Arsenal Wins 5-2

An important win follows a terrible run of games for the Gunners, beating bottom of the league Reading on the road. It was a crucial victory that moved Arsenal back to 5th and within two points of third (though Chelsea has a game in hand). The offense was sparkling for the first time since the Tottenham game, but a lazy 10 minutes meant yet another scramble before Walcott sealed the deal with his 11th goal of the season. There were many positives to take from the game, but one must put it in context as Reading is probably the weakest team in the BPL and rarely challenged for the ball. When games are wide open, this squad looks phenomenal, but we still haven't won in recent weeks when pressure is exerted in the middle. A few takeaways from the game:

1.  Walcott and Sagna: two players that could very well leave by the end of the season were among the standouts in this game and unless we really replace them, we could be in trouble. Walcott still lacks some of the qualities of a striker, but he has dramatically improved his finishing (though his 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper went all wrong, when an easy chip would have seen the game out of reach at half time) and his composure on the ball and passing. It would be a shame to sell him unless we bring in another winger and striker. Sagna crossed well and played a solid game from the back forward and Jenkinson does not seem ready to take the reigns quite yet.

2.  Given space, Cazorla is masterful. His problem in recent weeks has been when he is crowded in the middle and unable to move around with and without the ball. The hat trick was lovely and he added an assist. With Rosicky healthy and able to give him the occasional rest, we could be in for a wonderful second half of the season. But getting in a solid defensive mid could move Arteta further up the pitch and take some of the pressure off. 

3.  When Podolski tries, he can really contribute to the team. He is clearly a quality finisher and had some lovely crosses from the left hand side. The issue this year has been his tendency to disappear for large portions of games and one wonders if a little more rest wouldn't help him. But who do we put in in his place? That is a tough question and I really don't think Gervinho is the answer -- though given his contract, maybe he could be an adequate backup for the time being (but please, for the love of god, never again as central  striker). 

4.  Ramsey/Gibbs: I don't want to sound like a broken record, but the team plays better when Ramsey is on the bench. Rumor has it that the Ox, Wilshire, Gibbs, Jenkinson and, ugh, Ramsey are about to sign new contracts. Gibbs was a revelation and one hopes he gains confidence from this performance. We clearly need a backup, as he is injury prone, but we are definitely a better team when he is on his game (both in the back and moving forward). Back to Ramsey, I think it would be a good idea to put him out on loan to get his confidence back. He is hurting the team and I don't see him as an impact sub either. Wenger is again showing his tactical stubborness and general stubborness by playing him so much (particularly on the wing). That leads me to five ...

5. Wenger: I love Wenger, but I don't really think this result undermines any of my critiques over recent weeks. Yes he put out a "strong" team versus Bradford, but he played Gervinho up front and Ramsey on the wing -- a recipe for disaster. He also kept out Arteta, which really hurts the Gunners. January is an opportunity for Wenger to finally splash some cash and get the players we need to claim third and maybe make an improbable run at an FA Cup, but I do believe it is time for new blood at the squad. A rumor has surfaced that Pep Guardiola might be itching for a real project (aka Arsenal). If that is the case, I really hope Wenger will step aside or take the PSG or Real jobs (if those rumors are to be believed). At present, he is only tarnishing a well-earned reputation as one of the greatest coaches in EPL history and I don't see him changing that in the next year.

As to the defense, Vermaelen seems to be getting his groove back and blocked an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Mertesacker also played well, but positioned himself poorly on the second goal. The offsides trap was working well though, except that Podolski played offsides for one of the two gaols. We also saw a better performance from the Ox and that is good news after a very average first half so far. So a positive result that can hopefully get us to the New Year on a mini winning streak. Up next is Wigan, who lies in 17th. Anything but a comfortable victory would be unacceptable.

Looking at the transfer window, some new names have popped up and some seem promising. We clearly need strikers and Demba Ba has emerged as another option to the 29-year old Huntelaar. I would take either though Ba has proven himself in the EPL (while many others we have gotten in recent years have not had the same returns outside of England). Llorente also seems a possibility but we are competing with Liverpool and Tottenham (and maybe Chelsea) and there is no guarantee he will be available before the summer. It appears we are close to signing a potential enforcer for the back -- 23-year-old centre-back/defensive midfielder Stoppila Sunzu from TP Mazambe. He could provide cover at the back and fill the shoes Diaby can't seem to run in, but I don't know much about him. If he is the DM we are signing, I do worry that not much has changed with Wenger. Maybe we will also go after another of the names on the list as well -- Wanyama, Capoue or Strootman. We also clearly need a winger and though Zaha looks like a great potential signing, it is unclear whether he will come or sign with Man U -- who are rumoured to be offering to let him stay at Crystal Palace until the end of the year, in their hunt for an EPL promotion. If not, we need someone else, unless Walcott is willing to play there some of the time. As far as Sagna, Dani Alves' name has emerged after he has fallen out of favor at Barca. I would actually love that signing, as he is great going forward and still decent in the back (I think, don't get to see it too much at Barca). And maybe the most exciting name to emerge in the past few days is one of the hottest prospects in Italy -- El Shaaraway, who already has 17 goals this year. Three or four quality signings could go a long way to restoring hope and positivity in the club and maybe get Walcott to rethink his departure (he is finally talking to Wenger again). One does wonder if the decision to bench and/or bring him on as a sub so often this season might backfire if he leaves. 

So a good step in the right direction, but many more will have to follow. In the ongoing "in Wenger we trust" versus "you don't know what you're doing" debate, I still side with the latter. Not because Wenger is a bad guy or clueless, I just think it's time to admit that we need change. A guy can't live on his history forever and the fans are restless. We've suffered long enough for the Emirates move -- time to start giving us something to really cheer about!

P.S. Yes, I was cheering last year when we beat West Brom to take third, but it was a bittersweet victory. The Carling was ours to take, but now that is gone, as it was in 2008 and 2010 when Wenger also made questionable decisions that cost us silverware.