Goal.com
27/08/2007 12:29
Are The Gunners Ready To Step Up?http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=395362After a largely disappointing season, a summer of turmoil and disruption behind the scenes, and the departure of one of the Premier League’s greatest ever players, have Arsene’s talented ‘youngsters’ moved any closer to fulfilling their obvious potential? Goal.com's Jamie Obertelli analyses Arsenal's prospects...
Three wins and a draw from Arsenal’s opening four games represents a significantly better start to the season than the Gunners managed at this stage last term. Wenger’s men have yet to hit their stride, winning their domestic games by the odd late goal and failing to produce the kind of attacking football their fans have come to expect.
Arsenal’s footballing ability has never been called into question under Wenger’s tenure, but recently rival managers and players have had more success against them when adopting a more ‘physical’ approach. Teams like Bolton and Blackburn have picked up points by unsettling Arsenal’s more technically gifted players, and without the likes of Patrick Vieira in the line-up, Arsenal have often been labeled a soft touch.
What is significant so far this term is that the Gunners have managed to pick up vital points while playing poorly, a skill that was lacking last term and an ability that will prove vital if they are to achieve success this campaign. Henry’s departure seems to have galvanized the club’s young players who now look more prepared to scrap and fight for each other.
With Van Persie spearheading the Arsenal attack this season, it seems Wenger is still to make up his mind who will be his regular partner up front. Adebayor played his first game of the season against Manchester City on Saturday and lacked sharpness after coming back from injury, Eduardo Da Silva has shown promise but will need time to settle in and Walcott seems set for a role on the flanks for the time being.
One player that has shown real potential is Nicklas Bendtner. While the young Dane has much to learn, his enthusiasm, strength and aerial power offer Arsenal another option. The Gunners will need to find a regular partner for Van Persie, with Wenger announcing his intention to field two strikers rather than having Hleb in an advanced central position.
Many fans were somewhat perplexed by the Arsenal manager’s decision to snap up Bacary Sagna after the club had just secured both Eboue and Hoyte on long term deals. It now seems Eboue will be fielded on the right wing, allowing Sagna to slot in at full-back. The former Auxerre man has been a revelation since his move, adapting to the physical nature of the Premier League with remarkable ease.
Sagna is quick and strong, more defensively sound than Eboue and has shown he can also join in Arsenal’s attack, making good overlapping runs and delivering good crosses. However, Eboue has yet to flourish in his new role. The Ivorian has so far looked like a right-back fielded out of position and time will only tell if Wenger’s experiment will pay off.
Much has been expected of the talented Theo Walcott following a promising pre-season back from shoulder surgery. The former Southampton player has pace in abundance but so far has failed to show any real skill with the ball at his feet. He seems unable to use his physical attributes to escape his marker and has been guilty of making some poor choices with his distribution. Whilst Theo is still young, can Arsenal afford to wait for him to develop? Wenger has fielded Walcott on the wings but many fans feel he would be better deployed up front in the middle, where he has shown in the past that he can make good runs off the ball.
Flamini has decided to remain at the club after widespread speculation the Frenchman was set to leave in the summer in a bid to play first team football. Whilst most fans will agree that Flamini is not technically gifted enough, or physically imposing enough for a regular first team spot, his recent performances have highlighted his importance to the club. Flamini displays drive, commitment and desire every game and has actually pitched in with some important goals during his time at Arsenal. Add to that the versatility of being able to slot in at either full-back position and it is clear why Wenger decided to keep him.
One player that could hold the key to the future of this Arsenal side is Abou Diaby. The Frenchman returned from a career-threatening injury last term, but has so far failed to hold down a regular place in the side despite showing flashes of brilliance. It is somewhat perplexing that Wenger continually fields Diaby on the left wing when his talents are clear for fans to see when played in his favoured central position. The former Auxerre youth’s style of play and gangly frame reminds many of a certain Patrick Vieira, although Diaby seems to have more potential to develop the offensive side of his game.
Whilst there is no doubting the quality of Kolo Toure and newly appointed captain William Gallas, can the duo co-exist as a centre-back pairing? Both players seem far too alike and they have yet to convince when partnered together. The pair would benefit from a more traditional defender that can defend his box and clear his lines, someone committed and good in the air. Gallas had such a partner during his Chelsea days in the form of John Terry, and the Frenchman has yet to show the same level of performance since his move to the Emirates. Is this a coincidence? The closest player to Terry that Wenger currently has at his disposal is Senderos, who has yet to fully convince he can recapture the form that hastened Sol Campbell’s exit from the club.
There is still so much uncertainty surrounding Arsenal’s season. Will Rosicky manage to play back-to-back games? Will Theo come good? How will Da Silva settle in? Can Robin Van Persie pick up where Thierry Henry left off? Will Arsenal finally learn how to defend from set pieces? If Wenger can field a settled side week-in-week-out, Gunners fans may well see the beginning of a new winning side and a new chapter in the Arsenal story.