I'm not down

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Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
10 May	4:00 PM	P	Chelsea (H)	1	4	Lost

Quarter to ten yesterday morning, I got a phone call from Ben Ingber saying that there was a spare ticket for Jo - if she wanted it. Jo hadn't seen us lose a game since she started coming to games in 2004, so a subsequent phone call to his mate Rich later and what had promised to be a trip to the gym before a leisurely wander up to north London, became a rush up to Wembley Park to pick up the spare before returning to Angel and a quick visit to Wagamama's before the game.

Joining Ben's dad, Rob, in our seats at the back of block 109 we were comfortably in time to hear Queen's We Will Rock You (why, Arsenal, why?) before the teams emerged to Elvis' Wonder of You and that massive flag made its way to the back of the Red section. The line up indicated that, despite the fact we were being visited by the modern day version of the Damned United, Arsène wasn't particularly "taking it seriously, then" as I said to Rob. Fabianski and Silvestre in for Almunia and Djourou (why, Arsène, why?) with Diaby replacing Adebayor. Obviously, not literally. Keiran Gibbs, you'll be pleased but hopefully not surprised to hear, got a massive round of applause.

As we watched Arsenal, from the first minute onwards, create and miss a succession of chances - step forward Theo Walcott - Rob remarked to me that he felt that a special player was needed at Arsenal and, simply put, we don't have enough of them at the club. In this exchange, Rob wrote off Ade, Bendtner and Diaby amongst others. I feel, as you know, that Bendtner is a player not only of some potential, but actually useful to us now. I didn't say that to Rob, though. "One nil and you fucked it up" we sang. "Three nil and you all walked out", came the reply.

Anyway, after about half an hour of watching Arsenal seemingly too caught up in our magnificent passing to worry about such rudimentary things like putting the little round thing in between the big white rectangular thing, Chelsea decided that they better show us how it was done. Drogba fell over out on the right, coincidentally the same kind of area from where Ronaldo inflicted such punishment in midweek, if not as far out. As the boos and chants of "Didier Drogba is a disgrace" rang out around the stadium, he picked himself up - having seen Cesc booked for having the temerity to suggest a dive - and floated a free kick onto Alex's head. His header seemed to hit the bar, bounce down and over the line in slow motion. Those chants died on our breaths and the team seemed to die on us a little too.

When Anelka surged through the midfield, with all the time in the world to smash a shot past Fabianski and into the far corner - did he not celebrate too much out of respect, or because he's a miserable git? - the game seemed to be up.

Half time was odd, there was some booing, but it was difficult to fault the general performance. It was only the finishing and defending that was a problem. Nothing major.

It got worse though, Cashley broke down our right, which seemed to suffer a lot yesterday, and his cross was diverted in by Kolo Touré. At which point, a few people did indeed go home, as the Chelsea fans suggested they might. But nothing like the mass migration of Tuesday night. Nick Bendtner came on as first change, for Abou Diaby and, with his positive running and willingness to take people on, he made an immediate impact. It was his thumping header past Cech from a Bacary Sagna cross of all things that breathed a little life into the contest.

Adebayor and Denilson joined the fray, to boos in the former's case. I, having joined the ranks of the late returnees for the second half in Club Level two weeks ago, joined in with the booing. Though I felt dirty afterwards and apologised to Ade (like he would heard me), laying in bed last night I considered that I was right to boo, because this, limited, player has treated this club, our club, in the parlance of our times, disgracefully. So I'm glad I booed. Anyway, they replaced Walcott who will have better days and Alex Song. Bendtner nearly repeated his trick and van Persie might have done better with yet another header. Ivanovic replaced Boswinga for the visitors. When someone - Fabregas, maybe? - smashed the ball over from a few yards out, it only confirmed the growing suspicion it wasn't going to be our day. As the game drew to a close, Adebayor went round Cech and inexplicably took to the air. How we bayed for a penalty. How the referee, correctly as it turned out, ignored us. How the referee didn't book Ade for a dive, he alone will know. Perhaps he thought it harsh having rewarded Drogba's dive with that free kick in the first half.

Chelsea meted out a harsher punishment immediately, breaking upfield Malouda shot. Save. Lampard hit the post and Malouda popped away the rebound. Ugly.

Chelsea had truly bent us over and, in the words of Nick Cave, fucked us from behind. The whistle went, me Jo and Rob stood in contemplation for a few moments, taking in the habitual problems on the Piccadilly Line announcement, before Jo and I decided to wander off, expressing the hope that the next time we saw him, it would be in happier circumstances. "Never mind, it'll soon be August!" said Rob.

Today I feel that we clearly can't defend, the signing of Silvestre has if anything worsened us at the back. Present on the three ocassions this season we've shipped four - a coincidence? I think not. And we, still, are clearly rubbish at taking the chances we create. Other than that, we're a good side. In scoring four goals yesterday, Chelsea inflicted our heaviest home defeat since, um... last Tuesday - and how bad is it when that happens and you're not even angry? Arsène Wenger may well be right when he says that yesterday was not a 4-1 game. It wasn't, but nor can it be taken in isolation either. Two visits from the teams one and three in the league and seven goals conceded. Not to mention the four shipped at Anfield, or those bastards from up the road and their four in October. Not good enough, simple as that.

The fact is, as Rob says, we need special players at this club. And how many of those have we got? van Persie kept us afloat in winter but hasn't scored a goal from open play since... since Hull City at home in the FA Cup replay? Fabregas is being wasted behind the centre forward - whoever that is on any given Saturday. Or Sunday. For me that centre forward, till we get to the summer at least, has to be Nick Bendtner. And then Arsène must find a new, improved spine to this team. Or better put. a spine would be nice.

At least I've got the Specials to look forward to tonight.

User Comments

GranR-SA

Posted on 13 May, 2009 at 08:26 AM - Reply

I'm not sure why I bother writing cos they never publish it - but here goes. I know I come across as an Adebayour hater & that's because I am. I have been saying since the second half of last season that he is no good. Then he pulls the stunt that other clubs are after him and his salary gets doubled to stay at Arsenal but they wouldn't give Flamini a decent increase? He has now really shown his true colors for everyone else to see - except the commentators cos they still say 'Why has he left Adebayor on the bench?' Or 'Without Adebayor they will struggle???' etc etc etc.' Shows how much they know. We have a lot of problems and yes the defense is bad but surely if we were scoring at all opportunities we could still be winning?? The 'culture' of actually putting the ball into the back of the net seems to be missing. Pretty football is all that counts - along with age (or lack of it).

Rachid

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 10:16 PM - Reply

I agree with MIMO, Ronne and MEX that losing to United could be a good thing but we all know how stubborn Wenger is and I really don't think it would change his mind on the current affairs of the club. It's quite unfortunate.

Tang (UK)

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 05:02 PM - Reply

Having been a fan for over 20 years, this is the worst squad of players, I have seen at Arsenal.

AW will not spend big money in the summer, he has already stated 2 experience players will come in and he wont brake the bank to do it. I sense another Silvestre type transfer in the summer.

Diaby, Silvestre and Ade needs to be sold and if anyone will pay us money for them. Senderos should also be sold if AC will pay a few (£2-3M) for him.

We then need to get the best CB available in the market and possible another decent CB wouldnt hurt.

Defensive midfield experiment of Song, Denilson and Nasri has not worked. Now we need to replace Flamini properly or Cecs will have another poor season.

As for upfront, if AC are willing to pay for Ade (£20M+) then I would take it and get someone else in as Ade does not seem to have the heart when playing even tho we have given him a 100% pay raise.

The truth is that AW will continue as is and we will be in the same position came end of next season, he is too stuborn to acknowledge his policy is not working.

It may take us to NOT quality for the Champions League for AW to realise playing kids is not the solution, the solution is a mix of experience and youth.

Mannix

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 03:56 PM - Reply

Instead of praying for our next defeat.. Why can't you watch the game on the screen & let the whole Arsenal personel alone in tht big for nothng stadium so tht they may knws tht thngs are serious & in business slogan use money to get money. Protest by boycotting to buy any ticket & product till they do s'thng.

Scott

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 03:28 PM - Reply

Agree with all the comments. As we know, Wenger is NOT willing to spend money on defenders (remember Campbell came over on a free transfer). Please Wenger JUST ONCE, pay for a good central defender. We may be able to pry Upson away from West Ham. I liked him when he was here and would like to see him return. Also, please sign a defensive midfielder. I think signing Gattusso for a year or two would really help Song to learn how that position should be played. Of course, if I had my wish we would buy Michael Essien. But after putting a pasting on Arsenal Sunday why would he move to an inferior club?

mcscoo

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 01:34 PM - Reply

Gunners will win the league next year if they:

-Buy a 20 goal a season striker
-Sell Ade, Silvestre, Diaby, Fabianski and Toure
-Get a Strong center back
-A world class defensive midfielder

-And change our name to Manchester United? We're in the doldrums I'm afraid and will need quite a bit of surgery before we can start dreaming of the big one again.

MEX

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 09:42 AM - Reply

I also want us to lose agaist Man U so the Boss can realise we are not at par with the other 3 top teams. He recently said our defence is ok which is totally rubbish.i dont know basis of his comments, out of Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool, we are the ones who conceded most goals, offensively we are relatively ok, but defensive wise, its embarassing. we dot have a proper defence as shown by the no. of goals conceded, period. what is Wenger looking at when saying our defence is ok? it is a good thing to admit the truth sometimes. we could'nt win even carling cup with that defence. Guys look at our goal difference, its far from those of our rivals!!!!!!!!!!

Ronne Malaysia

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 09:17 AM - Reply

i agree with you MIMO. we must lose against MU in order for Wenger to realise WE ARE NOT GOOD. if we win against MU then he will not spend money again.

Tall Paul Auckland NZ

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 08:21 AM - Reply

A nicely penned piece Paul, most of which I agree with--but your article unfortunately loses all credibility in its defence of Bendtner. Have we been watching the same player? Sure he might be one for the future, but right now he's Carling Cup squad material. Gets himself into useful spaces I'll grant you, but then he fluffs it. Then he fluffs it. Then he fluffs it. How many meaningful goals has he scored all season? I can think of one, possibly two. Also you can't tell me that you're filled with optimism watching him getting ready to come on when we're in the s**t and need a goal under pressure. Let him go to the highest bidder over the summer and let's get a real goal-scorer. Tevez will do.

Henry

Posted on 12 May, 2009 at 07:19 AM - Reply

Gunners will win the league next year if they:

-Buy a 20 goal a season striker
-Sell Ade, Silvestre, Diaby, Fabianski and Toure
-Get a Strong center back
-A world class defensive midfielder

Nikituk

Posted on 11 May, 2009 at 09:58 PM - Reply

No Arshavin - no wins...

Christian

Posted on 11 May, 2009 at 07:42 PM - Reply

Spot on there. I was really sad after the game. Even though we're out of the league. It is really embarrassing to let in 4 goals... It's just not good enough. I'm just waiting for this season to end. And hope we sign a few experienced defensive players. Come on you gunners..

MIMO (Canada)

Posted on 11 May, 2009 at 07:40 PM - Reply

I hope we lose next week against MU. So Mr Wenger, the players and the club in general will ask themselves some questions. Believe me if we win next week everything will go back to normal and we don't want that, we need some changes. Don't get me wrong i hope that Mr Wenger will still be in charge, and even if we lose we will not finish below 4th in the table.

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