The team selection was a bit off in my opinion. Although, we were severely hampered by injuries. Other than the long termers of Eduardo & Rosicky; no Ade, Sagna, Toure, Walcott, Eboue. Fabregas suspended and Gallas dropped

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR VISION ARTICLES ARE SENT IN BY READERS AND ARE NOT WRITTEN BY ARSENAL VISION WRITERS.

Well – we’re probably at the lowest point we’ve experienced as gooners for the past 12 years or so.

I got up at 3am and watched the second half (Man City). Strangely it didn’t hurt too much, seeing the 2nd and 3rd goals going in. Perhaps in some ways it’s me realising that it’s something we’re probably going to have to get use to for the remainder of the season, but I’ll come back to that later. Talk of crisis gets bounded about too often, but I suppose we’re not too far away adding the Gallas outburst, captaincy situation and the teams form.

As for the result. It was a game again like Villa – unlike the games we have lost over recent times, to wonder goals or bad luck – the past 2 defeats have basically been us playing poorly.

The team selection was a bit off in my opinion. Although, we were severely hampered by injuries. Other than the long termers of Eduardo & Rosicky; no Ade, Sagna, Toure, Walcott, Eboue. Fabregas suspended and Gallas dropped.

Players I really don’t think are ready right now – Denilson, Song, Bendtner. Those 3 are just too inconsistent and have little effect on any game they play in. Bendtner I think should only be used as an impact striker at best. Song and Denilson are Carling Cup players. Wenger wil argue that Cesc had an impact at their age or younger. But Cesc is a special talent and I can only see Wengers stubborness showing when he persists with these players.

I’ve seen more from the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere and Vela so far this season than I have from them. I’d have rather seen Ramsey thrown in and Wilshere. Perhaps Vela up front with RVP. Playing Bendtner with RVP was just wrong. We’re lacking confidence as it is and with no striker making runs, it gave no edge.

People continue to moan at the defence, but I don’t think it’s too bad. We’re making some silly errors, but to be fair to them – for the most part the back 4/5 are being left completely unprotected and with injuries etc, there’s a lot of chopping and changing. Again, Denilson is being asked to play a position that doesn’t come natural to him – and while he’s got talent he’s just ineffectual… same goes for Song. Sometimes you see him do some decent things, but they aren’t developed enough to play week in week out like they are being asked to. I see more urgency and dynamics to when Ramsey plays, he plays with more urgency as does Wilshere. I think we’d have been better off sticking those two in. We continue to see Diaby play, but never where he is supposed to be best, at CM? Diaby has been another inconsistent performer and I think he could play with more energy, but in fairness he’s playing all over the place. Why wasn’t he given a go at CM with Ramsey perhaps and Wilshere out wide on the left or right and Nasri on the opposite flank.

All I see right now, especially for Bendtner & Denilson is harm being done but there consistent inclusion. I know we’ve had injury problems, but again why couldn’t he play Vela or even Simpson. Simpson is supposedly not top notch technically, but he’s gonna run all day and might make the runs in behind the defence.

I really have to question Wengers tactics and player selection this season. Again – yes we’ve had injuries. But while Wenger continues to spout having complete belief and faith in his squad, I don’t believe he really knows where everyone’s best position is.

Having listed ample amounts of negatives – I think there is opportunity for Wenger to make some quick fixes. First off, our illustrious ‘Capi’ has had another brain imploding moment and spouted off about his team mates etc. I don’t blame Wenger for trying to galvanise Gallas by appointing him as captain and for the first 2 thirds of last season it looked to have been a good decision. But as soon as things started to go wrong, Gallas was not up to it and we all know the rest. If not straight away stripped of the captaincy, he should’ve been in the summer. Hopefully – Wenger has stripped him of it now, as there is still nothing official as such. Fingers crossed… If he stays at the club, I care nothing. His form hasn’t been too great either so, he’s more than replaceable.

So – who now. Kolo is vice captain, but I think I’d over look him for now and give Cesc the arm band. He’s young yes, but he’s hundreds of games under his belt at prem level and several international caps already. He’s someone the other players like and respect despite his tender years. He can influence any game and he can lead by example. Perhaps giving him the armband might raise him from his poor form. He’d be my choice….. as for Wenger, it’s hard to guess.

Clichy is another one – I think he’d make a good captain one day. Almunia is another potential choice too. I suppose, experience wise there is also, Silvestre..?

I think we’ll see a few of the walking wounded return. Maybe a back 4 of Clichy, Silvestre, Djourou, and Toure if fit at RB for Tuesday. Cesc will be back in the midfield on Tuesday no doubt. I just wish Denilson would be dropped. And I don’t mean that because I think he’s sh!t – just that he isn’t having any effect on games. For me the midfield is the real area of concern. It is currently the weakest I’ve seen in years. This is the area where we need at least 1 absolutely top class signing come Jan…

I don’t care if they are in their twilight years – but it has to be proven class…

The same for the defence. We need a big, strong CB to compliment a more mobile player. Again – I don’t care if he’s over 30….That’s where I think we can make some quick fixes to the squad.

Perhaps other than Gallas I wouldn’t like to see anyone else leave until the summer…. and Wenger can take stock again then…