Losing at the Emirates is not the end of the world and neither should it be allowed to reduce in any way the impact of our team has had–not just on the Premier League- but on football in general all over the world. They have performed magnificently and I hope the reception we give them at the next game against Norwich reflects this.
Neither however should it stop us examining the the club position overall and draw attention to areas for improvement. We have a real chance of playing in the European Champions League next season amongst the elite clubs like Barcelona ,PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich- what an achievement that would be.
I posted some weeks ago that it was during half time against Liverpool – during the subs warm up- that it reinforced my feeling that our squad would not be strong enough to sustain a challenge for the Premier league title- and the match against Arsenal confirmed my belief. I hope it also does not cost us a top four finish.
We have a combination of raw youngsters – not ready for the first team- journeymen pros whose best days are behind them – and veterans who are due for retirement. Not on is really pushing for first team selection.
When Simpson was first yellow carded and clearly struggling against the likes of Ozil and Sanchez – where was RDL ready to step in and match technical ability and speed. He is in Middlesborough reinforcing their promotion credentials. Simpson was a red card waiting to happen. Where was Benoulane? Oh yes in Fiorentina in Serie A ….. Where was Inler … oh yes where is Inler – never appears on the injury list report … or the bench –where is Inler???? And Kramaric –oh yes playing –and scoring for Hoffenheim ( and red carded!)
We suggested that we had to let these players leave on loan- as they needed to play …presumably like Walcott, Flamini. Campbell,Lamela, Mason, Trippier ,Kolorov, Demichelis etc.. etc… all of whom are seen as essential parts of a Premier League 1st team squad……. It is nonsense that we let players like this leave without sound replacements.
Wasilewski is somehow rightly a folk hero – but also unsuited for an opponent like Arsenal with a wealth of technical players. I have to say his completely unnecessary last minute foul,which conceded the free kick reflected as much stupidity to be honest as Kermogant’s penalty.
So the team continues to do us proud and they deserve all the praise ..and more – but I must challenge the management decisions which left us so scarce of squad depth. Especially when in December Schlupp was known to have long term injury.
As Wenger commented in his post match briefing – “it is essential to have a strong squad to challenge for the Premier title and the ability we had on our bench was the difference"
So I hope our team enjoy the break and get off for a bit of sun -recharged for the final push -but I hope injuries and/or suspensions do not cost us.
A Monday reflection...
posted on 15/2/16
Not always. In fact that was something that used to drive me up the wall earlier in the season - we'd have RDL on the bench and no centre back. Then eventually we started putting Benalouane on the bench as well (occasionally), before Wasilewski took his place. I can understand that - Wasilewski looks in general more reliable.
There were a few matches after Schlupp got injured where we didn't have a reserve left back on the bench either, although Chilwell's done that recently.
Ultimately there aren't enough spaces on the bench to cover every position exactly and often there will be a position where someone would be - let's say an octagonal peg in a round hole like Wasilewski on Sunday. (But I still maintain that, aside from the foul, he did ok.) All in all, I don't have any complaints over the personnel on Sunday's bench given what we have. I maintain that none of RDL, Benalouane or Kramaric would have been on it, and it was a better balanced bench than we've had at other times this season. It just so happens we got away with it at those times.
posted on 15/2/16
In fact he figured in 4 of the 5 December matches and then three January matches before his loan Dunge - and when he was not there Benoulane was .... so to suggest that neither would make the bench if avaiable flies in the face of reality
posted on 15/2/16
It's possible he would have been there instead of Chilwell, but then we would have had no cover at left back if Fuchs had got injured/sent off. Unless you're happy for De Laet to be playing left back, out of position, just like Wasilewski, except Wasilewski has played right back before. And I maintain again that Wasilewski didn't have a bad game except for that foul. The best-balanced bench was what we had.
Anyway, does this even matter? As BS points out, RDL hasn't got the greatest defensive record. Besides, isn't it clear that the plan is to bring Amartey into the team once he's ready? That's surely the reason for RDL being told by the management that he won't be getting first team football and hence why he's gone out on loan.
posted on 15/2/16
....... which still leaves the question.... where is Inler ... is he AWOL?
posted on 15/2/16
That one's curious. I'm pretty sure he's still around because I think he's been tweeting occasionally. I thought he was missing at first because he'd be going out on loan, but recently I don't know - I can't imagine a potential loan transfer would take that long, and to the detriment of him participating for the first team. Certainly I'd have had him on the bench over Dyer, who looks worrying like a liability right now.
I wonder whether it's another one of those payout-after-X-games clauses?
posted on 15/2/16
Leicester stay in the pole position despite the defeat.
posted on 15/2/16
I generally agree that lacking a pacy defender against Arsenal hurt us. Whether on the bench or not.
For the first time Fuchs was really exposed for us. True Blue is totally right here and I wanted to cry seeing him shown up so many times by the pace and overlapping of the Ox and midfielders for Arsenal.
It was his worst game for us, but he was afforded no protection ahead of him. Therefore the first correct sub. Mahrez off Wasi. RDL is not a "backs to the wall" defender and full back. We needed someone solid.
Oka dropped in but still too much coming down the right the the second correct sub - Gray (who can cover and defend) for Oka.
We then just ran out of legs. King for me was again sensible to see a game out but DD and Vardy could hardly run by then and we'd got no more subs!
Yes RDL I think could have done a job yesterday. But that's the only game I think he would because we were being done for pace.
As already pointed out, Amartey looks to be the first choice full back and holding mid cover. He was just a game too late with his fitness.
But why keep Bena and RDL when they will only ever be on the bench when the two above are injured?
I agree with the sentiment that we will need more strength in depth but I'm not sure anyone mentioned above adds it.
But good question - where is Inler??
Ps. Good to have you back posting.
posted on 15/2/16
Inler is currently on the kp pitch playing for the U21's
posted on 15/2/16
Amarty getting some game time too, obviously not been fit enough to make the bench since he signed but think he will start against Norwich in place of Simpson.
posted on 15/2/16
RDL currently playing Left Back for Boro, or left mid, he pushes up so much it's hard to tell.