Wigan Thoughts: Robin is Rocking Again
60 comments January 23rd, 2011
Arsenal 3 – 0 Wigan (Van Persie 21, 58, 85)
Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
It’s not an original headline, but it remains an apt one. Robin van Persie now has six goals from his last three appearances. His record for the season reads eight starts, eight goals. His performance yesterday prompted Gabriele Marcotti to wonder on twitter just how highly he’d be regarded were it not the injuries which have so hampered his career. Arsenal fans will be hoping that between now and the end of the season, we might just find out.
Although yesterday was undoubtedly Robin’s day, his goals were the result of an awesome team performance. It’s no exaggeration to suggest that were it not the heroics of Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi, we could have emulated Spurs’ nine goal haul against the Lactics a year or so ago.
The team selected constitutes our current ‘First XI’: Szczesny in goal; a back four of Clichy, Koscielny, Djourou and Sagna; Wilshere and Song; Nasri, Fabregas and Walcott off Van Persie. Lukasz Fabianski and Thomas Vermaelen would have a claim to be in that team were they fit, but as things stand these our the men in possession.
It’s easy to see why. Good teams are comprised of a series of effective partnerships, and those exist throughout the side. Koscielny and Djourou continue to develop an impressive understanding – yesterday brought their fourth consecutive Premier League clean sheet – and Wojciech Szczesny is becoming such a regular feature on the team-sheet that I have almost learnt to spell his name without googling it. If/when Lukasz Fabianski comes back in to the side, Szczesny will have cause to be disappointed.
On the left, Gael Clichy looks an infinitely better player now he has the hard-working Samir Nasri ahead of him rather than the luxuriant Andrey Arshavin. On the other flank, Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott work tirelessly to cover and support each other, whether attacking or defending.
Alex Song and Jack Wilshere are becoming an increasingly complimentary pair. It’s taken them some time to get the balance right, but these two very different players have now moulded in to one super-effective unit. Song, in particular, was outstanding yesterday: his use of the ball was superb, particularly with the ball to set up the opening goal.
Up top, we all know class of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie. A glance at our second goal yesterday underlines the quality of the two players. And such is their ability, they can link effectively with all of our Arsenal of talent: they can play neat one-twos with Nasri, or find a penetrating pass for the runs of Walcott. Keep them fit, and we’re guaranteed to score goals.
When Marouane Chamakh was in a rich vein of form at the start of the season, I openly questioned Van Persie’s value. In the last few games, he’s exposed me as a mindless cretin, and demonstrated his quite awesome natural ability. Take a glance at his hatrick yesterday: hardworking and intelligent though he is, I’m not sure Chamakh could have scored any of those goals. The missed penalty was a rare blemish on an outstanding display.
If the three goals, three points, and three cheers for Robin put Gooners in a good mood, Aston Villa’s toppling of Manchester City lifted spirits even higher. We’re now a point clear of third place City, with a game in hand.
Transfer News
The closer we get to Sebastien Squillaci’s return to fitness (he’s currently about a fortnight away), the less likely the prospect of Arsene Wenger signing a centre-half. At this stage I’d be quite surprised if anyone came in at the back.
There’ve been some moves out on loan. Henri Lansbury has extended his spell at Norwich, whilst Aaron Ramsey and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas have both joined Cardiff. Cardiff are currently second in the Championship, Norwich third: clearly Arsene is trying to balance out Arsenal’s influence in the race for promotion. Lansbury’s pedigree at that level is well established; Emmanuel-Thomas has the bigger task of turning potential in to pedigree. Ramsey, meanwhile, is only at Cardiff for a month or so, in which period Arsene will be hoping he gets more game-time than his ill-fated spell at Notts Forest.
The Daily Mail, Mirror, and a few other sources seem convinced we’ve swooped for double-barreled Southampton sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. I’ll be speaking to journalist and Southampton fan Simon Peach tomorrow to find out a bit more about this Walcottian Wonderboy. Check back for more on that then.
Site News
Lots of exciting things going on. Since my services ceased to be required at work, I’d have a bit more time to work on the site, and we’ve finally got plans for a redesign underway. We’re also back on the t-shirt bandwagon – ahead of the rematch with Barcelona, it’s time once more to belive that with Cesc, We Can.
