Only a total of three goals this time around but the result was the same as Manchester United left with all 3 points in what was another poor display from Arsenal.
Where is the Confidence?
It was certainly a tale of two halves for Arsenal in this match. In the first half we saw the type of play that is the reason behind their three straight defeats. The side appeared to be playing with no heart and no desire. They appeared to sit back and let Manchester United take control of the game. Van Persie was getting no help up front from Ramsey, who has been placed the burden of replacing Fabregas in the role of playing behind Van Persie. But with Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the flanks, Arsenal should have had no problems running at United’s defense but instead Walcott again had a very poor outing.
The second half was much better as they finally seemed to find their feet and really should have gone level five minutes in. And for the next 15 minutes, Arsenal set and controlled the pace of the match and it led to the equalizer by Van Persie. But again a lapse in defense was their undoing. The tempo they played with in the second half is needed the entire 90 minutes and not just 45.
The Substitutions
The One That Made Sense: Yennaris on, Djourou off. Nani was having a field day with all of the space he was being given. Granted, Djourou is not a natural right back but as a defender he should have done a much better job containing the United winger. Yennaris came on and really kept Nani from having loads of space. He also did a much better job of preventing crosses into the area.
The One That Made NO Sense: Arshavin on, Oxlade-Chamberlain off. “In Arsene We Trust” was most certainly not the feeling around the Emirates as “boos” rang out when the change was made. Van Persie’s displeasure said it all. It made no sense! Ox had just provided the pass for Arsenal’s goal and really from what I could see, was showing no signs of fatigue. Walcott should have been the one substituted, as he looked more like an 18 year old making his league debut. Of course, had Arshavin netted the winner or equalizer we would all be singing praises for Wenger, but that was not the case. Instead, Arshavin’s impact was immediate and in the worst way as his poor defending allowed Valencia to enter the box with ease and provide the assist for Welbeck.
Implications:
The result leaves Arsenal level on points with Newcastle and five points off of fourth place Chelsea. Champions League qualification is a must and that is what Arsenal’s league campaign has to be about from this point on. Failure to qualify could and almost most certainly would lead to Robin Van Persie playing football elsewhere next season. Not being able to provide Champions League football would also affect them dramatically in the transfer market. The allure would no longer be there and thus preventing them from luring in the talent they so desperately need.
What could also come with this defeat are the shouts for his sacking. Beliefs that were felt at the beginning of the campaign about his time being over are coming back. Again it will become a talking point and there will be the split of supporters who agree and disagree with the sentiment. And in my years of watching and supporting Arsenal never had I heard louder “boos” than I heard today when he made that substitution. I do not believe it will happen but the shouts will again begin and possibly louder than ever.
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