After convincing wins against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, Tottenham at the Emirates, and a couple of big wins against AZ Alkmaar and Wolves, we’ve found ourselves hitting poor form with three defeats from the last four games, which included an unconvincing win against Standard Liege.
One word, Robin van Persie!
Now, I’ve never been the biggest Van Persie fan, as I’ve always found him a little too inconsistent, but the last four games has proved what a player he is. He really has come into his own this season, relishing the responsibility after other big strikers have departed the club. No doubt in my mind, he would have been a candidate for the PFA Player of the Year, and the loss is really affecting Arsenal.
We are not a one man club, but every team will suffer if they lost their main man, Liverpool most notably with the absence of Torres, and Man United with Ronaldo, likewise Chelsea when Drogba leaves for the ACN.
We do have the players to cope with the absence but they just don’t seem to be firing on all cylinders. Eduardo is a top quality striker, but he’s not 100% and he’s definitely not hitting form. Arshavin is another player capable of destroying any defence, but he’s just not doing it this season, and it’s clear that he’s not fully fit. Walcott is not ready to fill in up front, Vela is not ready, and Bendtner is injured.
December isn’t a relatively strong fixture list for Arsenal, with the exception of Liverpool at Anfield, and I’m sure we can turn it around. I’m pretty sure we’ll get back to winning ways this weekend when we face Stoke at The Emirates, but I’m not as confident as I would’ve been two months ago.
With Van Persie out for four to five months, I’m sure Wenger will buy a big name in January to ensure we qualify for the Champions League next season. He done it with Arshavin, and he’ll do it again. Edin Džeko please Mr Wenger.
13 Comments
December 3, 2009 at 12:29 pm
We need a finisher..! RVP is good no doubt but he’s not the best in the business. I don’t understand why ppl are blaming his injuries for losses! Yes with him injured it messed up our momentum but Arsene should have invested in a CF when we sold Ade and had the money! I just hope we get someone decent in Jan or else it’s going to end miserably.
December 3, 2009 at 2:42 pm
It’s not just RVP but also Bendtner. Without them we seem to have only one attacking option (passing through the middle) which is easily countered by well organised teams.
December 3, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I actually think we miss Bendtner a lot more than he gets credit for.
December 3, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Yes the Gunners need a finisher. Van persie is the glue that holds the team together. Or in coach speak team team chemistry is lacking. One trend the gunners have is very disturbing. When Arsenal gets down it seems like they quit. The Gunners don’t have the attitude when can come back. They aren’t as tough as nails. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
December 3, 2009 at 3:27 pm
edin dzeko is the man for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 3, 2009 at 4:12 pm
We need a finisher, or someone more creative up top. That is what RVP was for us, moreso than his goals. We had good communication and creativity whenever it went to RVP and he didn’t just finish on his own, he either created an opportunity for someone else (hence the 7 assists and large spread of goals) or got the ball back and scored himself.
But what we really need is a whole new back-line. Ok… keep Vermaelen. Clichy (out now) and Sagna have regressed this year and Gallas, while good, can’t be our enforcer in the middle to take out the top strikers in the world. (Verm isn’t either).
I’m reminded at times like this that Wenger inherited Seaman, Adams, Bould, Winterburn, Dixon, Keown, etc. for those Cup winning teams of the late ’90s early ’00s.
It was easy for him to build the creative offense in front of them.
We need to completely revamp our defense.
December 3, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I think this is just one aspect of what we need. Van Persie is missed, certainly, but we have been without a Thierry Henry for too long now and we must acquire a top class finishers in january. As well as another CB, Nevern Subotic, a Full Back, Van Der Wiel, and a CDM, Matuidi/De Rossi etc.
Arsenal seem to be falling flat in pressure games thie year, and we need to correct this, basically we need to win every single game leading into Christmas, i know that sounds like a ‘well duh’ statement, but its true of us more than Chelsea and United.
December 4, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Winning The Premiership this year would mean we get an uncharacteristic bullish run this December and January. That would mean that we must immediately resolve our striking and back problems. I think it’s time Wenger another Henry (He brought Thierry upfront when Anelka left and it must have been one of the most brilliant decisions in his gunners helmship)The guys that can have the answer could be Walcott or even Nasri who does not shy away from shooting and he can be paired up with Asharvin and Vela getting more play time and Eduardo can move to the flanks together with Rosiscky. In the central Mid, Fab, Denilson, Ramsey, Wilshere for the moment can do. The back line I suspect Gallas and Sagna need some rest time to return to full fitness for the moment. Silvestre should get a role in the next 2-3 games. I think we have a Simpson out on loan who doing well in the Championship. A recall and trials in the senior team may reveal some good opportunity.
Come January i think we should Offload Eduardo and Bendtner and replace them with 2 no nonsense attackers. not that they are not good enough but we need to get big and fully developed strikers. I vouch for Nistelroy and(or)Diego Forlan, Dzeko and Carlton Cole to be one of the two. Mutuidi can do the central Back and Song role.
December 5, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I actually agree with bobbygee.
Once we start doing a little bad we pretty much throw the towel in. We definately lack team chemistry. I’ve seen more times than often when a player makes a mistake the others aren’t there to tell him its ok/move on etc, instead they make stupid remarks. Arshavin does this alot, he seems to make stupid gestures everytime something doesnt go his way, and it seems he is distancing himself from the team.
I watched the match against chelsea, and the thing that really made them look invincible was how they played the game for each other and the team as a whole. They are a great example of team chemistry.
December 7, 2009 at 4:22 pm
RVP is the most important player at Arsenal. Cesc is ok but Ramsey can fill his void. Sell Cesc, buy a decent striker as Bendtner isnt Prem quality and let Robin lead us to the top of the Prem and Europe. RVP makes goals, scores goals and links all our attacking play. Hurry back Robin, we miss and need you.
December 7, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I am so happy Nicogunner isn’t the manager!
December 7, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Bobbygee, Std Liege scored 2 in 5 mins. We didnt drop our heads, we went on to win 2-3. Do you guys actually go to the games or even watch them???
December 9, 2009 at 6:45 am
why does everyone keep going on about Carlton Cole? he’s pony.
And he’s always injured.
mugs