With Thomas Vermaelen injured, it was interesting to see that Arsene Wenger chose to play his second choice full backs, giving the defence an unusual line-up of Eboue, Squillaci, Koscielny and Gibbs. Another surprise was the inclusion of Jack Wilshere ahead of Diaby. Sagna, Clichy and Diaby all played for France on Tuesday evening, and all three were considered fit enough to be named as substitutes for the visit of Bolton. It’s probably a sign of things to come with the fixtures coming thick and fast now that European commitments are about to commence. I would be very surprised if those three rested French subs did not start on Wednesday v Braga.
And consequently, the line-up for the Carling Cup visit to Spurs the subsequent midweek will prove interesting. Someone ventured yesterday that Benik Afobe will be one of the starters. I hope the manager takes the tie more seriously than that.
However, in spite of rotating players, the starting line-up on Saturday certainly did not look weak. Both full backs could credibly challenge to be first choices, whilst all Arsenal fans are happy to see Jack Wilshere getting starts. It must be borne in mind that, with Cesc Fabregas’ departure seemingly only delayed, and Wenger sticking around, he must look at replacement options. The candidates from within the squad would seem to be Nasri, Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey. It is difficult to imagine the manager spending big to bring in a name replacement, given his track record of promoting from within wherever possible.
And whilst we are in the subject areas of Fabregas, the captain proved why in reality, he will be impossible to replace. The vision and the weight of his passing that set up chances and goals against Bolton were a joy to behold. Some have suggested that his performances so far this season have hinted at a lack of commitment, although they can now be seen as him regaining match fitness. He was outstanding. Bolton played a high line and Arsenal should have been at least three-nil up by half-time. Instead it was 1-0. It is difficult to really explain what was in Laurent Koscielny’s mind when he headed the ball to Bolton’s Korean wide man in the build-up to the equaliser. Was it supposed to be going to Gibbs or Almunia? The visitors certainly fashioned other chances, but given the number the Gunners managed, it would be churlish to get over-critical about the defence, not least because it was an unfamiliar one. Sebastien Squillaci made his debut and to these eyes had a decent game.
Manuel Almunia pulled off a couple of good saves and I was told afterwards that he has been doing an extra training session each afternoon. He wants to remain at the club as he loves being here, and is predictably concerned that he will be moved on if a new shotstopper is ever bought. Fair play to him for his dedication, but then again, you could ask the question as to why it has taken the current situation to make him feel the need to improve his game. The assumption could be that he has felt a little too complacent, a feeling brought about by the manager’s refusal to address the position until now. Still, if we can get a better season out of the Spanish waiter, then all you can say is that it’s progress. So far this season, after looking like his usual self against Liverpool, he’s played capably, or at least been better protected by his team-mates.
On that note, I heard a caller to 5 Live’s 606 phone-in express the view that when defending corners, Marouane Chamakh has looked like something of a battler, making life difficult for his opposite number, often one of the centre-backs assigned to him when Arsenal are attacking. I confess I haven’t watched him at set pieces that closely, but it is encouraging to hear. The forward’s positional play when his side are in possession is something I have noticed. He was criticised after the Liverpool match by some, but I felt he had very little to work on, even if some felt he could have worked positions if he were a better forward. However, that was his competitive debut, and he played a huge part in the late equaliser. Against Blackpool, he did all the right things except put the ball in the net for most of the game, but Arshavin had that kind of day against Bolton and no-one is writing him off as a talent. With each appearance, Chamakh looks better and better and it is starting to look like a shame that Arsenal would not pay Boredeaux’s increased asking price last year after the Adebayor sale had gone through.
Were Chamakh available as a spearhead last season, Arsenal might have done better. But the transfer market has exposed the club’s lack of ambition for some years now, and nothing has changed. The board and the manager do not seem to go the extra mile, and when they finally bring in a big name like Arshavin, end up not utilising him when presented with the opportunity to win a trophy. There are times when all you can do is scratch your head and wonder exactly what goes on in the minds of those in power at the club.
Still, performances like that against Bolton will keep the punters happy. Maybe not so happy that they will buy tickets for Champions League group games (a post-game general sale of seats for Wednesday against Braga was trumpeted at half time), but they will keep rolling up for Saturday 3pm games as long as Arsenal’s interest in the title is serious. The danger this season is that Chelsea will begin to run away with it, and defeat at the Bridge when Wenger’s team visit in early October will be a difficult result to recover from, for psychological reasons as much as anything else. Carlo Ancelotti is a decent manager who is able to get a response from his highly-paid players. He has his team playing some very effective and clinical football and frankly, it is difficult to see beyond them as winners of the title once again. I thought the same last year, but they dropped some cheap points to make life interesting. I do not think they will be so careless this time around, so I can see the rest battling for second place. If Arsenal can manage to actually win at the Bridge, then it’s an opinion I will be happy to revise, but for now, winning the Premier League looks a big ask even without the injury list Wenger’s squad are likely to carry. Whether or not that would be have been any different with a couple of extra signings is now an academic debate.
But keep winning the matches, and who knows where it will take the team. There are two new faces on board that know what it takes to win a title, albeit Le Championat, but such experience does the squad no harm at all. I expect a home win v Braga on Wednesday and – on current form – three points from next weekend’s visit to the Stadium of Light.
Source: Kevin Whitcher, The Online Gooner on 13 Sep 10
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