the next four games and we've drawn two of them. I didn't see the game, I didn't listen to it but I heard that Adebayor has come full cycle, through "Give him the ball and Ade will score", "Greedybayor" back to, as Ben Ingber once put it, "Adecan'tscore" in missing what amounted to an open goal. What has happened to the big man? Did he merely have a Marcus Stewart style season long purple patch? Perhaps, having practically forced Arsenal into that wage rise in the summer, his motivation has left him a little. I would be surprised to see him at Arsenal come the beginning of next season, but then who would want to take on an 80 grand a week wage for a non scoring centre forward? Maybe this is a low and he will come out of it, we're not exactly creating a hatful of chances these days. So it might be a good idea to gamble on one of they guys who does know where the goal is and put Eduardo back in, even if it's only from the bench.
One man we all thought would be helping us out with that is, of course, Andrei Arshavin- but according to Football365, we can't afford him! Surely, someone would have figured that out over the last month. Good luck getting out of the country, Andrei. I swear this rush away from the warmth of the duvet, to the keyboard, was prompted by a dozy daydream in which I got to sit down with Jo and speak to Arsène and hear him say "If I am forced to improve the team, I will not see out my last year". Woke me with a start, that did, I can tell you now. So, it looks more and more likely that the strenghtening we needed last summer, need even more now, is going to have to wait till the summer. Now, I might say "Not good enough, boss". I'm sure others will be asking "What the fuck are you playing at?"
But it's here in times like these, hard as it is, that we have to get behind the team - a recent question on the Arsenal Mania forum posed the question Are you falling out of love with Arsenal? And 10% of respondents have answered yes. Now, I might question the nature of their support in the first place, but Arsenal would be foolish to ignore the writing beginning to appear on the wall. People have begun to walk away. If Arsène is merely putting his myopic eye to the telescope, then he needs to change his point of view. And fast.
The best thing about the weekend is that Villa didn't extend their lead over us and we are now a point closer to an increasingly flaky Chelsea, who were - in fairness - the latest victims of Mike Riley's predilection for northern teams in red shirts. It seems fairly clear to me that the red card meted out to Lampard will be rescinded though. Cesc Fabregas suggested his recovery is ahead of schedule but, as it was it is, and the first of the midfield three expected back is Theo Walcott. In four weeks. Which presumably means a month of Eboue on the wing, yippee-kay-eyyyy, I can not wait for the Spurs game.
User Comments
10gooner
Posted on 3 Feb, 2009 at 07:52 PM - Reply
score against the spuds, ARShavin and u will be a hero by lifting the clubs low spirits
9ansab
Posted on 3 Feb, 2009 at 12:08 PM - Reply
i agree with bo-gunner. How can wenger let this happen. He should have played his best team against burnley. Our only chance was the carling cup. Yes we have some great talented youngsters who will shine. but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon. So three word wenger: spend big time
8Hitendra
Posted on 3 Feb, 2009 at 10:29 AM - Reply
Against West Ham on the weekend, we huffed and puffed but didn't do anything. Little creativity, no penetration but tons of possession.
Against Everton, the shortest guy on the pitch rises to score a header. What does that say for our defence.
In most matches, there is a visible hole in the centre of the field. The speed of attacking is slow. Counter-attacks - is there any such thing in our repertoire anymore?
I am not sure what Arsene sees that millions of fans don't. Another way to put it is, why can't Arsene see what the rest of the world thinks is plainly in front of the eyes?
7sulazu
Posted on 3 Feb, 2009 at 10:16 AM - Reply
Hopely the protracted signing of Arshavin would have been completed by the time am thru with this typing. To say the less, it's been a very frustrating season for all Arsenal fans worldwide. Though no matter what, i still remain a Gooner for life. I think this issue of wage structure at the Arsenal should be made a little flexible to accomodate some impact players at the club. In all discipline, special talents & abilities are always rewarded & hence always sought after. It is the so called wage structure that prevent us from signing Eto'o in exchange for Adebayor during the summer transfers & now Arshavin (hopely not). Imagine a Samuel Eto'o/ Van Persie patnership in our attack, joined in the wings by the wizzardry of Nasri & Arshavin, and the creativeness of Fabrigas in the middle. We certainly would have been up there with Man Utd at this moment. But Wenger decided to reward the one season wonder called Adebayor despite the wage restriction & what do we get in return - barren draws, occasional wins(thanks to V.P). I only wish the coming of Arshavin (hopefully) & the timely return of the likes of Walcott, Cesc & Rosicky will help push us to the Champions league spot so we could do the necessary recruitments defensively by the summer & get back to being title contender.
6naija gun
Posted on 3 Feb, 2009 at 09:04 AM - Reply
I really think this is the time to get behind the team, its clear that either the gaffer doesnt have enough cash, or he's just being (WITH ALL DUE RESPECT) his STINGY self. We must realise that CL qualification is now an up hill task for the team. Whatever happens we must expect instant miracle from Andrei (if we ever get him).
5delboy
Posted on 3 Feb, 2009 at 04:27 AM - Reply
I'm i the only one who saw this but ade's chance in the second half referred to above was flagged offside. Even the highlights seemed to miss that. Arshavin deal will hopefully go through tuesday am. Not only is he a great player but this signing will lift the low spirits at the club. Won't believe it till i see it though! As for 10% of 'fans' falling out of love with aresnal, go back to tottemham. Their taking anyone back these days
4phpron
Posted on 2 Feb, 2009 at 09:29 PM - Reply
well, some body is ateast in a good mood!!!
3truth_hurts
Posted on 2 Feb, 2009 at 08:42 PM - Reply
absolute shambles. Tottenham and Chelsea complete transfers in less than 24 hours whilst we take 30 days to decide we can't afford Arshavin.
2David
Posted on 2 Feb, 2009 at 08:13 PM - Reply
I said last season that Adebayor is never a good striker, even when he was scoring some easy silly goals against Derby. However Mr. Wenger extended his contract and fulfilled his greedy wage demand last summer. Do you really think the stingy Frenchman will now strengthen the squad come this June? Don't make me laugh! He even said all those lucky 1:0 wins or 0:0, 1:1 ties were an improvement, so by the time fans are crying for big signings in this coming summer, he would say we have already had a talented team, and likes of Wilshere, Ramsey, Vela and Simpsons are also knocking the door...
1Bo-Gunner
Posted on 2 Feb, 2009 at 07:30 PM - Reply
Indeed it is a big low. I just can't understand how tight we can be when we don't really have obvious alternatives. I'm sorry Arsene, but you must be really a fool if you actually think your current crop of players can turn things(to the upside). All this lack of creativeness is SO clear its absolutely frustrating for us fans yet some people are more stubborn than 'myopically' visioned.
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