Arsenal: Close But No Cigar ... Again

There are certainly positives to be taken from the Arsenal 2-0 away victory over Bayern in the second leg of the Champions League tie. Fabianski came in and performed admirably. Giroud scored a goal early, that gave the Gunners hope. Koscielny also scored late, though too late to bring us all the way back. We kept a clean sheet. And we beat one of the most in form teams in European football in their stadium. However, moral victories are becoming a tiresome compensation for fans in the decline of the squad over the past eight years. Some thoughts on the game and the current state of the Gunners ...

1. What Could Have Been: close but no cigar is becoming the only thing Gooners can look at in recent years. In 2006, we let a lead slip away against Bayern and lost a Champions League trophy we probably merited. Two years ago, we looked set for extra time against Birmingham City before the Koscielny/Szczesny blunder cost us a trophy. We took a 2-1 lead to the Nou Camp soon after and played an admirable first half before team captain Fabergas inexplicably gave the ball up and allowed the first Barca goal. After an own goal in the second period, we still had a chance to progress, before Robin Van Persie got a second yellow and we played a man down (even then, Bendtner was in on goal late with a chance to steal the game and advance). Last year we played a horrific first leg against AC Milan and looked dead in the water down 4-0, but came back with 3 goals to almost send the tie into extra time. A reminder that RVP was in on goal and though it was a good save by Abata, the Dutchman should have scored. And now we have a year full of almosts. 

Against Fulham, we ceded a two goal lead only to come back to draw even at 3-3 and Arteta had a penalty at the death to give us all three points (he choked). We came back from 2-0 leads against Man City and Chelsea since the New Year only to fall short. We came back against Liverpool and had chances to win but couldn't find the goal. And there are other examples. 

2. Why?: Well, the youth first policy certainly hasn't helped, though that doesn't explain 2006. Isn't it down to the coach at some level, winning the tight games. Either there is some truth in that statement, or Sir Alex is the luckiest man who ever lived (forgoing the result at Old Trafford last week). Wenger has built a team with no impact subs and thus, when we need late goals, we have no one to turn to. Many teams below us in the league have players that can turn a game around late, even Reading, by coming on when the starters legs are getting tired and concentration can wane. But Wenger has been lacking that option for several years now. And whose fault is that? The board? I think that argument has grown tired. And what of Wenger's bizarre subs over the past few seasons -- most famously taking the Ox out against Man United after we had drawn even? Even today, he takes out Walcott for Gervinho, who then blows yet another clear chance from four yards out (he pulled it wide). Today, we did see Arsenal switch to a 4-1-4-1, but it is rare to see this sort of shift in formation from Wenger. When he does do it, as he did in the second leg against Milan, it often works. But it is too rare an occurrence. Lastly, Arsenal play better when the pressure is lifted, it appears, and this must be down to the coach at some level. Manchester United is famous for playing quality football down the stretch and pulling off late stunners, like the two goals on either side of 90 minutes that beat Bayern in Barcelona in 1999. Wenger's teams rarely accomplish this feat.

3. Fabianski: the best news from the game was the return of Fabianski to the lineup and the quality of his play. Sz has cost us points and games all year long and just doesn't seem to have the positional sensibility or reflexes to be a guaranteed starter at this point in his career. He clearly has talent, but needs competition for his job, particularly given his performance in big games -- whether the aforementioned blunder against Birmingham City or the red card in the first game of Poland's Euro 2012 disappointment. Szczesny has the confidence necessary for top goalies, but he needs to work on his ability and reading of the game, as his mistakes come far too often for a top quality side like Arsenal (or maybe a former top quality side).

4. Cut Losses on Gervinho: Gervinho blew it again and showed that his performance at the African Cup of Nations has not changed his wasteful ways. Up 1-0 and in a perfect position to make it 2-0, he again blew it right in front of goal. The finish here was tougher than the tap in he missed against Bradford (which probably would have got us through to the semis of the Capital One cup) or the many other misses that have surrounded it, but any quality striker should have been able to get the ball past the goalee, either by going high and hard or simply slipping it past him to the far corner (instead he flubbed it wide). It is time to sell this player that has talent but again doesn't show it when it really matters. His confidence is gone and he only hurts the team when he's on the pitch.

5. Wenger: I sound like a broken record, but what other coach in the world would be allowed eight years without silverware? I know the arguments about the board, and there is probably some truth there. But it is Wenger who is ultimately responsible for the performance on the pitch, and he has made too many gambles on average players (Arshavin, Gervinho, Giroud, etc.) that have not paid off. Other alternatives were out there and he has just chosen wrong on too frequent a basis. His tactical abilities have seemed to flag in recent years and all of the other critiques I have made all season. If Arsenal don't make the top four by the end of the year, what excuse does the board have not to sack him? Profits are the only one and I wonder how long the fans will put up with it. I have become so cynical about the team, I rue even watching them (though I still do every game). What will probably happen will be a big spending project this summer (or a humongous one if the team is bought out by the Arab contingency) and one more year for Wenger to prove himself. But does he really deserve it? I love the guy, but I just don't think so. 

A big game on Saturday against Swansea now awaits and anything but a win will probably crush the only "trophy" we're still vying for. Let's hope we show the same resolve and character we showed today. Go Gunners!