Theo stays with Gunners

Well, there may be some good news in the Arsenal camp.  Young Theo Walcott has just extended his contract at the Emirates.  

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5297964,00.html

Arsene: Head still in the clouds re: young players???

Arsene’s ego may be getting in the way of the success of the team.  Understandably, you develop players and invest in them for successful output on the other end, but in the end, is it more about ego and being able to say that you were able to cultivate  and groom players for top-level football than the ultimate success of the club? 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5299612,00.html

Arsene Wenger on chasing the game, experience, & Bendtner

Arsene’s latest press conference…a little too laid back for my taste, but feel free to form your own opinion.

http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,15855_5299824,00.html

The Younger the better?

So, a big question I found out on the world-wide-web regarding the future of Arsenal was Arsene Wenger’s use of the “kids”.  We all know that he believes in using young players, and cultivating the club from the bottom up.  For the latter, I think that Arsene has been absolutely brilliant in establishing a solid foundation and club philosophy of training and grooming players, and developing a club-wide playing style that is respected the world over.  No one can argue that he is top-notch in this regard.

However, the past 5 seasons may be proving that perhaps we should not be putting all of our eggs in one basket (or at least so many of our eggs).  What is wrong with a little experience?  I hate to say it, but look at any of the other big four in England – Chelsea, Man. United, Liverpool – and they all have an overwhelming amount of experience on the field game in and game out.  I know it may seem impressive to have a group of youngsters that can “hang” with the big boys, but have our expectations of results really come to just being able to compete and give other teams a good game?  

There is something to be said for the energy and fearlessness of youth with something to prove on the pitch.  However, this will never replace the consistency and intelligence of experience.  Our now-dusty trophy case  is proof of this.

Champion’s League Semi-Final

So, today’s game didn’t start out terribly. 1-nil down on aggregate, at home, need 1-nil to keep it level, don’t concede a goal, push it to extra time, maybe go up 2-nil, or take it to PKs.  Simple enough, and quite good enough to be optimistic going in.  I know I was.  Until the 7th minute when United split our defense apart, young Kieran Gibbs slipped, and they went up 1-nil.  And that was the beginning of the end…

First, let’s talk about line-up.  Glad that neither Bendtner nor Eboue were in the starting 11 (they shouldn’t even be in the squad as far as I’m concerned, but that’s a different post).  But, what is Arsenal Wenger (yes, I meant to spell it that way) doing trying to play a 4-3-3 in this game?  I know some may argue that he was just going for it, being optimistic, having faith in his players, etc., etc…but at the end of the day, we were only 1-nil down on aggregate, and United’s goal was a home goal.  

There is never a reason why Cesc Fabregas should EVER be playing on the flank.  Granted it wasn’t a true flank position, he was supposed to be tucked inside a bit, but he did not have the freedom or the space to create or cause problems as he usually does being in that formation.  The opposite goes for Nasri.  He is a true flank player who thrives wide-left, and drifting into the middle does not suit him.  Song on the other hand, just plain isn’t good enough to hold down the middle on his own – he’s just not a Patrick Viera (or even a Claude Makalele).

Walcott, Van Persie, and Adebayor up front as three strikers just didn’t work either.  There just wasn’t enough room for all three of them to get anything going and what a waste of young Theo’s speed.  If he’s going to play up front he needs to be 1 of 2, or else he needs to play right midfield where he has space to run at people.  

It probably didn’t help to play this aggressive, offensive formation without 2 of our 4 starting back four out (Clichy, Gallas), and the fifth (Silvestre) on the bench as well.  No offense to Djourou or Gibbs, but that’s just not a solid back four.

And just when I thought there was a glimmer of hope at the half that things might change…in comes Eboue to replace Gibbs!  Wow. Eboue, left back?  Is that what we’ve been reduced to? 2-nil down, and that’s the half-time answer Arsene?  Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse than 3-nil down and completely hopeless, in comes Bendtner for Walcott!  And I am afraid to say that this is when I left and went home (apparently, as did many Gunner fans in the stands).

I will give credit where credit is due: Man. United did play a great game.  They finished well, possessed the ball well, created opportunities, and capitalized on a very shaky Arsenal squad.  However, as a Gunner fan through and through, I’ve got to think that it wasn’t all about how good Man. U was on the day, but also very much about the poor management by Arsene Wenger to tactically prepare his team better than he did. Where/what was the game-plan?  We needed 1 goal at least to draw level, not an aggressive line-up to go after the game as if we needed to score 5 goals to stay in it.  Game-plan was key today, and Wenger got it totally wrong.  A more respectful Arsenal side, minus some key players, taking on a strong, full-fledged Man. United team with the likes of Tevez, Berbatov, Giggs, AND Scholes on the bench, was much needed.

Not so sure what’s going on in the professor’s classroom this season, but maybe its time to get a substitute!