Coming into play today, it looked like Arsenal would fall out of the all-important third spot that meant Champions League football next year no matter what happens with Chelsea in this years final. But Tottenham could only muster a 1-1 draw against an Aston Villa team that teeters on the edge of the drop zone. And in form Newcastle found themselves facing a team that was vying for an unlikely title and lost to Man City 2-0. So Arsenal stays in third and a win over West Brom on the road next week guarantees we will stay there. It has been a rocky campaign of ups and downs but one hopes they show up for this essential last game and finish the job.
A few thoughts going into the season ending Sunday.
1. Goalkeepers really matter, as was shown most clearly in the FA Cup final, with Reina having a very average game and Cech somehow pulling the ball from the edge of going in and saving the game. I believe the horrible Valdez has cost Barca dearly this year while Casillas has helped Madrid win their first title under Mourinho. The first Norwich goal Saturday should have never gone in while Joe Hart and De Gea have provided an endless number of key saves for the Manchesters, though Hart has been consistent all season while De Gea cost Man United points as he developed into the top keeper he appears to be at the moment. Szczesny has had a decent campaign, but he is prone to a mistake every few games and the one on Saturday could have proven crucial. He has the potential to be a great keeper but needs to work on his discipline and staying focused.
2. If RvP re-signs with the Gunners, we should thank Tottenham for continuing to choke whenever they were given the chance to regrasp a third position that seemed theirs until our comeback victory at the Emirates earlier this year. One of his comments during the Player of the Year awards should give us all pause though, as he referenced Pires in claiming he will "always be a Gunner no matter what happens." One hopes a few more signings, his families contentment in London and another year of UCL will be enough to keep him from going to Man City (who are supposedly offering up 250,000 pounds a week), Barca or Real.
3. Someone has to talk to Vermaelen about going forward too much. I have mentioned it the past two weeks, but when I watched the replay of the three goals, he was nowhere to be found on any of them. Just look at Kompany or Terry as comparison. Yes both occasionally venture forward, and obviously score important goals as did Kompany last week, but they are rarely caught back as often as Vermaelen is. Koscielny has covered for him a lot, as have Sagna and Gibbs when they are healthy, but he really needs to show more discipline and not let the defense get behind him so much. When we score 2 or 3 goals at home, we should not be losing (or even drawing), but have done so a few times this year.
4. Obviously Arteta will be back next year and so, hopefully, will Wilshire. But we clearly need a central midfielder that is creative off the bench and I am completely unconvinced by Ramsey. He has had first team action for most of the year, and has failed to impress over and over again. Maybe the summer break will give him the time to get back to the player he used to be, but he too frequently gives up the ball, has not shown the creative flair of the beginning of the season for far too long, and only occasionally shows the energy we need. And even as he has a nice shot, he is not scoring goals for us.
5. After looking like a team with a lot more spine, the Gunners have again had a late year flail that makes one wonder if Wenger is not doing enough to motivate his players. We have been out of all the competitions for almost two months and yet have started lethargic on far too many occasions in the past month. Against Wigan, we gave up two early goals. Against Norwich, two early goals. Against Chelsea, we should have been up and running away with it by halftime, but had a really average performance. Something clearly needs to change, and one hopes that the new assistant (Pat Rice is retiring) is someone that can pump the lads up for the big games.
In any case, one week to go in the season, and against the odds the Gunners need a win on the road to sew up an average but somewhat satisfying campaign. If they lose or draw, I hope they fall all the way to fifth and lose RvP. The team needs to show they can win a game against a team they should beat when it matters most. Let's hope they do ...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment