A little while ago, in a reply to a reader, I foolishly defended a handball by Cesc Fabregas by saying that the free-kick he stopped with his arm was going into the net.
The response was reasonable. And predictable.
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From Darren Bowser
Hi Myles,
The free-kick might have gone in, might. Cesc cannot go hand-balling everything head high because it might go in.
We’ve seen even top corner shots stopped, Van Persie had one of those stopped at the Lane last season by Gomes. However maybe he knew it was stupid and has learned, if they learn they will win. I have always believed in the technical talent or at least the potential of it.
I know you hate that word now, I think many fans do too, at least until we win something.
That is why I found the Ipswich result so galling. If we fail to win the Carling Cup this season you have to wonder whether the concept / vision will hold together. If we do win it however, it might be the making of them. They will never get a better chance.
What do you make of our hold / cold form Myles?
Why are this team looking very good for 4 matches, then poor for the next 2-3?
I wonder whether the B-team concept is working, changing so many means you get zero benefit from recent form and play players anxious to make an impact, players who aren’t sharp. On paper it’s more than enough of course, maybe it’s a bit mental. Maybe the B-players think ‘this is a B-game, a B-performance is acceptable? Or maybe the whole squad is of the mindset that they only focus following a bad couple games ‘we now must pick ourselves back up’.
I think in part some don’t want it enough.
Arshavin, Diaby and Denilson need to be axed in the summer. The latter two don’t have and don’t want it enough. Arshavin has it but his lethargic approach is embarrassing for his wage and talent. Wenger should promote Frimpong and Lansbury and buy Eden Hazard to replace those three.
Talking of players who do want, it we don’t half miss Vermaelen and Ramsey on that score.
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Myles says :
Vermaelen played three competitive games for Arsenal in August, then injured his Achilles playing for Belgium against Turkey.
He has not played since. He is one of Arsenal’s core players. He proved his value last season and proved it to the whole country, not just to Gooners. The Belgian is spinal. If Vermaelen had been fit, he would have played in most of the 30 games Arsenal have had since August.
On ANR, I rarely write about injured players. I’m not a doctor and can’t begin to guess when an injured player might be fit again, or how well he will play when he comes back into the team. I only know that all teams get injuries, that some seasons are worse than others, and that managers fear having all their goalkeepers injured at the same time, all the strikers out at the same time, all their centrebacks.
Reckon you’re right about Arsenal giving B-performances against B-opponents : West Brom, Newcastle and Braga away come to mind. Ipswich, ditto.
Players should demand more from each other. Not every player can be a self-disciplined, self-motivated competitor, so some of them need to be galvanised before and during games.
Eden Hazard is one of the sparkiest, most exciting kids around, has been for three years. In his best moments he looks like a European Messi. But I have no idea what kind of career he will have, or where. Most wonder-boys don’t have big careers.
But I wish Hazard well because he looks like special talent. With character, and luck, he will make it.