The Boss’ apparent defensive “failings”, which seem to be reduced to the fact Gallas and Toure aren’t tall enough! A real disaster for the guaranteed four games a year we play Chelski (with Drogba…for now anyway)

By: Nathan Church

I guess it’s hardly surprising that, with season’s end, there comes a natural period of reflection. Looking back at the season that was, it would arguably be fair to summarise our performance as “close, but not close enough”. But considering the many predictions at the start of ’07-’08, which saw us sliding down the table, for Arsenal to be in the hunt right up to the end has seen many neutrals (and Spuds fans)have to eat their words. Simply put, there’s a lot to be pleased about as a Gooner. In the season past there have been many strong improvements – in personnel (too many to mention), in league position and points gained (our best since ’04-’05). Sure we don’t have a trophy to show for it, but supporting a football club HAS to be about more than just silverware. If it was simply that, I’d have gone into this season as a Manure fan, or twelve months before that a Chelski fan (and Shite Hart Lane would be a ghost town, apart from the half a dozen prats who think the Carling Cup is the pinnacle of footballing excellence).

But that doesn’t happen. Why? Because Arsenal is in my blood. I can’t help but support them 110%. They could be (shock-horror) mid-table, and I would still be a believer. But I am also a realist. I know that you can’t win everything all the time. And even when you are lucky enough to win a trophy, it’s a fleeting joy because you know that In a few months time, it all starts again. The win just becomes a statistic, a dry number in a record book somewhere. Football isn’t about momentary glory – it’s about a culture. And it’s not measured in individual seasons, it’s measured in decades and dynasties. I’m sorry to disagree with some out there, but 3 years without cup glory is NOT a long time! Look around at all the 99% of other clubs out there and get some perspective (or even our own history)!! Bearing all this in mind, the Arsene Wenger dynasty (and long may it reign!) will surely be looked back upon as a golden age for the club, bringing style, prosperity AND success to Arsenal FC.

It’s interesting to see just what some of the so-called “problems” that are being laid at the feet of Wenger are. Let’s start with the sale of Pires. A phenomenal player at his peak, certainly. He was also an extremely well paid, veteran player, whose playing career could only go downhill. There are reasons for giving players over 30 single year contracts. Namely, their form and ability to play consistently are more unpredictable. One needs only look at Viera and Henry as evidence of this, coupled with the fact that in his first season at Villarreal, Pires missed significant time with injury. The bottom line is, you don’t want to pay top-dollar for players who are often unable to perfrom (we have enough of this already with Van Persie and Rosicky!) The case has also been made for keeping such players around – for experience. Experience is all well and good, but it doesn’t guarantee success (just ask UEFA Cup-bound Milan) or in the Chelski case either parks millions of pounds on the bench, or leaves young talent without game experience. Arsenal has neither of these problems, with far more potential for success than either of these clubs.

Then of course there’s The Boss’ apparent defensive “failings”, which seem to be reduced to the fact Gallas and Toure aren’t tall enough! A real disaster for the guaranteed four games a year we play Chelski (with Drogba…for now anyway) and the Scouser scum (with Crouch…again – for now anyway). While I agree Gallas was a surprise choice for captain this season, it can hardly be seen as a fatal blow to a successful campaign. Furthermore, ideas that Gallas and Toure CAN’T work together have been completely blown out of proportion, as they will continue to gel more as their partnership at the back continues. What is even more surprising is that fans continue to underrate Senderos and Song, who have both proved their worth to the club, and will only continue to improve further. Couple this with the fact that it was Wenger who brought in the unknown quantities of Clichy and Sagna (any complaints there?). They are now, to all standards (aside from Raymond Domenech’s) world-beaters. The problem isn’t with personnel, if anything it goes to the simple fact that defence isn’t solely a back-4 problem. Limiting opposition scoring primarily requires (alongside top class personnel) keeping possession yourself, as the other team can’t score if you’ve got the ball. Here you need technical players with pace and intelligence. Sound like a team we may know?? This then forces teams to play on the counter, either attempting to outflank (lucky we have those spritely fullbacks who can track back) or bomb in long balls (needing centre halves with not only height – but good speed and positional awareness). I’m gonna put it out there and say we have all the ingredients needed, with the only REAL need being to add a bit more depth to the old pantry (ending use of cooking metaphor – now.)

Next on the Wenger hit-list is the “unfair” treatment of Arsenal’s prodigal son, who came good then buggered off to Italy, Flamini. Now I’ve got no sour grapes here, in fact in a previous article I clearly stated my thanks to him for a great effort and appreciation of his desire to seek out an opportunity. But to make him a martyr as evidence of Wenger’s “stupid” transfer decisions is disingenuous, at the very least. Significant debts have constrained our ability to pay over-the-tote rates, especially for a player whose credentials amount to one fantastic season. The bottom-line is that in the current circumstances we cannot compete (in wages) with clubs who service player’s salaries with debt (Milan, Chelski, etc). Wenger knows, I know, and a lot of people out there know, that Flamini is MORE THAN replaceable, and there are plenty of players (both at Emirates and elsewhere) who would love the opportunity to equal or better the standard set by the Flamster. Players come and go, but the ones who stay (Bergkamp, Adams, Keown) play for more than money, they play for the club and for the manager, and that’s the kind of players we want. Some may complain about a “Diarra situation”. I call it something else – a tidy profit and a dodged bullet.

So now I’m stuck wondering, what are the REAL problems after all?? That the Gunners didn’t win the league? I can sleep at nights, cause neither did 19 other teams. That the management is TOO financially responsible and interested in the long-term viability of the club to throw money at anyone half decent? I don’t fancy playing alongside Leeds in League 1 thank you very much. So can I offer some REAL positives instead…?

1. Strong, consistent results (permanent Champions League, can beat anyone, anywhere on our day)
2. Brilliant manager/ facilities (technical genius, eye for talent, gets the most out of players)
3. World Class Stadium (brings in supporters, revenue, envy of others)
4. Quality squad (young, talented, ambitious, plays for the club, massive potential for greatness)

End result? Happy Days! So bring on ’08-’09 I say…