Arsenal fanbase almost exploded in apoplectic rage at the fact that during analysis of the Palace match on Match of the Day, Alan Hansen chose to highlight the circumstances leading up to Arteta’s sending off by comparing it to a goal conceded against Everton in 2010 – drawing the conclusion that Arsenal all too often leave themselves exposed to counter-attacks which prove to be our undoing. While his attempt to make the point was ham-fisted at best, I feel it was a point that was entirely valid – and so it proved with the first Chelsea goal as Cesar Azpilicueta somehow managed to bomb on and score from a passage of play that actually begun with Arsenal taking a corner kick! At the risk of coming across lazy and repetitive

Ch-Hell-sea

There was a certain sense of inevitability about the Chelsea result. Whatever we do, however we set up, however we approach them, you always sense that they’ve got our number these days. Wayne Bridge’s goal back in 2004 at Highbury didn’t just knock us out of the Champions League, but also seemingly set sparked a period of domination for them which, looking at our abysmal record of just 4 wins from our last 24 meetings, is starting to get embarrassing. Despite our flying start to the season, the depressing reality is that losing to Chelsea is no longer a surprise.

Out for the Counter

On Saturday night, the Arsenal fanbase almost exploded in apoplectic rage at the fact that during analysis of the Palace match on Match of the Day, Alan Hansen chose to highlight the circumstances leading up to Arteta’s sending off by comparing it to a goal conceded against Everton in 2010 – drawing the conclusion that Arsenal all too often leave themselves exposed to counter-attacks which prove to be our undoing. While his attempt to make the point was ham-fisted at best, I feel it was a point that was entirely valid – and so it proved with the first Chelsea goal as Cesar Azpilicueta somehow managed to bomb on and score from a passage of play that actually begun with Arsenal taking a corner kick! At the risk of coming across lazy and repetitive, this is what I wrote after the Villa game and worryingly, it still seems to ring true:

“How many times in recent years have we seen Arsenal concede the kind of counter attack goal Antonio Luna scored to kill the game? Manchester United a few years back? Pienaar for Everton in the snow? Wigan two seasons ago? Michu last season? VILLA last season? How is it we find ourselves in such a ridiculous situation that the opposition have a better chance of scoring from OUR corner kicks than we do?”

Rather than hammering Hansen, surely it would make sense to acknowledge what he says and hope that the team can take it on board and give him no reason to bring it up again in future.

Carl’s Conundrum

Mind you, the goal still might have been prevented had Carl Jenkinson not had one of his now customary brain-farts when his misplaced header sold Fabianski short and allowed the Chelsea man to pounce.

Carl Jenkinson is an adequate right back. He will probably go on to get much better in time. Right now however, he is a risk. Unfortunately both he and Arsene find themselves caught in something of a difficult position. If he plays, he will probably make mistakes. However, in order to cut these mistakes out of his game, he needs playing time. He could theoretically go out on loan but then that leaves us short in that position. If the manager then brings in someone else to back up Sagna (experienced? Better?) while Jenks is on loan, then he falls down the pecking order.

Jenkinson is at one of those career crossroads that many youngsters reach. If he is to go on to be a success at Arsenal it’s important that he either takes or is led down the right path otherwise questions will soon be raised about his future prospects at the club.

Imperfect 10s

Chelsea’s opener coming on the counter was actually at odds with the opening period of the game when they seemed to dominate possession and we struggled to get a foothold in midfield. While we successfully managed to limit the number of clear cut chances they were able to create, the balance in our midfield was not quite what we’ve become accustomed to in recent weeks. Having gotten used to playing both Arteta and Flamini, it was a bit of a shock to the system having to set up with neither, particularly against a side as strong as Chelsea. As a result, Aaron Ramsey had one his quieter games as he appeared to be more restricted. Jack Wilshere (finally) got an opportunity to start in the middle and put in a reasonably decent showing; getting stuck in but giving the ball away far more often than he would have liked. Similarly, Santi Cazorla was unable to supplement his lightening quick feet and bag of tricks with a good enough final ball. While none of the three played especially badly, none was truly able to shine. They seemed almost to crowd each other out as they all attempted to ‘push on’. The need for that more disciplined ‘sitting’ player became blindingly obvious.

Heart of the Mata

Chelsea’s second goal came through a fine strike by Juan Mata from the edge of the penalty area. A great goal from a player that, as a fan, I would still happily have at our club after the flirtations from a couple of summers back. After his 4th goal in 5 games against us, it’s frustrating to see the ‘one that got away’ rub it in our face so much.

Get Bendt

Sticking with romantic metaphors, the old saying is that absence makes the heart grow fonder and having gone the best part of two years without seeing Niklas Bendtner turn out for the club, some fans would be forgiven for thinking that his return to the first team squad would be like heralding the return of a long lost sibling. A prodigal son, even. After featuring in the previous round against West Brom and a couple of sub appearances since, there may have been the misplaced expectation on Bendtner to at least try and take the opportunity presented to him against Chelsea to prove his vast, vast number of doubters wrong. Unfortunately, when Sky’s first close up after a couple of minutes saw the ponytailed one ambling about chewing gum and looking quite disinterested, you have to think expectations were swiftly dampened. What we got was a lethargic, lazy display and an initial reluctance/refusal to even get involved in the play. In the first half, Bendtner rarely showed for teammates nor did he even attempt to play like anything resembling a centre forward. Luiz and Cahill will doubtlessly have an easier match all season long.

In the second half when frustrated fans started to get on his back, the big Dane finally broke into half a stride looking to receive the ball more but in rather cowardly fashion, instantly relinquished possession, exonerating himself of any responsibility. The most absurd example coming when he found himself with the ball on the penalty spot, unmarked and with his back to goal. Rather than turn and shoot, he instead insisted on passing to a teammate in a far more difficult position to score. Rarely will you see a centre forward at any level of football go through a game without even attempting to try and have a shot.

Quite a lot of fans look at Bendtner as something as a caricature or figure of fun. The sad part is, when you watch him putting in displays like this, you realise that the joke is actually on you. Perhaps one of the positives we can take from going out last night is that we may well never see this man disgrace the Arsenal shirt again.

Mour Better Blues

More concerning than continuing our overall terrible record against Chelsea mentioned above, is Arsene Wenger’s own f
ailure once again against the better managers in the game. Wenger has now failed in 9 attempts to get the better of Mourinho. Chelsea fans singing “we want you to stay” is grating not simply because it is patronising but also because there is this perceived notion that regardless of how great a manager he is, Wenger can and will always be outthought and outwitted by Jose Mourinho.

Wenger’s standing among the elite managers will never be called into question but in recent years there have more and more examples of his feathers being ruffled both at home and abroad. The failure to win anything of note for so long will also not go unnoticed. It’s up to him to redress this balance if Arsenal are to be a force once again and stop people asking whether he is still the right man to make this happen.

Testing Times

Many will suggest that this is ‘Only the Capital One Cup’ and yes, while some of may be guilty of overreacting and over-analysing, this is still our second home defeat in a week. Two loses against the two best  sides we’ve faced is something of a damming indictment and a rude awakening that beating the likes of Sunderland and Palace is one thing but Dortmund and Chelsea are a whole different ball game. Much has been made about our forthcoming run of fixtures but with this tougher period  of the campaign on the horizon, it’s an opportunity to step up and prove ourselves worthy contenders for honours rather than shy away and end up falling short when the going gets tough. UTA

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