By Myles Palmer
I should point out that Charles Sultan and Alan Seifert do not know each other.
Neither of these Gooners had seen what the other wrote before it appeared here.
Thanks, guys!
It’s nice when somebody else puts their balls on the rails!
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Why Arsenal will win at Everton
By Alan Seifert
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There is a terrific team spirit at Arsenal that will see us through on Sunday, probably 3-1.
I say 3-1 because we’ll have to go a goal down (or have a player sent off) before that spirit comes through.
This team does not like to lose (does any team?) and, as Wenger would say, the mental strength of the team is very strong.
Going a goal down (or not holding a lead) is the story of this season and if Wenger made one big mistake during his entire tenure at Highbury it was not buying Dudek from Feyonoord when he and they were begging us to do so.
That decision has almost certainly cost us at least ten points this season (think Leeds at home, Charlton, Tottenham, Liverpool at home).
Sadly, Seaman is a shadow of his former self and Wright is another Manninger. It says a lot that we are looking forward to Seaman’s return!
The same can be said for last season as well when we suffered the whole season effectively without a first class keeper.
YOU CANNOT WIN ANYTHING WITHOUT A FIRST CLASS GOALKEEPER.
The team pretty much picks itself at the moment, though I’d like to see Dixon in for Luzhny, who really isn’t good enough.
I’d also like to see Edu start, and with only Henry and Wiltord available as strikers either Jeffers or Aliadiere on the bench.
I assume van Bronckhorst will start at left back.
It would be good to see Adams back, though I do worry about his sharpness these days.
But there is no doubting his leadership qualities, qualities that Vieira doesn’t seem to have.
Talking of Vieira, he has been the big disappointment this season and I think we know why.
He hasn’t actually let the side down but neither has he really inspired though rumour has it that Real Madrid have bid for Dietmar Hamman which could indicate that they have given up on Patrick and it was a relief to see him give up his three day break to report to Highbury for treatment so as to be fit (hopefully) for Sunday.
This has been a disappointing season so far. We could be ten points clear by now.
When the team is on song I believe we are the best in the Premiership but if there is one thing that separates Manchester United from us (and the rest) it is consistency.
Why can’t we whack the lesser teams? Why can’t we win at home? Why do we freeze away in the Champions League?
I believe it all comes down to the goalkeeper problem.
In the double season Seaman was still at his peak, as was the defence.
Since then Manninger, and now Wright, have proved to be unsatisfactory replacements, as were Lukic (!) and Taylor.
I believe Wright should go and a new, proven keeper should be bought in.
There is no point in scoring in 26 consecutive games (a new record, big deal) and leading in 23 games if we’ve only won 13 of those.
And now Ferguson is staying at Manchester United!
Man U fans and players probably experienced the same feeling of relief as we all did when Wenger signed but Ferguson’s decision could come back to haunt them.
I noticed that Sir Alex only decided to stay when his team started winning again.
When they were down (and apparently out) he wasn’t so keen to extend his tenure.
Will his heart still be in it next season when things start going wrong (as they always do)?
Anyway, 3-1 to the Gooners on Sunday.
Henry, Wiltord and Jeffers (coming on as substitute).
February 8th 2002