YAMACAST Episode 9: the one after RvP came back
We’re back. After a self-imposed week off due to a mirade of issues like long work days, scheduling issues with quests and a very sore throat, we’re back to catch you up on the week that was Arsenal.
And what a week – sort of it was. Frmo the United match to rumours that Arsene Wenger may be off to PSG. The news is certainly getting interesting. But what was really important was this past weekend’s action.
It was a real chance to get 3 points. United hadn’t anything to play for but the squad Fergie put out there was clearly put out to win. Fergie would love the points record for a title winning squad and he would’ve needed to beat Arsenal to do that. But from the get go it was Arsenal who were the more aggressive and focused team.
For the first 41 minutes Arsenal were a team with focus and commitment. As we talked about in the pre-game they bossed the midfield. Michael Carrick, many people’s choice for POY was largely ineffective. The combination of Arteta and Ramsey were beating everyone to balls and intercepting passes to set up Arsenal attack and pressure. And that focused effort resulted in a break down by Robin Van Persie who’s errant pass led to the opening Theo Walcott goal.
Game on.
Arsenal were unlucky not to have more and the lack of a true striker up top showed. As clinical as Podolski can be he is not a physical presence up top like Giroud is. And as many attacks down the flanks, it was clear that our wingers were hesitant to cross into the box because of missing Frenchman’s presence. How many attacks could you count where a winger got the ball down in the channel easily only to have a no one to cross to or wind up looking lost as they looked up to cross it.
In the end as Arsenal have been so wont to do this season, they shot themselves in the foot. Arsenal it has to be agreed have been largely inconsistent and the masters of their own demise more times than not. Bacary Sagna who all agree had a nightmare of a match, had noone to pass to and rather than lump the ball up, he made a poor pass backwards that was intercepted by Robin Van Persie. Sagna wanting to make up for mistake hustled back to cut of Van Persie and in the end cut him down in the box. And no, he didn’t get the ball – at least initially.
The reulting RvP penalty kick drew the match even. And while he didn’t celebrate his reaction was more a smug “look at me”
The second half of the match was a more even affair with each side having their fair share of chances. But in the end it was only a point gained – not 3. The only saving grace in the run in for fourth was that Spuds had dropped points versus Wigan the day before.
So with 3 games left it is squeaky bum time and while the title is decided and the relegation spots are all but closed (QPR and Reading going down) the fight for 4th is really the only exciting left to focus on for the league.
In this episode of the podcast we welcome two newcomers to show. First up is the Guardian and Observer’s own Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) followed by Gilberto Silver (@Gunnerblog) of Gunnerblog.com. Of course it all starts with a rant by me and our first ever awarding of a weekly THROAT PUNCH award – an award for someone saying one of the stupidest things ever.
We have great (but brief) brief interludes for you. Amy’s intro music is a song titled “The Storm” by The Airborne Toxic Event and Gilberto’s intro is “Ungrateful” by Streetlight Manifesto. Both tracks are available on iTunes.
Thank you again for listening and supporting the podcast. As always we are appreciative of your feedback – which is aplenty.
Until next time – stay goonerish!
To subscribe or download via iTunes please click the following link:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/you-are-my-arsenal-yamacast/id615279052
1 comment
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Gilberto Silver was interesting to listen and deserves a medal for portraying a sense of sane interest (not quite optimism).
This is the 2nd time I’ve listened to Amy Lawrence in the last few months. Frankly she seems empty of enthusiasm (her historical upside) and her analysis is threadbare.
Example: “It’s really important that Arsenal offer Wenger a contract extension for 2 years to ensure we attract and retain players.”
Really Amy? Let’s work that one through for logic.
– we’re talking about a manager who has failed to challenge/win anything for a very long time
– there are few signs that he retains any adaptability to correct recurring failures
– he sticks to his contract so why would we offer him anything longer than 1 season? Assuming even 1 season is desirable.
– the type of player Arsenal need is attracted to clubs that challenge for honours and pay competitively. We do the latter but not the former.
– how many players are on the cusp of leaving? Our bigger issue is ditching Wenger’s deadwood. Have we really got any stars left worth worrying about? Wilshere has the raw material to be a star but the injury issues are now becoming really worrying. And in any event he’s on a long term contract so it’s not an immediate worry.
– Wenger is no longer a major drawcard for ‘winners’, Wenger and Arsenal are now perceived as being a stepping stone club not being a destination club.
– And in any event this is a nonsense, as we know Wenger doesn’t try and attract top talent – he hunts off radar.
So Amy’s assertion that we lock-in Wenger on this basis is so far past insanity its gauling. We need to be strategising post-Wenger – now. There are managers available – let’s script a dignified exit for Wenger and let him move on and we do likewise.