UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 - Sensational Spurs stun Champions

WITH 53 goals in this week’s UEFA Champions League matches, there was plenty of action and drama.  Take a bow Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, the first three teams to qualify for the knockout stages, whilst Partizan Belgrade, Buraspor and MSK Zilina now have no hope of progressing past the group stages.  However, it was another debut club that rocked Europe this week. . .

It was another glory night for the new Welsh wizard Gareth Bale, as he tore Inter Milan to shreds for the second time in a fortnight.  Bale led Spurs to a famous 3-1 win over the European Champions, leaving them top of Group A.  Returning from suspension, Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring from Luka Modric’s wonderfully executed pass.  In the second half, Bale took over, leaving the likes of Maicon and Lucio trailing in his wake.  His first tormenting run and cross set-up Peter Crouch for a tidy goal.  A great goal from Samuel Eto’o gave Inter hope with ten minutes to go, but Rafa Benitez could only look on as Bale went on another breathtaking run down the left-hand side and produced the perfect pass for Roman Pavyluchenko to wrap it up.  A win against Werder Bremen in three weeks time wraps up qualification for Tottenham, who have bought something fresh to this year’s competition. 

Whilst Tottenham were producing the performance of the tournament so far, North London rivals Arsenal had an off-night in the Ukraine, losing 2-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.  Arsene Wenger only took 18 players with him, due to injuries, though he will be disappointed with their lack of maturity here, especially as he still had Samir Nasri, Thomas Rosicky and Jack Wiltshire in his starting eleven.  Theo Walcott did have the Gunners infront after ten minutes, with his own devastating pace leading to a crisp finish after a magnificent counter attacking move.  By half-time, Arsenal’s stroll through the group had come to an abrupt halt against a Shakhtar side that looked totally different from the team that surrendered so meekly at the Emirates two weeks earlier.  Jadson’s free-kick was turned into his own net inadvertently by youngster Craig Eastmond.  Then, a terrible error by Gael Clichy allowed Darijo Srna to cross for ex-Arsenal striker Eduardo to score with the last kick of the first half.  Arsenal weren’t disgraced, but will need to dismiss themselves of these slip-ups, especially when it matter so much more in the latter stages.

On a mild November night in London, Chelsea’s progress was never in doubt, coasting to a 4-1 triumph over Spartak Moscow, which seals their progression from Group F.  Only a point is needed now to secure top spot too.  Carlo Ancelotti took the opportunity to rest John Terry and Michael Essien, and after a subdued first half, Chelsea clicked into top gear in the second half.  Nicolas Anelka opened the scoring from a tight angle that looked almost impossible to establish a lead.  Didier Drogba, making his fashionably late entrance into the Champions League scored a penalty shortly afterwards, before Branislav Ivanovic scored two goals that even Drogba would be proud of.  Although Bazhenov scored a consolation for the visitors, Chelsea’s first Champions League goal conceded in 300 minutes, it was another stroll in the park for the English champions.

A far superior Manchester United virtually secured their traditional passage through, with an emphatic 3-0 win in Turkey against Buraspor.  Frustrated in the first half, United took command in the second half once Darren Fletcher broke the deadlock.  Gabriel Obertan scored his first United goal in some style, with a ferocious effort, before Bebe netted on his European debut.  This was a comfortable win for the pacesetters in Group C.

However, Rangers now face a massive task to join United in the knockout stages after losing 3-0 in Spain to Valencia.  It was a very busy night for Allan McGregor, who produced a series of cracking saves, but he couldn’t prevent Roberto Soldado scoring two goals, and a fine stoppage time volley from substitute Ricardo Costa, that wrapped up proceedings.  Steven Naismith did hit the post twice for the Scottish league leaders and the scoreline was harsh on Rangers, but it was a very disappointing and potentially costly result.

Jose Mourinho returned to the San Siro and witnessed his Real Madrid side advance into the knockout stages, after they rescued a point against AC Milan.  It was a thrilling match, with Milan turning the game on its head through two more goals from one of the deadliest poachers in the European game, super sub Flippo Inzaghi.  It was Real’s own sub, Pedro Leon who scored a stoppage time equaliser that still leaves Milan with work to do, in joining Madrid to go through from Group G. 

Bayern Munich also sealed their place through into the next stage, after they outclassed CFR Cluj in Romania, winning 4-0.  Bayern are already ten points behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and with Arjen Robben, Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic all out injured at the moment, Louis van Gaal has lots of problems domestically.  However, Mario Gomez hit a hat-trick in this masterful performance.  Another team out of their depth in the Champions League is MSK Zilina, beaten 7-0 at home by Marseille in Group F.  There was a hat-trick from Andre-Pierre Gignac, as Marseille became the first team to score seven away from home in the Champions League.  Lyon lost their 100% record on Tuesday night in Group B, going down 4-3 in Portugal to Benfica, who were 4-0 with 15 minutes to go.  Talented winger Fabio Coentrao was on target twice for the home side and a feisty meeting in Denmark saw FC Copenhagen draw 1-1 with Barcelona in Group D, which saw coaches Solde Solbakken and Pepe Guardiola have a bust-up at full-time.  

For some, the dream of reaching Wembley is already over, but for others, they have sent out their fearful messages and it’s looking good for all four English clubs to progress past Christmas.  Matchday four though belongs to Tottenham Hotspur and its wonderful Welshman, Gareth Bale.  

FA Barclays Premiership Report (21st - 23rd August 2010)

The second weekend of the new Premiership season bought a number of penalty misses, amazing scorelines and highlighted the gulf between the best and the weakest in England’s top flight, here is my review from last weekend’s engrossing action.

Sunday 22^nd August: Fulham 2-2 Manchester United

Manchester United dropped their first points of the season, after being held to a deserving draw by hard-working Fulham at Craven Cottage.  Paul Scholes stunning start to the new campaign continued, when he drilled in a 10^th minute opener, scoring his 150^th career goal for the Red Devils in the process.  However, Mark Hughes’s side had the better of the second half, and equalised through Simon Davies on the hour mark.  It looked like United had stolen all the points eight minutes from time, when Brede Hangeland put through his own goal in another goalmouth scramble.  Then, a Damien Duff handball gave substitute Nani the chance to wrap it up.  His penalty was saved by the inspired David Stockdale.  With 90 minutes almost up, Hangeland made amends for his earlier misfortune by meeting his towering leap to Paul Konchesky’s corner and earning a share of the spoils.

Saturday 21^st August: Arsenal 6-0 Blackpool

Following their impressive demolition of Wigan on the opening weekend, new boys Blackpool ended up on the receiving end of an Arsenal demolition derby at the Emirates.  The under-fire Theo Walcott scored the first hat-trick of his club career, and once Ian Evatt was dismissed for fouling Marouane Chamakh when the Moroccan was in on goal, it was curtains for Ian Holloway’s side.  Andrei Arshavin dispatched the resulting penalty and there were further second half strikes from Abou Diaby and Chamakh, who scored his first goal in Arsenal colours.  Considering Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie were left on the bench, this was an impressive signal of intent from Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.

Sunday 22^nd August: Newcastle United 6-0 Aston Villa

Top-flight football returned to St. James Park in impressive and sensational fashion, as Newcastle United ripped Aston Villa to pieces.  It was the Villains who started the stronger, and had a great chance to open the scoring, when Steve Harper fouled Ashley Young in the box.  However, John Carew’s penalty was simply atrocious, smashing the ball towards Newcastle Airport.  The Norwegian kicked the turf in sheer frustration and from then on, Villa rolled over and died.  Joey Barton smashed in an opener four minutes later, meaning that that moustache he had been growing could be removed, as Newcastle won their first Premiership match of the season.  Kevin Nolan chalked up two strikes, but home-grown hero Andy Carroll went one better, with the new Newcastle No.9 scoring his first senior hat-trick and a very impressive one it was too.  Kevin McDonald could only look on in horror at Villa’s lack of fight, determination and belief – as this result might have cost him the top job too at Villa Park.

Monday 23^rd August: Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool

In front of their rich owners, Manchester City signalled their intentions, with an emphatic 3-0 win over former established top four side Liverpool.  With Joe Cole suspended and Javier Mascherano refusing to play, as speculation over a move to Barcelona intensifies, Roy Hodgson’s side had an off-night and City took full advantage of the situation.  Gareth Barry opened the scoring, after a neat link-up between Adam Johnson and new acquisition from Aston Villa, James Milner.  Eight minutes into the second half, Micah Richards powerful header was shinned in by Carlos Tevez with the smallest of touches possible.  The Eastlands skipper put the seal on a dominant performance, by slotting home a penalty on 67 minutes, after the impressive Johnson was tripped in the penalty area by Martin Skrtel.  Even with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the side, Liverpool looked bereft of ideas and quality.  It could be another long season for the red half of Merseyside.

Saturday 21^st August: Wigan Athletic 0-6 Chelsea

Chelsea continued their scoring spree as Wigan took their third consecutive Premiership battering.  Less than four months after their 8-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge on the last day of the season, more schoolboy defending from Roberto Martinez’s men allowed Chelsea’s attackers another field day.  After an even-fought first 30 minutes, Florent Malouda broke the deadlock, tapping in after Chris Kirkland could only parry a close-range Frank Lampard shot.  The visitors ran away after the break, with Nicholas Anelka and Salomon Kalou both helping themselves to two goals each.  Summer signing Yossi Benayoun put the seal on the final result, as Chelsea showed their superior class once again. 

 Saturday 21^st August: Stoke City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale’s inspired performance was the difference between these two sides in a hard-fought clash at the Britannia Stadium.  Bale’s opener for Spurs came after 11 minutes, when Ryan Shawcross attempted clearance struck Bale on the knee and crept over the line.  Stoke’s leveller came when Ricardo Fuller smashed in, following a misjudged attempt to clear from Tottenham keeper Gomes.  If Bale’s opener was lucky, his second was simply breathtaking.  The Welshman volleyed in Aaron Lennon’s cross, leaving Thomas Sorensen staring into thin air.  Stoke lost Malmady Sidibe to a season-ending injury and also felt that Peter Crouch cleared a Jonathan Walters attempt off the line, when the ball crossed the line in stoppage time.  Television cameras have since proven that Tony Pulis men have a right to be aggrieved at the final outcome, but Spurs have already shown that last year’s 4^th place finish was no fluke.

Saturday 21^st August: West Ham United 1-3 Bolton Wanderers

The forgotten man of the Premiership, Johan Elmander scored a surprising double, as West Ham crashed to their 7^th successive defeat against hard-working Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park.  When Gretar Steinsson conceded a first-half penalty, the Hammers could have been infront, only for Carlton Cole’s kick to be so bad, that it could have been saved by Juusi Jaaskelainen with his eyes closed!  An embarrassing own goal from Matthew Upson gifted Owen Coyle’s side the lead and two headers from Elmander, either side of a successful Mark Noble spot kick kept up Bolton’s impressive start to the season.  For Avram Grant, this job already looks like a poisoned chalice.

Saturday 21^st August: Birmingham City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

A second half double from Craig Gardner, his first two goals for the club helped an unimpressive Birmingham to a fortunate win over Blackburn Rovers.  Ben Foster made a superb penalty save from Morten Gamst Pedersen, but Blackburn, on top for large periods, grabbed a deserved through a Steven N’Zonzi header.  Gardner’s two goals cancelled out N’Zonzi’s header, with the second going straight through the hands of Paul Robinson.  Sam Allardyce will be disappointed to have left St. Andrew’s with nothing.

Saturday 21^st August: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland

In a game where the goalkeepers excelled in an attempt to prevent this game from without a goal, Nigerian debutant Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal at the Hawthorns, with nine minutes to go.  West Brom claimed their first win back in the big time, while Steve Bruce will be disappointed that his side failed to create enough opportunities.

Saturday 21^st August: Everton 1-1 Wolves

After a shambolic first half performance, Wolves did well to battle back and earn themselves a share of the spoils at Goodison Park.  Everton dominated the opening exchanges and Tim Cahill gave them a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time.  After the break, Everton sat back and their lack of adventure cost them, as Sylvain Ebanks-Blake netted a deserved equaliser for Mick McCarthy’s side.  

Woeful Walcott Pays The Price & Misses The Cut

After many hours of speculation on Tuesday afternoon, Fabio Capello puts us out of our misery, and named the twenty-three Three Lions he will take to South Africa, with one mission.  To win the World Cup!  One of the unlucky seven players to miss out though, is the powerful Arsenal winger Theo Walcott.

Whereas there were the expected cuts in the form of Scott Parker, Michael Dawson and Adam Johnson, Capello’s decision to leave Walcott behind could be seen as a very risky one, especially as Theo could have been used as an impact substitute, as he showed in Arsenal’s first-leg Champions League quarter-fight fightback against mighty Barcelona in late March.  However, Capello knows what he is doing and I firmly back him on this decision.

When the decision came through at approximately 1pm on Sky Sports News, I was initially surprised, considering that Walcott had started England’s recent two unconvincing warm-up wins against Mexico and Japan.  However, he has paid the price for a woeful season, punctured by injuries and a loss of form.  Walcott was the talk of the squad four years ago, when Sven Goran-Eriksson showed he had really lost the plot, and picked him.  Then, he had never even played a Premiership game for Arsenal, and he wasn’t even used in the tournament.  This time, he has made the headlines, but for his absence rather than inclusion.

Apart from the Barcelona home game aside, everytime I’ve seen Walcott this season, he has looked out of his depth and lacking confidence.  It isn’t totally his fault, with the injuries he has had, but it is no good having someone who looks like they can’t even play 45minutes in the squad.  Against Mexico and Japan, he looked rigid, and although he could run with the ball and beat defenders, he quickly looked bereft of ideas and creation.  Confidence in football is a big part in anyone’s game, and that is something that Walcott lacks at the moment.  Arsene Wenger must also take some of the blame, for failing to allow Walcott the chance to develop as a football player.  Theo will have other chances in the future, he’s only 21, but this is the right call.  Hopefully for himself and Arsenal, it will spur him onto greater things.  That hat-trick in Zagreb against Croatia, back in September 2008 must seem like a century ago.

So, Walcott joins the likes of Marcos Senna, Ronaldinho, Karim Benzema, Joao Moutinho and Esteban Cambiasso who have failed to make the final squad cut.  Who else has Fabio left out?  The decision to axe the likes of Parker, Dawson and Johnson is no surprise, as they had little or no chance to strut their stuff in the recent friendlies.  Everton’s Leighton Baines has missed out, paying the price for a poor performance against Mexico.  Stephen Warnock of Aston Villa will go instead, as cover for Ashley Cole.  Despite a dreadful season for Manchester United and an insipid display against the Mexicans, Michael Carrick held on to his place, meaning there was no place for Tottenham hopeful Tom Huddlestone.  Personally, I would have gambled on Huddlestone, largely because of his young, fresh impetus.  However, Capello has gone for Carrick, probably as an insurance policy, in case Gareth Barry does not recover from his ankle injury, sustained last month. 

The final name to miss out is Sunderland’s Darren Bent, who despite scoring twenty-five Premiership goals this season will not go to South Africa.  The experience of the bumbling clown that is Emile Heskey has been chosen, despite only netting three goals for Aston Villa last campaign.  Bent also missed out four years ago in Germany, so it’s a double blow for him to suffer.  He didn’t play well against Japan in the first 45 minutes on Sunday, but then nobody did.  If we needed goals, he would be a better bet, should Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch fail to perform when required.

The talking is almost over, the time has come for Fabio Capello and the Three Lions to end forty-four years of hurt.  No excuses can be afforded now; it is time for these twenty-three to deliver on the big stage!

ENGLAND SQUAD FOR THE 2010 WORLD CUP FINALS

GK: Robert Green (West Ham United), David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

DEF: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)

MID: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), James Milner (Aston Villa), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Carrick (Manchester United)

ATT: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final, 1st Leg Review - Injuries Harm The English

The final eight of the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League all put in valuable performances and gave good accounts of them.  The first legs were full of stories of anguish, style and what might have been.  For the English clubs, it was a week full of mixed emotions and though, both are still in the game, injuries to their red-hot key men could have the final ultimate say in their future participation this year in European competition.

For at least forty-eight hours, the hearts of Manchester United, England and Fabio Capello must have been racing, when Wayne Rooney hobbled off in the Allianz Area, then was spotted outside the United team hotel on crutches.  Had England’s World Cup dreams dies with this latest injury trauma?  Fortunately, scans revealed the good news, minor ligament damage which meant all Three Lions fans could breathe a huge sigh of relief.  For United though, the prognosis is not so good and a three week lay-off means we may not see Rooney in Europe until the final in Madrid, should United get there.  That’s a big ‘should,’ as Manchester United’s night in Munich turned into a nightmare.  Rooney scored a very early goal, cancelled out by a deflected Franck Ribery free-kick.  Then, Bayern got ultimate revenge for the 1999 final, by scoring a deserving injury-time winner through Croatian Ivica Olic.  Olic fully capitalized on a rare error from the consistent Patrice Evra, which pretty much summed up the evening for Sir Alex Ferguson.  They do remain favourites for the return at Old Trafford this Wednesday, but any mistakes will be punished, which could lead to a surprising exit.

For sixty-five minutes, Arsenal had been given a football lesson at the Emirates by the masters from Barcelona.  It was like men versus boys and had Manuel Almunia not produced an inspired first-half showing, the game would have been out of reach.  Less than thirty seconds into the restart though, Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved all of his doubters wrong with a delicious lob over the advancing Almunia, then powered home a second before the hour mark.  It looked like curtains for the Gunners, until an inspired move by Arsene Wenger.  Theo Walcott was thrown on and he changed the game in an instant, causing the Catalan defence some horrendous issues.  He scored straightaway from his introduction, then played a part in the debatable penalty won by Cesc Fabregas, which saw Carlos Puyol dismissed.  Fabregas smashed home the spot kick, to complete the comeback, his last action this season, after scans on Thursday confirmed a broken leg.  This is a hammer blow for the return as far as Arsenal is concerned, especially with William Gallas and Andrei Arshavin also facing long injury lay-offs.  However, they have given Barcelona enough to worry about for the rerun of the beautiful game this Tuesday.

Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho remains still on target for their ultimate aim, after trouncing CSKA Moscow at the San Siro.  However, they only managed to net one goal, through Diego Milito in the first game and with a tricky assignment in Moscow; a 1-0 advantage looks very risky indeed.  So, must morale in the Inter dressing room after Mourinho’s pre-match comments claiming he hates Italian football.  Finally, in the all-French tie, Lyon benefited from some dodgy decisions and cataclysmic Bordeaux defending to take a 3-1 lead back for the second leg.  However, like CSKA, Bordeaux will still feel they have a chance in this tie, although it is now a hard road from here.

All four ties remain in the balance then for this week’s second legs.  The question will be how well can the English cope without the loss of their key players, Rooney and Fabregas.  

England 3-1 Egypt - More Positives for Fabio

Last night, England put aside the problems that have been washed up by the British media of recent weeks, with a decent second half performance, giving Fabio Capello more encouragement that his side can go all the way in South Africa this summer.

Despite this, the first half display against African Nations Cup holders Egypt was very flat and lacklustre.  It will have concerned the boss how many wayward passes were happening and the amount of time that the Egyptians were being allowed on the ball.  It will also be notified of Matthew Upson’s stumble and trip which led to Egypt’s opening goal from the Borussia Dortmund striker, Mohamed Zidan.  Although Zidan’s finish was cool and impressive, he shouldn’t have been allowed the chance to shoot in the first place.  The cover for Rio Ferdinand at the back is very worrying. 

For John Terry, last night was a step in the right direction.  He has received his criticisms and boo-boys and rightly so, and his mistakes at Chelsea of late have been repetitive and very costly.  He was booed by many on the team line-up, but those who continued during the national anthems and the game, were largely drowned out by cheers from the majority.  His performance wasn’t error-free, but it had far more conviction than the rest of the back four and he seemed to be the only one able to organize the mess around the team in the first 45 minutes.

England’s 500^th win in their history was sealed by an impressive 2^nd half display.  Substitutes Peter Crouch and Shaun-Wright Phillips were very impressive, surely having done enough now for their place on the plane to South Africa.  Tottenham striker Crouch, who has recently lost his place in the North London side, Roman Pavyluchenko helped himself to two more international goals.  In 38 appearances, the ex-Liverpool hitman now has an impressive 20 goals to his name – a staggering statistic.  Now, Emile Heskey cannot be considered as first choice alongside Wayne Rooney.  Wright-Phillips, considered by many as 4^th choice on the right-side of midfield, behind Aaron Lennon, David Beckham and Theo Walcott did his chances no harm at all, by setting up a goal and scoring one for himself.  James Milner once again gave a solid and committed performance when he came off the bench.  The Aston Villa playmaker is the most in-form English midfielder in the Premiership and his consistency has to put him in line for a place in Capello’s final cut.

So, who will miss out on the World Cup?  Both Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole face a race against time to be fit, whilst Joe Cole needs first team action desperately at Chelsea, otherwise he could be shock exclusion.  Once again, Walcott’s performance last night was dismal.  After a promising start, he faded badly and must have blown his chance now of playing in South Africa.  If I was Theo, I’d think about booking a summer holiday to the Bahamas, at least he will get a decent tan!

Last night’s 3-1 result was satisfactory and there were more positives than negatives.  After the trauma and scandal that has dogged English football in recent weeks, it was nice to see some much-needed unity last night.  South Africa is inching closer and Fabio Capello can lookback on last night at a job well done. 

See below for my 23-man prediction squad for the World Cup in 2010:

Robert Green, David James, Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Aaron Lennon, David Beckham, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Arsenal - Are They The Most Frustrating Side In The Premiership?

This blog was first published on February 8th at http://happydude88.livejournal.com/

 

It’s an interesting question which Arsenal fans probably have difficulty answering themselves, but I would have to say ‘yes,’ if I was asked this.

The Gunners have gone five seasons without silverware, since the 2005 FA Cup Final and yesterday’s 2-0 Premiership loss at title rivals and bitter adversaries, Chelsea have left Arsene Wenger’s men nine points off the top and with little hope of winning the major domestic prize. Three weeks ago, Arsenal topped the table, but why have they fallen off the pace so soon afterwards.

The simplest answer is the style of football that the North London side play. Although it is electrifying, stunning to watch, almost undoubtedly the best in the league, this style does not win you trophies. Holland’s total football approach in Euro 2008 deserved more than a quarter-final berth, but when up against it, they couldn’t produce the goods and Arsenal is the domestic example of the Dutch.

Fluent going forward is a joy to watch, but it’s no good smashing teams like Blackburn, Bolton and Hull to the cleaners, if you can’t grind out results against the ultimate title rivals. Arsenal’s record against the leading lights this season is appalling. Two defeats against Chelsea, two losses against Manchester United, a 4-2 reverse at Manchester City and dropped points at home to Everton. All very costly results and apart from a gritty second half display at Anfield, which saw them overcome an inconsistent Liverpool pre-xmas, the results against the current top six have been terrible. It seems like they can only play one style of football, so when they meet Chelsea and Manchester United, those teams will cut Arsenal to the sword with devilish counter-attacking, which Arsenal can’t do.

The lack of firepower in these games also can’t be overlooked. The devastating injury to Robin Van Persie on international duty in the autumn has been a massive loss to the striker frontline. Nikolas Bendtner has also had his injury issues this season and Eduardo does not look the same player he was before his horror leg-breaking injury at Birmingham two years ago. It leaves Wenger with limited options up top and it was very surprising he didn’t bring someone in during the recent January transfer window – even if they were cup-tied from participation in the Champions League.

What was even more curious is Wenger’s decision yesterday to play Theo Walcott, who looks a pale shadow of the star who stunned Croatia with a sublime hat-trick in Zagreb 18 months ago. Walcott has had a catalyst of injuries since then, and every time I’ve seen him, he looks like he is getting worse, not better. He is still very young, but naivety has surely cost him the chance of going to South Africa this summer. A loan move might be best to restart his career. Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia continued to look unsteady and insecure yesterday. The Spaniard is by far, the worst goalkeeper in the Premiership, and that’s something that needs to be re-addressed as soon as possible. Even if this means, giving Almunia a break to regain his shattered confidence. The form of Belgian Thomas Vermaelen and Cesc Fabregas have been key to Arsenal’s global brand of attractive football, but more underachieving begs the question to whether Fabregas would stay at the Emirates much longer. He is the new golden boy of Spanish football and Barcelona + Real Madrid would surely be interested in his services should Arsenal fail to deliver the success he desperately craves.

Finally, why did Wenger put out an under-strength side in the FA Cup tie at Stoke two weeks ago? The FA Cup was a great chance to win silverware, with Manchester United and Liverpool already eliminated. Instead, he gambled on a young side that flopped under Stoke’s physical prowess and the demanding fixture schedule of tough games. One point from three matches and a steadily improving Liverpool to come on Wednesday suggest this gamble has backfired badly.

Wednesday night is now a crunch game for Arsenal at home to Liverpool, as is the Champions League test against FC Porto in ten days time. Arsene Wenger is under no danger regarding his job, but things need to change and a reduction in excuses is required for this side of young starlets to end up with any silverware at all. Arsenal FC is a frustrating side to watch, because you don’t what you are going to get. The question is, can they change to win trophies?