There was never going to be an admission of why they do not do so but Theo Walcott offered a telling insight into the collective at Arsenal. Normally the players are cautious with their words in public – and to some extent the striker was – but the admission that collectively, they do not believe in themselves offers support to the belief aired by former captains recently, that there are just not enough leaders in the squad.
If begs the question as to why this has happened. In the professional sport, mental attitude is amplified as a core attribute in the group for success to be achieved. The inference from Walcott is that the strongest characters do not have confidence in their teammates and are as such, unable to lift the malaise which permeates. According to this morning’s Daily Star, the manager called the players together yesterday for a team meeting. In the past, such gatherings have been beneficial although the received wisdom is that the ones organised away from the club by the players, bring the most benefit; honesty prevails with a frank exchange of views. We shall see if this event has the same results.
Arsène reportedly held Jack Wilshere as an example of the commitment which is needed to improve the performances and results. The mental attitude is a key driver in the changing the season around. Even with new players, there will be no improvement unless the desire to change is there, the desire to succeed. The players know this and whilst Robin van Persie was so far wrong about the talent in the Manchester United squad, raising the comparison to Bergkamp and Henry in terms of mental attitude would not have been. On a player for player basis, technically Arsenal are not so far adrift of the leaders. In terms of belief, they are not in the same solar system.
The question is how do they change it? There is no easy answer but it has to be an internal solution; internal to the players and to the club. More to the point, the players have to want to change it. At this point the manager will find out more about the character of this group than if they were on a twenty match unbeaten run. Do they have the will, the resolve and desire to want to improve? The answer ought to be affirmative otherwise they have no place at the club. The manager will be questioning himself also; Wenger has a reputation of being his harshest critic but finding the answers is not simple, especially if the wrong questions are being asked. His tried and tested methods are under scrutiny with accusations that he has not adapted to the new world order. Or as George Graham observed, what isn’t he doing now that he previously did?
Part of his problem is the imbalance in finances, how he cannot compete for the best players in the transfer market but the truth is, Wenger never did. How many world-class players did he buy or how many did he make? The answer to the former is small in contrast to the latter. His problem is that the talent pool is smaller whilst scouting networks have improved to the extent that Arsenal no longer steal the march on others.
A change in the balance of the squad in terms of experience is welcomed but amongst other things to be addressed is whether the formation and tactics work. This season’s Arsenal are not like previous vintages, something is missing. The transition often talked about is not the group of players but how they play; the passing and movement is not as flowing as an element of directness is influencing the play. Yet Arsenal do not seem to know which style suits them best – should they pass, pass and pass some more or take a more forceful approach. Play breaks down more frequently because of the indecision, a state of mind which induces personal errors.
The situation is by no means as dire as initial reactions following the Chelsea game brought on. The top four seems further away because of a poor first half performance which repeats previous failings. Consecutive defeats against teams occupying those berths is never good but were they teams Arsenal were aiming at? Not right now, Tottenham are the ones to chase. We rely – as last season – on their failure for our success, as much as our own endeavours. The comparison is uncanny between this campaign and 2011-12; points are similar, goals scored and conceded (if you ‘normalise’ the Old Trafford aberration) likewise. Yet to me, hope is in short supply by which I mean that there does not seem any evidence that points towards an improvement on last time around. We are in a desperate battle to fall short of last season’s third place which having made the strides in the second half of the season, is deeply disappointing.
A rebuilding process has to start now, rebuilding belief on and off the pitch. This might be the toughest test of Arsène’s Arsenal reign.
’til Tomorrow.
extreeeemly frustrating atm that should read…
maybe not amybe
Poodle I agree with what you say. All I was saying is that when Wenger goes (the timing of which is another question) is that we look at someone with more experience than Poyet.
I actually like the idea of a midfield with Ramsey, Wilshere, and Cazorla. The summer that Wilshere got hurt, he and Ramsey were starting to form quite a partnership and looked really effective together.
Maybe this could be Ramsey’s time to shine!
I still worry about our midfield if Diaby is noy fit for even an hour’s time. If we do ho with Santi Jack and Ramsey or Frimpong I do hope we high pressure all over the pitch from the opening 1st half whistle and not wait.
I am rather frustrated by the fact that Newcastle for all its shit is signing players that are quite talented and highly rated for less than even we would pay.
Great quote from Poyet ” I want to manage at the highest level – Chelsea or Arsenal – why not?”
Well Gus possibly cos you are not terribly good – Dennis Wise’s back up at the mighty Leeds and Juande Ramos’ stooge at the Lane are two very powerful bullet points on your CV that mean you will never manage at high level.
How low has our stock tumbled
Charles N’Zogbia and his agent used to regularly leak stories that Arsenal wanted to sign him and he was just about to be snapped up by Wenger
Now ?
Nothing !
C
Its been bothering me for some time now too ! Since they signed Ben Arfa actually.
@Pistol Fish
That use to he Arsene’a stomping ground what has happened. Has Misuer Parses and the barcodes claimed France for Newcastle. Arsene quick sign Capoue!!!
Sorry I’ve come into this a bit late today, so this might have been done to death already:
“His problem is that the talent pool is smaller whilst scouting networks have improved to the extent that Arsenal no longer steal the march on others.”
We can assume that Manure, Citeh and Chelski are largely going to be looking at players which are not in our price bracket, or are pushing up the prices and wages of “squad” players who we may have bid for but were unwilling to over pay for when the big 3 came in. But there is only a certain number of players those 3 teams can go for and there are a number of other players in the Prem scouted by teams like Newcastle, Spurs and even West Ham. Are we unable to even compete against those teams for players? True, there are some mercenaries out there who don’t hang around too long and therefore cause you to have to go back into the market again a couple of years down the line, but we’ve had our fair share of those in the past anyway (Adebayor, Diarra, Nasri) and at least you make a profit on them. We seem to be unwilling to compete in the transfer market against teams who should not be able to offer anything like the attractions of Arsenal. We’re based in London to start with, which has got to be better than going to Newcastle.
Its looking more and more desperate for Villa. I thought they would get the two goals back, but also felt Bradford had it in them to grab a goal at Villa Park. Villa have only managed to grab one goal whilst Bradford have equalised to get the gap back to 2 goals and should probably have scored another (free header for Mason).
I’m not a fan of the manager merry-go-round that seems to go on nowadays, but I would be amazed if Lambert managed to hold on to his job if Bradford knock them out tonight.
Hanson not Mason.
Villa have their second goal. Need one more to take it to extra time though.
Yogi, I think these journos are getting their questions from the titles of your posts. You should be billing them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21143842
Cup football bloody hell
Bradford in the final. 4-3 on aggregate.
On top of our midfield injury crisis we’re on the verge of running both Wilshere and Cazorla into the ground. I’ll be incredibly confused if we don’t get someone in soon, it’s not like we’re cruising in the CL spots.
Wonder if we should make a cheeky bid for Weimann? He looks to be a different class to the rest of the Villa team. Took his goal well and a big strong striker or winger. Got that versatility that AW would like.
I hope Bradford win it. They deserve it, considering that they have worked miracles now. Has any other 4th tier side ever kicked out three teams from the first tier in a cup competition?
No, they haven’t.
Bloody good show.
At the risk of sounding like a chronic complainer
I am not really thrilled about Diame. A decent player and would provide some depth which would be valuable. I will happily take any new players we get but I would like us to be aiming a bit higher.
Wenger is not getting a striker coz he only plays one of em and he has giroud, he will not buy a winger as he has theo , the ox, gerv,and some square pegs..he could have got demba ba and zaha if he wanted players in these positions. that leaves a mid as a probabal target. imhho.
Are Newcastle going for an entire back 4 refurbishment. Left back, right back and centre back so far. Smart move or panic buying by Pardew?
Anyone got any idea why Arsene might have not brought in new signings on 1st January and still no sign now? Could had been the boost and improvement needed to have overcome Swansea sooner, and taken more points v saints, city, chelsea…Am I missing something?
First I thought it was because they needed to sign up Theo and then offload a few players…Chamakh and DJ have been loaned out…Walcott has signed…so I am now confused. Deals are out there, clubs are in need of cash across europe, why is nothing happening?
I heard the same from AW’s presser–Podolski was back in full training but no word on the Ox.
He will buy if he can but we all know he won’t pay anymore than he has to and will loose the player if the price does not suit him. We need strength in midfield but tomorrow we may see this: Frimpong, Ramsey, Cazorla and Jack. Apart from Ramsey and Cazorla always bumping into one another I like these 4 , three will run all day, and three have a quality ball in them. I think Coquelin is not the answer, we need to give Frimpong a go, especially against the weaker sides.
But if not buying means saving short term but loosing a hell of a lot more medium and maybe even long term, where is the sense in that?
I would be shocked if Frimpong makes it now at Arsenal after both cruciates going in back to back seasons at such a young age…but would be delighted if he proves me wrong!
Nick from Portugal
January 22, 2013 at 10:52 pm
I think Coquelin is not the answer, we need to give Frimpong a go, especially against the weaker sides.
On what do you base the above statements
u can always count on me for a good moan dukey
excellent for bradford..
frimpong in tomorrow huh? i like frimmers, but….
wrong on le coq as well..he could be the answer if he gets games..
with us not in fucking spain…
Take a look at players who’ve had that injury, some recover well, many never the same. Then take a look at the players who’ve had that injury to both knees! Then consider how physically demanding his position is? Its not going to be easy.
And I had it myself at 23, never professional level, but it took something away i never got back. Like i said, id be delighted if he made it, but the odds are against him more than many…
I’m impressed by Theo’s public remarks, and Wenger’s scathing critique of the team performances and prospects as they stand. If attitude, confidence and belief are the remaining piece in the puzzle, and no doubt they are, then the way to deal with it is by confronting it. There is no other way. Well done the Arsenal. I’m proud of this team. I’ve seen other teams implode around this point with the considerable pressure of punctured aspirations, squabble on the field, bicker in training, apportion blame, fire the manager; at Arsenal an honest appraisal, a team ethic, a reasoned response. Moreover, I expect it is going to work. Forget transfers, they are the ultimate diversion from the real problem, watch this space.
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/?p=10452
Today’s post.
Some absolute nonsense around this morning about Diame effectively being on trial tonight. So if Diame plays well and West Ham beats us we go for him and if we win we don’t? I’m sure AW has had more than enough time to cast an eye over Diame, his comments on him in the past show that he has been watching him play.
He might well want to gauge whether or not he is fit from his knee injury though. Fat Sam tried a bit of kidology making out Diame was going to be out for three months to try to dissuade bidders. With a release clause of £3.5m we should bid for him anyway. Prem experience and a cheap buy, but can understand why AW would be loathe to bring in a player who might still be suffering the effects of an injury until the end of the season. He’s basically giving the lad a run out for the reserves before putting him in the first team.