Arsenal Blues Redux

Arsenal reentered the top four for the first time this season on the 31st of December renewing hope that they can indeed secure their Champions League spot again (for the 17th straight season). And then, two days later, they fell back to fifth. The very disappointing 2-1 loss to Fulham in the waning moments of the match brought back memories of the past few seasons, when second half collapses led to us falling out of contention for the title. This year we are simply struggling for that 4th spot and to build a squad that can actually compete for silverware next season but doubts certainly resurfaced after the draw at Wolves when we could have moved to fourth and then the late collapse after the Djourou red card, with a goal in the 84th and 93rd minute. The most disappointing thing about the game was that it should have been sealed much earlier, but for a number of missed opportunities yet again (from Walcott, Gervinho and the gang). 
In fact, if we review Arsenal's performance since the 4-0 thrashing of Wigan, we have scored more than a solitary goal in only one match, the late winner against Aston Villa. Other than that, we had one relatively late goal for a 1-0 victory over Everton, were shut out by Man City (with several good chances), drew with Wolves with more chances than I can count (and a missed hat trick from Gervinho who didn't score even one) the tight 1-0 victory against a reeling QPR and then the heartbreaking loss to Fulham (who have taken five points from us in our two matchups and we can look to as the killers of our season if we finish outside the top four). We clearly need to score more goals to make these games more comfortable. It's clear the holiday season is too busy and everyone suffers, but Chelsea's late winner and our late collapse does not bode well as a starting point for the new year.

So what's to be done? I think the Fulham game brought out four issues that need to be resolved. 1) Sczcenzny is doing a good job in goal, but needs more training on when to come out for the ball. He often misses it and needs to be saved by someone else or the ball ends up in the net. All goalkeepers make this mistake, but I've seen it a few too many times from our talented youngster. 2) We need a short term solution to our problem on the wing and we really need to get rid of Squillaci (and maybe, after this season, Djourou as well). Squillaci is terrible and his terrible clearance cost us a point. Djourou just doesn't think sometimes and gets caught out of position and but for his red, we probably win the match 1-0. Sagna should be back soon and Santos, Jenkinson and Gibbs will hopefully follow, but we will lose more games if our wings remain this weak. I think we can see the difference in the squad without Vermaelen and it's troubling that one player has such a huge impact on our defense. We need a winger like Santos who is good in the back (or at least improving) and can push forward effectively. Teams are clogging the middle, because we too infrequently get crosses in from the edges of late. 3) We need more creativity in the midfield. Maybe Wilshire will provide it, but that isn't really his role at present. And he has not shown any great ability at scoring goals. So I think we either need Ramsey to start stepping up and pushing forward and scoring goals, or look elsewhere. Arteta is doing a good job but I would like to see him put it in the net a little more. 4) And obviously up front we need another scorer who can finish the opportunities the wingers so often have. Walcott is just not doing the job and really does seem like a player that will disappoint even as he bedazzles with his speed. He doesn't have the finishing touch, his shots are often terrible and he makes poor decisions way too often. Gervinho is growing into his role on the left, but he really needs to finish more as well. We would have pulled all nine points if either of them converted even one of their numerous chances in the past three games. Podolski seems to me to be the best solution up front and I heard that he is again a possibility after he had put a damper on the rumors. Please join us! On the defensive end, the rumors are rampant, but hopefully we get anyone besides Wayne Bridge (ugh). Finally, we are obviously interested in Hazard, Goetze or Granero, but not sure if any of them is realistic at present. Hopefully, some creative midfielder is brought in now or next summer. 

On a related note, what are the prospects of our nearest competitors? I think Man City looked back in form in dismantling the Suarez-less Liverpool. Man United got through a tough period by continuing to win most of their matches and is now scoring in droves again. The defense might be a little suspect with the loss of Vidic, but I think they will do what they always do -- challenge for or win the title. Chelsea, on the other hand, looks like a team in trouble. Yes they pulled a late winner (set up by a lovely pass from Torres, of all people) against Wolves, but this is a team that is old, out of sorts and weaker than usual on the defensive end. Cahill might shore things up, but the reality is that he has been off form for far this year. Terry vacillates between being one of the best defenders in England and quite average. Liverpool is a really odd team. They have among the best defenses in the league and a nice attacking squad. But they don't score enough goals. And the absence of Suarez makes them appear a little too predictable to me. Carroll obviously needs to find his form, Downing could do to put a few in and Gerrard's return should help, but I sense that they are not ready to crack the top four this year. And then there is our hated rival Tottenham. They have been on incredible form his year, but looked a little less convincing in their past few matches. They could challenge for the title, or start their more common second half swoon. And I don't believe Newcastle will continue to challenge for the top four, though I await the match against Man U today. In any case, should be an exciting race that goes down to the wire.