The model

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
26 Apr	1:30 PM	P	Middlesbrough (H)	2	0	Win

Middlesbrough.

A bit of a problem for the Arsenal since we moved to Ashburton Grove. In fact, I don't think we've beaten them since that move. The last time we beat them, however, was something special. A 7-0 victory on the back of Thierry Henry's pledge to stay with us. Coincidentally, this was the last time I got last minute tickets for a league match, so perhaps my last minute attendance of the game to come is an omen.

Or perhaps it's just a coincidence.

It amazes me that a team as average as Middlesbrough are and, to be fair, have pretty much always been have managed to avoid defeat against Arsenal since that heady January afternoon. Especially when you consider that their manager in this time has been Gareth Southgate. How can he keep getting results against our great manager? Well, last year, at the Grove he benefitted from a bit of luck at key times; Adebayor's disallowed goal early on, a non existent foul leading to a free kick smashed up field for an offside Aliádíère to equal in one match his Premier League total for Arsenal across seven years - he has now scored more league goals against us than he did for us. I remember how deflating, dispiriting that 1-1 draw was, coming in the middle of our own England cricket team style collapse from the top of the pile to third.

Not a feeling I wish to revisit any time soon. With that in mind, it's good news today as we can expect to welcome Almunia and Djourou back to the first team. It's likely too, that Emmanuel Adebayor will feature at some stage. I find it very difficult to imagine that, if fit, Djourou and Almunia will not return to the side and that they will not improve things. It ocurred to me earlier today that the common denominator in our two 4-4 draws is Mikael Silvestre. The most experienced defender we have at the club, I don't see (as I said to Baxi last night) that Senderos would have been any worse than him this season. Or Cygan...

One man who won't be playing is Robin van Persie, who will also miss, as he missed our home win against them, the Manchester United first leg. I'm not sure, particularly if Arsène is to persist with his 4-2-3-1 formation, that that is such bad news seeing as the position that would best suit him- on the right of the attacking 3- is currently being filled, with some electricity, by Theo Walcott. Not that Robin ever gets to play there for us, he always seems a fish out of water out on the left. It surprises me that a manager as astute as Arsène doesn't see it.

One of his former proteges has been talking. Nic Anelka reckons Chelsea are a mega club like Real Madrid. Well, aside from the fact that Madrid are currently 9-0 up on European Cups, I can see that the point he's making is more about the pressure applied by the owner, or el Señor Presidente of the respective clubs. To say, though, that we only play for third or fourth? Well, I guess some Arsenal fans might agree with him. But I don't think - I'm typing this and I have to say that, on reflection, he could well be right. Not about Chelsea being a mega club, but Arsenal's priority being Champions League qualification rather than being Champions.

Perhaps the reality is that, faced with the financial might of Chelsea and Manchester United and the weight of stadium repayments, the manager and board elected to try and keep the club competitive without buying the farm until the day we could seriously mount a challenge again. I don't know. It's difficult to believe that a club that has won more silverware than anyone other than Manchester United since Wenger's arrival would actively settle for finishing outside the top two. In fact, Ivan Gazidis contradicted that point of view recently. I think thge difference is our board realise that the manager has always put in quality work for them and that the grass is not always greener. Certainly, the Real Madrid model is not a model I would like this club to aspire to. Though 9 European Cups would be nice.

What do you guys think?

User Comments

Splurger

Posted on 25 Apr, 2009 at 02:15 PM - Reply

As much as I hate Anelka from back in the day, I'm afraid he's right. Arsene Wenger has lost the plot completely, how can he go on saying how he has the hunger to win and only sign players and show the ambition of scraping into the Champions League? Do you remember when everyone used to go on about how he has never been outside the top two. Well, believe it or not, for the 4th season running now he will be outside the top two and that has now become the general trend. No power, no experience, no hope for competing with anyone. Our main rivals are now in the shape of Villa, Everton and Man City from next season!

Robert

Posted on 25 Apr, 2009 at 03:29 AM - Reply

I think Arsenal never started a season with an objective to finish 3rd or 4th. I really do think that Hill Wood and Wenger started a season with a mindset to win it. I got nothing to back this up but I truly believe this is the case.

What I do think is true is that the measure or criteria of success or at least for a manager to keep his job is easier to achieve in Arsenal. I mean just look at Avram Grant and Fabio Capello in Chelsea and Madrid respectively. Capello won the la liga and get sacked. Avram Grant got Chelsea to their first ever Champions League final (I think its their first ever...) and give them the chance to be the first London club to win the CL.

Personally I could not see Peter Hill Wood and the rest of the board sacking the manager of Arsenal if Arsenal won the league or gets Arsenal to the final of CL (even if the manager is not Arsene).

So really its not that Arsenal is not ambitious enough and just fight for 3rd or 4th in the league, its just their objectives are not as ambitious as Madrid or Chelsea. The Arsenal board are fine (at the moment anyway) with Arsenal staying on the top 4 whereas Chelsea and Madrid requires their manager to win something or they will get the sack.

As to which model I prefer, it has to be Arsenal. What kind of club sacked their manager after winning the league or getting to final CL... You could argue they have a winning mentality but I prefer to call them delusional.

Disillusioned Gooner

Posted on 24 Apr, 2009 at 11:28 PM - Reply

We should beat boro come Sunday.

Fadi

Posted on 24 Apr, 2009 at 11:25 PM - Reply

I see Anelka's point, and I somehow agree, but Chelski with all their money and superstars will finish third this season. So, they are no better than us. Worry about yourself Nicholas.
We're not winning anything now, but I have high hopes that the future of Arsenal will be bright. I truly believe in the youth of this club (except Diaby) as long as we keep all of them together next season and add a few defensive players.

tom

Posted on 24 Apr, 2009 at 09:50 PM - Reply

i very much enjoy reading your articles but i think nicolas anleka is an absolute disgrace for what he's said about Arsenal. Where are Chelsea in the league again? oh thats right...they're 3rd! We have always being challenging for the title, not merely settling for 3rd or 4th as last season we were 4 points off top and this season we have being plagued by injuries. nice article all the same. that arrogant frenchman winds me up!

gesei

Posted on 24 Apr, 2009 at 07:49 PM - Reply

yeah I agreed with you what but mentian our defence problem we must buy atleast 1 defender someone like HANGLAND

Luz

Posted on 24 Apr, 2009 at 03:48 PM - Reply

Great article I agree with it all, I do think fabianski has been bloody awful recently, I just don't see almunia making the same mistakes

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