Written by Mean Lean on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 14:34

That was hugely frustrating and we dropped two valuable points in a week where we could have gained ground on the teams above us. When Gervinho scored after some great work between Rosicky and then Benayoun we should have pushed on and scored the second goal but instead we took our feet off the accelerator and played keep ball without any penetration.

We are currently suffering from not having natural full backs right now, that is impacting our play going forward massively. Thomas Vermaelen is never an Arsenal left back, he is never an overlapping player who can be mobile enough to sprint outside Gervinho and get back into position. It is the same with Djourou on the other side of the pitch and that meant that our attacking players were not able to find the space to make the difference.

van Persie snatched at a Gervinho pass and struck his shot wide when he had time to steady himself. As has been the case in the last few weeks, Robin van Persie was not at his best, his touch looks off, his quality in the final third has diminished. In the second half he had some great chances to pull down chipped passes that would have left him with the keeper to beat but he could not kill the ball in his stride and the chance then became too difficult.

The Wolves goal was coming late in the first half because we had almost stopped trying to score the second goal. Fletcher's head was instinctive and sharp following Hunt's shot on the edge of the box.

We took a little while to go through the gears in the second half which was a bit of a surprise considering the late goal but once we woke up we tested the Wolves goal continuously and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had that typical away performance from a goalkeeper. We have seen it in the past with Shay Given, Brad Friedel and Robert Green. They save their best for Arsenal away.

He thwarted van Persie, Rosicky, Mertesacker and Vermaelen in the second half but what it frustrating is that the keeper wouldn't have been able to save a point if we had the same attitude in the first half as we did in the second. The team reverted back to last season and I think that is the first time during this campaign that I have not been proud of our approach.

It needed one of the experienced players to have snapped the team back into gear when we were trying back heals at 1-0 up. Without our missing full backs we missed the width that Theo Walcott gives us. One pass into space down the right for Benayoun was played to perfection but Benayoun did not have the pace to reach the ball.

I have recently called for the inclusion of both Rosicky and Benayoun in the line up and individually they both played well but the team missed that outlet that a wide forward provides. I would have liked to have seen Chamberlain given a chance from the bench to stretch the play but that said I thought Arshavin looked bright when he came on and kept the ball well which hasn't always been the case when off the bench.

The weekend game against QPR will be interesting. Robin van Persie may have to settle for a spot on the bench even with the record still in sight, keeping our star player fresh is far more important than records.

While we missed a good chance to take advantage of Liverpool and Chelsea slip ups, at least we haven't fallen further behind them. We are roughly half way through the season, plenty of football to be played but dropping these two points is disappointing.

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Comments (50)

• 28-Dec-2011 15:26 | | Vuja De
  

  I agree that the absence of our specialist full backs is damaging our attacking play.
  
  However, we still created enough chances yesterday - particularly in the first 30 minutes or so - to have won that game comfortably with the players that we had on the pitch.
  
  Arteta has subsequently said something that I and others on this site - Mean Lean & Ritchie for starters - have been saying for a while now - that we need to be much more ruthless in the final third.
  
  If and when the team discover that ruthlessness and apply it game in, game out, then and only then will we take our game to the next level, and increase our chances of winning silverware.

• 28-Dec-2011 15:38 | | pedantic george
  

  There is not a team in the world that would not benefit from being more efficient in front of goal.
  Rather stating the obvious if you ask me.Which you didn't so byebye.

• 28-Dec-2011 15:39 | | Tony
  

  "Droping these two points is disapointing..." Well you sure as hell can say that again! Am sorry for sounding this way on this blog after the effort and courage it must have taken you to write this, its just that i see the ghost of last season rearing its ugly head.
  Please please Wenger give AOC a chance whenever you choose to rest Walcott or Gervinho.

• 28-Dec-2011 15:39 | | pedantic george
  

  PS ,why does my Meerkat not show himself on here?

• 28-Dec-2011 17:19 | | MeanLean
  

  Once you register with Arsenal Vision and use the same email address as your word press account then it should work a treat.

• 28-Dec-2011 18:50 | | pedantic george  - can you see me?
  

  testing

• 28-Dec-2011 18:55 | | MeanLean
  

  Log in first and it should work. Top left

• 28-Dec-2011 18:57 | | pedantic george
  

  testing again

• 28-Dec-2011 18:58 | | pedantic george
  

  lovely

• 28-Dec-2011 19:26 | | MeanLean
  

  That's much better

• 28-Dec-2011 20:49 | | colesy
  

  I am not so sure that I put yesterday's result down simply to lack of full backs. By the way, are you saying we have but were missing the 'specialist' fullbacks - cos we only really have one (Sagna). Santos I agree with other comments posted on this site lately, is like Gibbs - a midfielder more than a defender. Gibbs though is simply TOO injury prone to be deemed reliable or dependable. Jenkinson is TOO inexperienced.
  
  How much of yesterday's result is down to the following: a) poor signings in defence? b) lack of proper defensive coaching - in a George Graham style? c) zonal marking? or d) offensive play which is too predictable?
  
  We've scored fewer goals than last season - there must be a reason for this?

• 28-Dec-2011 21:44 | | Man United Killer  - Lets not be too surprised...it's what it is.
  

  Garbage in, Garbage out.We tried but we just were not good enough. This reminded me of the CSKA moscow game 2006 when we absolutely destroyed them with a 0-0 score.We cant do the same thing and expect different results.The cycle continues until we change the way we do things at our Club.

• 28-Dec-2011 23:38 | | Jon  - ARSHAVIN
  

  the Russian looked brilliant playing behind the strikers, yes?
  
  this is his position; not out wide.

• 28-Dec-2011 23:41 | | MeanLean
  

  Haha hilarious MUK. Has that been bubbling for a while now? It's been quite difficult to get it out I guess though as we have picked up 32 points from a possible 39 since the 2nd October. I thought we would be having a good old chat after our thumping at Chelsea or qualifying top in the Champions League group and many of our good victories along the way. But you haven't been around to talk about that.
  
  "Garbage in, Garbage out" is the reason for not taking our chances. Things have got to change before we can win every single game right? Ok, does this apply to Chelsea and Liverpool who have spent considerably more than us? If not why not? I use those clubs because we need a comparison right?
  
  If we didn't then we could rip into Arsenal after every dropped point without looking at the bigger picture. So with that in mind, do Chelsea and Liverpool have just garbage? Do they need to change like we do?
  
  Would love to hear your response.

• 29-Dec-2011 02:41 | | richie
  

  Don't hold your breath.
  Is that the really the time? Negs ahoy!

• 29-Dec-2011 03:07 | | richie
  

  Are you suggesting that the Brazilian team selection is wrong? I mean if Brazil has been Santos playing as a full back you'd think they'd know where he should be playing them all speaking the same language and all that. No?........ Oh ok, just a thought.
  I know that Fenerbahce had Andre playing out of his usual position because at Fenerbahce he replaced that other great Brazilian "midfielder" Roberto Carlos. But in the Brazilian team his replacement is Dani Alves.

• 29-Dec-2011 12:43 | | Colesy  - Richie- get your facts right!
  

  Richie, come on mate. I merely pointed out that on this very site, Santos has been mentioned as a 'midfielder' on occassions. For example, ML wrote on 24.11.11 the following under the article "Santos Stronger, Second Half Song & Benayoun Cameo" -
  
  "Andre Santos was fantastic from start to finish, he is looking stronger and sharper. I suspect that will continue as the games keep coming. He is a joy to watch, a player who could probably play in most midfield positions. His little jinks inside his man from a standing start are becoming his trade mark and he adds so much to our offensive game."
  
  Gino92 wrote;"I might be in the minority but I am actually beginning to enjoy watching Andre Santos play. He may not have a footballing body or a good stamina, or any one-two defending skills but boy, is he just amazing with the ball at his feet! He gets himself into tight spots and somehow manages to get out unscathed with quick and nimble footwork. He reminds me of Alex Hleb so much, whom I used to call a "magician". As long ad the Verminator is covering him up and Koscielny is watching anyone coming up from behind, I say, let Santos do what he does best. On top of everything, he is also a great passer of the ball. I cannot wait to have him play in front of Gibbs as part of the front 3 with about 20 minutes to go. That would be amazing. It is so refreshing to have some Brazilian flair in the team."

• 29-Dec-2011 13:45 | | Robin  - damn
  

  this team has been flirting with mediocrity and last game was the final nail in the coffin. any friggin team with real balls betn their legs wud've given a fight to a 10 men wolves. we shud've slayed their team and bettered our goal difference by miles. soo fckin sick of seein arsenal lose points to below average teams. this was a habit of the old arsenal but i expected much better from this team. id be gutted to see us in the poor mans UCL next season. damn..

• 29-Dec-2011 13:54 | | MeanLean
  

  So are you saying that teams with real balls NEVER drop points? Are you saying that Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool do not have balls either?
  
  Why do fans go so over the top when a team drops points? It was disappointing but can you not see what you are saying?

• 29-Dec-2011 15:50 | | Man United Killer  - comparison?
  

  Why won't you compare us to United or Spurs or Citeh? very convenient to choose pool and Chelsea.no?shows where your ambitions lie for your 'beloved' club. Your Undying clinging to Wenger and his methods is shallow but very impressive nonetheless ..but it will get the team no where...obviously.we keep getting worse with the passing of each season.we will be lucky to qualify for champions league.
  And What is the point of beating big teams and dropping point against lesser teams .we don't do it when it matters most.and don't make it sound like we are world beaters.you know that's not the case.
  You act like this is a great team we have here but you and I know that is a delusional thought.no world class players whatsoever except RVP.So what happens when he is incapacitated? You make it sound like It's too much to ask that we (THE ARSENAL) sign a few world class players.Good luck winning a trophy...even the Emirates Cup.And tell your beloved Wenger to go jump off a cliff the next time to you go to his palace to pay allegiance.

• 29-Dec-2011 22:27 | | richie
  

  I told you not to hold your breath ML I couldn't imagine MUK answering your question. His response is to switch the question diverting it to other teams.

• 29-Dec-2011 22:41 | | richie
  

  Its very well known everywhere that Brazilian full backs have two roles attacking being a high priority. So its hardly surprising that Santos is good going forward. I think he defends ok.

• 30-Dec-2011 05:54 | | Man United Killer  - Be objective for a second..even when it comes to y
  

  One sided Richie as usual.Why dont you ask your beloved ML to answer my question.He did not address my points either.Oh wait.ML is never wrong..I forgot that.

• 30-Dec-2011 05:55 | | Man United Killer
  

  And by the way, I am diverging to other teams because It does not make any sense to me why he chose those teams he did.

• 30-Dec-2011 08:30 | | pika
  

  that collection of abcds you wrote there is ridiculous. arsenal lost 3 points cause they didnt kill wolves off when they should. also pick one yes? are you blaming the defence or the attack. i know who im blaming, i blame the players. you want to blame the management for the duties of the players? lol.....

• 30-Dec-2011 08:36 | | pika
  

  lol...MUG so you feel arsenal should be compared with city and spurs and not liverpool and chelsea who are more of our tradiotional rivals for top4 or trophies the last 15 years? ... who the hell is city to compare them with US? and what the hell has tottenham ever accomplished to be put in the same sentence as US. and why compare us with the gestapo regime of the dictator peasant and his cheating thuggs?
  
  tell wenger to go jump off a cliff? lol are you serious? nah you cant be...only a rival would be so willing to show such disrespect to the world class manager who tranformed arsenal into a modern super club.
  
  but then again what do you know about respect you troll ...

• 30-Dec-2011 09:17 | | Colesy
  

  Richie- are you acknowledging that you mis-read my point entirely then?

• 30-Dec-2011 13:10 | | richie
  

  No hardly! I'm pointing out to you that there is a massive difference between traditional full backs and the newer far more mobile type that emerged post the twin influences of Brazilian and total football. The rules of football have changed, especially the active-passive off side rule. Since the changes most of us believe that our famous old back 4 wouldn't couldn't be effective and more. Far too static.
  
  The prem is a great league but its generally acknowledged that tactically its the poorest of the big 4 - La liga, Scudetto, Bundesliga & Premier. IMHO its the poorest tactically because many managers are stuck in a time warp, attatched as they are to the old idea's of centre halves that don't cross the half way line unless for a set piece, and full backs that ping in cross's as soon as they cross that line. We saw your name sake change to that type of full back under the special one. He regressed IMO.

• 30-Dec-2011 13:51 | | richie
  

  You must love ML's site why else would you post on it and not stick to Le Grove. As for getting it wrong I've seen ML acknowledge just that. But I haven't as yet seen one of the negs such as yourself admit to getting it wrong.

• 30-Dec-2011 13:53 | | richie
  

  You so plainly diverted because you can't answer the questions, it obvious to anyone who reads the exchanges.

• 30-Dec-2011 14:41 | | MeanLean
  

  "Why won't you compare us to United or Spurs or Citeh?"
  
  I guess you have forgotten about your comment that started this debate. Let me attempt to refresh your memory.
  
  "Garbage in, Garbage out.We tried but we just were not good enough. This reminded me of the CSKA moscow game 2006 "
  
  This was in response to our draw to Wolves.
  
  So the reason why I compared us to Chelsea and Liverpool is because they drew home games that they should have won. Does the argument not apply to them? So why do I not include Manchester City? Well I could do, they drew away at West Brom when they expected to win but I wonder if you can see any differences between them and us.
  
  It makes me wonder if you add any logic to any of your anti Wenger arguments. Is it really just a simple black and white case of Wenger's Arsenal isn't top, Manchester City and Manchester United are so we should sack him and keep hiring managers until they make us win every single game.
  
  Is there anything in between?
  
  Does the fact that Manchester United are the largest club at generating cash meaning they have higher spending power than us mean anything to you? Do you already know this but choose to ignore it because it weakens your anti Wenger argument.
  
  Does the fact that Manchester City are currently run by billionaires mean anything to you? You are asking me to compare our position with them even though they have the most expensively assembled squad in PL history.
  
  Why let facts like that get in the way of still trying to hold up the Wenger is shit mantra. You failed to respond to the fact that we have picked up 32 points from 39 and are one of the form teams in the league.
  
  As for comparing us to Spurs. That is a fair point. Spurs have had their best start to a league season since they last won the league in black and white, or it might be their best start ever. We have had our worst since the 30's or something yet roughly half way through the season they could potentially be 8 points ahead. What does that tell you? If you choose to look at it objectively.
  
  Spurs have had continuity and have added well to their squad. They have loaned a striker that they couldn't afford to buy and Scott Parker has done well. We have had to rip up half our squad and restructure our team and funnily enough it taken a while for us to get going. Like I have pointed out 32 points from 39 points since October is pretty good going.
  
  We had ZERO full backs available, our most creative midfielder Jack Wilshere has been out and that situation will get better.
  
  After a dreadful start we are in very good condition my friend but as long as Wenger is in charge and proving you wrong, you will ignore the finer details.
  
  I love how you have dismissed my mention of Chelsea instead plumping for City and United when recently you said that Arsene Wenger will never beat a Chelsea team again. We've beaten them twice in a row now.
  
  I bet you enjoyed being proved wrong their ey?

• 30-Dec-2011 14:42 | | MeanLean
  

  No MUK, I am wrong and so are you. The thing is when you are wrong you disappear.

• 30-Dec-2011 14:45 | | MeanLean
  

  That is exactly right Richie.
  
  'Wenger will never sign experience'
  'Wenger cannot teach defence'
  'Wenger will not replace Almunia'
  'Wenger can never beat Chelsea'
  
  Anyone putting their hands up and admitting being proved wrong...again?
  
  Thought not.

• 30-Dec-2011 16:55 | | Man United Killer  - Typical case of the pot calling the kettle black..
  

  No Richie.You are wrong like you mostly are.I cant answer all questions but i can certainly answer
  what ML asked.Piece of cake really.The only reason why I dont bother is that,for most part ML is not unbiased in his team selection for comparison.If you are going to compare us to big spenders then by all means, please do but why choose only Pool and Chelsea.Is he saying that spending on World class players leads to poor performances? Why not compare us to other spenders who are doing well-like Manure, City,Barca or Spurs (hurts me to say).
  I know what ML's next arguement will be.He is going to say "Well they have been spending but where has it gotten them?". Well I got one for you and ML. "The other teams have also beens spending and where has it gotten them?" I am sure these are simple questions for you and ML to answer.
  I know y'all love Wenger and what he is doing (I dont as you already know) but a little bit of objectivity will go a long way especially when you want people to give you a clean battle.It's 2012 fella's.Change your underhanded tactics for the sake of a good debate.Be fair in your arguements.

• 30-Dec-2011 17:04 | | Man United Killer  - Richie to ML's defence as usual...without the fact
  

  Do you only post on sites that you love? That probably explains why you never seem to learn.You obviously don't have the balls to debate with people who dont agree with you.FYI, I always fancy a debate any day but when its with people who rarely explore other sites and other people's opinions and hence have a tunnel vision on their beliefs for most part, I really win can I?
  And your ability to fail to recall a single instance when I agreed with either you or ML Or admitted that I was wrong or didn't have some information any of you had given me is surprising.But that is Richie.He remembers only what he wants doesn't it?

• 30-Dec-2011 17:06 | | Man United Killer  - Disappearing acts?
  

  ML..disappear? Really? I am on here ain't I? I am sure you and I have verbally sparred on here many times.The truth is that I always come back to check your responses and get back.So this comment comes as a surprise but what can I say.This is ML.

• 31-Dec-2011 00:08 | | Mike  - Let's exit 2011 with a win
  

  A win is a must against QPR. We need to be on Position 5 entering 2012

• 31-Dec-2011 00:53 | | Yuup  - hate to have to hear your voice
  

  I FEEL BAD FOR YOUR OTHER PERSONALITIES AND ALL THE CRAP THEY HAVE TO ENDURE....GOOSFRABA! GOOSFRABA!

• 31-Dec-2011 02:26 | | richie
  

  No MUK its way to obvious that you run away whenever we are doing well because it doesn't suit your anti Wenger stance. If we are winning how can you come on this blog and continue with your anti Wenger stuff? Its only when we have a blip that you show up and spout the same old stuff.
  
  We all make predictions and get them wrong, but your long term views are questionable because you want to compare the Arsenal to City (Currently the richest club in the world) who have bought themselves over 2 full teams of players and have them on the highest salaries in the prem. Or Man U the biggest money makers in the prem and the most indebted. We don't have their riches or their sugar Daddies and we would probably never be allowed to run up their debts!
  
  Its not even fair to compare us to Chelsea because they too still have their sugar daddy Russian buying them Xmas presents. Presents that we thought we'd actually bought for ourselves (reasonably on E bay) only to find that what was actually the Mata, was a larger bid than we could afford scooped up JMMG. The only fair comparisons are those (made by ML) directly above us the pool and the spuds.
  
  Knowing that we can't compete financially with Man U or Chelsea what has kept us top 4 since the big money arrived in the premier league in 2003? Now we also have Man City to consider as well. I'd love to know why you think without any finacial muscle we've still managed to finish top 4? I don't want us to only be content with reaching the top 4! Like all true Gooners I want the title, but I'm not living in a vacuum, no one can ignor the facts!
  
  Man U used to be the club with the most money and they bought the great players for big bucks and paid them more. Then Abromovitch arrived with all his millions and bought Chelsea the title. Now the Shiekh is trying to do the same. You saw how we had to sell in the summer before we could buy, the same is true this TF Window. We can't buy the superstars because they expect superstar contracts and our season ticket sales budget won't stretch that far, and I see no sign of Kroenke dipping his hand into his pocket. How do we compete? Teams that can only afford to buy from our lower divisions don't finish in the top 6 never mind top 4 so tell us how it is we've managed top 4 since 03?

• 31-Dec-2011 02:53 | | richie
  

  Of course I only post on sites I enjoy posting on! If I read a load of drivel on another site why would I bother to post something on them? I mainly only post on Arsenal Vision Desi Gunner and The Gunning Hawk in that order (Although Chris is having a break so TGH is off at the mo). I trawl through others but I mostly think they are inhabited by extremist and I can't be bothered to post anything other than a single comment that I rarely return to.
  
  I never said we've never agreed. Of course we have, were did you get that from? I said I've yet to see one of the negs such as yourself admit that you got something wrong. Concerning Arsene Wenger, the clubs transfer policy and who is responsible for what? You continue to blame the manager for things he has no control over because it suits your anti Wenger agenda. When we are winning and playing well under Wenger, your in hiding. Whereas I was still on this blog at the begining of the season when things weren't going well.

• 31-Dec-2011 04:12 | | Man United Killer
  

  As usual Richie, you have typed a lot of nothing.
  I come on here only when we lose? Really? When was the last time you saw me on here? You must have a very bad memory and this is not the first time I am saying this to you.This might come as a shock to you but I have other commitments that occasionally afford me no time to get on here to enlighten you.Are you really sure I only come on here to post when we lose? Or you do need time to work on your rusty memory? It's funny that you call other people extremist just because they have a different perspective.I am sure you will have no problem finding me a niche somewhere in that spectrum.The worst form maybe? Just because I don't agree with you on some issues. I am not sure if you are loyal to Wenger,ML or Arsenal? Maybe very much so the first and second but the third, I am not so sure.
  Now I am sure you are itching to tell me all about that Wenger has done since he joined.I will sign off here and let you recite your favorite poem once again.Go for it Richie!

• 31-Dec-2011 04:13 | | Man United Killer
  

  Ummm..What happened on Pluto?

• 31-Dec-2011 04:15 | | Man United Killer
  

  Who do you want to compare us to then Richie? Let's hear it?

• 31-Dec-2011 12:36 | | Colesy
  

  so is Wenger stuck in a time warp too?

• 01-Jan-2012 02:52 | | richie
  

  I've already stated above who its fair to compare us to, no point re- typing it, read it above.

• 01-Jan-2012 02:57 | | richie
  

  I notice you are asking me who I want to compare us to? But you haven't answered any of the questions posed above. Why is that?

• 01-Jan-2012 13:47 | | pika
  

  haha well said! ...i couldnt stop laughing when the mug wrote something about debates.. hillarious

• 01-Jan-2012 13:53 | | pika
  

  answer the effing question you tetrapligic moron coming here abusing the hospitality of ml with your constant moaning and negative b/s. you dont support arsenal. we get it. if as you say what you want is to "debate" .(pmsl)...then debate what richie asked you, you MUG. what is it that has allowed arsenal to maintain its competitiveness ? we know it aint the money.....so lets hear you say it troll...the solre season is the manager ....truth hurts doesnt it?

• 01-Jan-2012 14:51 | | richie
  

  Position 5? Why aim so low

• 01-Jan-2012 16:15 | | TH12
  

  everyone drops points but it happens far too often to arsenal for our liking. and i must agree with robin here we shudve pushed on after we scored and got a second but we didnt. it was quite evident that the team relaxed and started passing backwards and sideways.like arteta said after the game, wed like to see arsenal become ruthless. and if ur ok with arsenal conceeding points to lower oppositions then i must say we dont share the shame aspirations for our club mate.

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