Wojciech Szczesny will certainly be in Arsene’s thinking when he sits down in the summer and contemplates the future short and long term in between the sticks
Ooh dear, the feeling going around the blogosphere isn’t very pretty at the moment and it is understandable after a capitulation like we saw on Sunday. As regular readers will know, I am not one to wallow in doom and gloom but an ending like that makes even the most positive Gooner pull their hair out.
Having watched bits and pieces again after the initial full match I am a little stuck as to working out what the problem was. I am not sure if application was the issue, not at least with some of our players. I can think of a fair few who worked hard throughout the game.
I think the problem was due to defensive understanding, or lack of it. As soon as Wigan started to put us under pressure we looked like conceding. Injuries cannot be blamed for this because even with our full strength team we look far from secure from a defensive point of view.
We have conceded far too many goals over the course of the season and we have done so regardless of which players we have had in the team. Clearly we have missed Gallas for a long stretch, he was the man of the match against Liverpool, the last game he played before his long lay off. Thomas Vermaelen has been very consistent this season yet has made individual errors, the same can be said for the whole team defensively.
Getting our players to eradicate that side of their game has to be a priority but the only way that can happen is with hard work on the training ground.
I have read the Joe Hart rumour and judging by the sources it is probably a load of nonsense. Joe Hart is not the answer. If Wenger is to bring in a goalkeeper in the summer then I would imagine that Arsene would look towards an experienced player to compete for the number one spot. We have three young goalkeepers who will be expected to make he step up in the years to come.
Interesting headline on newsnow from Arsenal.com Loan Watch: Szczesny continues fine form, interesting timing also.
Wojciech Szczesny will certainly be in Arsene’s thinking when he sits down in the summer and contemplates the future short and long term in between the sticks.
Szczesny’s current manager Andy Scott said:
“Wojciech made an absolutely remarkable save and he passes it off like a run-of-the-mill save, so we just let him get on with it,”
It seems to be a little soon for Szczesny so another loan spell might be what the doctor ordered. The same could well apply to Jack Wilshere who is impressing on loan at Bolton but could still be a year too early for the first team, depending on injury and potential transfers.
Owen Coyle certainly wants him back for next season but I guess that depends on how much he has progressed and if Arsene believes that he can make a significant impact in the first team at the top level. Aaron Ramsey made huge strides forward so Jack Wilshere will be looking to replicate that.
I loved reading Alex Song’s comments from the weekend.
Song said:
“I am at the right club. Forget Barcelona, Arsenal is the best club.
“Arsenal have given me everything and I love this place. If I had to leave I would break down and cry. It’s still my dream to win the league here.”
Those are the type of players you want around on the pitch, in the dressing room and around the training ground. We want to see players who want to play for the shirt, who love this team and who want to win trophies for Arsenal football club.
I was watching a goal from Chamakh and wondered about the possibilities of next season. Yoann Gourcuff’s delivery was fantastic, very much in the mould of Robin Van Persie. We have missed the pacey whipped dead balls from our star forward and I think Chamakh will benefit from those.
Lets all try and cheer up, it could be worse. We could have realeased a DVD of our 3-0 victory against Tottenham at the Emirates.
Back again tomorrow.
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