Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

From my seat: Arsenal (A)

By Ken   Buckley  ::  10/12/2011   22 Comments (»Last) A London away day to a top side who were celebrating 125 years of existence was not the best of fixtures to have, considering our predicament, which was not helped in the week with the thoughts of Jagielka.

Everyone, from the chairman and board, right through to the fans and tea ladies, knows that we are somewhat hamstrung by having no money to spend on player acquisition, but his utterances seemed the ones of one player wanting out. Phil, we know we are in a mess... but when the stand-in captain goes into print with such thoughts, then self-confidence is not at the top of anyone?s agenda.

The team was texted through and Saha for Vellios was the only change and the bench looked optimistic at best. Drenthe still out with the foot injury sustained v Wolves (or so it is said). The moments up to kick-off were a parade of the good and the great of Arsenal past who provided a guard of honour for the present day Arsenal. Statues had been erected outside the ground and having read Tony Adams's book I guess it must be pretty easy these days to have a statue in your honour.

The game started and for a good 15 mins both teams seemed determined to pass each other to death; however, in that spell, we did have the first chance when the keeper punched out but only to Saha who had his shot blocked in the area. Arsenal, for all their passing, were getting no change from our midfield and especially our back four. We also gained a couple of corners which came to nought.

After the 15-minute mark, although both sides pressed, it was Arsenal who looked the more dangerous as we failed to not only trouble the keeper but were unable to get anything on target, a familiar situation. When Arsenal pressed, they really should have gone ahead first when Walcott got on the end of an Arteta through-ball and squared for Ramsey, who was foiled at the last moment by a superb last ditch block from Hibbert.

Then Van Persie was put through but the linesman's flag ruled offside; this was followed by Ramsey floating one over the bar when better was expected, and finally Gervinho through on goal and our hearts in mouths saw Howard block his effort away with his legs.

We were a little on the back foot now and but for sterling work from Heitinga in keeping Van Persie in his pocket and Jags thrashing things away and Hibbert covering both of them, we were quite grateful to reach the break all square when, if truth be told, we could have been 4 or 5 down.

Second half started with no changes and if anything I thought we were having the best of it without having much of a cutting edge. Arsenal did press but with Heitinga having a good game ensuring Van Persie was almost anonymous and finding time to stride forward with the ball. Walcott did have one shot of power that Howard saved but other than that it was mostly the Blues pressing but oh that missing link in the final third.

It was hard to determine what was missing; was it a striker who was quick and would gamble on where the ball might be delivered? Or was it a midfielder with poise and power and an eye for the killer pass? Probably both... but those types of players cost big bucks and tend to sign for Champions League teams.

Then, just after the hour-mark, the manager made a substitution: Saha off, that seemed fair enough... but Distin on and move Heitinga into midfield? ? completely mystified me as Heitinga was the main reason Arsenal were looking toothless as he had their talisman Van Persie in his pocket. I believe in the end that substitution is what cost us a point.

We were now in the land of 4-6-0 but with Cahill and Fellaini getting up as much as possible yet for some time we looked to be dominating and putting the Arsenal defence under pressure but the best we could muster in that period was a cross from Baines that Cahill ghosting in at the back post was just thwarted by the resolute Vermaelen getting his head there first.

Also in this spell, Neville fired one in from a Coleman pull-back and just shaved the bar and troubled only the top outside of the net.

70 mins arrived and I started to think of a hard-fought point when the value of having a top class striker was well and truly rammed home. With no Heitinga to dog him, Van Persie faded away from Jags and met a cross from Song first time and executed a superb left-foot volley that gave Howard no chance. His only real chance in the match and his classy finish left me bemoaning our plight.

The manager then took off Bilyaletdinov and our captain Neville for Gueye and a debut for McAleny. Although both had similar chances from the left of the 18-yd box, both finishes went out beyond the far post.

We tried hard but, without the craft and guile to create takeable chances. we were never able to put Arsenal under the pressure that a goal does and we did get into that last third often enough in the second half to have taken advantage of that elusive clinical finish that we don?t possess. I felt disappointed at the end that we didn?t get a point but in truth we could have easily been 4 down by half time.

MotM ? Heitinga

Overall today I thought we did the best we could with what we have got but, until we can start to score goals, then we will struggle. I thought today Bilyaletdinov had one of his better games and Coleman was a real threat down the right until it came to getting in the cross. This is something he seems to be struggling with at the moment.

Arteta was tidy without being anything special but I would rather have him with us than against us. Fellaini didn?t have one of his better games in centre mid but did look much better when thrown up front.

The CEO on Radio Merseyside Friday night said the accounts showed a stable well run club and explained the ?other operating costs? question but he did concede that the club needs to be sold to the right buyer for us to have any chance of progression. He did say some funds would be available in the January window and boy do we need them. I wish the manager all the best if he does indeed get his hands on some money as he will need luck because no-one wants to sell top players in January as every team is going for something and any sale usually results in inflated prices.

Norwich and Swansea next and I just hope we have enough to get six home points as fans' patience is starting to looked stretched and player confidence could do with such a timely boost. It will all hinge on finding a formula to score goals and not concede ? A tough one for you this week down Finch Farm way, Davey ? Go to it, La!
UP THE BLUES

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