Are Arsenal in trouble?
August 25th 2008 12:00
After watching one of Arsenal's worst ever performances under Arsene Wenger on the weekend, it made me think, are the gunners in a bit of strife this campaign??
My opinion is mixed, i feel Arsene has a good squad under him, with an extremely solid starting XI when his best players are fit, but my main concern is the depth that he has.
Last year Arsenal lost the title, not because they choked but because the squad did not have the quality of depth that Chelsea and Manchester United had. Arsenal were five points clear at the top of the table during February and were in cruise mode. The massive turning point for the Gunners, was at St.Andrew's where they drew 2-2 with Birmingham. Eduardo's broken leg and that late disputable penalty which gave McFadden his second goal. Eduardo's injury limited Wenger's options extremely as Robin Van Persie was out indefinitely with various muscle injuries and now with Eduardo out, Wenger's only real quality striker was Adebayor. Nicklas Bendtner, the up and coming Dane, a very talented footballer, but his first real taste of top flight football, was not enough quality to cover Eduardo's injury.
The same problem has occurred this season, with key injuries to Rosicky, Fabregas (near full fitness), Eduardo and Diaby, the squad is left extremely short in midfield. Wenger had to turn to Emmanuel Eboue and youngster Denilson to play in central midfield. Eboue being extremely un popular with the fans for his theatrics and at times selfishness on the park, was a terrible move. Arsene proved he was down to his last resorts by giving Eboue the starting berth.
I feel Denilson and Diaby (when fit) will be good partners for Cesc but i still feel as if they are short an experienced player in midfield. Silvestre fills that gap in the defence but i feel Wenger needs to sign a partner for Cesc.
Signing Xabi Alonso at any cost would be a good answer or Gareth Barry. Both are very sound technically, have the ability to score from midfield and are proven in the English game.
I say Arsene, throw your money at either Aston Villa or Liverpool and see if you can rescue what looks a bleak season for Gooners if they continue to play like they did on saturday.
My opinion is mixed, i feel Arsene has a good squad under him, with an extremely solid starting XI when his best players are fit, but my main concern is the depth that he has.
Last year Arsenal lost the title, not because they choked but because the squad did not have the quality of depth that Chelsea and Manchester United had. Arsenal were five points clear at the top of the table during February and were in cruise mode. The massive turning point for the Gunners, was at St.Andrew's where they drew 2-2 with Birmingham. Eduardo's broken leg and that late disputable penalty which gave McFadden his second goal. Eduardo's injury limited Wenger's options extremely as Robin Van Persie was out indefinitely with various muscle injuries and now with Eduardo out, Wenger's only real quality striker was Adebayor. Nicklas Bendtner, the up and coming Dane, a very talented footballer, but his first real taste of top flight football, was not enough quality to cover Eduardo's injury.
The same problem has occurred this season, with key injuries to Rosicky, Fabregas (near full fitness), Eduardo and Diaby, the squad is left extremely short in midfield. Wenger had to turn to Emmanuel Eboue and youngster Denilson to play in central midfield. Eboue being extremely un popular with the fans for his theatrics and at times selfishness on the park, was a terrible move. Arsene proved he was down to his last resorts by giving Eboue the starting berth.
I feel Denilson and Diaby (when fit) will be good partners for Cesc but i still feel as if they are short an experienced player in midfield. Silvestre fills that gap in the defence but i feel Wenger needs to sign a partner for Cesc.
Signing Xabi Alonso at any cost would be a good answer or Gareth Barry. Both are very sound technically, have the ability to score from midfield and are proven in the English game.
I say Arsene, throw your money at either Aston Villa or Liverpool and see if you can rescue what looks a bleak season for Gooners if they continue to play like they did on saturday.
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Comment by Nicholas Bucco
on Wellington 2-4 Melbourne: Allsopp back to his best