Toughen up Arsene
So a new season has begun and the more things change, the more they stay the same. Arsenal dominated possession in their 0-0 draw at Newcastle United.
The same flaws that meant the Gunners ended up with no trophies last season were visible all over again. The Gunners were aesthetically pleasing, and looked good passing the ball around for long spells but lacked a cutting edge.
Sadly for Arsenal fans it is unlikely to change, as improving performance is yet again not the focus of Arsene Wenger. He has been sidetracked into a petty schoolyard debate about “who started it” between Gervinho and Joey Barton.
While the truth is both were moronic and embarrassed themselves, it is also true that their fracas was one incident in a 90 minute game. There were still 89 minutes where Arsenal were held to a drab draw by a side that will likely occupy the bottom half by season’s end.
Arsenal can keep the ball, but very rarely get behind an opposing back line and finish the chances they create. Worse yet, there are days where they simply do not create many chances. You would like to think that this worries Wenger but it does not seem to be the case.
Rather than discuss football, Arsene got up on his high horse and condemned Joey Barton. Effectively, Wenger has allowed Joey Barton to dictate his and his team’s mood and that is nothing short of weakness.
There was a time when this is not the case. Arsenal have seen bully tactics before and overcome them, however the attitude is very different now, almost one of resignation.
Back when Wenger was winning trophies Danny Mills tried similar tactics to those of Barton to unsettle the more skilled Gunners. The result was Thierry Henry banging in goals and celebrating by pounding his badge with pride and screaming in Mills’ face to celebrate.
When the great Roy Keane tried to unsettle Arsenal in such a way, he was met head on with steel and fury by Patrick Vieira.
You can’t help but think that if the current crop were put in that situation, they would hound the referee, be put off their game and then say nasty things on twitter about the offending parties.
This side is also incapable of expressing the humility to address their own behavior. Alex Song stamped on Barton, and that is ignored. What would the reaction have been if Barton stamped on Song?
When Eduardo’s leg was broken by Martin Taylor Wenger almost cried with anger, when Jack Wilshere committed a similar offense on Nikola Zigic it was somehow not that big a deal.
There is often a point where great leaders have achieved enough and lose their edge and hunger. Pride can also see a man lose his humility and believe he can do no wrong as an empire crumbles around him, ask the Romans!
Arsene Wenger can win trophies, Arsene Wenger has won trophies, but he will not win any more until he toughens up, and demands that his players do the same thing.
The same flaws that meant the Gunners ended up with no trophies last season were visible all over again. The Gunners were aesthetically pleasing, and looked good passing the ball around for long spells but lacked a cutting edge.
Sadly for Arsenal fans it is unlikely to change, as improving performance is yet again not the focus of Arsene Wenger. He has been sidetracked into a petty schoolyard debate about “who started it” between Gervinho and Joey Barton.
While the truth is both were moronic and embarrassed themselves, it is also true that their fracas was one incident in a 90 minute game. There were still 89 minutes where Arsenal were held to a drab draw by a side that will likely occupy the bottom half by season’s end.
Arsenal can keep the ball, but very rarely get behind an opposing back line and finish the chances they create. Worse yet, there are days where they simply do not create many chances. You would like to think that this worries Wenger but it does not seem to be the case.
Rather than discuss football, Arsene got up on his high horse and condemned Joey Barton. Effectively, Wenger has allowed Joey Barton to dictate his and his team’s mood and that is nothing short of weakness.
There was a time when this is not the case. Arsenal have seen bully tactics before and overcome them, however the attitude is very different now, almost one of resignation.
Back when Wenger was winning trophies Danny Mills tried similar tactics to those of Barton to unsettle the more skilled Gunners. The result was Thierry Henry banging in goals and celebrating by pounding his badge with pride and screaming in Mills’ face to celebrate.
When the great Roy Keane tried to unsettle Arsenal in such a way, he was met head on with steel and fury by Patrick Vieira.
You can’t help but think that if the current crop were put in that situation, they would hound the referee, be put off their game and then say nasty things on twitter about the offending parties.
This side is also incapable of expressing the humility to address their own behavior. Alex Song stamped on Barton, and that is ignored. What would the reaction have been if Barton stamped on Song?
When Eduardo’s leg was broken by Martin Taylor Wenger almost cried with anger, when Jack Wilshere committed a similar offense on Nikola Zigic it was somehow not that big a deal.
There is often a point where great leaders have achieved enough and lose their edge and hunger. Pride can also see a man lose his humility and believe he can do no wrong as an empire crumbles around him, ask the Romans!
Arsene Wenger can win trophies, Arsene Wenger has won trophies, but he will not win any more until he toughens up, and demands that his players do the same thing.
