Disastrous Defeat
109 comments December 7th, 2005
There’s no other way to describe last weekend’s bullying by Bolton. To lose 2-0, and have Jens Lehmann have to pull off a succession of saves just to stay in the game was not good enough, and we are now well and truly out of the title race.
It’s a shame, because a chink of light was just beginning to show. With the home tie against Chelsea coming up, it would’ve been a really good opportunity to close the gap and make them ever-so-slightly edgy. Now, they’re in the clear.
Arsene has admitted that “maybe the natural structure of the team lacks physical power”. Well, it does. It was not long ago that Arsenal were feared up and down the country as an intensely physical, intimidatingly muscular side. Where has that gone?
Admittedly, Vieira’s departure is a key factor. And yes, failing to secure the signing of Julio Baptista was a massive blow. But still, men like Campbell, Gilberto, and Henry are all giants who are capable of scaring even the toughest of opposition.
The performance of Abdoulaye Faye in Bolton’s midfield showed exactly what we have been missing: power, agression, and aerial dominance. If a midfielder in his form does not arrive in January, we might aswell write off the season now.
For tonight’s match against Ajax, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Gilberto, Sol Campbell and Jens Lehmann will be “rested”. Lehmann aside, all of those names probably deserve to be dropped after last weeks pitiful showing.
Instead we’re likely to see youngsters Eboue, Senderos, Larsson, and probably Quincy. The big news, however, is the return of playmaker Aleksander Hleb. He’s always impressed me, and has apparently spent his long lay-off bulking up in preparation for a return to the Premiership. Arsene says he has had his obligatory six month settling in period, and is ready to terrorise defences across Europe, starting tonight.
“I am convinced he will be a great success,” said Wenger. “He is very good at penetrating runs with the ball and his final pass. He is very, very good in short areas.”
Ps. Click here for info on our “technical partnership” with Celta Vigo.
