Gritty win at Ewood should not mask Arsenal need

The visit to Blackburn was always going to be a benchmark for what kind of autumn Arsenal were going to enjoy. After some disappointing displays towards the back end of last season, one of them at Ewood Park, there was a fear that, at least in terms of the team’s ability to cope with the potential banana skins of visits to more committed sides, we were witnessing a slow and continual decline in the spirit of the players. They didn’t care and weren’t always prepared to put in a shift and earn the right to play. Certainly, something went very wrong away from home in the concluding part of last season, a huge contrast to the opening away performances at Everton and Celtic.

However, a new season has begun. Possibly, with the exit of the moody William Gallas, there is a little more harmony in the dressing room. I won’t overplay this, as when things are going well, team spirit comes easy. However, Arsenal went to Blackburn and coped admirably with the physical onslaught of long balls into the area. Manuel Almunia was well protected by his defenders and when called upon did not shirk. Fair play to him for that, although one performance of this ilk should not change the fact that Wenger will never win a league title with Almunia in goal. He is not going to turn into a title-winning stopper at his age. So it is still imperative that a new keeper – presumably Schwarzer – arrives before August turns to September.

It must be hard work supporting a Sam Allardyce managed side. The joys, I suppose, are the winning of tackles and the thrill of danger when the ball is lumped into the opposition area. However, it’s interesting to note that the Rory Delap technique of using a towel as a prelude to a long throw-in has been adopted by Allardyce to create extra set pieces. But ultimately, it’s a bit like watching a battle, the Premier League season a war. It’s about territory, getting the ball in the danger area. There are times when there is a place in the game for some of what Blackburn do. They don’t take chances with the ball in defence. How Arsenal fans would love the full backs to play the ball down the line rather than square into the danger area in front of their own box. If Blackburn’s safety first tactics had been used in the dying embers of the game at St Andrews in late February 2008, the season might have had a different outcome. There is a time and a place for everything. Still, 90 minutes of Allardyce football at Ewood Park 19 times a season will keep Rovers in the top flight, which ultimately, I suspect, is the club’s priority.

Ironically, Rovers’ goal came from an on the floor attacking move which saw Koscielny caught out by El Hadj-Diouf. It wasn’t great defending, but for most of the afternoon, the team performed creditably in that department. Blackburn’s tactics were always going to create danger, but the visitors were solid and coped admirably with the onslaught. Predictably, Arsenal dominated possession and crafted enough openings to gain the points. It is difficult to single out any player as most did play very well. Fabregas was a little off his game at times, but rather than question his attitude, at this stage of the season, you have to put that down to his fitness. There is no conclusive news on Van Persie’s injury, but if he doesn’t play international football in the next fortnight you can see an upside.

Theo Walcott built on his display against Blackpool to make an excellent contribution. There are signs that he may be maturing in the way his believers always had faith he would. Long may it continue. To be fair to the player, a lot of hoo hah is being made about the talents of Manchester United’s new Mexican youngster Javier Hernández, and yet he is a year older than Theo. Over the seasons, his passing has been nowhere near as accurate at that of Cesc Fabregas, who developed in the spotlight from a similar age as Walcott. He has undoubtedly suffered by comparison. It seems to me the player might have bulked up a little recently. Strength added to speed undoubtedly caused problems for Blackburn, and now what Theo has to add to his game is consistency. He’s had two cracking matches and we can only hope for more. Even his doubters want him to make it, even if his development has, at times, proved very frustrating to witness.

The other goalscorer, Arshavin, made more of a contribution in this game. The first goal was a result of slick passing from the number 23 to Van Persie and then on to Theo. It was a lightning move – not ponderous at all. Passed into the goal, yes, but without unnecessary keep-ball in the build up. Very direct and too fast to counter. More of this please. The winning goal was equally delightful, using width to get the opposition defence on the back foot. With the amount of pace Arsenal possess, there should be more attempts to get the ball to the bi-line in this fashion. It’s how Blackburn scored too.

So, an encouraging start to the season. Arsenal will need to be as solid and impressive as this on a good number of other occasions if they are to succeed, but at this stage, all you can ask for is a statement of intent. Overcoming a Sam Allardyce managed side away was just that. Now for the team to deliver consistently, especially in the games against their main rivals, occasions where they invariably fell short last season.

However, there should be no illusion about the goalkeeping position. Ideally, both a keeper and a physical central midfielder will arrive before midnight on Tuesday. At this stage, the signs are that a keeper is all we can hope for. However, a failure to strengthen in the one position the squad is patently short in would be an abdication of duty, a surrender of Arsenal’s title chances. Over to you and that bulging bank balance Monsieur Wenger.

Source: Kevin Whitcher, The Online Gooner at 29 Aug 10