Though I’m writing this almost directly after Arsenal’s 4-0 hammering at the San Siro, I’m sure the depth and intensity of feeling will remain at the time of publication. Regardless of the second leg, the Gunners have been sent crashing out of the Champions League by a team who don’t even look to be in with a real chance of winning in the long run. The fact that AC Milan were able to so thoroughly outclass this witless Arsenal side is even more embarrassing.
English sides have been awful in Europe this season (which I’m sure bodes well for England’s chances in Euro 2012) but Arsenal’s most recent performance takes the biscuit. I’d call it a train wreck, but at least train wrecks are fun to watch if you’re capable of distancing yourself enough (though I’m sure Milan fans had a good time). How did it get to the stage where an Arsene Wenger side started losing 8-2 to Manchester United and 4-0 to AC Milan?
How have so many of the club’s top brass set back and let the downward slide continue? Why on earth didn’t Arsenal spend this January when it was clear that there are major problems within this squad?
Whilst it’s disquieting that the club has only one striker of any note (contrast that to United’s four or five) what I find more worrying is the lack of depth in midfield. Whilst Wenger had no way of predicting that Jack Wilshere would be out for most of the season, his decision to replace Cesc Fabregas with Mikel Arteta needs further scrutiny.
Yes Arteta has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players this season, but he’s not a game-changer. Cesc Fabregas was a game changer. Then there’s Alex Song, who puts in a masterful performance one week and a sloppy one the next. This lack of consistency has meant that even when it looks like the Gunners are back on form the facade could crumble at any moment.
The worst offenders, however, have to be Aaron Ramsey and Thomas Rosicky. Both players work hard but offer very little in terms of game-changing moments, goals or assists. At least Ramsey has the benefit of youth. Rosicky’s infuriating reliance on cutting in and over-hitting or under-hitting the ball into Robin Van Persie whether or not he’s marked by three men almost always allows the opponent to hurt Arsenal on the break. I would love to see Rosicky’s pass completion in the final third during the Milan game. What’s more I’d like to know if Ramsey even touched the ball.
As the season wears on, it’s becoming all the more clear why Wenger attempted to sign Mario Goetze in the summer. What’s not clear is why he didn’t bring in another world-class player when that bid failed.
The worst sign of all: The fact that Arsenal fans are now dreading playing Spurs at home. Where will the horror end?
Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
He has two many midfielders all more or less played out of position.
Why would play Arshavin who is technically gifted out wide left who we know cannot defend therefore whoever plays left back has no cover.
Why play Walcot out wide when he clearly is a striker playing of a main striker in the channels
Why play Rosicky,Arteta,Song and Ramsey all at once and have no wide left outlet against AC and then bring Ox on when we are already two down and as last throw of the dice bring Henry on
The man has lost the plot.
As all Arsenal fans know we have to many ordinary players that would be lucky to play for Championship sides
New ideas, new players,new manager and new boardroom if not we will fall from grace very rapidly
With all gunners players hard i never seen any of them strikering from long range distance like other clubs. Can the shut from distance or did wenger tall them not to.
The problem is that with Song, Arteta and Rosicky- Arsenal are short of legs and cannot close good teams down. Ramsey cannot do it all. Watch Sunderland do it to Arsenal though. You also need guts and passion. Get The Coq in there tomorrow to give Ramsey some help.