Thoughts on a busy week at Arsenal
2 comments March 19th, 2011
Hello all. Apologies for my absence over the past week: it’s been a hectic time in both my personal and professional life. I thought that with Arsenal not having a fixture in that period, I’d get away with it. How wrong I was. It’s been a jam-packed week.
Here’s a quick rundown of my thoughts on what’s taken place.
The FA Cup exit
This game was horribly familiar. Arsenal had plenty of possession, dominated the midfield, and yet lost to a more efficient opponent.
As soon as the draw was made the fixture had an ominous feel to it. Our record at Old Trafford gets worse with each passing year, and one senses that after the defeat at the Nou Camp the players lacked the necessary belief to really take the game to United.
The goalkeeping situation
A year after Arsene Wenger plucked Sol Campbell from the club’s past in to its presence, he has made the even more surprising move of resigning the retired Jens Lehmann.
Let me be clear: I am delighted that Lehmann is back. He’s a consummate professional and despite his 41 years is probably in as good a shape as ever. He’s also a proven winner and, like Campbell, will give the squad some much-needed experience.
The chances are, however, that Lehmann won’t be forced to play: with Szczesny, Fabianski and Mannone all out injured, Manuel Almunia currently holds the gloves. His performance in Barcelona was outstanding, and he made a couple of crucial interventions to keep the score down at Old Trafford too. Today he’ll start against West Brom, in the reverse fixture of the game that marked the end of his reign as number 1. It’s a big test but hopefully the fans, and Jens, will be fully behind him.
Other injuries
We oughtn’t be surprised that just as enter the season’s most critical stage, the injuries are piling up.
The continued absence of Cesc and Walcott certainly impedes our attacking threat, but it would be churlish to complain when we can also call on Van Persie, Arshavin, Nasri & co.
The bigger problem is at the back: Thomas Vermaelen’s season is now officially over, whilst Johan Djourou only has a small chance of returning before the end of this campaign. There is a huge onus now on Sebastien Squillaci, who started the season well but has since faded in to the background. He was a commanding presence in the home game with Stoke, and will need to be so again when called up.
Today’s game with the Baggies…
…is simply a must win. Lose today and the negative momentum will derail our season entirely.
I’ve got to run and get back to the nonsense that’s been occupying me. But it’s good to be back. Let’s hope Arsenal think so too, and return from the midlands with three points.
