Blackburn Rovers 4 – 3 Arsenal
0 – 1 Gervinho (10)
1 – 1 Yakubu (24)
1 – 2 Arteta (33)
2 – 2 Song (o.g.) (50)
3 – 2 Yakubu (58)
4 – 2 Koscielny (o.g.) (68)
4 – 3 Chamakh (84)
Arsenal’s frailties were haplessly exposed at a rain-drenched Ewood Park. Architects of their own downfall, Arsenal’s season was encapsulated in one match. Failure to capitalise, spurning chances at will was compounded by poor organisation in defence with twenty error-strewn second half minutes ultimately deciding the outcome.
We can point to individual errors, poor decisions by officials, bad luck as the reason for defeat. Contributing factors indeed but the first highlights the issues facing the club. Two own goals: one from a corner which Alex Song perhaps could not react to. Koscielny’s? I think he might have dealt better with it but bigger problems arose earlier in the move, Djourou’s failure to time his tackle, Song’s failure to make a challenge, Szczesny not moving toward the forward on the by-line.
The match has been relegated to a side issue since the final whistle. It should not be and the outcome should have been so much different. Gervinho’s early opener hinted at an enjoyable afternoon. Song strode through the centre of the pitch, releasing Gervinho to twist and trickle his shot into the net. Ten minutes gone and things were right with the world, just reward for the opening dominance.
Arshavin might have doubled the lead with his rising shot, Gervinho missed following Bacary Sagna’s purposeful endeavours on the right flank. Ascendency assured, Arsenal promptly relaxed and were punished. A Rovers attack was broken down, the ball intercepted on the edge of the area by Song. The attempt to counter was swiftly broken down and the ragged Arsenal back four played Yakubu onside, his finish unerring into the corner.
Back to square one. Arsenal rocked and rolled with the punches, gradually recovering their composure and ten minutes later, Song released Ramsey on the right. The Welshman had other options in the centre, choosing to wait for the right moment to tee Arteta with the perfect pass for a powerful and accurate finish into the roof of the net.
The moment had arrived, dominance to be turned into points, Gervinho at the centre of all of the attacking goodness, unable to convert his own chances whilst unable to spot the unmarked van Persie yards from him as the Rovers back four tried to keep Arsenal at bay. The second half brought a change in fortune for Rovers, the change in their line-up crucial. Arsenal were content with the position they were in but by the midpoint were chasing the game, vainly but almost valiantly.
Song’s own goal from the corner started the rot, Sagna’s departure meant Djourou came in on the right and Rovers exposed the lack of familiarity with the position. Szczesny saved Formica’s manufactured effort, Yakubu scored from an offside position with Santos not providing enough daylight between himself and the Rovers forward to create the necessary doubt in the officials minds. The lunacy was capped with the fourth, Rovers hitting Arsenal with the counterpunch that we have perfected over the years.
The frenzied finish materialised. van Persie came close, Chamakh scored a peach of a header following the Dutchman’s excellent cross, might have scored a brace in the finale, guiding his header wide. Mertesacker lifted his over the bar when from the comfort of the armchair that seemed the harder option. His and Chamakh’s appearance in the front line at least nailed the lie that Arsenal do not have a Plan B.
And to top it off, on an afternoon of poor decision making by the officials – phantom corners given, dubious and obvious free kicks awarded on a hit and miss basis – a clear penalty denied with time running out, Walcott flattened by Robinson in front of the referee.
The team’s confidence has been bludgeoned, vapourised and twisting in the ether, absent at back, middle and front in the team. The crux of the matter is leadership. There are enough experienced internationals, players whose number of games in their careers register in 200 or more, yet none are taking a grip at the back or in the middle. Why is that? Robin van Persie has been made captain yet that should not stop someone in midfield taking responsibility, or a defender organising.
Problems exist that Arsène has to resolve, solutions which must be found quickly. Not least of which is the formation, one that emphasises the attacking nature of the game but requires solidity in midfield. It needs the players to pursue their opponents when in possession, to hunt in packs as Dortmund showed in midweek, as Barcelona have ruthlessly done in European fields. Arsenal have never got to grips with that on a consistent basis, this season must be the time for the manager to look at a more orthodox formation, changing the personnel appropriately to gain stability in the side.
Post-match, Arsène summed the situation succinctly,
It’s just not good enough and, of course, we are very frustrated. The spirit in the team is quite willing but if you look at the number of goals we have conceded it is just not good enough. You cannot come here and concede four goals the way we did today. On the other hand I believe that the group will take off but it is important that we can get results.
This is the biggest challenge of his Arsenal career. Previous squads have had a natural confidence which has returned during dips in form but this is sustained. This run of form started at Wembley and has not abated. The new arrivals are still gelling into the team and this is where the hope comes from and with four included in the starting line-up at Blackburn, perhaps a brighter future is on the horizon. That seems a distant future right now.
Questions are naturally being asked of the manager. This is a problem entirely within his remit to resolve and answers have been previously found. It seems that more help on the green pitches of Colney, in the dressing room. Something, someone. The status quo cannot remain, the players have the fragility of matchstick men. There is a real danger that continued poor form will lead to mediocrity this season being accepted as the norm, for Arsenal that cannot be the case nor should it be.
Grey skies over the country, grey skies over the club. The looming threat of a Winter of Discontent hangs over the country, there will be a more immediate arrival at Arsenal. Time for the manager to prove his doubters wrong, to recuperate the team. Whatever the solutions are, they need to be found. And quickly.
’til Tomorrow.
They got their customary pen I see. (just watching the match)
That’s what generally happens if you scythe down someone who’s about to shoot…
Duke, you always vent.
“scythe”, LOL!
coz Arsenal are always losing Paul!!! (smirking winking face)
“That’s what generally happens if you scythe down someone who’s about to shoot…”
Unless you are an Arsenal player ,that is!
I hope all the Wenger apologists are happy with what this man is doing to our club. He can no longer motivate the players. He has zero tactical nouse. Time to go.
I hear that Duke, we need a winning streak badly or your wife to bake you something you like, what was it again?
“That’s what generally happens if you scythe down someone who’s about to shoot…”
Unless you are an Arsenal player ,that is!
Yeah I used the weasel word ‘generally’ in there!
Nooooo our ‘highlights’ are about to be shown. I can’t find the remote!!
Djourou, Song and Koscielny should be refunding me for that 4th goal. Fucking appalling.
goalie_up_front you piece of shit .Please go away
How mature of you George. Always resulting to insults instead of a counter-argument. How old are you?
“He has zero tactical nouse. Time to go.”
Nous.
Right, I’m off to bed. Laterz…
That was going out to Dexter BTW, to prove I’m not just picking on u!
OK goalie.
I will reply in the style you post.
Wenger is magic, he is the best
Its called drivel .
“Are you Arsenal in disguise” sung today at both WHL and OT.
We are a laughing stock of football thanks to Le Senile Prof.
“We are a laughing stock of football thanks to ‘Le Senile Prof’ ”
And you asked George how old he was.
Go away, your immature nonsense is not wanted.
“We are a laughing stock of football thanks to ‘Le Senile Prof’ ”
And he want us to post counter arguments.
I cant begin to tell you how pathetic I find these disrespectful imbecilic twats.
I heard Torres had a miss of the century. Just saw it and it was really the miss of the century. The chavs should’ve got something out of the game, the United goalie and defence does not convince me and I feel their wheels will come off. Maybe wishful thinking.
I read the players had a word and wants a defensive coach to work with them ( a souce said according to The Mirror ) that means it is really rubbish. maybe thats what is needed, somone to sort our defence once and for all.
“4th is like a trophy”
“2nd for twenty years would be great”
“if someone is better than you, you must accept it”
All loser statements from the man who is supposed to motivate our players to win.
Insult me all you want but all you AKB’s are a dying breed.
Goalie,what are your big achievements in life?
You being a winner.
In case you missed it
“I cant begin to tell you how pathetic I find these disrespectful imbecilic twats.”
That is you by the way ,in case you are so thick that you do not realise
George
I think he is just another of the thick twats from the grave. Best to ignore his poorly thought out arguments. He will rejoin the other idiots soon enough.
-3 wins in the last 18 league games.
- Losing a Cup Final to a now relegated team, a team that scored the fewest goals in the Premiership.
-Becoming the first team in Premiership history to lose a 4 goal lead and with only 20 minutes left.
-Throwing away a 2 goal lead against the Spuds….twice in a season.
-Persisting with a goalkeeper that was totally out of his depth.
-Buying quality cover at Centre back. But was willing to waste 15M on a 17yr old who can’t even make the bench. You couldn’t make it up LOL !
-Throwing away points because we can’t defend.
-Insulting the fans by saying we don’t know what we are talking about because most of us haven’t had half a day in football…the same fans who pay his wages.
- Announcing he would be happy to finish 2nd for the next 20 years.
-Droaning on about mental strength and team spirit which everyone can see we don’t have.
-Telling everyone this is the best squad he has ever had. AN ABSOLUTE INSULT TO THE INVINCIBLES
-Not getting a defensive and goalkeeping coach who has a clue.
-Ten games to go and only the title to play for and we win TWO games. Abysmal doesn’t begin to describe it
What I am asking now is for an AKB or two to come out of hiding and give evidence for the defence. You want him to stay tell us why he should. C’mon, don’t be shy.
****Not buying quality cover at Centre back*****
the better informed pwople have been trying to tell the pro Wenger mob on ACLF & elsewhere that AW must go, and the board too
Sadly, we can’t ditch the board
Arsenal’s miserable start to the season reminds me of Bayern Munich’s start to last season.Their defending was all over the place and could not put the ball in the back of the net for sometime as Robben and Ribery(key players) were out for quite sometime.They started off well in the UCL and did well in the competition’s group stages and went on to lose only to Inter at home in the knockouts.Bayern were on with 8 points from 7 games with 3 losses from those 7 games.They grinded out results slowly without really playing well and kept it tight at the back.Slowly gained confidence and went onto finish 3rd with a UCL play off place.Arsenal can take a leaf out of their books and solely concentrate on getting on to top-4 finish with a run in in either of the cups or even winning them would do a lot to the players.And i agree we are just too adamant to carry on with same formations again and again which has made us predictable.I am a Bayern fan(Bundesliga) as well as a hardcore gooner.So i can spot the similarities in a lot of ways.We need to make sure of winning the next 3 home games against Shrewsbury,Bolton and Olympiakos.Once we start winning the confidence shall slowly return and after the international break we can expect Vermaelen and Diaby back which would give us a better balance.Hoping for a crucial ten days and with optimism.I trust the team and the boss.Lets support the team and make sure we make Emirates a living hell for the opposition.
Come on Gooners!!
I fear that perhaps Wenger is no longer the man to take the club forward. He is fast becoming what Rafael Benitez became at liverpool: stale.
He can’t motivate the team enough. He cant change the culture. He can’t change the attitude. He can’t change the discipline. He can’t change the tactics. He cant change the defensive organisation. He can’t motivate the players. He can’t get the best out of them. Do the players still believe in him? Considering we have changed several players but the weaknesses are still the same, is it not worth arguing that a change of coaching staff is required? The squad we have is very good, contrary to what most people think. The problem is application and organisation. That’s where a change of coach might help.
By all means, let’s give Wenger time to turn things around. But personally I have no hope that much will change. It’s sad, but this may be the beginning of the end for Arsenal’s greatest manager.
As mentioned to in my previous posts on this thread regarding defence and zonal marking..
it is my opinion that the zonal marking for example led to Akubu’s ‘offside’ goal… Three BB players unmarked in the box from a set piece. One of these whipped it in for Yakubu to poke it in. The shot coming in in the first place was, again IMO, the weakness and the problem. If you only focus’s on the injustice of the offside goal and fails to see the action that led to that goal, (and the others), then you fail to see the full picture.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-players-back-Arsene-Wenger-as-manager-but-want-defensive-coach-article801482.html#ixzz1YLRo6LKA
I don’t like to read the words.. the Mirror understands….I’m much more comfortable with direct quotes from players that at least we can interpret clearly rather than the sensational headlines sub-editors like to put on it..
However, It seems to be becoming a popular opinion regarding the remedy for the defensive shortcomings. I wonder how much speed it will gather?
Not suprised. I’m not shocked/surprised in the slighest that this side is capable of producing another defensive nightmare that see’s us lose 4-3 at Blackburn.
Puts things into perspective. Maybe the aboslutle battering United dished out wasn’t an anomaly, rather a fair representation of where we stand as a football club?
The positive in all of this? I’m delighted at the prospect of getting my season ticket next year.
Gazidis will take notice of every game going on general sale, bums on seats maxing 55,000, poor results, and murmurings of protests.
Sadly for the Arsenal front office, thier commercial development and revenue streams are so piss poor the entire self sustaining model is centred on charging fans ridiculous prices, and squeezing into the Champs League every year.
We have been far to risk averse.
Well done Satish. We often say on this side of Africa that “you can’t live in a house half built”, and 70% of building is the foundation. The meaning is that you don’t see the work already achieved (foundation) until the building (re-building in our case) is 95% done; then results come. I saw enough on Saturday to convince of the work being done.
For all sorts of reasons, including these, it’s premature to worry. Otherwise YW’s comments are good. So are AW’s. Two things in addition: a good introduction to what “up north” means to new guys, especially Santos, Per and 3Gs; and a lesson for them all. Secondly, statistics boffs, even with our erratic defensive work yesterday, how often does a team score 2 own goals, on average, in one game in EPL. Anybody?
Is OGs our highest scorer this season(with Pool)? Is that 3 so far?
http://wp.me/p1aPg-1PX
Today’s post
a good introduction to what “up north” means to new guys
——-
why do we have to get beaten by the worst team in the league, defend like amateuers, and throw away another lead at the first sign of pressure to introduce players to the north?
The fact you accept getting beaten so by Blackburn as a great learning curve for the new recruits just amazes me.
Zim, do you know we have taken 33 points from our last 26 league games.
Let that sink in.
Look on the bright side Zim. If you are going to have a season rebuilding your team, let it be when one side looks like they will truly dominate and Manu-re do look unstoppable this title challenge. Let the warning go out though, they are truly laying down a new standard for the Premiere League and yet they still probably will still not beat Barca.
There are big hurdles ahead and we have a long way to go, that is not to say that there is any manager out there that could actually do a better job of surmounting the problems, or an amount of money either. The die is cast and it just may be another five year plan for anyone.
Stoke scored two own goals yesterday Zim paul. Getting quite popular actually. I couldnt agree more with your analysis though. Everything good and bad about the teams performance showed that this is work in progress. No one wants to see their team taking a beating. The most important thing that was evident was the desire and effort of the team in the last 20 minutes. It was too late by then but an improvement from the OT result where heads dropped and we allowed ourselves to be humiliated. United are the team to beat but wont be able to sustain that level of performance all season. Every team peaks and dips.
Unfortunately Wenger is an easy target, he talks to the press and is french. Can someone tell me what are the board doing to help him? At utd, liverpool and to some extent newcastle the fans have voted with their feet and laid the blame equally on the board who have just as much responsibility but all the doomers blame Wenger. Noone knows whats going on behind closed doors. But from the outside looking in it is not looking good. Wenger needs help and to see him broken in this way is just not on. The question remaining is when are the board going to tell us the truth about what happend to the 60million for nasrigas and other players sold. Just to rub it in cesc is in the form of his life in a resurgent Barca. To the untrained eye it looks like he really was being ‘stiffled’at Arsenal though what is closer to the truth is that when surrounded by quality his own qualities are accentuated. Wenger needs the fans to believe in him even more. He deserves every chance to prove the critics wrong. Surely we can only get better. Next stop Tottenham and a reunion with Ade. Sorry for the rant.
I’m not worried Arsenal will come good in the next game and then our winning run will commence.. thats the Troof