Articles
Sailing too close to the wind
Date: 29 Mar 2010By Squid Boy
Saturday’s sickener at Birmingham. Call it what you will – unfortunate, unlucky, unjust, undeserving – but it definitely wasn’t unexpected.
Why? Because we have had to rely on far too many late goals and close shaves recently. Whilst it has been incredible for fortifying belief and spirit amongst both players and fans, it has come at the expense of comfort. Simply put, the natural joie de vivre has gone from our game over the last few months as we have had to grind out last-ditch victories. The only exception being Porto in the Champions League home leg.
In theory, a late goal should be a killer blow to the opposition as it minimises their time to equalise. As has been the case for Stoke, Hull and West Ham in recent weeks. In fact, it’s not even the tardiness of our goals that is the key issue. But the fact that our leads have been too slender, meaning that any defensive cock-up or refereeing gaffe can be crucial.
The esteemed Goodplaya has mentioned recently that in 2010 we’ve only entered the final 10 minutes of a league game holding a two-goal lead once – Bolton away. And even that match only just makes the cut as Fran Merida’s “clincher” came in the 78th minute.
So when was the last time that we cruised to a domestic victory without the attendant nail-biting and drama that comes with a single-goal lead or late clincher? Off the top of my head I could not remember, so I looked up our results and saw the Pompey away fixture at the very end of 2009. Three whole months ago.
In the thirteen league fixtures since then, we’ve either lost convincingly (Man Utd and Chelsea), had to scrap for a draw (Everton, Villa, Birmingham), or made the game safe late on (the rest, except Liverpool which remained 1-0 from midway through the second period). That is thirteen games of hard slog. A third of the season. People may say such is the nature of this season’s ultra-competitive Premier League, but it hasn’t stopped our rivals from amassing convincing wins, has it?
Not only do these late shows give us supporters palpitations, but the players have to exert themselves massively. Although some would say that giving their all in the last portion of the game is a direct consequence of not doing so earlier in proceedings.
I’d love to know why we are no longer putting teams to the sword. Could it be a case of the players themselves putting too much stock in their much vaunted ability to grab a late goal? I certainly hope not, but the feeling does persist that the team can be casual at times – as evidenced by our lack of early goals this season. And even when we do get that precious early goal, we tend to rest on our laurels – the three earliest goals this campaign have been at Burnley and Hull away plus West Ham last week, and each time the opposition equalised (or in West Ham’s case, came mighty close) before we grabbed the crucial second.
I feel it is also to do with the tactical setup of the opposition these days as they seek to keep it tight before catching us cold on the counter or at set-pieces. In which case we have little option but to let our greater physical fitness shine through eventually and the players deserve huge credit for sticking to their guns.
The absence of RvP is surely a factor too – from being on course to amassing a 100 league goals whilst he was on the pitch, the current projection is a more lowly (but still impressive) 88. Those twelve “lost” goals could undoubtedly prove crucial come the season’s denouement.
As for the Birmingham result, I am torn. If you looked at the fixtures last summer and someone told you that St. Andrews would be a fortress with none of our rivals winning their and offered you a draw, you’d probably have taken it. But I have three issues with that:
1) if we are trying to win this league then we shouldn’t be satisfied with simply matching our rivals’ results at certain grounds – we should be trying to outdo them. Especially this year as our games against “the rest” have taken greater significance given our failings against “the best”;
2) any occasion where we enter injury time in the lead but don’t end up winning is a cause for great grievance and broken furniture; and
3) Birmingham have now assumed the role of our “bogey” team and will relish living up to that moniker in forthcoming seasons.
Allied with the other results and scorelines this weekend, the draw takes on even greater significance. Let’s hope we can emulate our West London neighbours and show a prolific bouncebackability.
Looking ahead to Barca, I have to say I am eagerly anticipating it. Not due to over-confidence or anything like that, but because I see it as a shot-to-nothing. Not many expect us to do the bizzo against them over two-legs, but we Gooners know we can emerge triumphant if we play a near-perfect 180 minutes. An underdog with a genuine chance is a role that I am happy to adopt and can bring the best out of the players, much like it did against Real and Juve in 2006 and Milan in 2008.
However, my thoughts are already straying towards Wolves at home on Saturday. Ironic, eh? Whilst almost the entire Arsenal blogosphere had one eye on the Barca game before Saturday, I have one eye on Wolves before the Barca game.
No disrespect whatsoever to Wolves, but I see that game as a real chance to re-instil the confidence back in our game. If we could combine our fantastic interplay (which has not disappeared at all), a real high tempo from the start, and some clinical finishing then we could be in for a treat. And it wouldn’t just be good for our goal difference either as ideally the players would rediscover that not all games have to be as physically and mentally demanding as our last thirteen.
But given the roller-coaster ride that is Arsenal’s 2009/2010 season, I’d gladly accept another last-minute winner right now. Bring on Barca and roll on Wolves.
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I do agree with parts of your article SB. I have wondered why we start games at a slower pace compared to the second half. I do not believe that it is coincidence.
We started the season really working from the front and closing the opposition down. Without looking at the stats, I am sure we killed off games earlier in the season.
We have clearly dropped off the winning the ball from the front, I am not sure if that was a tactical move or if that is tiredness.
I was watching a recent Barca match and they really work like crazy to regain possession. I only really noticed Cesc doing that at Birmingham.
Who said our season was over? Even the invincibles put up some performances that made you wonder where their minds were.
What's funny - well sad really, is that supporters demand that the team show fight yet when there's a small blip, the supporters don't have the nerve to fight on. My teacher taught me that was called hypocrisy.
This season aint over until the fat lady sings and the heifer hasn't even undressed to get into the bath, let alone leave her dressing room for the stage.
Great article btw SB.
And as for the fella earlier who says he's given up on the team and has had enough of the so called Wenger project, my instinct is to suggest that you should move right along and go support another team that does what you want.
@Aloise - couldn't agree more, when chasing a game we are probably the best club side in the world.
@ML - agreed, there's little doubt that our intensity at winning the ball back has dwindled. My favourite performance this season with Celtic away game in the CL qualifier, i was so proud of the way we worked off-the-ball.
@Zama - i think at Zenit, Arshavin was very much 'The Man' and the other 10 players covered for his lack of work rate. I sense the same is happening here. Whilst it's not ideal, it is what it is. What has surprised me in a bad way is the number of chances he's missed recently. Skied a few against Porto and Hull, plus the golden chance against Birmingham to make the game safe. I wouldn't be surprised if he really turns it on against Barca though, he is that type of player.
@Darius - your point about hypocrisy is a fine one. And even though he isn't a Gooner, i'd add Myles Palmer to that. Since we've put this winning run together he's written more often and positively about us. Prior to the Birmingham game he was fairly positive again, but added the caveat that if we couldn't pick up a result then the entire youth project was a failure. Really Myles? The entire project failing on the strength of one result? Lo and behold, today he is back on the negative because of one defensive error.
This team has shown time and again that you write them off at your own peril. Hopefully all the morons who slate "The Youth Project" will have a Dino sized egg on their faces pretty soon
Can you explain how spending a fraction of our rivals and competing with a young team who are improving because of their age is a failed youth project?
And are you also trying to say that Guus Hiddink has never had a side that has conceded a late goal to draw? You've really lost me.
I believe you are so wrong, its untrue. I would love to hear your views on how Wenger has gone wrong and what Arsenal football club can do to make you a happy customer.
the fact that we have been able to sustain a title challenge for so long without a good keeper and without our best striker speaks volumes about the overall quality of the team. which makes it all the more tragic, because if we did have a good keeper we would have won the league this year and a couple seasons ago. wenger has to spend in this area come next season.
you look at man utd, are they so much better than us? no, of course not, but everytime they need a goal they get a penalty most everywhere in the country, so they get the results they need. against us at OT they got their usual penalty and an own goal gave them 3 points. we deserved to win that match. same thing against liverpool, another penalty given for a foul outside the area and a dive. they don't deserve first place but they have it, if refereeing was fair then i have no doubt we'd be champions by now. there are so many things going against us that in order for us to win we have to be that much better than other teams to win it. a porper keeper would solve this, we are at a handicap at the moment, yet still in it.
the team is good, don't belittle them and consider all these factors,
and the fact that every team in the league has a license to kick whenever they play us, penalties not given, yellow cards given for nothing, even reds! the fact that we are always injured is directly linked to it. what can we do? the only thing we can do is be much better than everyone, and we are becoming better every year, but we need a goalkeeper desperately.
I agree with a lot of the sentiments about Birmingham now feeling they are our "bogey" team however to be fair to them we aren't the only ones, they have had an astonishing season particularly given some of the distinctly average players they put out on the pitch each week.
I have to admit I didn't see Birmingham as too much of a threat and thought that the most difficult game would be Spuds however I don't see how the doomsayers on here can complain too much bearing in mind we are still in the CL (unlike Chelsea & Liverpool) and still in the title race (unlike any of the other teams behind us)
I fail to see how the draw at Birmingham changes anything. We are still in the title race at the end of the season, which is more than we were at this point last year... Show a little faith people, looking for cracks that need to be papered over isn't supportive nor is it particularly helpful.
The main concern I have (and hate to say) is for RVP, I can't remember a full season he has played for us. Although he has unbelievable talent and is easily our best striker we need to replace him with someone equally as good. Although I think we are 99% there, a fully fit RVP would be the final % for me but I don't think a "fully fit" RVP is ever going to happen for a season meaning it may be time to cut our losses and trade him in for a Drogba or a Tevez, even if they only played half our games it would be worth it.
Players like Denilson hav no defensive acumen watsoever,they just cruise around following the ball all ova the pitch!!!,just watch him against Barca,plus how come Clichy n Sagna can't cross the ball?? not even once?? Visit tha skysports etc n add up the no. Of unsuccessful crosses made by each!!! Jst coz they don practice, all the manager tellz em iz,''Boys go out there n play'', wat Naivette!!! U Saw the way Jose mourinho was berrating Sneijder each tym he misplaced a pass against chelsea? Thatz wat it takes 2 win championships,just ask Sir Alex.
A while back i heard the spanish waiter Almunia say that Wenger likes a team of ''Nice men'',wat gibberish? That must b y we lack a rampaging pitbull like Edger Davids,Viera,Keane,Zanetti,Rooney,Lucio,etc
,''football is a war without bullets'' and "Nice men'' won't win yah the league!!!
Wat most of us don knw is that wenger had bn following the same flawed policy @Marseille,where he shipped out all the experiencd pros n brought in toddlers to do a man's job,wonderin wat it culminated into?
Good luck against Barca!!! U will need it,i aint watching,watz the use anyway?
did you seriously suggest it was a mistake not signing Bojinov!!!!
he's had more injuries than Dean Ashton?
plus the fact you've openly said you won't be watching against Barca... What sort of Arsenal fan are you exactly...
Don't bother with pete and his ilk he's so obviously a spud "good luck against barca "YOU'LL" need it? one of us wouldn't say you'll need it? Besides he thinks AW sold all the topdraw Merseille players and bought in kids as replacements? Only one problem with that eh Gooners? Obviously the the spud don't know Arsene's record why would he? Would any of you know the history of the spuds most successful manager?
If they've had one?
"petethespud" is @ one with "harrythetwitcher" they make great partners. No doubt he'd have trouble remembering when his team last won the prem (oh shit thats right they never have!) Soon its their 50 year anniversary thats how long ago they were seriously in contention for the topspot, in the league.
But i got a question for u, do you think if we had a Lassana diarra or a Makelele esque midfilder, would Messi had all the time to pick a pass out wide for his second goal? No one was 6 yards of the best player of the decade,wow wat a surprise?u will b even forgive 2 think we had been reduced to ten men! just wait n see tha way Inter (jose) will handle a ball possesion team like Barca,i can't wait! It will be a Masterclass in defense from Lucio n co. Hope Wenger will b watchng 2 learn a thing or two! Albeit Wenger Knows! The best manager in history will be busy telling Diaby how great he is,all he needs is keep holding onto the ball till he loses it*!