Monday, December 15, 2008

Middlesborough v/s Arsenal, December 13, Premier League

Earlier last week, Arsenal played Porto and turned in the worst Gunner’s performance in the last few years. They fielded an almost reserve eleven and failed to pass hold or do anything with a football. I thought then, that even though the win may not have been critical for Wenger, the performance they produced must have been confidence shattering for some of the kids.

On Saturday, it was the first team on the pitch, or at least the first team available and fit to play. And while the depths of the Porto encounter were left behind, it was still light years away from the Londoners’ best.

For the first few minutes though, Porto felt like a distant bad dream. Some slick passing, Fabregas consistently splitting the defense and Adebayor being a pain in the ass for defenders. The goal was coming and it duly did, through a corner which Ade finished with ease. Terrible marking though, as the striker didn’t even need to move an inch as he headed the ball into the net. Arsenal continued to keep possession well for a few more minutes but then all of a sudden they lost their mojo.

For Boro, it was their equalizer that started it. They had threatened a little before that, but when Cliclhy gave away the ball on the right flank, Tuncay curled a great cross in which was bettered in quality by Aliadaire’s finish. Three defenders and a goalkeeper between the ball and the net and a diving header that no one could do anything about. Brilliant stuff!

From then on it was Boro, Boro, Boro. They attacked and dominated and easily overpowered Arsenal all over the pitch. For long spells they kept the ball in the Arsenal third and made the Gunners look like some kind of relegation battlers. They should have got something from it too, at least a penalty, but Clichy was lucky to get away with a blatant foul in the box.

The Boro dominance continued till mid-way into the second half, till Arsenal finally got their act together again and the Boro legs tired and then again it was the Gunners who pushed for a goal. But while they kept the ball a lot, they did not threaten much and the game ended at one goal a piece.

For Boro there were some fantastic performances. Tuncay is excellent and I am surprised none of the big clubs have shown too much interest. Spurs or Pool might both find him useful and I won’t be surprised to see that happen. Aliadaire, Arca, Digard, Pogatetz, Downing and Johnson all put in 7+/10 performances and a 2-1 win would not have been too flattering for Boro.

For Arsenal, it throws up some further questions. The bench we know has been weak for some seasons but now the consistency of the first teamers is in serious question. Van Persie can be magnificent one day but off color the next. On Saturday, he seemed to be thinking of someone else. Fabregas started the game well but was invisible when Boro were in control. Gallas, Djourou, Clichy and Diaby all had good moments and many many bad ones. Denilson on the right flank was a massive misfit and another of Wenger’s experiments of developing players who can adapt to many positions, looks completely baffling when it does not come off.

There are two positives though for the Gunners to take away from this one. First, in Adebayor they have someone who has now matured into one of the very best in the world in his area of expertise. Second, if there is going to be one season in ten where you can get away with losing points to experiments, then this could be it. With Pool, Man U and Chelsea all drawing on the weekend, Arsene can still believe that the title may yet end up at the Emirates.

3 comments:

eman yalpisd said...

Title at the Emirates? I think Wenger knows better. Where is the depth in the squad?

Arsenal for me are going to struggle even to qualify for the fourth spot, with Aston Villa going great guns.

But i want to be thankful to Arsenal for one thing- by defetaing United, chelsea and now drawing with pool, they have managed to keep the top spot away from a clean sweep.

The title race is hot, but i don't think Arsenal is in it, not because they have lots to catch up on, but because they don't have enough talent to do it.

jham said...

I will persist with my view that this is a season where consistency has been washed down the commode and all teams look capable of dropping points every week. While I won't put my neck on the line saying it, I will be surprised to see any 1 team pull ten points clear at the top. The challenge is to stay within striking range with 5-6 games to go and while Arsenal will find it tough, given the form of the other three, it is a distinct possibility.

As far as depth in talent is concerned, I agree and disagree. Arsenal have been at least a few players shot for the last three seasons but they have managed to over achieve (especially last season). This season they seem worse off than before and with Cesc out it could be desparate times. But we must not forget that Van Persie is playing and Eduardo may be back and Walcott will be back as well. I think Arsenal need 1 holding and 1 creative midfielder as well as a good central defender in the Jan window, but doubt if they will get so many new players in. Anyway, in spite of their troubles, I think it is premature to write them off because of reasons mentioned before. If they go 10 points behind come April, then I think we can say "it's too difficult now".

eman yalpisd said...

yeah that's a good point about the players coming back. I would love to see Arsenal throw in a challenge. I remember how they outclassed Milan last year.

The problem with Arsenal, and I am not the first to say it, is the lack of maturity and temperament. They are missing the courage and leadership of Viera and Bergkamp. There is no one like that. Remember a certain Flamini? He was absolutely outstanding for them last season. I thought he could fill in viera's rather large shoes.

well here's wishing them well.