I suppose it all went wrong on many fronts even before the game. The writing was on the wall for quite a while. The writing that was our lack of resilience, that led to capitulations at White Hart Lane, Old Trafford, St Andrews and Stamford Bridge.
Through the season, our defensive frailty has been what has tripped us up. We still have lost only two games, while MU, Chelski and Pool all have lost more. In sum, much as we have won games in the last minutes, we have also given games and goals away. Much as we have lost the fewest games, we have also shipped in the most goals of the top four. Toure-Gallas pre-African Cup of Nations was strong, and Senderos was more than up to it in Kolo’s absence. Ironically, since Kolo’s return, we’ve been sadly lacking. In the final analysis, Gallas cannot remain captain, not for next season. His stupid fit at St Andrews, his retard comments following Anfield…
Remember the rumours of Woodgate signing for Arse? Hmmm…
But Billy, just fuck off. You’re 30, you’ve given us key goals sneaking at the back of corners, but really, being captain is more than that. Arsene, you’ve got Cesc, Kolo, Gilberto and even the Flamster ready to take on the armband.
Our top 11, fit and able, can and will beat the top 11 of any of the top 3. Switch that to the top 20, and we’ll falter. Cover for Sagna and Clichy: Traore and Hoye. God bless them, they just aren’t up to it. We had Eduardo, and we had RVP. But God bless him, and I love him, RVP’s made of glass. Arsene needs to play Theo as a striker as soon as possible, and we need more firepower upfront. Ade’s still improving, but he’s best served with balls coming in front the flanks, when we’ve got both Gael and Bacary fit. He’s still not the best with this back to the goal as the lone striker, methinks. He’s never going to break the off-side trap as Thierry used to. (How many damn times did he get caught off-side at Anfield Tuesday night??)
Which reminds me: another start to our downfall…was when Ade starting spouting nonsense at the peak of his scoring…that he would score more for Henry. What the fuck was that? Why’s he scoring for Thierry? For himself? For Arsene? For Arsenal? Sheesh. Then, as the footballing Gods would have it, he stopped scoring in the League altogether.
So we now start thinking of what next - which ain't too helpful since we do have a game at Old Trafford on Sunday. But really, what next? Much has already been said. Ade's made his view known, and I can't say I disagree with what he's said. But yes, there will be moves this summer, and sadly, Senderos may just go. He's served us well from time to time. Who would begrudge his mammoth performances in the run-up to Champions League final? But he has been inconsistent, and for us, he does not quite stand up to the task week in, week out.
Another question is Denilson. Why doesn't Arsene give him a run out? Sure, he may have to keep Gilberto happy on the side, but I don't think the (older) Brazilian has another season in him. Hopefully, we'll see more of Denilson soon. He's started a couple of Carling Cup games, and came up with two great goals against Newcastle and Sheffield United. There's this piece on Denilson (and Flamster's worth), and it's worth reading. Somehow, apart from Cesc and the Flamster, our midfield doesn't seem too settled, especially with Rosicky's continued absence. Eboue needs a transfer to Pompey, and Diaby needs more early-season performances.
Gallas should be stuck on the bench, and with it, the captaincy. But before that, he may just decide that he's better off at Pompey too. Kolo needs at least two new partners.
More on the MU game tomorrow, as we look forward to Sunday. Saturday’s going to be a slow day. Who cares about the games going on. My hunches on the game at Old Trafford: as Arsenal fan: 3-0 to us. As punter (and best for Chelsea): 1-1. But fuck, I’d rather us lose than give Chelski a leg up before their game with Wigan on Monday.
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