The Stamford Bridge Diaries – The Arsenal perspective - Part 3
Perhaps it’s been Arsenal’s lack of evolution that induces many Football Pundits to strike off the North Londoners when weeding out top 4 Champions league qualifiers from ‘potential’ title contenders. The ‘young team’ excuse has
gone on too long. The reported injury woes also seem to be old news. The question is, if a squad features one of the youngest players on the planet, why are there so many fitness issues? Weren’t younger players expected to be more agile, their bodies young
and able to cope with the beating of the Premiership?
It has been ages since Robin van Persie featured for the Gunners in a Chelsea trip. Theo Walcott looked lively at the start of the season till he too was sidelined after the ankle scare on international duty. Cesc Fabregas seemed
all set to leave for Barcelona at the end of last summer; if this is how the unit functions without the midfield maestro, how could the club be expected to perform if he were to return to his homeland?
Jack Wilshere showed promise beyond his age. However, being a prospect for the future just doesn’t cut it anymore. The trophy drought has gone on too long to be able to wait for future recruitments - something needs to be done
in the present. Fabianski, for once, was not at fault for either goal. The Polish keeper could be commended for his recent patch of form. On the flip side, he too is a ticking time bomb. Arsenal need a quality keeper. They say a decent keeper is worth at least
10 points at the end of the league season. So far, Arsenal keepers have not only been downright mediocre as they have often been unable to bail the team out when it mattered, but also contributed for tipping the points in favor of the hopeful opponents. If
nothing else, a commanding figure is at least able to guide its defence line – The point touches upon Arsenal’s lack of leadership at the back.
Chamakh might have proven as someone that literally uses his head to great effect. However, playing for a club aspiring to be domestic and international champions, the striker is always expected to make things happen, and to score
even on days when the team is having an off day; to be able to score with his foot as much as his head. Chamakh clearly failed to deliver up alone; he needs company to be most efficient, be it in the form of runs from midfield or a complementing striker. However,
having said that, the acquisition of the former Bordeaux player cost Arsenal zero transfer money. Perhaps not being subjected to a price tag greatly takes away a huge chunk of expectations, but the club does pay the player’s wages so it is understood that
the player would justify his recruitment into one of the so called ‘top 4’ of the Barclays Premier League.
Arsene Wenger has been a devoted servant to Arsenal Football Club in his 14 years in charge of the first team. However, while the Frenchman’s contribution is commendable, the manager is often criticized of being ‘too’ into his
own game plan rather than reacting to the opponent’s style of play. It is perhaps Wenger’s lack of adaptability that has often seen Arsenal being bullied on the field by sides that are more reactive and able to exploit Arsenal’s predictable approach.
So, were than any plus points from the game? Gael Clichy was brilliant. The full back ran the entire length of the Stamford Bridge pitch for the entire 90 minutes as he made his overlapping runs and was quick to sprint back to
cover up on defence when the away side lost possession. Alex Song was reliable when shielding the back four and adventurous while venturing forward.
However, in the end, a win could’ve pegged back the difference to a mere 1 point. Since Arsenal had no quantitative evidence of their dominance, the points tally shows Chelsea 7 points ahead effectively. The Gunners face Birmingham
City after the international break. It is hoped that the break from Premier League action helps the unit regroup and sees a number of players off the treatment table and onto the field.
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