Fulham 2-1 Arsenal (Barclays Premier League 2 January 2012)
We wasted another opportunity to put pressure on the teams above us by going joint third with Spurs. Fulham have managed to take 4 points out of 6 from us this season, yet with all due respect, those are the points Arsenal ought to have taken from Fulham over two league encounters.
It is very easy to go overboard and criticise the team and manager for the loss at Fulham but perhaps lets look at it with a bit more perspective.
In the last 7 league games, we have won 4 games (Wigan, Everton, Aston Villa and QPR). We lost 2 (Manchester city & Fulham) and we drew 1 with Fulham. Out of 21 points, we managed 13 points. Thats a 62% return on the total points tally. Now, considering where we were at the start of the season, one must say we are not too bad.
However, it is when you look at the manner of defeat (City & Fulham) and the draw with Fulham at the Emirates that you realise that we have been in these kinds of situations before. You see, during the Fabregas Era, the team always felt 3-4 players short of winning the title. During that period, our defence was a joke. We scored and created plenty but we let in more goals at the back.
This season, save for the injuries to our defenders, we are looking more solid. I have not looked at the stats, but I suspect so far we have won more 1 nils than in the comparable periods of the previous 3 seasons. That shows that we are defensively tighter. Our goal keeping department has not looked this solid for a long while since the days of Jens Lehman.
Which brings us to the next point. The spin of the team is looking solid from Goal keeper, through defence and finally to attack when you take Szczesny, Vermalen, Metersacker, Koscielny, Sagna, Santos, Arteta, Ramsey, Theo, Gervinho and Van Persie. That is a very good core of players. Our only downfall is lack of firepower. I am of the opinion that we are 1-2 players short of challenging for the League.
We need a world class striker and a goal scoring, creative midfielder. Aaron Ramsey is not quite there yet and although Wilshere is yet to return, we shall only see the best of him very late towards the end of the season, if not next season. Theo and Gervinho's profligacy in front of goal mean that they are nothing more than creators of goals for now. Games such as Fulham would have been won if we had a psychological fit Eduardo type striker. The type who just buries the ball in the net given a yard of space. An efficient striker.
Equally in midfield, we need a magical player who can shoot, create link player etc. Juan Mata at Chelsea is one whom I wish we had signed. But since that ship long sailed, lets find another. Don't ask me to suggest names for a Striker and attacking midfielder, that's the Manager's job together with his network of scouts.
The recent spate of injuries may also prove to be a blessing in disguise because the manager really has to get somebody on loan. But our defensive woes are temporary. It is our attacking play that is really letting us down. Arsene Wenger noted that we had chances to close the Fulham game, but we couldn't take them. Indeed our attack needs freshening up.
The return of King Thierry Henry, is a temporary fix and there is no guarantee that in two months he will do much of note. Our need to striking talent is more long term and we need some proven, reputable players to come and help push this team forward. We know that the funds are available, surely we can sign a couple of players of repute?
We are two players short of really challenging for anything beyond 4th place. Lets go out and get them this January.
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