UNTOLD ARSENAL » 2008 » August » 24

To say that the disaster against Fulham realised all our worst fears is nonsense.  It was a terrible display – rather similar to watching Arsenal in the 1960s – but that doesn’t mean its all over for the season, and we can write everything off now.

The same players as we saw at Fulham have put in much better performances in the pre-season games, and we have to remember that what we saw was not just a dreadful display from Denilson, and a modestly ok performance from Eboue – it was far worse than that.  We also saw a very poor showing from Van Persie, Nasri, Gallas… even our full backs had an off time.  Those who weren’t actually off, were average.

It happens in all fields.  Talk to musicians and actors and they will tell you, even at the top of their professions they get collective off-days.   The only thing that can turn such a day around would be a sensational display by one player – but Cesc wasn’t there, and Adebayor hit the post.  Had that shot gone in we might have been saying, “we were rubbish but we got away with it”.

So the good news is…

a) With a bit of luck we got our one dreadful game of the season out of the way straight off.  (Remember Man Bankrupt last season – two points from the first three games – oh how we laughed… until they started winning).

b) This injury run can’t go on forever – ultimately the injuries that destroyed us last year will stop.

c) Carlos Vela must stop playing for Mexico sometime or other and be available.

d) Nasri will ultimately adjust – the problem is that it could take a while.  Pires, who I always rate as the man who made Henry the great player he became, was ordinary in year one, and an utter master in year two.

e) Wenger might well buy someone else.

f) Cesc will come back, and Song is now looking better and better.

g) Gallas and Toure must get back eventually on speaking terms and know where each other is.

i) No one doubts the full backs, and they will return to sparkling form eventually.

j) Denilson is not rubbish.  Just as Song had a dreadful time at Fulham a year back, so he’s had it this time.  That does not mean the end.

k) Either Wenger will ultimately be proven correct over Eboue or else he will let him go.

l) Jack Wilshere gets a day older every day, and with that comes strength and ability.

I could go on to z but no one would read on.  The fact is, it was a collective disaster – kick the ball up field and hope.  Lob it in from the sidelines and hope.

Of course if they play like this again, then there is cause for concern.  But if it was our one off disaster, fine… let’s start the season again.