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Editorial
Another Arsenal draw - How long does Wenger have left?
As Arsenal fail to pick up points against Sunderland, is it time for a change at the top, asks Emirates regular and WeLoveCamden reader, Christian Kent.
Having beaten Chelsea and Manchester United and drawing to Liverpool this season, a few quid on an Arsenal home win against Sunderland might not have seemed a foolish way to offload some of the coinage weighing down your pocket on Saturday.
Interestingly though, looking at the table ahead of the game, Arsenal were closer on points to Sunderland than to Manchester United. Should we now be comparing Arsenal to Sunderland rather than Manchester United and the 'top 4'?
It’s a little early for that I think, but with Aston Villa losing to Chelsea at lunchtime on Saturday this really was a must win game.
As expected the pre-match banter was about Andrei Arshavin. Ineligible for the FA Cup replay against Cardiff on Monday night, Arsenal fans had to wait until Saturday to see whether the small Russian was worth the lengthy battle and negotiations involved in securing his services.
The post-match banter went a bit like this “[expletive], [expletive] Arsenal. At least we signed Arshavin, not scared of taking a shot, like the rest of the [expletive] Arsenal team”.
Almost scoring twice in the first 15 minutes, Arshavin proved his worth. His first shot was from outside the area, struck low and hard with a slight curve to the ball - Marton Fulop (my man of the match) was lost in the Sunderland goal - but the ball rushed past the post, centimetres wide.
The second was again opportunistic and from outside the area and forced a good save from Fulop. Having shown us he can shoot, Arshavin continued his exhibition with a lovely pin-point pass into the box from the right hand corner flag for Nicklas Bendtner – a fantastic set up, unfortunately for Bendtner, Fulop got to the ball and parried wide. After tantalising the Arsenal fans for 30 minutes or so Arshavin tired and showed that he has a few more bleep tests to conduct before he is ready.
Robin Van Persie and Kolo Toure (cleared off the line) had opportunities to score in the first half and just before the half-time whistle Sunderland should have scored through Kenwyne Jones – Bakari Sagna saved the day.
It was nice to see Sunderland attacking the Arsenal goal in the first half, and not playing the defensive style of football that has become so typical of mid-bottom table teams. A tribute to Ricky Sbragia. Whilst Arsenal dominated the first half, Sunderland kept Manuel Alumina’s hands warm.
Highlights of the second half included a close-to-converted free kick from Van Persie and two misses from Carlos Vela (replaced Arshavin on 63) – firstly an open goal miss and secondly a lash at the ball from inside the area which made him look like a ballerina pirouetting.
Three very good chances. In the fading minutes of injury time William Gallas was given the opportunity to score from inside the area, he had lots of time but dragged the ball wide. Last chance saloon - Emmanuel Eboue (replaced Alexandre Song in 78) threaded the ball through to Van Persie, who was on goal but hit the ball straight at Fulop.
Denilson had a good game, keeping control of the centre midfield and performing a couple of class tackles. Song will need to sing for his next game – I like him but he adds little to the team.
Six points separates Arsenal and Aston Villa and seven points to Chelsea. Arsenal are still in with a shout of the 'top four' but losing two points on Saturday in a game which should have been locked up in the first half will be disappointing for Arsenal fans. Fortunately for Arsenal, Newcastle held Everton to a goalless draw yesterday, otherwise it would not have been long until sixth is the new fifth.
How long does Arsene Wenger have? With 18 months left on his contract is the Arsenal board considering its options? Granted Wenger has been one of the best managers in the world for a number of years and has led Arsenal to more success than any other manager could have done with the funds available.
There is no doubt that he will go down as an Arsenal legend. But, if Arsenal finish 5th and for another season are without a trophy, what will the consequences be?
Arsenal is now 13 games unbeaten but, as the season comes to a close, draws are not enough.
6 Comments
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He's taken the club as far as he can, now it's time for a change. We can't carry on going every season without winning anything...not even a Carling Cup.
Dropping points to the likes of Hull, Sunderland, West Ham...losing away to Stoke? potentially we could be cupless and out of next season's champions league competition in May. Not good enough for this club.
It all looks very nice, but we're not getting anywhere, how many more seasons of 'transition'? -
Same old, same old! Players aren't performing so blame the manager? Arsene Wenger has done some of the best business in the Premiership, with limited resources - he is breath of fresh air in a league full of managers willing to throw money at a problem time and time again.
There are a load of Arsenal players (and English ones at that) on the cusp of something great, they'll get their chance when Wenger thinks they are ready, and not before.
Christian Kent is supposed to be an Arsenal fan, and he's asking the question 'how long does he have left'? Unbelievable, who else would have players playing like that at the Emirates? I hear Tony Adams is looking for a job... -
Arsenal's 'transition' is coming into fruition right now (Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshire...).
Camden Gooner needs to open his/her eyes, this is a great squad of players and injuries have made life hard this season.
Wenger is still the man to take Arsenal forward, and i think most Gooners would agree with me. -
I am an Arsenal fan myself and make it to most away games as well as the home ones. There is no doubt, Wenger has nutured and developed a great side, but as the reviewer is impling - what will the consequences be if we end up at the end of this season trophieless and out of the Champions league? It is a valid point. We all love Wenger - what a legend. But will players leave if we are out of the Champions League? Will the board consider alternative managers? What does Usmanov think? Wenger is Arsenal all over but I do agree with Mr Kent that if he fails this season there may be consequences for him - or perhaps he will just be told to flash some cash in the summer? Nothing like thumping Roma tonight to pick up morale !
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I'm afraid the previous two readers have lost the plot. Arsenal have not won a trophy since 2005 and this is likely to be the 4th season in a row with no silverware in sight. The squad lacks depth and quality as evidenced by the fact Arsenal are fighting for 5th place!
"Great squad of players"???? Are you for real? If injuries have made life hard this season then what's the excuse for the previous 3 seasons?
Arsenal have had a long line of English players on "the cusp of something great" for years and have achieved sweet FA. The barren run seems destined to continue. It seems as though Wenger's good work early on in his career has blinded you to the obvious that he is now past his sell by date and like all old mares should be put out to pasture.
Ooh to be a Gooner....
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agreed. What is all this 'cusp of something great' nonsense? If arsenal do finish top four it is a sad reflection on English football - you can't lose at home to Hull City and away to Stoke City, and still be put forward as 'the best the English league can offer' in the Champo League.
Why is Wenger such a legend? Get him out sooner rather than later...