Kevin Whitcher
Credit to Ostersunds for last night’s performance. It was a delight to see a committed team playing some decent football wanting to give their supporters something to cheer about. If only the same could be said of Arsene Wenger’s players.
The lack of motivation and basic organisation in the team was alarming to witness. The manager wrote in his programme notes about focus and professionalism. There were few signs of this last night. It feels as if the players turn it on when they feel like it and effectively down tools when they don’t. A recipe for consistency it isn’t. The defending for both of Ostersunds’ goals was poor in the extreme. Players not tight enough to their opponents or beaten too easily.
Fortunately, the three goal lead (and the saved Ostersunds penalty) from a week previous meant there was enough of a buffer. When Arsenal managed to find the net early in the second half it eased the tension somewhat. The visitors certainly didn’t give up and came very close to scoring a third, which would have really set the nerves jangling amongst the 30,000 home fans who bothered to turn up on a chilly February evening.
The amount of apathy surrounding the club currently – reflected on the pitch last night – is concerning. The sale of cup final tickets for Sunday almost went to red members, such was the lack of take up.
At the end of the ninety minutes, it was a case of job done over the two legs. But in both games, defensively, Arsenal showed very little to justify their being the second favourites to win this competition. To reach the final, they must play a further six games. Can you really believe that in one of those there will not be a defensive collapse that sees them concede three and make winning a two-legged tie almost impossible?
Certain of the players that started last night may not be certain of starting at Wembley on Sunday – Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Welbeck, possibly even Wilshere (given some of the strange team selections we have seen at Wembley in years gone by from the manager). Chances are at least three of them will be required, yet realistically, none of them played with much quality against Ostersunds.
Of course, they might raise their game for the final – it’s happened before, but consistency is a hallmark of greatness. When did Arsenal last have a prolonged period of solid performances and results?
I actually enjoyed watching Osterdsunds make a game of it, and unfortunately found Arsenal’s ineptitude equally entertaining. Because I’ve stopped caring until we finally see something fresh. I know that the club is operating with the manager’s proverbial handbrake on until he is ushered out of the door. Let’s hope that finally happens this summer, and if he can point to a piece of silverware in his final season, then I’m down with that. But Arsenal’s biggest trophy at the end of the current season will be to make a change in the dugout, because last night’s pathetic display is not one I wish to see the likes of again. The team is supposed to struggle away from home. But at ‘Fortress Emirates’? Against a club that did not even exist when Wenger got his feet under the desk at Highbury? Arsene will blame petrodollars if City win at Wembley. No such excuse last night.
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