Champions League. Pundits such as the Limey from Sports Illustrated even wrote an excellent piece outlining the position that Arsenal and Wenger are in currently should be the envy of other clubs. However after Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup this weekend, to Stoke mainly because Wenger fielded a Carling Cup worthy side:Stoke
- 29 Sorensen
- 03 Higginbotham
- 04 Huth
- 17 Shawcross
- 22 Collins
- 06 Whelan
- 18 Whitehead
- 24 Delap (Diao 85)
- 26 Etherington (Pugh 90+2)
- 10 Fuller (Sanli 85)
- 11 Sidibe
Substitutes
Arsenal
- 21 Fabianski
- 18 Silvestre
- 30 Traore
- 31 Campbell
- 37 Eastmond
- 04 Fabregas
- 14 Walcott (Eduardo 67)
- 15 Denilson
- 35 Coquelin (Ramsey 67)
- 38 Emmanuel-Thomas (Arshavin 67)
- 12 Vela
Substitutes
Um take a look at that defensive back line for the Gunners...5 years ago having Campbell and Silvestre line up would be a solid pairing...in 2010 not so much. Any time you have 5 players who have a number in the 30s on the back of their kit you know you reaching very deep into your roster. I realize that Arsenal are heading into a difficult 4 matches in the Premiership - which will determine if Arsenal has a legitimate chance to capture a league title. -| Jan. '10 | TIME | Home | Away | VENUE | Competition | |
| Wed. 27 | 14:45 ET | Aston Villa | v | Arsenal | Villa Park | English Premier League |
| Sun. 31 | 11:00 ET | Arsenal | v | Manchester United | Emirates Stadium | English Premier League |
| Feb. '10 | TIME | Home | Away | VENUE | Competition | |
| Sun. 7 | 11:00 ET | Chelsea | v | Arsenal | Stamford Bridge | English Premier League |
| Wed. 10 | 14:45 ET | Arsenal | v | Liverpool | Emirates Stadium | English Premier League |
There is no doubt these matches will be difficult and will tax Wenger and his squad. However I am not sure you should sacrifice the opportunity to win an FA Cup. With Manchester United and Liverpool already out of the Cup, Arsenal had a legitimate chance to go far in the tournament. Instead Wenger played this weekend's match as if it were a Carling Cup - a notion mirrored by goal.com. Wenger might be justified by his choice if his squad navigates the next few matches and finds a way to win the Premiership. However, Arsenal could just as easily fade in the title chase (I still think they are thin compared to Chelsea) and could also crash out of the Champions League, leaving the Gunners without any silverware again.
In the article by the Limey, they point out that Wenger has placed Arsenal in an envious position due to his financial savvy and prudence. However they also point out that since 2005 Arsenal have not won any silverware...while Manchester United has 3 Premiership titles, Chelsea has 2, both have won FA Cups and Carling Cups, Liverpool has an FA cup in that time frame....even Portsmouth has an FA Cup title! Soccernomics, a great book on the economics and statistics behind footie, points out that you do not run a sports club as a business. It is not something you do to make money, rather to entertain, boost your owner's ego and always seek silverware. I admire Wenger's ability to always be in contention always field strong squads. However I fear that if Wenger does not open the purse strings to bring in some additional talent and depth that Arsenal might once again be hailed as a fiscally responsible squad, but one without any silverware. I am nervous that the professor over thought his strategy with the Stoke match. This was not a Carling Cup match, this is not a game one can be cavalier about and not look to field your strongest side.
The transfer window is closing - Wenger has a chance to surprise us and announce the fact that Arsenal is serious about challenging for the last competitions they are in contention for - the Premiership and the Champions League.
No comments:
Post a Comment