It took a while, but it looks like Arsene Wenger’s summer spending is paying real dividends. Having placed 17th in the League after 5 games, Arsenal are now 4th after 19 – a magnificent comeback. If the Gunners can keep up the pace then they look like a sure thing for a top four finish, something that pundits had all but ruled out a month or two ago. But some mysteries still abound concerning Arsene’s summer spending blitz.
After all, what was the point of buying Park Chu-Young, who isn’t getting a sniff at the Emirates, despite Arsenal’s desperate need to spread around the goals? Arsenal have desperately needed someone who can come on and score a goal, and Park hasn’t been trusted with this duty. Very strange.
More perturbing still: why isn’t Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, arguably Arsenal’s brightest young spark barring Jack Wilshere, getting more time in the first team, be it as a starter or a substitute?
On the basis of limited game-time, Arsenal fans are clamouring for him to make more appearances, but Arsene just doesn’t seem to be listening. The argument is that he looks to be a better player than Theo Walcott at the moment, yet Theo Walcott was getting much more game time at age 18 than Alex is now.
Whilst I do agree with the above argument and would add that Alex is a more stocky, robust player than Walcott has ever been, I think his lack of inclusion in this Arsenal team says more about the strength of the squad than it does about the player himself.
In years previous Arsenal have relied too heavily on youth and as a result have little to show for the last half-decade. This year they’ve introduced more experienced heads into the fold and have looked better as a result. Arsene can now pop on Yossi Benayoun or Tomas Rosicky to help see out a game. When you’ve got experience like that waiting in the wings, I’m not all that surprised Alex is struggling to break into the first team.
It strikes me that Arsenal find themselves in a rather privileged position, where there’s still young talent at the club but they are no longer the be all and end all.
As for Alex himself, his time will come and Wenger will oversee his development just as well as all the other youngsters he has brought through over the years and I’m sure it won’t be too long until he’s grabbing the headlines.
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maybe true but if so wenger cant spot the difference between a young player who is clearly not ready for the first team and one who is ahead of his development and ready for more responsibility. No one could hold back top talent like Rooney and Cesc at 16. Some players are just ready earlier and Ox looks like he needs at least a few subs appearances.
Wenger did not play this crucial period effectively! Rotation is an “ART” all by itself, managers need courage and the vision to change personal at the crucial time.
Arsenal n Arsene have not used this period effectively for a few seasons. Now the lads have to pick themselves up, dust off and be ready to go again quickly. It is not over yet, the marathon is only half way.
I disagree almost entirley with what you say, in particular the point you make about Arsenal having a strong aquad. the reality is we have nothing beyond the first team X1. Arshavin is a waste of oxygen, Rosicky stopped having any discernable impact 3 years ago. Chamakh is a free-transfer embarrasment that keeps getting chances while Oxlade-Chamberlain vegetates on the bench. Djourou gives me palpatations, Schallaci should be released (nobody here would but him) while our panic buy summer signings are stop gaps at best.
Sadly, Tottenham have now a far, far deeper and talented squad than we do. Their boardroom crucially have far more ambition than ours as well. We are in decline and will continue to drop down this league every season unless something radical happens. Right now Arsenal have its weakest squad for over 20 years and both Tottenham and Chelsea will continue to improve.
very true my friend very true too bad that french twat cant see it!!
This Arsenal team lose control of midfield in the
second half now in every game. All opponents know
the defence is weak despite at long last having good centre halfs.
Why did Wenger not do what Redknapp did and snatch
Scott Parker and Freidell, they were not even costly.
How long before Wenger wakes up to the fact that
Djourou is not good enough. Have we got to endure aanother Almunia/Denison era?
So what if four full backs come fit together, one is a novice,and one could be disposed of ie Gibbs
or is that another wasting of time like Aldereie,Denilson,Diaby,Rosicky,Squillaci,Velo,etc
all on pay miles above their value. And is it not obvious that after over 10 years the Academny is not going to produce a team capable of representing Arsenal. A team like Arsenal should not be messing about with players making silly
UNNECESSARY fouls like these made bt Song,Djourou
etc.
Get real Mr Wenger, blaming the referee is blinding yourself to the facts. The team is short
of the real type of players required as shewn by the example of Ateta.
Simple you fools! Arshavin is being played to up his price for a sale in Jan! That’s why Wenger said 2012 would be the year of the Ox!!
The reason is much more because Wenger trusts the same players who have failed the club repeatedly over the years.
Rosicky and Arshavin have begun to optimise the current state of the team, in that they were players who were expected to take the team to the next level, to shoulder responsibility and to help the youngsters along but all they have done is put a block in place for quality players like Chamberlain.
For a side that is crying out for someone to put the ball in the back of the net and yet have players like the two above, plus Walcott and Gervinho misfiring, ahead of him is ridiculous.
Thats not to say he should be starting but to get no game time over the busiest period of the year is ridiculous and it will cost us will tired players in the run in.
It is generally accepted, that players – particulary strikers need time to adjust to different formations, teamates and speed, when changing clubs. Henry presents no such problem. He can therefore slot in seamlessly, while RvP`s permanent – partner/cover – is brought up to speed. Make sense?