da 888：
da jogodeouro： You could have taken an alien to the Emirates last Wednesday to show them a football game for the first time and they would have been in awe. Having witnessed the idyllic way in which the game should be played, that same alien would surely proclaim that this team before him obviously cleans up when it comes to dishing out the trophies. Trying to then explain about the last five barren years would render the alien into utter confusion.
Choosing Arsenal would be the perfect choice to introduce a newcomer to the game. Mainly because they play such good football, but also so you could save money not having to buy a return flight to Barcelona to see it done just that bit better (The Catalan club amassed 792 completed passes against Panathinaikos. Xavi alone nearly matched the Greek side’s 99 passes). But then you would have to explain that The Gunners are still yearning for a trophy after five years of falling short.
The last two games that Arsene Wenger’s side have played are a microcosm for the last five years. Braga were simply obliterated; they had no answer to the slick interchanges, constant movement and all round fluidity that they were subjected to. And it was one of those games where the finishing was as good as the build-up that precedes it. At times there can be all the possession in the world, but killing off teams can sometimes elude this Arsenal team, not last Wednesday night however.
From turning a good side over (admittedly missing two key players, but still a serious outfit that put Sevilla out in qualifying), to a trip to the Stadium of Light for the Premier tie with Sunderland. The Black Cats are no pushovers; a big club with lofty ambitions, they have only lost once so far this season. That said, if Arsenal are serious about matching Man Utd and Chelsea, these are games they should be winning.
Things may have been different, had Alex Song not received a rather unfair red card for two bookings, but Sunderland bossed most of the first half. With Arsenal beginning to create more in the second half, they should really have put the game to bed. Tomas Rosicky missed penalty should have been the game over, but in the end there will be parts of Sunderland that will feel they could have taken all the points, rather than stealing one at the death.
Arsene Wenger said earlier in the week that the form of Manuel Almunia and Jack Wilshere is evidence that he didn’t need to strengthen his keepers of midfiled over the summer. Midfield maybe? Keepers, no. Arsenal’s squad is still not healthy enough to challenge for the Premier League title. None of the club’s goalkeepers are good enough for a Premiership winning side, and there is still an over reliance on Robin Van Persie, despite Marouane Chamakh’s positive start to his Arsenal career.
There is so much to admire about the way in Arsene Wenger runs his football club, the players he recruits, and the ideology he has towards how the game should be played. The vehemence in which he sticks to his morals is commendable, but if he lets those same morals prevent him from fixing problems that exist, they will not be able to compete in the way a team of their calibre and quality should do. It is not long before they head to Stamford Bridge, a test that will push them to their absolute limits.
Get updates on my articles by following me on twitter.