Gunners Break Chelsea's Will (and Heart)!

The soap opera that is Arsenal 2008 took yet another twist at Stamford Bridge where the injury-plagued Gunners scored 3 goals in the once-intimidating Chelsea home pitch. Fortunately, for the Arsenal faithful, 2 of the goals Arsenal scored were against Chelsea. The 2-1 victory leaves Arsenal still in 4th place, but revives their title hopes and blows a sufficient amount of air back into deflated hopes of Gunners fans.

Manuel Almunia showed why he is not the Arsenal's long-term keeper with an unwise and poorly executed throw that resulted in the ball being shoved back down the defense's throat. Johan Djorou was the unfortunate owner of the own goal that resulted, but really, the goal was on Almunia's shoulders. Arsenal's keeper needs to be much sharper than that.

Down 1-0, though, the boys kept at it and made a game of it for the remainder of the half. When the 2nd half restarted, Arsenal found themselves getting kicked around the pitch, with the Chelsea midfield doing their imitation of Napoleon's march across Europe. Just as I was saying to myself that the 2nd goal was coming, RVP - looking to be merely a yard offside - blasted a shot to the upper right of the net, notching an improbably equalizer. I had just finished my celebratory run around the living room when RVN bagged his 2nd on a very impressive turn and left-footed shot that just kissed Peter Cech's outstretched left hand as it rolled into the goal.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is looking ever more mortal. Liverpool must've been absolutely soaking this up. If there were a season for Benitez's boys to lay legitimate claim to the EPL beer stein, ths is it. Not only have Chelsea lost at home, they've done it twice. And surrendered 12 points there in 8 games.

Great win for The Arsenal!

Crisis? What Crisis?

So, the question has to be asked, is Arsenal a Crisis Club? The evidence sure doesn't look good.

The team has dropped 5 games so far (with 24 games to play) this season. One more than they lost all last season.

They're on a skid right now. During that skid, we've seen losses to Aston Villa in which they weren't even in the game, a blow-out by Man City (Man Freakin' City!) in which they weren't even in the stadium, apparently. Players losing their cool on the field (Paging RVN. Paging RVN).

And the Player formerly known as Captain Bill spilling his guts and venting spleen to the media, thusly being relinquished of the burden of being captain (which he had spent the last 2 seasons demonstrating that he couldn't shoulder) and relegated to the practice team.

The team has not had any silverware since the 2004 FA Cup. They're still in contention in the Champs League, but they're also dealing with a raft of injuries to key players.

All the while, Arsene Wenger's policy of develop the kids and don't buy big players has been studiously observed, despite the fact that everyone else in the EPL knew that Arsenal needed a big time center back (and that Un-Captain BIll was not that). On top of that, Wenger has never replaced Patrick Vieira. I'm sorry Flamster, but you were a hard-working, over-achieving little bugger (who always had his heart set on a nice patch of pine in the Serie A). Gilberto. Denilson. Diaby. Imitations, baby. But not the real thing. Hence, this team has no spine. No football spine and no constitutional spine.

I love Arsenal, but face facts, they're missing some key parts if you want to challenge for the league and European title.

But how they respond from here on out will tell us if this squad is a crisis or a contender. Wenger has rightly named Cesc Fabregas the Captain. He's put the most talented player in the leadership role and probably short-circuited the doings of some mega-clubs that'd like to snatch him away to Spain, Italy or wherever. If Cesc can rally the troops, this is still one of the most talented sides in Europe. On their day they can move the ball at will against any team in the world.

They still have a hole in the center of the field, but heart and passion can make up for talent. If they can put together a string of victories and build some momentum and belief, the Gunners can still challenge for the EPL title, as well as the European Championship. The race isn't over yet.

Can You Say Freefall?

The Gunners can...

Gallass Gone

Bollocks my earlier post. Gallass is gone.

Gallass Goner?

No, says former Arsenal great Nigel Winterburn. It's neither the time nor the place...nor the Wenger way to sack the un-gallant Captain. Meanwhile, football fans have a go at the question.

My vote: you can't shoot the horse in the middle of the
race, especially without a replacement center back. But come transfer season, I'd get out the Arsenal bank account and see what I could buy. If not then, after this disaster of a season is over. As quickly as possible.

The Pot Called the Kettle What?!

Well, well, well.  Cap'n Bill says some Gunners just aren't strong enough, and that's why the Good Ship Arsenal is floundering...I agree, but suggest the good Captain look at his defensive performance as a start. If I'd been run over by Gabby Agbonlahor on the way to the goal, I probably wouldn't have got up and called out the rest of the team, as a starting point.

Read the story further and it sounds like friction is building internally. Not a good sign for a team that is struggling.

In even worse news, the human lightning bolt, Theo Walcott, is out for several months, after surgery on his shoulder. He received the injury while training for the incredibly underperforming English team. Go 3 Lions!

Young Gunners Run Rampant, Part Deux!

Arsenal's Carling Cup Teen Team (average age: 19) took Wigan for a run around the park last night, finally dropping three impressively worked goals on their laps around the pitch, winning 3-0. THe youngsters booked themselves a seat at the Quarterfinals table. And The Gaffer says he'll continue to play the kids all the way.

Everyone now realizes that Arsene Wenger actually is the savior of English Football, not the Coyote El Supremo they'd supposed last season.

Meanwhile, permacrocked senior citizen (at 28) Tomas Rosicky has had surgery on his cranky hamstring and doctors say he'll return in two months. A quick check with Vegas bookmakers spot a 2-month return at 750 to 1. Retun next season is spotted at 500 to 1. And eventually return to play in the Czech Republich at 1 to 1.

Arsenal in Vital Win Over Red Devils at the Emirates!

Yesterday, they were speculating about Arsene Wenger quitting Arsenal. Today, I'm sure he's back as a genius after Samir Nasri's brace takes the piss out of ManUre. Here's the game commentary and a report from the Arsenal FC website. Wow, it sounds like the match of the season, so far.

Perhaps it's time for some perspective? Sayeth the Cesc:

''It has been frustrating, with the results we have had - and to win a game
like that is vital, to get back on track,'' said the Spaniard.

''But because we have beaten Manchester United, we are not better than we were
last week - and last week we were not rubbish, as everybody was saying.''

Well said, young man. The only problem I see, is that still puts us in line with where we were last year: potent enough to beat any team - including any of our fellow Big 4 - but fragile enough to lose to any team as well (Hello, Stoke City, Hull, Middlesbrough, etc.)

Anyway, good win for the Gunners today. Let's keep it rolling, lads.

More DI\issection of What Ails Arsenal

Phil McNulty is right on target with his analysis of the softness of the Arsenal midsection. I've been saying for awhile now that the future hinges on replacing William Gallass with a true, physical center back, one that can deal with a ball that is sent in by air mail. A true replacement for Patrick Vieira would be sweet icing on the cake, as well.

Stoke Shocker

Arsene acknowledges what the rest of the EPL has known for several seasons: Arsenal are soft in the backline, particularly when it comes to aerial attacks. Surrendering two goals off Rory DeLapp throw-ins is just embarrassing. Insult to injury, RVP melts down and both Ade and Walcott leave due to injury.

Most cases I'd say it's too early in the season for a crisis, but this smells like a crisis to me.