You wouldn’t be an Arsenal fan if you weren’t feeling recurring symptoms of anxiety and doubt again. But rest assured, despite the three week blip, as Arnie once said, ‘I’ll be back.’ And I’m positive we will. That’s the main thing here, keeping positive and looking up. Or in Arsenal’s case: we’ll continue to look down the table.
Let’s be honest it when it rained on Saturday afternoon it most definitely poured. You can argue, and argue well, that almost everything favoured light blue. But you can’t concede six and assist five of those and come out smiling. There were warning signs in Napoli, and at the Etihad had it all came crashing down. Was this the old kamikaze Arsenal back at its very best? Some would say yes, and would mostly be found on Match of the Day. Although, It was shocking how loose Arsenal were in possession, a team built for keeping the ball, a team built for slick, thread of a needle passing, only to be out done through their own complacency. For the most part, City did not outplay us, and the six goal thrashing was more down to Arsenal’s errors than City’s excellence; of which there was still plenty to be admired. Up until the magical 60th minute mark, they were stronger, faster, and much more clinical than Arsenal. Then the tide turned in our favour and we pressed and dominated, they were on the back ropes, the chances fell, and we squandered them. It was as simple and costly as that. Giroud was off all game, Ozil went on one of his wanders, and we missed the boat. The tide shifted the other way again and the game was lost. The only real positive we can take from the game was Walcott’s brilliant performance. He was a threat all game, and he capped it of with a stunning goal. We’ve sorely missed him. What could have been had Chamberlain and Podolski been fit? It’s something to cling on to in this tough month. The squad is only getting stronger. But really, these last few results were always going to happen. Something had to give and that was largely fatigue.
A quick word on Bayern Munich. I’m weirdly happy about that. We ended their home streak. We’re the only English side to beat them on their ground, and even that was a weaker Arsenal side than one we now have. They wouldn’t have wanted us. It’s a tasty affair.
And on the January sales situation. It’s looking less likely. Walcott was more of a supporting striker than a winger on the weekend; something to come? And where do these new signings fit in with the squad. Who do you drop? Even the bench is getting busier now.
We host the other blues on Monday. And in my opinion they’re far less tricky shade of blue. It’s more than a six pointer. Lose and the shadows will return. A draw may not even do the trick. Arsenal have to win.
Will we truly enjoy a Winter Wonderland this year? Let’s hope so. And by the look of things, big old Per wants to see it happen. Win or lose, come Monday, we’ll see our season change course again.