ANR reply from Simon Lambert
Arsenal report card after Term 1 : A- Overall quite excellent but weak in some areas
Newcastle are a bit of a dark horse and recently upset Chelsea, but let’s face it: they are a newly-promoted team in the Who Really Cares Cup.
It’s a bit more evidence that Wenger has produced a squad this season that is more efficient than ever at thrashing bunny teams lacking confidence, domestically and across Europe. They’re also superb at dispatching teams reduced to 10 men, which seems to have happened a lot so far this season.
But this Arsenal haven’t really been properly tested so far this season and when they have been tested they have been found badly wanting.
They suffered their perennial humiliation by Chelsea yet again despite having most of the possession. Naturally they weren’t tested by a 10-man man Citeh. They were tested by a surprisingly good West Brom side who have a very interesting Manager and we were shocked at what we saw. They have enjoyed being in one of the easiest Champions League groups ever.
Verdict after term 1 of 4, a quarter of the way through the school term: An A-
Sitting in second place in the Premiership, dominating their CL Group, and doing very well in a domestic Cup comp.
Mostly excellent but fatal lapses in concentration and fundamental mistakes still sometimes being made. Lots of thrashings, goals and fluent exciting attacking football, but still having problems with lack of maturity in defence, erratic goalkeeping, lack of spinal fortitude, and over-reliance on key players.
Appears to suffer from mild bi-polar disorder: on a good day is pure poetic genius; but on a bad day is unpredictable, morose and slightly lunatic. (Very French!). Need to up the meds.
Term 2 expectations: Has the potential to be school dux but needs to eliminate the unpredictable behaviour and maturity issues. Sometimes doesn’t turn up to class. This will be a more testing term for Arsenal.
Myles replies:
You can be waspish, Simon, but also sensible, even generous.
Here you’re more than fair.
I agree that November’s fixtures look harder than October’s games have been.
As a summer-autumn team, Wenger’s sides have been very good over the last 10 years. They have sparkled through August-September-October. But the clocks go back this weekend, it’s colder and darker already, and the real football season is about to start. The bit that sorts out the men from the boys, the contenders from the also-rans.
At certain moments, this Arsenal team looks as if it might be good enough to finish second in the league. At other times, fourth looks more likely.
However, I think Arsenal’s true strength is exaggerated by the media. And, sometimes, by yours truly.
Last night I made some changes to the Newcastle piece. I got that wrong, so I corrected it.
The first half was shabby and chaotic against opponents who had made nine changes from their league team. Mistakes and lapses of concentration : correct !
A shambolic first 45 ended with Newcastle scoring one of the most shambolic own-goals you will ever see. Arsenal’s front three were pitiful in terms of their movement to get the ball. Eastmond and Denilson passed the ball sideways and backwards, which did not help the forwards. First half, Walcott was invisible. On the evidence of what we saw at St James’s Park, Vela and Djourou are not good enough to play for Arsenal, even in the Carling Cup.
The standard of the Premier League is still declining, as it was last year.
Liverpool slumped into the bottom three and Everton don’t have the money to hire the strikers they need. Aston Villa have slipped out of contention for the Top Four and we don’t know if Gerard Houllier can lift them. Spurs, by contrast, have become successful enough to be playing Inter Milan twice. But are Spurs strong enough to get anything at Old Trafford in tomorrow evening’s ESPN game?
As I say, Term 2 starts next week and Arsenal’s games are harder in November.
Wolves and Everton away? Spurs at the Emirates will be hard. Villa boss Houllier has frustrated and angered Wenger in the past. On talent, the Midlands side should have no chance against Arsenal but I expect a very tense, close battle at Villa Park on November 27.
West Ham? Looks like a walkover.
A year ago I wrote this about a 2-2 draw against West Ham.
Ten minutes ago I posted this music link on our Reviews Page.
Bob Lefsetz says : Listen to this before they take it down.
Stewart Joseph & Philippe Auclair, I hope you’re reading ANR today.