Arsenal Second Half Collapse Coming into Form

Arsenal have had a tendency to suffer unacceptable and often unnerving results in the second half of the past several seasons. Last year it came later, after the heartbreaking loss to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final and then the red-card infected second leg loss to Barca. The year before some inopportune losses toward the end took us out of the title race. This year, it appears to have started right as the new year was ushered in. And it reminds us of the fundamental problem for the past several years -- we don't have the quality or depth to consistently win throughout a full season and obviously need to spend money. When Vermaelen is out the defense look quite average. When Arteta isn't in the middle, or we rely too much on Ramsey we actually get outpossessed. And even a goal from Van Persie is often not enough to win.

Since our 4-0 win over Wigan on December 3, we lost 1-0 to Man City, had a tough 1-1 draw with Wolves we should have won, lost late to Fulham 2-1 and then the 3-2 loss today. Sandwiched in there was a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, the 1-0 squeaker over QPR. It is a drop in from that has seen us fall four points below Chelsea three weeks after we finally reentered the top four. Next up? Just Man United who finally won after a two game losing streak. While I think Liverpool's inability to score do not make them a serious competitor and Newcastle will probably fade a little we will need to do better to beat out a very average Chelsea team. We cannot lose games to the likes of Swansea, even when they play such a lovely brand of football. In fact, if Walcott had finished his first very good opportunity, the 2-0 lead probably would have ended things. Instead three defensive lapses and a really off night for Sczcesny cost us mightily.

So what is to be done? While Arshavin had a nice through pass to assist on the Van Persie score he just isn't really good enough for this team anymore. It is time to unload this player that does little to help the squad. While Walcott scored, I think he needs to spend some time on the bench to realize that average (and at times terrible) form is not acceptable at Arsenal. We need a mixture of young up front and experience in the middle and back and we just aren't deep enough to do that right now. Park was a wasteful signing and we should get rid of him if he's never going to play. Chamberlain should be getting more time in the first team and I can't imagine why Arshavin started over him and why he haven't accepted the rumored interest from Zenit. Song needs competition for his holding position and there is no one obvious to do so yet (though Coquelin could take up that role in the future). Ramsey should also spend some time on the bench as he seems to look worse every game I watch him -- after a nice start to the season. He cost us two out of the three goals and the first was just beyond stupid with three defenders in front of Dyer. Maybe that makes Wilshire's inclusion more obvious when he soon returns, but we need more scoring threats up front and more decent service into them. Van Persie converted his best chance of the afternoon, but was not really given enough service to shine. 

We also need to go out and buy a versatile defender who can play on the wing or in the middle. I know Arsene thinks he has enough back up, but the combination of Miquel playing and Djourou playing out of position has probably cost us two games. And I'm not convinced that Gibbs is not another of those Gunners who will spend more time recovering from injury on the pitch. I'm also not convinced that Mertesacker is the long term answer to our central defender role. He had a sitter that he should have slotted in for the tying goal, but by some miracle of ineptitude scuffed it wide from the middle. We heard about his height and ability to occasionally score, but that has not come to pass. The reality is that many top players don't appear willing to come to the squad at present because they see what we all do -- a team that isn't committed enough to winning at the moment (off the pitch), a group of players that too often underperform at key moments and a manager who may just be too stubborn to restore his prior glory. While I love the return of Henry, it doesn't necessarily bode well for our future, as it indicates no real resolve to bolster our offensive potency. A healthy defense could be good enough, as we were cruising along until the injury list grew, but we need a creative midfielder, a winger that is a better scoring threat and provides better service to Van Persie and a backup striker that can actually, well, strike the ball into the net. Chamakh, Squillaci and Arshavin need to go and be replace with impact players that can start and/or come off the bench and do something. How many points have we lost this season at the end because of defensive lapses or not putting games away? The list is long and, one forgets, would have included Chelsea but for our wonderful late charge. If Wenger refuses to change, I have to admit it's time to change the manager (and god would I love Martin O'Neil to come over  from Sunderland). But let's see if Wenger actually makes a move before the transfer window closes. 

P.S. It appears Wenger has ruled out any transfer activity this winter. With that decision and the aforementioned stubbornness, I think it's time to admit that Arsenal has to change managers, force increased spending or get ready for a period of mediocrity that could continue for some time.