I understand that people are cheesed off, so to say, and I am too. But let’s get some perspective and at the very least, sort out who (and what) we’re really supposed to be mad at.
Look at our team and tell me, while it obviously has its flaws, that it isn’t the best Arsenal team you’ve known since 2005. Personnel-wise, you have a sturdy defence with its depth, you have a great (attacking, at least) midfield in Ramsey, Cazorla, et al, and while the front line isn’t perfect, don’t tell me players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and even Olivier Giroud don’t make it dangerous.
Sprinkle some Mesut Özil, Alexis Sánchez and Petr Čech on that and you should have a team, whilst having its drawbacks, strong enough to compete for the Premier League title over 38 games. And even if they don’t, certainly strong enough to be tearing apart teams like West Ham and Newcastle United.
And look, while the players we have in defensive midfield and in striker are the worst out of every other area, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily bad. Coquelin and Giroud are not top-one quality but they’re certainly top-four, and the traits of the rest of the team (especially the midfield) should make up for their deficiencies.
Yes, buying a shiny new Benzema in place of Giroud, or a Morgan Schneiderlin to relegate Coquelin to the bench is always an upgrade, but they’re not huge ones. In expressing our need (or want) for new players we tend to downgrade the players we do have, a judgement not necessarily fair for the players at our disposal.
The fact that they aren’t living up to the sum of their individual parts is not down to lack of cohesion, lack of talent or lack of ambition. And it’s something more than coincidence that these players stagnate at Arsenal and play relatively better for their countries or their previous clubs.
You have to admit Arsène Wenger disappoints players more than he flourishes them. For every Coquelin there’s a Diaby and a Denilson, and for every Alexis (who I’m slightly worried about this season) there’s a Gervinho, an Arshavin and a Carlos Vela.
From the players we have, it’s illogical that Oxlade-Chamberlain should be the only player cutting the mustard. And even for the people who have supported Wenger through thick and thin (or rather, especially for them) surely it’s closer to home to suggest the manager is underperforming, than his 15 or so lieutenants?
Arsene Wenger is mostly right in not buying anymore (yes, I of all people am saying that). I can understand his appreciation of the midfield, and I can sympathize with him giving Giroud and Coquelin a chance. It seems that he’s pairing Walcott and Olivier as his two strikers – a sensible move, as both second-rate players will spur themselves on as the season pans out.
Why then, is Wenger to blame?
Well, for the simple reason of what is to follow. That, even with the resources and the players and the money and the Infinity Stones at his disposal, he won’t be able to do what is necessary to win what he has to. That, he won’t pay utmost attention to detail unless things go really bad – and by then, it may be too late.
This slow start to the season – while unexpected – is not altogether baffling. Even if he wants to, Wenger can’t get his team’s chin up, when the chips are down. His philosophy of “giving the players little-to-no instructions and letting them discover themselves” is admirable, but too idealistic. When times are tough, the players look up to the manager to show them the light. In this world, you just don’t say “Don’t worry lads it’s fine, even though we’re 2-0 down to Swansea at half-time just express yourself out there, I’m sure it’ll turn out swell.”
With our resources we should be reaching the stars we shoot for, but even eight months from completion, I can see that we won’t. Bar a drastic change in character or some huge favours from our rivals, it’s painfully obvious where this team will falter, and how complicit Arsene’s hand will be in that.
-Santi [Follow me on Twitter @ArsenalBlogz ]
Comments