Crisis. The word that even Le Professor doesn’t quite understand the meaning of; nevertheless, it’s been thrown about more times than our beloved Arsenal have let a lead slip. Are Arsenal really in crisis?
The last time Arsenal took to the field at The Hawthorns, they were flying high having totted up 16 points from seven games. This season is a whole different story.
Jack Wilshere was the hero that day at The Hawthorns, salvaging a point for the Arsenal having fallen behind to a Claudio Yacob header. A solid gritty away performance earned a point. But, it seems that this season, a solid gritty away performance earning a point will just not do.. And, there’s no Jack this time.
A MUST WIN
Arsenal fans are growing in frustration and rightly so. They’re paying the highest ticket prices in the league to watch their team conjure the worst arsenal start to a league season in 32 years. Two league defeats on the bounce including a home defeat to Manchester United (surprise surprise) cannot become three. It simply won’t do. After all the promise during the summer, who would have thought a game at West Brom at the end of November would be so crucial? Crisis it seems..
But why? Meltdown. I fear le Prof is right. The social media meltdown after every Arsenal loss is becoming apparent to the players, transferring on to the pitch and even the players are nervous when we take the lead. Three losses in a row won’t help.
Injuries
Arsenal can do it. They showed it against Dortmund on Wednesday night. A solid performance is all it needs. With Alexis’ ability up front it seems as simple as get the ball to him, let him score, and as for the other 10 players – just defend! Simple huh?! Yet far from it at Arsenal who still don’t seem to have found an answer to injuries.
Szczesny looks almost certain to be out and to be fair, Martinez deserves his chance. A brilliant, mature performance against Dortmund showed he is more than capable. Jack Wilshere’s absence is a big blow but the consistently inconsistent Cazorla looks like he’s finally found his feet (at least for now).
Arteta’s brilliant performances against Man United and Dortmund have only earned him yet more time on the side lines accompanying Ozil, Ospina, Debuchy, Wilshere and Diaby.
On a brighter note, Koscielny looks set to return along with Giroud - a much needed boost for Arsenal. Walcott and Welbeck trained on Friday, whether they will play or be included in the squad remains to be seen.
So, Arsenal have plenty of quality to beat West Brom. Will they? They should. Scrap that. They must.
Comments
Do Arsenal have issues? They do. They have injury issues. Again. And they have let leads slip twice in a row. However, they have shown an ability to score goals and despite surrendering leads, they are allowing the fewest chances in the league. Sometimes in football, the best team does not win. That was true against both Swansea and Man U. Arsenal were the better side in both games and lost.
The scoreline against Man U flattered the Red Devils because the first goal was a fluke error by one of Arsenal's best players and the second came as a result of, yes, panic, by the players who pressed too hard for an equalizer and surrendered a soft goal on the counter.
Arsenal should have scored three goals on the day, with David De Gea, easily Man U's best player this season, saving them.
As far as Cazorla's form goes, when he plays in the middle, he's terrific. When he's on the left or right, he does his best but he just isn't that kind of player. He doesn't have the inclination, pace, or physical presence to play wide on either side. When he's played as a #10, he's been really good to great. On the flanks, he's never better than just okay.
Arsenal should be West Brom but they might not. Football can be down to pure luck sometimes and this season, Arsenal's luck has been poor. If they do win, it won't solve the injury problems, if they lose, it won't be the end of the world.