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Wenger is in dire need of Arshavin
James Olley26.01.09
As the stand-off continues over Andrei Arshavin's proposed move to Arsenal, Zenit St Petersburg will today feel as though their bargaining position has been strengthened by events at Ninian Park.
For although the Gunners dominated possession yesterday, there was precious little penetrative creativity to provide an end product.
Where Arshavin would fit into Arsene Wenger's thoughts once his squad's injury plague subsides is debatable, but yesterday's 0-0 draw left little doubt that those who remain are in desperate need of an injection of flair the talented Russian is capable of bringing.
Samir Nasri's glorious chance midway through the first-half, a mis-hit from Emmanuel Adebayor and a few threatening interventions from Robin van Persie aside, Arsenal delivered surprisingly little in the final third.
And if the stage was set for Aaron Ramsey to complete a fairytale return with a match-winning display, he didn't so much forget his lines as fail to read the script altogether.
Some criticism should lie with Wenger because by pairing the youngster with the resilient but limited Alexander Song, Ramsey was given the task of providing the creative heartbeat of his new side while dealing with the emotion of his first return to Ninian Park after last summer's £5million move.
"It got to him a little bit," admitted Wenger. "It's always tricky to come back to your home town but he showed that he will be a great player."
The 18-year-old understandably began nervously and simply looked to shift the ball square rather than show any invention and it was this lack of forward thinking that helped put a highly-charged Cardiff on the front foot for the opening period of the match.
And for all Nasri's ability, he does not provide natural width in the conventional sense.
Both he and Emmanuel Eboue have a tendency to drift infield and so Cardiff's orthodox 4-4-2 system with out-and-out wingers facilitated considerable early joy down the flanks against Arsenal's exposed full-backs.
Paul Parry troubled Bacary Sagna while the impressive Kieran Gibbs did his best to repel Chris Burke. It was consequently no surprise that Cardiff's best chances either came as a result of good delivery from wide areas or fell to the wingers themselves.
Eboue was a peripheral and frustrating figure and it is performances like this that prompt many to question what he brings to the right side of midfield beyond a penchant for the theatrical.
Nasri wasted a glorious chance but the Gunners began to take control of the match thereafter by dominating possession for extended periods.
Wenger has rejected any notion this competition is an irritation, stressing that when the Champions League begins again "you have a choice to make between the FA Cup and Europe".
But by falling short yesterday, there is a feeling he may have unnecessarily brought that decision forward. The replay falls between a home clash with West Ham and a trip to Tottenham.
Wenger would have had a week to prepare for the north London derby and even if Arsenal progress, the cumulative fatigue could have a knock-on effect with international fixtures and the extensive travelling that comes with it in the following week.
"We are very short and we can't rotate as much at the moment," said the 59-year-old. "We have two games coming up and I could have rested a few players but it didn't go as I wanted because I planned to take Van Persie off but it didn't work that way."
Of course, once Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas in particular return to action, Arsenal's dynamism will receive a significant shot in the arm.
However, the major competitions could be out of reach by then and yesterday's ineptitude will serve as a reminder to those in the Gunners' camp negotiating Arshavin's transfer just how important that deal could be.
Reader views (20)
Arsene Wenger should at least buy Arshavin this january transfer window and buy another player in the summer
- Ayinde Rasaq, OGUN STATE NIGERIA
we are desperate for a creative midfielder and a ball winner. we have almost nothing in the middle of the park and will be taken apart by the best teams in Europe. why we haven't bought at least two players is beyond me. if we don't finish 4th it will cost £30m so spending £20m now is a no brainer.
- Tony, greater london
Saw Arsenal against cardiff in the FA cup. Cardiff were out on their feet in the last 20 minutes of that game and still Arsenal couldn't finish them off. Bendtner couldn't hit a barn door and adebayor when he came on missed a sitter. Right now, Arsenal have too many average players to win anything. I can't believe Wengers is going for Arshavin, he is hardly a holding midfield player and thats exactly what Arsenal requires
- James Hennessy, london england
Arshavin is older than most outfield players at Arsenal by some way. He's performed well on the international stage but where would he fit at Arsenal?
Not sure he could play up front any time soon. Van Persie and Adebayor are shoe-ins. Bendtner scores important goals. Eduardo on the way back and then there's Vela and Simpson.
Short term, he might be able to play in the middle with Diaby or Denilson but he's not going to play in place of Nasri and does he play on the right? He'd probably get a game there in place of Eboue but in place of Rosicky or Walcott?
Save your money Mr Wenger. Let Gallas and Senderos go and get another central defender maybe but, otherwise, stick to the plan and develop the existing squad.
- Alan Turner, Greenwich UK
Arshavin would help, but we have to start playing the best 11 players! Eboue has to be dropped until he gets his act together. Denilson/Diaby in the middle with Song & Ramsey backing up. Nasri & Arshavin, on the flanks with Wilshere & Vela backing up. RVP & Adeybaor up front with Bentdner & Eduardo backing up! 1st team: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Arshavin, RVP, Adeyabaor. Subs: Lukasz, Gallas, Song, Ramsey, Vela, Bendtner, Eduardo. Cesc, Walcott & Rosicky all coming back around March/April!
- Newmy, Milton Keynes
Arshavin could give the team a boost, its been a bit safety first since Cesc got injured but that is understandable. The important thing is that we've not lost since then and with Eduardo, Walcott, Cesc and Rosicky to come back things could pick up very quickly.
- Mark, newcastle, england
The main problem is Eboue,how he is an automatic choise is bewildering to us all.He is a known diver,hits the deck if anybody goes near him and rarely rarely tracks back.His best position is full back.When A.Madrid came in for him we were elated,but then Wenger wants to renew his contract
- Gerald Diamond, Romford Essex
I've been an Arsenal fan since 1962 and believe Arsene Wenger is the best manager I have seen at Arsenal over such a sustained period. He is a victim of his own success unfortunately, as expectations have been raised to such a high level, and the naive and short sighted 'supporters' have lost a grip on reality. There are bound to be ups and downs in football, but you have to keep your nerve and have faith that Arsene knows his players better than those fickle fans and pundits.
- Paul, Hertfordshire
I agree with Fab Bro, Eboue should have been sold. He has had plenty of opportunites, and is just nor good enough. Ramsey should have been used as a sub or switched position with Nasri. Not signing Flamini to a new contract before the 07\08 season was a tremendous mistake. Almost as big was letting Diarra leave. Those two mistakes has cost Arsenal a chance at the title this season. However, there is hope for the future with Ramsey, Wilshire, Merida, Simpson etc
- Norwegian Arsenal, Vega, Norway
Well done Brian the Gooner. Too many fair weather Arsenal fans who believe the hype. If Wenger goes, we are in trouble. All the top players will go too. And what of our youth system. He needs to stay for a good few years yet and maybe groom a successor.
- Tj 14, Barnet, UK
pls keep up the good work you gays are doing.pls let me know when precisely arsenal is going to sign Arshavin
- Salami, Kazeem Bankole, Lagos and Nigeria
Mr.Wenger...Didn't we hear you say that the squad was strong enough and Arsenal didn't need any new players?!
Why the 180?
- Viking, Talahassee USA
Those mis-guided people who are suggesting that Wenger should step down do not understand what is going on. They probably started supporting Arsenal in 1998. Wenger has assembled one of the most talented group of young players the club has ever had and will blend them with some experience to make a really powerful squad. Nobody is better placed to lead us to success and if he were to be replaced or resign it would put us back years. So much garbage is written in the press and on the web by idiots who do not have a clue. Arsenal under the guidence of Arsene Wenger, have been transformed from a boring long-ball team into one of the most watchable, exciting football teams in the world playing in a magnificent new stadium, not to mention recently have been officially recognised as one of the most valuable sporting franchises in the world.....but oh dear. We haven't won a trophy since 2005. Well Manchester United did not win the League for 25 years until a man with a vision came along...and look what happened then!!! Wenger out??...Do me a favour...go support Spurs.
- Brian The Gooner, Stevenage
Agree with you Harry, but is it because he wants to, or is it all the board and lack of cash? awful either way.
- Adam Thiele, Adelaide
I don't understand why Wenger want to give a new contract to the Eboue and reject a bid for him from Athletico Madrid. That fee would have settled the differences with Zenit for bringing in London Arshavin asap. Arshavin would help keep ARSENAL in touch with the leaders until the return of Rosicky, Fabregas, Walcott and Edouardo.
- Fab Bro, london, uk
Where has Mr Jones been watching Arsenal from, White Hart Lane I guess! For the club there has been no better manager. They are still in with a shout for Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions league. The dealings in transfers mentioned by Mr Jones have taken some beating in terms of money. All this criticism makes me see RED and White of course!
- Pedro, Dubai UAE
Arsene Wenger is the best manager, in my opinion,that Arsenal have ever had,i dont agree with the followers of Arsenal that are calling for him to step down,ok we are not having the best season but we are still in the champions league ,fifth in the premiership and still in the F.A cup.While i agree that money needs to be spent on new players i dont blame Wenger 100%,there is an obvious rift at board level within the club and until that is sorted out ,unfortunately Arsenal will not move on.I think Wenger will steer us to a top four finish,and when players such as Eduardo,Rosicky,Cesc etc are fully fit we have a good chance of silverware.We should get behind the manager not put him under more pressure,besides that who are we going to replace him with,Teams such as Real Madrid will snap him up if he leaves us.
- Jim Ex Pat, London N.1, thailand
I have been a regular at Arsenal since 1974...how can you say that our Manager has done the most damage to our club in the last 12 months beggars belief. Are you for real?
I am no Wenger disciple and neither do I have blind faith but an average season like this one would've happily been accepted pre Wenger or even during Graham's tenure – that's how far club is improved during his time.
If you really having supported the club since 65 then you really have a short memory...17 years before we won the league in 89 and I believe it was around that length of time before we won it in 71.
- Goonerlad, London
Although Arsenal could do with signing a couple of new players I am not certain that Arshavin is ideal & certainly not at an inflated price for a player approaching 28 years of age. I understand Wenger sticking to his plan of bringing through a young team & we must be patient, although signing a couple of experienced quality players would lift things in the short term. As a result of Wengers prudent policy financially Arsenal are in great shape compared to every team in the Premiership.
- Rob Gooner, North London
I've been watching Arsenal since 1965 and I've never seen an Arsenal manager do so much damage to his club in just twelve months,
In that time Mr Wenger has sold Diarra, Hleb, Silva and allowed Flamini to leave. He replaced them with just Bischoff and Ramsey.
He's now even turned down an offer for Eboue and plans to offer him a new contract.
No doubt Mr Wenger's groupies will continue to praise him and say he has a job for life at Arsenal. However, this time next year they will all be sitting in the Emirates on their own if this 'Comedy of Errors' is allowed to continue
- Harry Jones, Barnett
