Everton 1 – 0 Arsenal: Insert Headline Here
189 comments March 19th, 2007
I just can’t be bothered to think of one. As I look towards the rest of the season, I am filled with a huge sense of anti-climax. It’s hard to be bothered to watch it all. I’m considering hibernation.
In seriousness though, yesterday was another frustrating game for Arsenal. We played some decent stuff up until the final third, but without Henry, Van Persie, and Adebayor we really do struggle in and around the box. Van Persie in particular is missed – he has the skill to make things happen, and the power to finish teams off. Having Baptista and Aliadiere upfront is like sharpening your knife with a dishcloth.
But then, we have been extremely unfortunate with injuries and suspensions in that one area. You can’t ever really expect to be in this position again – those fans suggesting that our fourth and fifth choice strikers ought to be Ronaldinho and Eto’o are foolish to say the least.
At the back Gilberto played centre-half again, alongside the excellent William Gallas. Some fans reckon that Gallas’ refusal to play left-back is what has produced some rather odd back fours in recent games. I disagree – Gallas has played there before for us, and may well do so again. I think what Wenger realises is that Gallas is arguably our best centre-back, and so having him there helps more than anywhere else. Justin Hoyte played left-back for Sunderland and for us earlier this season, and Kolo Toure is potentially the best right-back in the world (as well as being a fantastic centre-half). What confuses me about the line-up is the continued selection of Gilberto at centre-back, and my suspicion is that Wenger is doing this because he wants to use the time between now and the end of the season to see how Cesc fairs alongside the likes of Denilson, and yesterday’s partner, Abou Diaby.
We had a couple of half-chances in the game, but like I say, our play in the final third wasn’t up to scratch. With Emmanuel Adebayor returning from suspension now, I’d be tempted to go with a 4-5-1. Adebayor performed excellently in this role at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, and as arseblogger points out, it would also allow Diaby to continue alongside Cesc, with Gilberto stepping up into a holding role.
Stuff hibernation. I’m already looking forward to Liverpool.
