From Rhys Jaggar
His side was comprehensively hammered by AC Milan.
Minus only Wilshere and Mertesacker (who’s arguably only on a par with Koscielny and Vermaelen) (and you could argue Arshavin and Oxlade-Chamberlain but that’s selection not injuries).
They had more than 50% of the ball and did almost nothing with it.
Milan put a proper Italian defensive line up and said: ‘Break us down’.
Arsenal couldn’t. And the two times they did something in the whole game, the Italian keeper showed he knows how to make saves.
Vermaelen had his worst game in an Arsenal shirt, this being said by someone who has admired him greatly since his arrival. He was jittery all through the first half and was caught for both goals.
He slipped for the third. A really bad day in the office which cannot be repeated in the weeks ahead.
Koscielny, the only player to emerge with credit from the first half an hour, went off crocked.
Ibrahimovic showed van Persie how to lead a line, linking play superbly and being a genuine menace all game. Now I know why people pay a lot of money for him.
Arsenal’s midfield positioning was nothing – they were over-run by a Milan midfield with a better sense of collective position and far more dynamic in moving into space to receive a pass.
Milan countered with pace, precision and skill. Arsenal countered to half way, then slowed things down.
It wasn’t effective. No-one had the balls to run at defenders and commit them where it mattered.
Not until it was all over and Oxlade came on and said ‘For fuck’s sake, let’s have a go, here, boys!’ More than once he was in an acre of space calling for the ball but it went nowhere near him.
I asked myself at half time when Wenger sent on Henry: “What’s more important here, Wenger? Letting Henry play his last match or trying to get back into the tie?’
If Arshavin and Oxlade-Chamberlain weren’t worth the risk, why were they in the squad?? They couldn’t have been worse defensively than that which was already on the pitch.
I don’t think there are any excuses this time, other than: ‘The squad I have assembled proved unfit for purpose today’.
What shocked me was the utter lack of belief, lack of purpose and lack of drive. It’s one thing to play for 0-0 at the start, quite another to be just as supine at 1-0 down.
Last summer’s inactivity in the transfer market came to roost last night.
I suspect the fans will tell him to get out his cheque book or clear his desk in the summer.
Because if he doesn’t, there will be another set of departures of leading players and another set of people brought in to make their name. Putting Arsenal yet another step away from competing at the top table.
Which sits uncomfortably with the highest season ticket prices in the land.
However, now is not the time for that, unless the Board are completely decisive and have a top replacement in by this Saturday.
Since the squad that is currently there must reach 4th place and do something in the FA Cup. Which they won’t do if the knives are out the next 3 weeks.
It’s either out with the guillotine and off with his head through summary justice, or get on with it until season’s end. The Board’s decision, which the fans must respect.