Arsenal Advancing – Wigan 0 – Arsenal 4

Alright Gooners, quiz time. Can you tell me what Arsenal’s record was 14 games into LAST season? How about 14 games into last season? If you answered both questions with 8W 2D 4L you would be correct. And you would’ve noticed that Arsenal are no worse off than they were last year at the same point – even when you take into account the horrid start to this season.
Any trip to the northwest is difficult. This season as we mentioned in the preview we’ve chucked in 8 goals at Manchester United and thrown away a match against Blackburn. Additionally, the past two seasons at the DW have been dismal. So if you said you’d never expect a result like the 4-0 drubbing Arsenal laid on Wigan, you would’ve been forgiven.
Wigan were likely in this match for a total of 5-10 minutes in total. They started off each half brightly but their system of one man in the box never made them a real threat. So all that was left was for Arsenal to close the door on them. Their defence – or something simulating a defence was only to happy to let Arsenal do just that.
The goal scoring was opened by Mikel Arteta on a really nice shot that in truth, had he been pressured or Al Habsi been a better goalie, could’ve been stopped. It was a dipping shot from around 25 yards out that was nicely deceptive and I was quite surprised when it went in because it looked as I said quite stoppable. Sadly, for Wigan fans it wasn’t stopped and Arsenal went up 1-0.
It only took a minute or two later for Arsenal to cement their lead.
Many of us have lamented our lack of goals from corners and set pieces for the last year plus. Well, it is quite evident that part of that reason was the absence of Thomas Vermaelen. Well, despair no more kiddies, the Verminator is back. When left along to his own devices on corners if he gets a hold of the ball he will either put a good shot on goal or put a great shot into the net. Yesterday, he put a great shot into the net. Left alone (slightly) on the far post Vermaelen rose unabated to get the cross in from the corner and rifled a ball past Al Habsi on the near post. Again, in a defencive lapse reminiscent of our play, Vermaelen was left unmarked and nodded the ball in. Wigan had no one on the line and Al Habsi couldn’t get over quick enough to stop the ball. 2-0 to the Arsenal.
Now, if you are like me there is still a bit of jadedness to when Arsenal go up 2-0 and as the old adage goes, 2-0 is a hard scoreline to hold. If the trailing team comes back and makes it 2-1 it is going to get dicey for the winning the team as the other team senses they may be in the match after all. A third goal for the winning team in most cases signals that it is pretty much – game over. At the start of the second half Wigan came out looking to take some chances and apply some pressure on Arsenal. However, again it was their system choice with one forward getting into the box that let them down. There was no service to the Wigan striker and most of their attacks fluttered out.
As an Arsenal fan I was nervous knowing we needed to put this one away. And sure enough I saw a team on the pitch that wasn’t content on sitting back on 2-0. I saw a team chasing the third. But not in some hap hazard, nervous kind of way. No, this was deliberate. It was cool. It was calm and certainly was controlled and collected. Words I haven’t been able to link to Arsenal in a while. It was that style of play and 33 passes -that’s right 33 – that led up to the Gervinho’s third goal. With a lot of nice build up play leading to a Robin Van Persie shot that Gervinho was in the right place to tuck away the Al Habsi rebound.
Gervinho hasn’t been hot with his goal scoring lately and frankly that shot had as much chance as soaring over the goal as it did going in. But it went in and Arsenal had that glorious third goal. 3-0 to the Gunners.
The fourth well it was scored by that Van Persie guy. You know him right? He’s the one who won’t let anyone else on this team score. He’s the one we are dependent on for all our goals. If you haven’t sensed my overly sarcastic tone please start this section over. Robin Van Persie simply is the best forward in Europe right now. He’s healthy and just seems to be in the right place at the right time. This time it was at the top of the 18 yard box on a nifty piece of skill and pace by Walcott that saw him deep in the 6 yard box. Walcott had the shot on goal but there was a defender there and he had pulled off of Van Persie. In a completely unselfish move and likely recognizing that RvP is just money right now, Walcott set a nice little pass to the captain who settled it and with his right foot knotted his 32 second of the calendar year. His 18th in all competitions THIS season. 4-0, game set and match.
With the win, Arsenal improved their goal differential to +7. Not typical of past Arsenal GDs but when you consider nearly two months ago they were at a -8 GD it is quite impressive. Also when you look at Arsenal since the international break they a 6W 1D and 0L with a GD of +13. Since the nightmares at OT and at Blackburn Arsenal have allowed more than 1 goal twice (Chelsea -3 and Spurs -2). They are playing consistently and with the exception of Fulham last week, have been playing fluid, attacking football. It is without a doubt nice to see again.
What is great to see is the team spirit that exists on this team now. A few people have commented here and in other venues that in recent seasons that team looked less like a team and more like a collection of over paid, skilled talent. That assessment was mine own and it can only get you so far. Now, I see a team. Players committed to each other and to the system we are playing. There is support for each and recognition for the services brought on by the others. Look no further than Robin Van Persie insisting the fans laud Walcott for his assist yesterday. Look no further than a total commitment by the players on the pitch to work as a unit defencively. There is just an overriding sense that we finally have a team again.
That sense of team can help. When things seem down as it did early in the season or later in the season when it is tough can help. It can help get a group of players through a rough patch. It can help continue a run even when matches seem to be going against you. We talk a lot of intangibles and this is the one that can add so much to a team. It is a reason why I think it is fun to watch the Arsenal again.
This isn’t to gloss over the cracks. We still could do with a creative midfielder to replace Cesc Fabregas and another striker to give Van Persie some needed rest when its called for. But I am no longer of the mind we need a centreback. I think the rotation we have right now works for us. We might want to land another RB or LB but that could be debated as our deputies have done very well.
Actually, a quick word about that defencive line. Does anyone else get the sense with Santos on the pitch we’re playing more of 3-4-3? We have 3 CBs two of them pacy on either side of A tall solid CB. Just asking on that. It’s what I’ve been wondering given the offencive nature of our new brazillian.
All in all it was a complete win against a team we were supposed to dominate – and did. That’s the good thing no mamby pampy cuteness we dominated and it was put to bed early enough. It got chippy at the end with some questionable tackles as Arsenal tried to close out the match with their ball control. Song went off with a limp but I’ve not heard about anything serious in terms of an injury.
The win and the improved GD moves Arsenal into 5th. Leapfrogging, Newcastle and Liverpool with the merseysiders yet to play. We are 2 points out of 4th. Arsenal have the best form next to City and Spurs. The first team will get another full week of rest as Arsenal are the only English team to be through to the knock out stages of the Champion’s League (you know in a worse case scenario Arsenal could be the ONLY English team in the knock out stages). I suspect the squad that takes on Olympiakos in Greece will look very much like last week’s Carling Cup side. After the Champion’s League, Arsenal get a visit from perennial midtable team, Everton. Then it’s back to the northwest for a match with the billionaire first team – Manchester City.
Player Ratings:
Szczesny: 6
Koscielny: 6
Mertesacker: 6
Vermaelen: 8 (MOTM)
Santos: 6
Song: 7
Arteta: 8
Ramsey: 7
Gervinho: 7
Walcott: 6
Van Persie: 8
Subs:
Arshavin: N/A
Benayoun: N/A
Coquelin : N/A
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Awesome, brilliant short article! I really noticed a lot by looking at this. I put your blog site in my RSS reader so I can keep up with the new stuff you post.
OK, this morning with a sick kid at home I’ve got a few minutes to fight back on the idiot spew (below), say hi to old friends (Mazza/Fred) AND post some thoughts on the team/club….
I agree with the DAG that the team is advancing. We’re a bit behind the eight-ball (as they say) after our poor start but we’re on the up. We have a best 11 for the first time in a long, long time and while we need them to stay healthy we also have some promising fringe players who maybe could step in or help push the regulars. Those guys have another opportunity this week while the rest have the classic “Greek Vacation.”
As for the wringing of hands (or worse) about the statements about the upcoming window I also agree with DAG–Taking Wenger statements at face value is for idiots only. Also, only idiots would enter into negotiations saying that they NEED to buy (or sell), smart people do the opposite….(That said, I don’t expect much if any activity in the window, but you never know…..)
IMO our starting 11 is pretty good quality. Obviously we’re makeshift in the RB position but our converted CBs have done very well and given our 3rd choice CB, the BFG (Mertesacker) more time to adjust to the bestial play that we have in England. Like Mazza (and Fred) below, I’ll take Santos in a heartbeat over those City LBs….And thank god we didn’t buy Schwarzer (though I hope he plays another stormer today vs ‘Pool) as Sneezy seems alright by me….Cahill? (red card vs Spurs at the weekend)….no thanks either….
Our MF three are getting leggy, esp. the young one (Ramsey) and we need Wilshere (and Diaby and Rosicky) back to spell those guys. (Le Coq looks very nice as backup for Song….) If we could get another, slightly more mature, creative AM or winger type (Gotze, Martin, Hazard) while we wait for the OX to step into that role, it would be a massive bonus. (And too bad that the other super-youngster, Ryo Miyachi, seems to be struggling with injuries…..) I’m with AW that any player we do buy should be “special.” Buying up each and every body we can (or thinking that poor old Andrey can do that job) is for the dreamers/idiots only…..
If we don’t buy anyone I’ll hope that it’s because we’re gonna use our money to get RVP and (his backup in case of injury) Theo some longer, richer contracts. Salaries, like team stability, don’t matter in fantasy football, but maybe do in the real game….Saying that we NEED to spend big for back-ups is more of that idiot/dreamer talk….And players that accept moves in order to play that role (see Na$ri, or Wayne Bridge for example)….are those what we really need?….
Enough said (for the moment)…. Call me a fool, but I’m feeling better about this Arsenal team than I have for a long, long time….
@HighburyTerraceSteve, you’re a fool!
get yourself some Ar$enal Xmas Schwag… !!!
When we beat City or United in a match… hell or even Tottenham this year, we’ll have arrived…
until then, this nice little run of games has only given Wanker a reason to puff out his chest again, and say… I was right, we don’t need Cesc or Nasri, because I am the manager, and I make stars.
If its OK for us to take that 60 Million and NOT bring in STAR PLAYERS equal to the level of those who left, then … I’m the fool.
But I ain’t no sucker.
and here we go…
Classic Wenger Mode.
We are all set with our squad. Not buying anyone in Janary.
F**K OFF and F**K YOU Arsene Wenger.
I knew the Club was greedy, raking massive profits regularly from Transfers… and the highest prices in the world for football, but after this Summer and how much we made selling off our best players again… I think NOT buying anyone in January would make them the GREEDIEST Mother Funkers the world has ever seen…
Just go feck yourselves board and Wenger… I’ll watch MLS before I spend a dime on this club if this plays out in January.
@stag133,
Is this news? Geezus….How many times can you spew this crap? And why is Wenger the culprit? (You do mention the board, to your credit….) Ownership wants profits, the manager (whoever he is) works under that constraint (and he bristled under it in August) and tries to get results on the pitch. If anything the manager did (very) well in the last window and the results are there to see. In case you haven’t noticed, WE ARE A BETTER TEAM THAN WE WERE A YEAR AGO.
So, at the very least, you need to stop blaming the manager and focus on Kronke and his board. Clearly he/they don’t care about you or your dime. Stop supporting the team. You already have but it’s important that they hear your voice and this is your venue, or something…..Yeah, yeah, you’ll be here long after Wenger (and Kronke) are gone, you’ll support us even after those two get us relegated (twice). It’s a jumble and It’s all pretty ridiculous, and we’ve all heard it before. DAG, to his GREAT credit, doesn’t ban posters, but maybe it’s time for an “ignore” function…..
Nothing personal, but what it makes me think of is a married guy who has a wife he used to think was hot but now she’s gotten a little older (and a little less hot) AND one (or two) of his buddies has a really hot new (young) one and he’s just very, very jealous. For some reason he won’t break up with his wife and find a new hottie of his own. Instead he tells her (and all her friends), over and over and over, that she needs to buy better clothes, wear more makeup, redo her hair and get breast implants and liposuction, you know, whore it up a little (or a LOT) so that he finds her attractive again…..
It’s a tough situation and at least, maybe, he should be lauded for respecting the “til death do us part” in the vows–At least he’s not hitting on his buddy’s wife…. Maybe, however, the thing to do is to love his own wife (noting the small changes she has tried to make to impress you….), and, even though she’s older and not quite so hot anymore, try and find things to appreciate about her. And if that doesn’t work, try closing your eyes and PRETENDING it’s your buddy’s new wife…..Maybe that’ll get the spunk flowing again…..
Enough said, and I’ll be trying my best to ignore further bleatings. I could be wrong, but it seems like there are some people who want to discuss football and the club they support…..
@HighburyTerraceSteve, then ignore my posts. HTS. But I will say what I want… if you don’t like it or disagree, that’s on you…
Anything Arsenal related on…and off the pitch… is a FOOTBALL DISCUSSION.
I get it, you are thrilled that the fans are fleeced every season, that expectations are lowered, ticket prices go up… and as long as we have a good run of games and there is some hope, you are THRILLED to support Arsenal.
Sorry… but I am not that sucker…
I want the team to WIN, do its BEST to WIN… make moves to INSURE WE WIN…. not rake in cash at the expense of its supporters… and come out with “we aren’t buying anyone in January” after selling 2 of your best players for 60 Million.
When they lower ticket prices… or SPEND OUR MONEY ON PLAYERS… I’ll consider banging the drum less.
until then… skip over my posts, please!!!!!
I don’t need to explain this to you again.
Go buy some merchandise. They LOVE YOU.
Impressive win, all things being considered. The dropping of points against Fulham last week could have dampened the renewed vigour of the squad so they did well to get back on the saddle again and keep our good run going. Problem is no one is dropping points so we’re just maintaining the status quo at the minute.
Absolutely love Santos at left back. Along with Vermaelen probably my favourite player. So refreshing to have a genuine intelligent swash-buckling player at left back who knows when to take the game to the opposition and when to sit in. A massive, massive upgrade on Clichy, who was constricting the team’s flair with his jittery play and horrific lack of ability going forward. Extremely funny to hear the archaic thoughts of Dixon and Smith, who are just so English in their trepidation at his perceived carelessness and lack of defensive fortitude. These are the same type of players who made up England squads in the past that got absolutely smashed by the likes of Brazil in the past BECAUSE of the those defensive ‘weaknesses’. Players like Santos have the intelligence to think out of the box and not play in scriped fashion. Just like Phil Jones yesterday and throughout the season. Lucio of a few years ago as well. All top teams need players who can judge a game and adjust their game accordingly.
Onwards and upwards hopefully, although with Wenger’s lack of ambition in the transfer market, most likely onwards and sideways.
@Mazza,
Agree on Santos.
A very refreshing development at LB.
What happened to Gibbs?
@Fred, Gibbs had a “stomach muscle problem” which morphed into a hernia w/surgery….25 years ago when I had a similar operation I was running after 10 days and felt full strength within 3 weeks. I think Andre 2 Saints is our starting LB these days, and maybe AW is “protecting” Gibbs a bit…. Agree that Santos really adds to our MF play and overall attack and is at least predictable with his defense. He may get out of position but he also makes most of those matador (toe stab) tackles that he tries. We’re a lot stronger down that side going forward AND back because the others nearby (Vermaelen and Gervinho) are strong runners who seem committed to covering if Andre goes forward….
Welcome back Fred….What happened to your post on the previous thread? I was channeling you on that thread and then (lo and behold, like a ghost…..) you appeared, then just as soon were gone again….. Spooky….. What part of California have you landed in? Congrats, of course, on the job and move….I’m in Tahoe, and all Yama gooners of all stripes, are always welcome, if you’re ever up this way….
@HighburyTerraceSteve,
The Bay area, Santa Clara specifically. Travelling a lot though and still have to spend half my time in the WA, TX, NM areas. It is an incredible hassle moving … especially the older you get.
Anyway, might just take you up on your Tahoe offer one of these days.
@Mazza, while Santos is very good going forward, he isn’t very good defensively… he’s more like a midfielder really.
It was a comprehensive win, on the road…
and our form has been good, and RVP has been great.
But, as the old NFL adage states… you are never as good, or as bad, as your last game.
Wenger’s chest is all puffed out again, and he’s convincing himself that we don’t need to bring in anyone in January.
That will simply lead to another late season collapse if RVP goes down, or a few other key players…
and that will lead to us being out of the Top 4, and the WENGER OUT brigade knocking on his door again.
Noticed that the Wenger Lovers also starting back with the ” we don’t need to spend “X” on player “X”… spewing Wenger’s mantra …
memories short?
appears to be so.