Arsenal Hitting Turbulence With Emirates

Another week, another questionable performance from the Gunners, another string of questionable tactical decisions from Wenger and another possible step towards a new era at Arsenal. Take nothing away from Swansea; their style of fast-flowing attacking football is a breath of fresh air from the usual park the bus attitude of promoted sides. Their style has similarities to Holloway’s tangerine army last season, but the major difference is that Swansea seem to have an impeccable home record, epitomised by the heroics of Dutch newbie, Michel Vorm. Swansea were not by any stretch of the imagination world beaters in South Wales yesterday evening, but Arsenal once again produced an unimaginative, soulless performance. The only positive, which is a weekly occurrence, is Robin Van Persie, who single-handedly appears to be keeping Arsenal out mid-table mediocrity.

It is now nearly ten years since Arsenal have won the Premier League trophy and the last time the trophy cabinet at the Emirates was opened was not much longer, with an FA Cup win in 2005. The dust gathering at the Emirates could be mistaken for a heavy snowfall, but where does the solution in North London lie? For what seemed like the first time in his reign, the summer of 2011 saw Arsene Wenger take out his bank card and seem willing to spend like Katie Price on a trip to Paris. However, after six months reflection, what did Arsene actually sign? Rather than buying the real deal Louis Vuitton handbag, Wenger appears to have signed a cheap imitation off a street dealer. Mertesacker, Arteta, Park, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlin, Jenkinson, Gervinho and Benayoun made up the list of new-comers, but what have they shown come the mid-way stage?

Admittedly, Arteta looks like an astute buy. He is a proven Premier League player, who can control the centre of the park; something Arsenal have desperately needed with Wilshere’s absence through injury, although, he strikes many as a poor man’s Fabregas. Similarly, Oxlade-Chamberlin looks like, with time, he may blossom into an impressive player, however, at such an early stage he may not hit the heights expected; just ask Theo Walcott. The rest of the list though really does raise questions about Wenger’s transfer policy.

In Per Mertesacker Wenger has signed a player who turns slower than the earth does and would lose a race titled “tortoise and the Per”. Gervinho was supposed to be a real impact player at the Emirates, but is as indecisive in goal as a man with a gun playing Russian roulette and patience is running thin with the fans because of it. The signing of Park has baffled most, with no Premier League appearances to his name and few and far between in other competitions. Andre Santos has had cameo appearances since arriving, but he certainly is a shade of the player that he has taken over from, Gael Clichy, who is firing at all cylinders for a City team looking destined to lift the league title this season. Every game Jenkinson has played in he has been torn apart by the opposition, and although young, he is far from ready to be playing first team football for Arsenal. Finally, Benayoun, although a good option, is a Chelsea reject who only really features from the bench.

Apart from Arteta, the signings really do not ooze the quality you would expect from a top four team. Far from it in fact. If you compare Arsenal’s signings to those the clubs challenging for the European spots have made, it makes for worrying reading for the Gunners faithful. Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham, who are now mounting a title challenge, have left Arsenal in their wake, with much of their good form down to shrewd business from Harry Redknapp. Redknapp has signed three players of real quality for what is minimal money if you compare it to the debatable acquisitions Wenger has picked up. Brad Friedel, Adebayor and Scott Parker are all three immense players, who have been key in seeing Spurs rise up the table. More worrying for Arsenal, Newcastle United are on a tremendous run of form which puts them on equal points in January. Unlike Wenger, Newcastle’s signings have had an immediate impact, with free transfer Demba Ba sitting second in the leagues goal scoring charts and French league winner, Yohan Cabaye providing a creative option that Arsenal seem to lack. Players of Football Manager will vouch for Davide Santon’s quality, which makes up the third and final Newcastle transfer of the window. All of whom seem much better options than Wenger’s array.

It is worrying times for Arsenal, as one could go far as saying a seventh spot finish could be on the cards. Newcastle sit on equal points, while Liverpool are only a point behind. The Gunners still face fixtures against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle before May, as well as tricky fixtures away from home at Stoke and the newly promoted sides, who will all be fighting for their lives. What the Arsenal side of 2012 lacks from other sides in Arsenal’s history, is desire, hunger and fight. The Vieira, Adams and Keown type players are nowhere to be seen, and many of the new breed of first time players at Arsenal or young foreigners, do not have the desire to battle out a 1 – 0 win on a cold and rainy evening in Bolton. The players have to be analysed to some extent for their run of mediocre performances, but focus has to be on the manager as well.

Wenger has consistently misspent in the transfer windows and he continues to put his faith in players who are way past their sell buy date. Apart from the obvious choices, in Robin Van Persie and Jack Wilshere, few longstanding players would get a game at the other top five clubs in the league. The likes of Diaby, Arshavin, Chamakh, Rosicky, Squillaci, Djourou, Gibbs and Koscienly are all players who would fit nicely into a mid-table side, not one aiming for Europe at the very least. It is okay though, Wenger has a plan up his sleeve. Thierry Henry, the club legend. Take nothing away from Henry, he is one of the best foreign players to grace the football pitches of England, but he is not the solution to Arsenal’s troubles. His goal against Blackburn certainly created a sense of togetherness around the Emirates which had been long missing, but we should view this as a last gasp attempt by Wenger to keep the fans on board, not a solution to the long standing problems.

I would be worried if I was an Arsenal fan, because unless Wenger really pulls his finger out in this January transfer window, it could be a long Easter period in North London. Sides around Arsenal are improving as clubs and signing the right players to take them forward. Similarly, they have players who want to drive the club forward. Arsenal at the moment seem to depend purely on Robin Van Persie alone, who has scored almost half of all their goals this season, but it is only a matter of time before he leaves for pastures new and Arsenal will be left languishing. The players of real calibre that they recently had; Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy, have been far from replaced and one questions where on earth the money has gone and why it is not being utilised to bolster the club’s future. Wenger’s days have to be numbered and it is only a matter of time before the fans push for his resignation or the six letter word that all managers fear - “S A C K E D” - will be lying on his desk.

David Harrison

Comments

[Richard Smith]

Fuck Off!!!

[Mik]

"... ,Koscienly are all players who would fit nicely into a mid-table side, not one aiming for Europe at the very least"
lol

[crouchendgooner]

first time i saw this blog on newsnow... after i click the 'hide publication' button it will be the last too

[Shaun]

You appear not to have watched many Arsenal matches this season, otherwise you would not have make half of the statements you make in in your 4th paragraph.

You are way off in your appraisal of some of our new signings and your article suffers badly as a result.

[rowland]

you are a hypocrites,where were you in october and november,if you know football the as you claim,then you will praise wenger and not condemed him,give this arsenal team to any other manager and see if they make top half of the table,we all know the injury crisis arsenal as a team has suffered,chelsea,liverpool have spent more money in this transfer window but can you really say they are better?arsenal despite the loss of their best players are still a strong side,and i believe by the time the players with injuries come back,arsenal will be a better team and mind you,no matter what happens,they will make top four.

[Peter]

This a pant load of Spurs.

[df1968]

What a dreadfull post. Staright to the 'hide publication' button on newsnow. Never darken my door again football friends online!

[Rupe]

I'd like to thank those who have alerted us to the existence of the "hide publication" feature on newsnow. I too will be using it right now.

[John]

Dear David, you should be ashamed of yourself. I am all for discussing 'should he stay or should he go' but your article is appalling, showing total ignorance of player's capabilities and what is happening at arsenal. Your comparisons with other teams are laughable. Next time do a bit of research. Lazy and poor writing.
In your words:
David Harrison's days as a contributor to this blog have to be numbered and it is only a matter of time before the readers push for his resignation or the six letter word that all bloggers fear - “S A C K E D” - will be lying on his desk.

[Steve of Chiang Mai]

To suggest Wenger would ever be sacked shows you know nothing about AFC

[Mitch]

Ridiculous post. Seems like someone who just wanted to jump on the bandwagon after Arsenal's recent defeat.
May I remind everyone, that this was just one game. One game in which Arsenal were missing a lot of important players, which are apparently returning soon.
As for the writers analysis of Arsenal's signings, I would guess that he hadn't even seen them play, and written the most sterotypical points of view that had been dashed about before they were seen in the team. Gervinho has been a brilliant signing for Arsene Wenger. He is a big factor in a lot of Van Persie's goals, and you can see that RVP finds it more difficult without him.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one of the most promising young players I've seen for a long time. People need to stop comparing him to Theo Walcott, just because they're both fast and came from Southampton! He posseses great speed AND strength, he is brilliant at keeping the ball, and has a nice shot on him too.
Also, remember that Mertesacker isn't a 1st choice centreback. Arsenal have been forced to play him through injuries, and once again, if you actually watched him you'd realise he isn't as bad as he is made out to be. Yes, he is slow, but his postioning makes up for that, and he's good in the tackle and in the air.
Moving on to Andre Santos. You clearly do not know his role in this Arsenal side. Wenger likes fullbacks that get up the pitch, and a player like Song will drop back and cover for them. Santos may have had a few games where he hadn't looked good defensively, but that's not the role they play in Brazil. Brazilian FB's are more attackers than defenders, and I'm sure Wenger was aware of Santos' role and capabilities before he bought him.
Finally, Arteta. This is the most laughable one, David Harrison. Are you blind? Or just thick? Arteta was never meant to be a replacement for Fabregas. He is a different mould of player. How can he look like a 'poor man's Fabregas', when he plays a completely different role? Arteta has been like an invisible wall in midfield for the Gunners, breaking up the oppositions play, much like Gilberto used to do for them. He doesn't aim to dictate play like fabregas does, although he does control the midfield nicely at times. It's just a bonus that he posseses many of the attributes that Fabregas did AS WELL as being good at his job.
I give up. Rant over. I just cannot begin to describe how baffled I am with this Article. Even an Arsenal hater can see what rubbish this is.
To me it looks like either an attempt to get one over on Arsenal fans, and David is a Spurs or United fan, or just a pathetic excuse to write something on this joke of a football site.

[Mitch]

P.S
That headline is shit. It isn't funny, or clever. In fact, I clicked it because I thought it was something to do with the sponsorship deal with Emirates. Surely 'turbulance at Emirates Stadium' would have made much more sense? For why would there be turbulance WITH Emirates? I understant the whole airline link.. but there's no 'turbulance' with Emirates.

[Mojo]

Some fans are really stupid... this article makes some valid points and all people can say is f*** off and the like!

Take van persie out and we are mid table, in fact lower... injuries or not, we have been dreadful

People say arteta is good... well, we are 5th or 6th and the way we are playing compared to what our rivals are doing our prospects do not look good right now.

But hey, instead of talking about lets just abuse the author

[Good article]

One of the best articles ever on the status of the Arsenal team. The source of its current miseries lies with its manager. Change the manager and you will see. His philosophy based on financial responsibility and club survival on the cheap is backfiring. You cant have your cake and eat it! Wenger needs to buy commendable players, not necessarily the most expensive, but proven and tested hungry and ambitious players. he should also expand his market area. Finally, the return of injured players does not mean they won't get hurt again or that no other would replace them at the treatment table. A good manager has to keep these eventualities in mind and establish a squade that will withstand the test in all the compartments and competitions at hand.

[GunnaRay]

Has anyone noticed how much more fidgety AW is on the touchline these days. Blaming anything he can on everything he can. I think he knows how bad things are but is powerless to do anything about it. He's tired and out of ideas because he probably has little to work with financially. AW is a humble man and possibly wants to see out his contract because he wants to fight to the end for the fans. If you're going to blame any one, you might want to blame the board and directors! We know little about what goes on, on the inside and AFC are a very secretive club. Which doesn't help the fans i admit. I don't think it helps the players either and they may be feeling let down by the club as well???

[pah43]

Sounds like David's article has upset a lot of Arsenal fans. Football is all about opinions and that opinion is often influenced by the team we support. I think this article has hit a raw nerve, but that is no bad thing, at least people are reacting. Sign of a good journalist in my opinion, for what it's worth!!!!

[David Harrison]

All responses are welcomed, but even the most die heart Arsenal fan has to take note of Wenger's role in the recent failings of the club. Every manager has his day, regardless of what service he has given to a club. Maybe the fact that more pressure isn't being put on him by the board is a failing too? But there have been some very questionable signings, they aren't the kind that are going to consolidate a place in the Champions League, especially when those teams competing with Arsenal are signing players who can really make a difference.

There is a hell of a lot of deadwood at the club, many Arsenal fans will agree with that and a lot of that is down to Wenger's philosophy and failings in the transfer market. They're at risk of getting let behind and becoming a regular 5th - 7th placed team. Something I'd imagine no Arsenal fan would expect or want.

As much as Wenger can be praised for his successes at Arsenal in recent years, his recent indecisions in the market and on the field are suggesting the job may not be right for him any more.

[james]

Sure it would have been nice to throw silly money around but what could we have bought at such short notice that would have appeased the silly day dream fans Wayne Bridge! Lmfao I'd rather have Clichy back. this isn't championship manager its the real world and the actual mention of the game to back up the quality of a player is laughable and idiotic we lost one world class player in the summer 2 if you include wilshere's injury which has ruled him out until now.

Nasri can't be mentioned as world class, good but not world class he was far to moody and inconsistent at arsenal what has he done at city so far NOTHING. Onto Clichy the fact you thing he's a good defender tells me how much you know the only good thing about him was pace otherwise a terrible defender awful positioning and awful when in attack with hardly any end product.

Arteta was a wonderful buy as was Santos does need to work on the defensive side of his game put has contributeed more in attack over 10 or so games than Clichy did in 8 seasons. And then Gervinoh wonderfully direct player has created loads of goals for RVP, sharpen his finishing and he will be lethal. Ok Park is still an unknown entity but his international record is outstanding and we have no right to judge him as of now, then benyoun who is a stop gap with premiership experience providing we sign someone next summer Mertisacker is a great defender with masses of experience both international and club who needs time to settle to the pace of the prem and so far he's doing well the rest are for the future.

Ok Il let you have the one which the list of players we need to move on but to lose Bendtner,Diaby,Arshavin,Chamakh,Squilaci,Almunia and Rosicky topped off with Campbell, Clichy, Nasri and Fabregas (he thought fab would have stayed for one more year but the board sold him on the cheap) in one month, not even arsene wenger could facilitate that much change in the squad and gel them in time to start the season we have to be patient this season prepair for the worst and hope for the best we are in the midst of a massively forced Change and so far have responded well let's judge the club on next season's results because this one was always going to be tough.

[LJB]

Spot on David,Wenger is the cancer that is killing my club.He is Nero,watching as rome burns,having been shown up as the fraud he really is.He may not have as much money 2 spend as city and chelsea,but his recent buys have been appalling.Mertesacker when he could have had samba? Santos when he could have had enrique.The board may be a joke but they dont choose signings or decide on tactics.Defence? It's at the end of de garden.Ignore all the ignorant gooners,they will get a rude awakening soon enough.If u fancy a giggle, check out the untold arsenal site.It's banner is "supporting the lord wenger,coach of the decade and they believe ref's have been paid to make sure arsenal don't win the league.The fa are in on it,as are the media, who are jealous of arsene's brilliance.In fact i have been paid to write this! It's completely delusional,written by fools who live in the past.Bit like their master.I have been a gooner 4 37 years,and afc is no longer a football club,it is a business.

[WillyG]

Excellent post! All the AKBs can counter to this post is just use expletives.
I agree with one of the poster. Take out RVP and this Arsenal team is bottom half. We will probably see this next season when RVP moves to Inter.

[james]

The fact is I sit on the fence I don't agree that getting a new manager would change things as quickly as you all would think in the summer new system new players and so on would have hurt the form of the side for longer than it did and that was having to bed in 4-5 new signings look at what AVB has done to chelsea.

Tactics the same old argument from people who have won the championship and champions league on football manager with a fluid 4-4-2 formation and now are the next best young manager! players are told by the manager how they are to play and then its up to the players to make sure its carried out on the field, again this is not football manager where you tell tell your team to do summit and the do it all 90 mins until you change its real life where human error applies so don't think you have any clue because basically none of us do really just an opinion but for every idea there is always someone who counters it.

I leave you with what I have noticed from the last few games that could be causing us problem:

1. For me defensive midfield is still a problem Song either needs to shape up or ship out he's a great ball winner but his positioning is woeful. Another thing he does is when he wins the ball instead of moving the ball away quickly to the more advanced players he prefers to try and take on 3 or 4 players in which he either loses the ball(in which where he plays is extremely dangerous because he is the midfields last line of defense when the opposition pressure us take the ball off song they outnumber our defense in attack) or he gives the ball to players to late so they are marked by 2 defenders so they lose the ball instead. The amount of times song won the ball and didn't give the ball to the wingers or ramsey who were in acres of space was frustrating slowing or killing our counter attacks.

2. Away from home We score a goal and retreat deeper into our own half allowing the opposition to pass the ball around infront of us without pressing them back into their own half and forcing the error alla Barcelona.

3. We are without our 2 best fullbacks, top centre half, top center mid and our most dangerous winger take these 5 players out of any team in the world let alone the prem and would definitely suffer a dip in form we need these players back the team for me should be when all fit:

Schezney,Sagna,Vermalen,Kosielny,Santos,Arteta,Wilshere,Ramsey,Gervinoh,RVP,Oxlade-Chamberlain subs: Fabianski,Jenkinson,Gibbs,Djourou,Mertisacker,Song,Rosicky,Arshavin,Wallcott,Henry,Park

for this season then make a judgment at the end of the season the starting 11 I picked would be free from the firing line but the rest would have to prove their worth in the next 5 months

[David Harrison]

In reply to James' first post -

The fact is, you shouldn't have had to wait till the final day or days of the window. It is summer after summer and January after January of reluctance by Wenger to spend which has put you in this situation today. You can acknowledge the panic with the window closing, but that is simply what a number of the buys are. There were plenty of quality players available during the window, which were snapped up by other clubs for a relatively small price, but Wenger's reluctance till the final days hindered Arsenal.

Clichy has evidently slotted nicely into the City side. He has his flaws defensively, but he was one of the bigger name players in your squad. Nasri was one of the most highly valued players in the Premier League last season (or potentially the season before) due to some really impressive performances. He is considerably better naturally, than what you have at your disposal currently, bar RVP and Wilshere, there is no denying that.

I clearly stated I thought Arteta was a good signing, he's proven in the EPL, but he isn't going to fill the void left by Fabregas. Although different players, he is a player that is running through the middle of the park, so if you are selling a player of such calibre as Fabregas, you need to find a replacement. This wasn't found, but Arteta was arguably your biggest signing to try and soften the blow of losing Clichy, Fabregas & Nasri, but ultimately isn't as talented as the former two.

On Gervinho. I've watched him for a number of years in Ligue 1 and it's becoming a bit predictable now with what he is going to achieve. I do not question his ability at beating players or getting Arsenal 30 yards into the opposition half, but his final product is abysmal 90% of the time. It happened quite frequently in France too. He often loses possession after coming to a cross or shot situation, and looks like a headless chicken when 10 yards from goal. He's got talent and needs a hell of a lot of refinement if he is going to really make a difference for Arsenal.

Arsenal were linked with Gary Cahill and Chris Samba, both players in their prime, but end up with Mertesacker? Seems a bit of a step back. Against a quicker player, which is most, he ends up looking like an old man against a young boy. He has command in the air and experience, but that only gets you so far. Just have a look at Newcastle today. They sign Papiss Cisse, one of the most sought after players in the Bundesliga for £7.5mill possibly rising to £9mill. He's a player who has a hot scoring record and make a difference in the league. That's a signing of intent, some of Arsenal's really weren't in the summer.

Wenger has the opportunity to spend this window, but I debate highly if he'll go the right way about it.

[james]

Arteta wasn't s replacement for Fabregas at all thou, he plays a different way in a different position Ramsey was fabs replacement and don't forget this is his first full season yes we could have signed Cahill I agree would have been great but we have Koscielny how is a very solid defender in the Cahill mould Mertisacker is a sub defender a defender of high quality who will sit on the bench and I have said that we need 3 more players at least and we would all hope this is last chance saloon for our fringe player and will be replaced in the summer