Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Arsenal Scare

Twenty minutes into a 3rd round Carling Cup tie, Arsenal again found themselves behind due to their defensive porousness (and another Djourou error). Panic must have been rumbling across the Emirates as the thought of a defeat to League Two Shrewsbury became a reality. But defender Gibbs equalized before the half and upstart Oxlade-Chamberlain apparently had a great second half including a 25-yeard cracker at the hour mark before Benayoun sealed the deal with a tap in. Good news for a squad that is short of it at present, and promise for youngsters Chamberlain and Coquelin. While the present is a disaster, the future could be much brighter. Rumours from yesterday also have Hazard making the move to Arsenal next summer in return for offloading the disappointing Arshavin. This could make for a much stronger squad next year, if we pick up another centre-half and defender to add depth. The Carling Cup might again be our best chance at silverware this year, and one hopes we keep up the good form to build on. I really do think it's time to move Djourou down the pecking order though, and get ready to offload him next summer. He did look good early on last year, but has completely lost his confidence and is just costing us too often ... On to Bolton!

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