Archive for April 14th, 2008

Man Utd 2 – 1 Arsenal: Defeat and Defiance

1 comment April 14th, 2008

Wenger can't keep the ball, or title hopes, aliveArsenal’s season has died a slow death. In late February, defeat at Old Trafford and a draw at Birmingham contained worrying symptoms that only worsened through March. After crashing out of the Champions League to Liverpool, condition was critical. Yesterday, at Old Trafford once more, a late brave fight was not enough to save a once-so-promising campaign.

There was plenty to be proud of in yesterday’s performance. In the first half we completely dominated United, and if Emmanuel Adebayor had worn his admittedly proverbial but often effective shooting boots, we’d certainly have gone in at half-time ahead. The second half started in much the same vein, and we soon took the lead – Robin van Persie’s cross was whipped between a bemused Rio Ferdinand and Edwin Van Der Sar, and cannoned off Adebayor’s arm and into the net.

We were 1-0 up in a game in which victory would throw us right back into the midst of the title race. Granted, we had a while longer to hold on than we did in the Champions League tie earlier in the week. But the result was exactly the same – a penalty was (in this case literally) handed to the opposition within minutes of scoring. A flick from Michael Carrick was needlessly handled by William Gallas, and Ronaldo tucked away the penalty with aplomb.

The goal that won United the game was a fantasic free-kick from Owen Hargreaves. There wasn’t much we could do about the kick itself, but it was conceded thanks to messy defending and a failure to clear our lines. When it’s come to the crunch, we’ve conceded silly, silly goals. How our former defensive greats must wince when they look at our current back line’s recent efforts.

Despite being defeated, I feel that we were genuinely the better side. We hit the woodwork twice, and Van Der Sar made a string of impressive saves to keep United in the game. The performance was made all the more impressive by the fact that we were forced to field an unorthodox defender in Alex Song in place of Philippe Senderos, with Jens Lehmann coming in for the injured Almunia. In spite of this, we were solid back to front. Gael Clichy was in commanding form on the left-flank, with Fabregas and Hleb pulling the midfield strings ahead of an industrious Gilberto. A couple of glaring misses aside, Emmanuel Adebayor gave Ferdinand and Pique a torrid time, and provided a constant outlet on the break. All was going so well. Until, that is, we were put under pressure and forced to try and retain a lead.

Then, as so often of late, we crumbled. Last week William Gallas blamed inexperience for conceding a penalty so soon after scoring. Quite how he’ll explain away this mistake remains to be seen. It’s been a torrid few months for Gallas – certainly the widespread praise for his leadership in the early part of the season seems a long way away. We haven’t won the league since Patrick Vieira departed – whilst I don’t think that’s particularly to do with the loss of Vieira the player, it might have a lot to do with the lack of Vieira the leader. An absence of authority on the pitch has long been a problem, and one wonders just who in the squad is prepared to step up and take charge. It’s a question that I suspect will not be answered until next season.

As for the end of our chances of silverware, it’s a great shame.  You might have forgotten it now, but the way we played for the first two thirds of the season was quite extraordinary.  The sight of Clichy and Sagna bombing down the wings, Cesc spraying the ball about in midfield, and Adebayor smashing them in from all over the place was superior to any football played by any other side in the country.  In this week alone we’ve outplayed United and Liverpool, but fallen short in what is ultimately a results business.  The fact is that sadly, we haven’t looked like Champions for a while.

There is something about a team who is going to win the league. You can just see it. It’s the conviction with which their players batter the ball into the net, the way they grind out results when not playing well, and the fact that all the luck seems to go for them.

We had it at times this season. We had it at the start when we were thrashing Spurs and putting hatfuls past Derby. We had it when we went to Man City and pummelled them. We had it in that little run when we seemed to continually be thrashing Newcastle, in a glorious footballing Groundhog Day.

But, crucially, we didn’t have it when it mattered.  And thus, we haven’t won a thing.

But we’re getting close.  No team in the Premier League has been beaten fewer times than Arsenal.  There are plenty of signs to suggest that with the right additions in pre-season and the mental fortitude added by another year’s experience for the youngsters, we could come even closer next time round.  Who knows, we might even win it.  And when we do, having stuck to Arsene Wenger’s remarkable philosophy throughout, it will be beautiful.  Believe me.

My hopes for the rest of the season?  That the boys relax, forget about the horrors of the past couple of months, and put on a real show for the fans who’ve followed them so faithfully all season long.  Let’s have the swagger back in our play, and make a real statement ahead of next season.

I’m gutted for the players.  Some of them deserve more than to end up trophyless again.  But I’m very, very proud of them too.  In a season in which many pundits tipped us to finish fifth (or below!), we’ve defied the expectations, played some stunning football, and scared the shit out of United and Chelsea.

Bad news for those two: we’ll be back next season.


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