Written by Mean Lean on Monday, 16 May 2011 00:18

I am mentally tired now. Exhausted and drained from this end of season capitulation. I keep finding myself looking forward to a game, a chance to banish the memories of the previous week, a chance for the team to show what they can and have done for so much of this season. Play well and win football matches. The trouble is in recent weeks they have also shown that they can produce periods of utter madness.

As soon as I saw the team sheet I frowned and worried. Where is Clichy? still no Nasri and Cesc? what on earth has happened to Djourou? Three new defenders into a team that was already having defensive issues was a concern that I did not expect to show up so quickly.

Who knows what Squillaci was playing at when Darren Bent was afforded the whole of the penalty area to chest the ball down from a lofted pass and then loft the ball over Szczesny.

Squillaci was the only player to play the forward onside and not only that but he appeared to be ball watching and not paying any attention to which player was behind him. Shortly after mistake number two was punished with another early goal for the visitors.

Ashley Young slid a pass through our center backs and Bacary Sagna attempted to play the offside trap even if Bent was in an onside position. Our feeble defence was cut to ribbons and Bent applied the finish.

Defenders more than any other position, need understanding, they need partnerships but Arsenal's makeshift back four looked like strangers which is pretty much true as those players have hardly played together this season. A back four of Sagna - Djourou - Koscielny - Clichy would not have conceded two goals in 15 minutes.

From that moment on, the game was an uphill struggle, a struggle that a side desperate for confidence was not going to overcome. Well perhaps it would have done if we had correct officiating.

After an abysmal start the team started to finally get their passing game together and started to look like
a team that actually knew who their team mates were.

Ramsey was caught by Richard Dunne in the penalty box whilst trying to shoot on goal. Nothing given. I actually find it pretty normal these days to have major decisions not given our way. How I would love to know what the actual figures are for incorrect major decisions for all teams. We would surely be top of that particular table, by some way I would guess.

Robin Van Persie also reminded me of another table that we would top by hitting the base of the post after twisting and turning in the box. I wouldn't be surprised if he has double the amount of attempts off the woodwork as the second highest in the league.

At half time Wenger had to gamble to get back into the game, and gamble he did with the removal of Squillaci and the introduction of Chamakh in attack.

Credit to Chamakh, it was the brightest that I have seen him in a while and his presence made a difference to the team.

We created chances and as is often the case, they were not seized upon. Gibbs struck at the keeper when lifting over him would have been the better option. Chamakh headed in at the far post but the referee was at it again. Minimal contact was made by Chamakh on Kyle Walker and it was enough for the referee to blow his whistle.

Even with a terrible start to the game and gifting Aston Villa two goals, we could have been equal if decisions had gone our way but it was just not to be.

Van Persie was allowed a goal a minute from time after substitute Bendtner bundled his way through and a blocked tackle on the Dane allowed the ball to roll to Van Persie to side foot in from six yards.  17 goals in his last 16 Premier League games. He has been the one outstanding performer for Arsenal during this miserable second half of the season but even with that exceptional strike rate, he cannot do it on his own.

How I yearn to have Van Persie fit for 90% of next season.

The full time whistle blew and the disgruntled Gooners showed their emotions.

Conclusion

From fighting for the title to staring down the barrel of Champions League qualification in a matter of weeks  is massively worrying.

Van Persie aside, the goals have dried up. The defence is leaking goals no matter which personnel are in place, so the team continue to drop points. Had the season had a couple of months left then I would really fear for the end position. We are in free fall and nothing much seems to be changing, that is a concern.

We are now looking for Manchester City to slip up in the two remaining games they have but in the form we are in, gaining three points at Craven Cottage is currently looking like a big ask

Szczesny (6)
Sagna (5)
Squillaci (4)
Vermaelen (6)
Gibbs (5)
Song (7)
Wilshere (6)
Ramsey (6)
Walcott (5)
Van Persie (7)
Arshavin (4)

Please note that ratings are only my interpretations of the game and that others will have differing opinions

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Comments (15)

• 16-May-2011 09:06 | | bluemoon  - Aston Villa (h) Post Match Thoughts: Strangers at
  

  It's time to change. AW should listen fans because they never lie to AW ,their comments are worth wide to concern as AW said last day about the next season so difficult for big 4 because the gap between the other 's so closed . This season is the example that Arsenal should lift their performance level in the more and more level to secure their place in the next season. This season problems those were chronic are 1st is fighting spirit ( with the VILLA ,there are 3 persons who showed their heart are RVP BIG SES and JACKO ,the other are not even Theo14 and KIBB ARE EXCEPTED BY THEY DIDN'T RECEIVE THE BALL TOO MUCH TO SHOW THEIR BRAVE, but the other not to protect the team . 2nd is the game style that every team knew how to stop Arsenal by used the double wall in front of goal and grouping players to pressing the player who had the ball, Arsenal style is used a lot of power that brought the players ran off the power in the final minutes so they can't give more pressure enough to bring the game back (No 3rd,4th gear to accelerate and pressure the opposite). 3rd is Arsenal master in the pitch after loss CES ,in the recents game ,Jacko and RAMBO despoil each other to be the boss in the pitch that is not good for team and I don't understand why AW didn't tell who is the boss in the pitch, in my idea Jacko is deserved but Rambo should turn to be double 6 beside Mr Song in more defense than attack alongside Song to secure the team to be stable in defense first and let 4 attacker Jacko RVP DOUBLE AA and Theo14 to find the scores ( with 4 attacker will make numberus ways to destroy the double wall with Theo speed , RVP 's smart idea to play and steering every players to play and killer instinct to score ,Double AA fantastic short and pass and Jacko simply killer passes). 4th is the reserve are not quality to change the game. Those are the example problem in this year not only the weakest defense players. This summer ,AW has a lot of work to think to change the team to be the lion not big mouse , the cannon not toy-gun ,some players should sell (Almunia, Abu Diaby ,Denison and the best Nicky Bendtner, no heart for team like Fab4 ),discuss to Nasri clearly stay or not that make some big money 40-50 million pounds to turn to some players like G. Cahill , S. Parker and Benzema . Not bring a shooting star because no one guarantee their quality in EPLand don't sell the royal players like Rosicky and Eboue who ready die for teambut I almost sure Aw will let both of them that is the summer stupid story. AW should re design his team again with his squad that he change ,reserve players who 're worth wide to be the 1st team and new players . Not only AW who have a lot of work but RVP Theo Chamakh Rosicky and Double AA (if he still stays) should goes holidays together to concern their physical body to built to be thick and strong and their way to play in harmony (fast and effective) like go to the beach football together that bring them enjoy and feel understand each other like TH14,Pires and Silvain done before. Finally ,I still be Trust in Arsene Wenger but please listen the fan voice.

• 16-May-2011 09:51 | | rohan  - person above me
  

  person above me, please can you actually make sense when you type. idiot.

• 16-May-2011 11:09 | | richie  - Sorry bluemoon gave up
  

  Rohan I'm with you I gave up trying to understand what bluemoon was trying to say. Its was so disjointed.

• 16-May-2011 11:16 | | mr h
  

  you make some good points, but goddamn, please use some grammar maybe, that way what you write won't give people headaches to read...

• 16-May-2011 11:28 | | richie  - Characters & Strong personalities please.
  

  ML Like you I'm looking into the abyss, this is a rotten way for us to end a season that had so much promise such a short time ago. The team lifted itself to face Man U (who play proper football) but the physical style of the teams in the lower regions are what our defence can't seem to cope with. Especially on set pieces. For me our faults on set pieces are the system of zonal marking which may work well in Europe, but not in the prem. For the prem IMHO a proper centre half is all that works. I do hope thats addressed next season. Which I can't wait for.

• 16-May-2011 12:45 | | Man United Killer
  

  LOL.

• 16-May-2011 13:42 | | dkgooner
  

  The last games have reminded me a bit of watching a tennis player who is 4-0 in a set and just wants to get it over with so s/he can concentrate on the next one. Given up. Or maybe it's me that's given up.
  Wish I could join you in looking forward to next season, richie. If they start off like they've ended this one, we could be looking at even more misery. Some of our build up play yesterday was really painful to watch - it was just so slow and you could see the Villa players pouring back to cover. When United break, they do so at speed - 2 or 3 passes and they're in the opponent's penalty box and the midfield are busting guts to get up there and add bodies.
  Too many of this squad are not up to scratch when the chips are down, whether it be ability, heart or both. It's in need of more than just a tweak here and there. We need an experienced goalkeeper to be a back-up and mentor to Szczesny and Fabianski; a decent right-back to understudy Sagna; two centre backs with PL experience (one of them a big bugger); a left-back to understudy Clichy (Martin Olsson of Blackburn would do fine IMO); another solid DM to understudy Song; and a winger who can switch wings, run at defences, hold the ball, cross the ball, create chaos and score goals. The full-backs should also be able to cross the ball. I know we have a lot of loanees coming back, but I'll be surprised if more than 3 of them make it at the top level.
  It would be great if Cesc looked like he had his heart in it if he stays and if he doesn't, we could be in deep do-do's because his departure might be the catalyst for more.
  An interesting close/pre-season ahead. There's plenty to be hopeful about - Vermaelen, Sagna, Song, Wilshire, Ramsey, Van Persie, Nasri makes a good core (I exclude Cesc because I think he's odds-on to go) - but also some worrying signs that many are not good enough or giving consistent enough performances - Squillaci, Djourou, Gibbs, Arshavin, Walcott. Then there are the likes of Koscielny, who I think has had a good first season and has had to play more games than was anticipated, Chamakh, who hasn't had much of a chance since RvP returned within the system we regularly start matches with, and Bendtner, who's never been able to play in the position which maximises his strengths.
  There are certain to be a number of departures and I hope we get some real quality buys this time. Wenger's gamble on the youngsters being good enough failed and the squad needs strengthening, refreshing and stabilising. And please, AW, no more of this stuff about disappointing the youngsters if you buy someone - if they're good enough, they're old enough and it will be good for them to have some experienced pros in the squad to measure themselves against.

• 16-May-2011 13:43 | | dkgooner
  

  That last posting should read "4-0 down in a set".

• 16-May-2011 13:55 | | dkgooner
  

  By the way - I didn't say all the above because we haven't won anything. I said it because of the standard of performances against:
  Sunderland (h&a)
  West Brom (ditto)
  Blackburn (h)
  and especially,
  Stoke (a)
  Villa (h)
  (amongst others)

• 16-May-2011 15:30 | | Fatso
  

  This is a blessing in disguise. Had we kept on winning after the Man U game some "fans" would be as deluded as ever. Something needs to be done this summer.
  
  Hold on, according to the "real arsenal fans", qualifying for the champions league means that we had a very good season.

• 16-May-2011 15:49 | | Kenny
  

  Totally agree look at the total over reaction to the Man Utd win.If we had beaten Stoke and Villa it would have been everything is rosey in the garden we dont need any new signings, next year is our year.The last two defeats against a team a week before the cup final and a team with nothing to play were a disgrace and that came after Chelsea dropping points to unbeliveably give us a chance to get 2nd place.It Wenger couldnt motivate them after that its time for him to go

• 17-May-2011 09:02 | | Rambo
  

  I am an Arsenal fan of the wenger era. Would say I was old enough to call myself a true fan from about 1995. One thing that you always hear from ex players is "Wenger is like a father to me." This may be where the problems start. If Wenger views his players like children, what father would see major flaws in their children. He needs to step back this summer and see that his back is against the wall and its time to be ruthless like he was with the players we had when he got here. He culled them over a space of a summer and bought a new squad. We don't need a new squad, i think about 4 in and 4 out should do it.

• 17-May-2011 09:02 | | Rambo
  

  But I feel we are all going to be going around in circles until end of season, saying the same things, arguing the same points.

• 17-May-2011 10:23 | | richie
  

  DKG I know where your coming from and there's plenty I could agree with. I think the collapse and lack of passion in the team is a massive issue. Nevertheless I still think that this year we weren't that far! I'm still of the opinion that had we had a real character (a full on personality) in the dressing room then they may well have succeded in dragging the current crop of very talened kids over the line.
  
  Its not getting that team balance of characters and prodigious talent right thats worrying. Its a given that everyone will strengthen this coming year, but we've been in need of proper strengthening for a good while now. I know at times we all look at the defence and cringe (probably remembering our old guard back 5) but I'm in favour of looking at the team as a whole. I tottally agree with you that the speed of our attack is now non-existant. We have possession but as I've said over and over its all foreplay and no penitration.
  
  I don't want to do a root and branch cul before the end of the season
  because I still maintain that many are looking in the wrong direction, the wrong end of the team. Even as slow as our attack undoubtedly is now, we still create loads of chances. Its the failer to finish clinically that means we don't win the games we should.
  RvP has been great since his return, but he should play with a real strike partner. Not a midfielder moved, not another striker played out wide etc etc. My consistant view has been that with another clinical 20 goal striker in the team we win comfortably this year.

• 17-May-2011 15:42 | | dkgooner
  

  Yeah - there's not much left to be said, is there?
  Just wait and see what happens between now and August. Nothing we do or say will affect anything.
  Thought arseblogger was good today.

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