Tonights fixture at home to Liverpool will certainly signal how the season is going to pan out. With a trip to Tottenham and a home fixture vs Man City the only top 7 sides left to play this term, Arsenal can either turn it around tonight and propel themselves back into contention or lose and face a dog fight for 3rd/4th place.
Liverpool have gone under the radar recently and out of the media's glare, mainly because their form has improved (won last 7 from 9) and in part because Arsenals glittering 10 match unbeaten run has been blown out of the water by Chelsea and Man Utd. This is surely the perfect time for the Scoucers to finally win at The Emirates.
So what has gone wrong at Arsenal? Is it because Wenger didn't spend in the Jan window? Is it because the kids just simply aren't good enough to go to the next level? Whatever it is, it appears at the moment that it has gone wrong once again at the pivotal time of the season. It almost seems traditional now that the wheels fall off in Feb (remember two seasons ago when Arsenal were top and flying - Eduardo broke his leg then Arsenal went on a 4 game drawing streak and let Man Utd back into the title race..)
Lee Dixon has written an interesting article on the BBC site where he talks about the defensive frailties at Arsenal. He mentions that back in the days of the legendary back 4 of Adams, Bould, Dixon and Winterburn when Wenger first took over, he realised that those guys knew what they were doing and left them to it... I wonder if to some degree that is the case now, with Gallas being the experienced head teaching the younger ones?
Set pieces and crosses - at both ends there are issues that need addressing. How long before Arsenal realise that unless you have a target man 6ft or taller, all crosses and free kicks will be taken comfortably by the opposition. At the other end, someone needs to show the youngsters how to stick to your man, Drogba is difficult to hold on to anyway but when he's given freedom to smash it in at the back post unmarked.. Oh dear.
Arsenal have almost gone from trying to walk it in to just running to the byline then gifting possession to the opposition.
This may seem like a rant, and it probably is! It's just so frustrating to see a group of talented athletes throw it all away when they are so close to victory, long overdue victory at that! The sad truth is that without victory, the stars of the team are likely to move on, Cesc, RvP, Arshavin even Vermaelen - leaving a very bare team in which someone has to try and build on. I personally cannot see Wenger continuing as manager for much longer, he appears to be letting it all get to him now and also do the fans still believe in him? He'll go upstairs soon, or even to manage a country.. Who would take over though? Who would want to take over??
If Wenger can gain a victory tonight it'll be his 300th in the Premier League, second to reach that behind Sir Alex.
Let's get the season back on track yeah lads?
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