As an Arsewiper, I've gone through the plethora of negative sentiments in recent years. Disappointment, anger, disbelief, sadness, indifference, you name it. There was a new one today though, and it speaks for itself: shame.
For everything that could be said of the team this season, whether it was injuries, youth, inexperience, maturity, I'd never thought I'd add something else - the lack of professionalism. Yes, there must've been the disappointment of knowing we'd lost the title. Yes, the must've been that lack of belief and drive. But surely - despite a woefully inept performance, it would be simply professional to see to a 2 goal lead for the sake of the fans and supporters with 10 minutes left. This was not Barca, not Chelski, not Man U, and I would say not even Spurs. This was Wigan.
But that perhaps was the problem. It was Wigan. And in the manager's team selection and decisions thereafter, and in the performance that came after, the team thought it was Wigan, and did not in the least, take the necessary professional steps to set to a barely-deserved but easy win with 80 minutes on the clock.
It was quite simply unforgiveable. The lousy performance up till then, when we somehow managed to stumble to a two goal lead, was in a way, perversely forgiveable. But having been given that lead, to let it slip to Wigan (who let's say do not have the best scoring record in town), was utterly shambolic. I am ashamed.
So we started with Sol as captain. Fabianski in goal. Eastmond in midfield, and RVP on the bench. If there was any weaker statement of intent, I'm sure the team wouldn't have missed it. I won't go into how utterly amateurish Fabianski was on the day. He put in a show that would've embarassed anyone bothered to make a living out of football. Worse was the fact that he was allowed to start by the manager. It could've been anyone in goal. Arshavin included. Then there was Silvestre, who despite his goal, looked equally woeful. That he was our back-up in defence again, only shows how pathetic out season has become. There was Diaby, who really, despite his occasional remarkable games, should be let go. Somehow, the propensity to put in 5 mediocre games, 1 excellent, and then another 5 pathetic shows is not something that an Arsenal season ticket holder should be subjected. I'm fine. I don't pay more than my cable TV subscription.
Walcott. Walcott? On this show, despite his goal, the closest he'll get to South Africa is on his PS3.
A word for Wenger then. At 2-0 up, mid-way through the second half, any idiot of an Arse fan would've seen it coming. We were bad. We'd been fortunate that up till then, Wigan were worse. But there was only so long that we could hold out. As I'd asked on Wednesday, just what he was waiting for in putting RVP on the pitch again boggles the mind. But he chose the absolute last second, when it was already beyond hopeless. He's lost the plot.
A professional display would have been one where despite the disappointment of Spurs, the players would gather round and consolidate 3rd, and push on for 2nd. Far from it, I'd say 3rd is now shakier than ever. Manciti will be licking their chops, and well they should. A loss at home and you can be sure that we'll be watching the Europa League next season. It's quite simply unforgivable and unacceptable. There has to be some falling on swords for this.
Not long ago, we were celebrating the balls and bollocks of this team. Time flies in professional football. If only our professional footballers recognised that fact.
Summer has already started. And I'm not sure I'm looking forward to next season.
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