No More Grounds for Error
Ok. It's down to 7 games, 15 points, and a date in Paris. There is still all to fight for, just that the two points dropped at Pompey means that the last slip-up we can afford is gone. Zilch. From now on, there is no room for even a draw in the league. We need a maximum of 3 points from every game, starting tomorrow. We also need two of our worst enemies to do us a favour - the Mancs to win & the Spuds to lose.
The result at Pompey has thrown into sharp focus our biggest problem under Arsene. Before I continue, I need to clarify that in no way am I going to place any blame on the manager. He is constantly revolutionising the squad and building a club worthy of its place amongst the best in the world. That the resources under his disposal is limited is no fault of his. I believe he has stretched whatever is available to him to the limit and has achieved more than most of us Gooners who have been around before he took over can ever hope for.
However, it is obvious that it would take a truly superhuman effort AND good fortune of stratospheric levels for us to be able to achieve top honours both domestically and in Europe. We have a superb first team, there is no doubt about it. Most of our second team is potentially superb but inexperienced. Our third stringers, however, are not very good and very inexperienced.
In a season when the first team has been terribly depleted due to persistent injuries and drastic drop of form, the second team youngsters were thrown into the fray and it took them more than half the season to gell and show all what they are capable of.
The problem becomes apparent, however, at this point in the season when Arsene starts feeling the need to rotate an already thin squad. Players such as Song have some way to go to convince me that they are good enough for a team challenging for both the Champions League and the EPL trophies.
That is the stark fact that the game at Fratten Park has thrown in my face.
So far, I think, our youngsters have already over-achieved by reaching the semis of the Champions League and keeping us in the running for a place in next season's competition. Whether they can fulfil the targets hoped for by all Gunner fans as outlined in the first line of this post and ensure we'll be playing in the European Cup in our first season at the Grove, this particular Gunner fan is already extremely proud of what the young ones have achieved.
I say, rejoice in our achievements so far and hope that next season will see better fortune for us when it comes to injuries and form. At the same time, be realistic and recognise that at the moment, we do not have the squad to challenge comfortably for trophies on all fronts. If ever we manage to do it, in my eyes, Arsene would have have performed a miracle worthy of sainthood. Let's just cross our fingers and pray.
Amen.
The result at Pompey has thrown into sharp focus our biggest problem under Arsene. Before I continue, I need to clarify that in no way am I going to place any blame on the manager. He is constantly revolutionising the squad and building a club worthy of its place amongst the best in the world. That the resources under his disposal is limited is no fault of his. I believe he has stretched whatever is available to him to the limit and has achieved more than most of us Gooners who have been around before he took over can ever hope for.
However, it is obvious that it would take a truly superhuman effort AND good fortune of stratospheric levels for us to be able to achieve top honours both domestically and in Europe. We have a superb first team, there is no doubt about it. Most of our second team is potentially superb but inexperienced. Our third stringers, however, are not very good and very inexperienced.
In a season when the first team has been terribly depleted due to persistent injuries and drastic drop of form, the second team youngsters were thrown into the fray and it took them more than half the season to gell and show all what they are capable of.
The problem becomes apparent, however, at this point in the season when Arsene starts feeling the need to rotate an already thin squad. Players such as Song have some way to go to convince me that they are good enough for a team challenging for both the Champions League and the EPL trophies.
That is the stark fact that the game at Fratten Park has thrown in my face.
So far, I think, our youngsters have already over-achieved by reaching the semis of the Champions League and keeping us in the running for a place in next season's competition. Whether they can fulfil the targets hoped for by all Gunner fans as outlined in the first line of this post and ensure we'll be playing in the European Cup in our first season at the Grove, this particular Gunner fan is already extremely proud of what the young ones have achieved.
I say, rejoice in our achievements so far and hope that next season will see better fortune for us when it comes to injuries and form. At the same time, be realistic and recognise that at the moment, we do not have the squad to challenge comfortably for trophies on all fronts. If ever we manage to do it, in my eyes, Arsene would have have performed a miracle worthy of sainthood. Let's just cross our fingers and pray.
Amen.
posted by snowcalla @ 5:32 pm (UTC+8)
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