A familiar story of this season happened again as Arsenal fail to win. A lack of good defending has been evident this season and today was no change.
After the shambles of midweek, Arsenal needed to put in a good performance and get back to winning ways. The first half was tentative by both sides with Welbeck having the best chance of the half for Arsenal but this was well saved by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Fabianski.
Arsenal had a better start to second half and they were rewarded when a quick Arsenal counter led to Welbeck squaring to Alexis who tucked the ball away again which has been a familiar pattern this season.
However, Arsenal defence was to be undone again in a matter of just over 10 minutes. Gibbs fouled Barrow just outside the box with a cynical foul as Barrow was bearing down on the Arsenal goal. Up steps Sigurdsson who planted the ball in the top corner.
Arsenal were then undone when a cross came from the right of the Arsenal defence which led to Gomis heading in from a Montero cross who had been a thorn down Arsenal’s right hand side all game. Gomis had only been on the pitch for 90 seconds.
Arsenal battled for the rest of the game but didn’t really create anything clear cut. Arsenal changed the formation this game to 4-4-2 and this look liked it was working at times but once again a poor defence cost us.
As one of Wenger’s biggest fans I have to agree the decision not to sign another centre half and defensive midfielder was catastrophic. This may cost us this season. However, that was not his only fault another, is that he is reactive instead of proactive. Arsenal had a problem all game down the right had side and yet he did not make a change until it cost us.
Wenger then decides to bring on Walcott and Wilshere when the game needed Walcott a lot earlier as he would have helped track back to Chambers benefit. The last substitute also baffled me replacing Chambers with Sanogo. I love Sanogo and he tries his best but let’s weigh this up Sanogo has scored 0 goals in competitive games for Arsenal whereas you have Podolski on the bench who has scored goals throughout his career. Capped 120 times for Germany scoring 47 goals and scoring 29 goals in all competitions for Arsenal. For me it doesn’t make sense bringing Sanogo on when you need a goal.
This is not a Wenger out campaign but this cannot go on. Alexis Sanchez in the shining light for Arsenal at the moment but how long will he wait around because he has shown he is a world class talent. This squad needs to kick on after cup success but at the moment it looks like we could be battling for 4th once again and playing one of the world’s elite clubs in the next round of the Champions league if we are to get through.
This squad has got talent but defensively they are short, Mertesacker has seemed to have gone backwards since last season but he may be missing Koscielny. If the national newspapers are to be believed then Hummels may be an Arsenal player if Arsenal want him. It would be a massive signing and may address some of them defensive frailties.
