In the Aftermath of Manchester

Show me some Love will Ya?

Two trips to Manchester. Two heart wrenching defeats. Both with very different feelings about each but with the same outcome.

The trip a fort night ago that resulted in a loss to last year’s champions, Manchester United, has been dissected and discussed. It was a a head wracking loss in so much that for pretty much the entire match, the Gunners controlled all aspects of play.  They took the lead on an absolute corker from Andrei Arshavin and nearly took the lead on a beautiful shot by Robin Van Persie.

However, a poor decision by Manuel Almunia led to a penalty that was converted by Wayne Rooney and Abu Diaby’s own goal header sealed the fate and broke the hearts of the Arsenal faithful.

Two weeks later, the Gunners travelled up to the northeast again, this time to face everyone’s new darling Manchester City. City have been in outstanding form lately. From their first 3 matches they allowed not a single goal. The tie against Arsene Wenger’s side was their first true test of the season.

As has been discussed ad nauseum, the Gunners lost. 4-2. Another defeat and this one to the supposed usurper of our spot in the big four. It also hurts more because it comes at the hands of a team that contains to very well known players to Gunners fans. Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure. Each leaving a very different mark on Arsenal but both now playing for the Light Blues.

In the aftermath a lot of discussion has occurred more about the behavior of one Togo striker rather than the result of the match. As of this writing Adebayor has been notified by the FA that he has been charged with both improper and violent conduct. The violent conduct charge has been fast tracked and likely is to result in a minimum of three match ban.  The improper conduct charge is being reviewed by a completely different panel.

But again, this has been talked about and what needs to be done is ask ourselves what do these two losses mean? Are we in for another season like last or worse out of the Champion’s League for the first time in 12 years? Or maybe there is a positive direction? Still we have to ask, is this team capable of winning silverware – any silverware?

So what was it in the Manchester City match that is causing so much concern amongst the nay sayers? The Manchester United game it was clear where the issues where as other than the two blatant errors, the rest of the match was well played and the lads in red and white where always a threat against the champions.

Right from the start the Citeh tie seemed flat. The legs on most of our players were lethargic. Citeh came out with the verve necessary of a team trying to make a statement, but in reality they were little threat. Arsenal had control of the ball for most of the half and if not for another error by Manuel Almunia, the match would’ve likely gone into the dressing room as a nil nil draw.

City’s plan was clear from the start – back the whole team into the box and take away any passing lanes for Arsenal to create anything in front of Shay Given. While Arsenal weren’t given any clear chances with the exception of the Almunia OG, City’s threats were conveniently tied up too.  

What was clear in the match besides Almunia’s continual faltering, is that Diaby and Song were slow to respond to City’s pushes. Whether that was due to tired legs, inexperience or lack of skill is anyone’s opinion. Either way, they did not create as much of a presence in the center of the field as did Nigel De Jong or Gareth Barry. Their contribution to snuffing out the Arsenal attack cannot be understated.

In addition to lack of control in the midfield, the Arsenal side proved yet again that they do not have a presence in the midfield to make opposition players think twice about harsh tackles on the Gunners. Mark Hughes went right from the Manchester United playbook and was intent on showing the steel of his side. The problem was that the steel – took over the focus of the match.

Down 2-1 after a brilliant goal by Craig Bellamy the Arsenal side became unnerved by the recklessness of Adebayor’s stamp on Robin Van Persie’s face. Within a scant few minutes after a whithered Arsenal attack, players began to throw themselves at Adebayor in retaliation. They were now clearly out of the game and focused on exacting some revenge against a player they loathe and for one they respect. However noble this was, it certainly caused lack of focus on the game and within no time we were down 4-1.

Until Arsenal learn to be ugly in the middle with a solid holding presence then all the beautiful football in the world will not amount to much. There needs to be a presence to cause the opposition some consternation and taking their attack of their game.

Bendtner still misses long portions of the game (even though he is on the pitch), Eduardo is only just back, Rosicky is slowly coming back and Walcott could be back too.  But none of them are a holding midfielder, until that is need is filled or identified we could continue to be in trouble.

All that being said, it is 4 games into the season. In all of the games, the new formation is bearing fruit. The team are creating more chances. One of things I noticed is we are shooting more around the box then looking for the most beautiful goal. Last season it was infuriating to see the penetration in the box give way because the shot had to be perfect. Again, ugly football is good, even ugly goals.

Additionally, while Gael Clichy seems to be slipping, overall the middle of our defense and Sagna are playing amazingly well. Prior to all hell breaking loose on Saturday, Gallas and Vermaelen did an outstanding job of keeping the middle clear. Again, like against United, Celtic, Everton and Pompey, the lads had good control of key players on the field. 

The Arsenal attack is solid and while I think a switching of RvP and Bendtner is needed to play to the Dane’s size, we have more options on the attack (when healthy) then most teams.  We’ve created more solid chances even in the loss then I thought we could muster in our loses last season. Even on Saturday with the game down to 4-2 Arsenal had a chance to draw it on 6 separate occasions.

The EPL may be out of reach, Chelsea look far superior to everyone right now (ACoN pending of course) but all the domestic cups and the big European prize are there for the taking. Arsenal are very much in the run for them and in the end, I still believe it will be Liverpool to struggle for a CL spot not Arsenal.