Wigan 3-2 Arsenal
By Fab4.
If it wasn’t all over before kick-off, it certainly is now. Arsenal blew any slim hopes of winning the title with what i can only describe as one of the worst 10 minute displays i have witnessed by an Arsenal team.
A match report would be pointless, the game was awful for the most part, so i will give a quick run-through of the goals then share my thoughts on the result.
After missing a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead, Walcott was again put through on goal, this time he stayed calm and tucked it past Kirkland with a neat finish to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead just before half time.
0-1 Walcott (41)
The game looked to be over minutes into the second half when Silvestre headed home from a Nasri corner to double Arsenal’s advantage.
0-2 Silvestre (48)
The game was played in 1st gear, Wigan were un-adventurous and were there for the taking. Arsenal were walking the game, quite literally for many of the players, but never really pushed on to score the 3-4 they could easily have done if they tried. So after 80 minutes we were in a comfortable 2-0 position, not playing well but in control.
But the weak links in the Arsenal side were once again exposed in devastating fashion as Wigan scored three goals in the final 10 minutes.
The fightback began when Moses was found free on the left, he cut back for the un-marked Watson to score his first goal of the season.
1-2 Watson (80)
Clichy made a hash of his attempted clearance/block, as replays showed he missed the ball as he stood on the line. The headless Diaby never tracked Watson and left him free in the area, while Silvestre was drawn out of position and turned too easily in the build up. That meant the whole defense having to shift across to cover him, which left Moses free on the left-hand side to create the goal.
A catalogue of errors that resulted in a crucial foothold in a game that Wigan were never in.
If several players were at fault for Wigan’s first goal, the blame for their second lay firmly at Fabianski’s door. The calamitous keeper dropped an easy catch from a corner in the 89th minute right onto the head of Bramble who nodded over the line for the equalizer.
2-2 Bramble (89)
I actually laughed when that goal was scored, how a goalkeeper as poor as Fabianski can play for a club like Arsenal is simply laughable. Players like him don’t deserve a premier league winners medal, and he will never get one.
Arsene Wenger threw on Robin Van Persie in the final minute, 20 minutes too late in my eyes, in a desperate attempt to win the game. But a shell-shocked Arsenal side managed to concede a third to lose a game that was impossible to lose.
Wigan booted the ball up top, Clichy opted to let the ball drop instead of heading clear. N’Zogbia got in-front of the left back to take possession of the ball. He switched onto his left and ran un-challenged across the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable shot in off the post.
3-2 Bramble (90)
I found the equalizer funny but the winner was hilarious. To lose this game perhaps sums up our season. But am i the only one not surprised by the result? With players like Fabianski and Silvestre in the team, who can be surprised when mistakes are made?
Wenger claims Almunia was injured and that’s why Fabianski played, but i think he was giving him a chance to prove himself, as Wenger doesn’t see Almunia as a long-term No1. Well he failed miserably. Paul Merson summed up what i have been saying for years, Arsenal will not win a major trophy until they buy a proper goalkeeper!!!
Simple catch for any professional goalkeeper, no matter what level you play at. But Fabianski simply can’t handle pressure, he may be a decent shot stopper and perform well in training, but when it matters he has ALWAYS blown it.
The goalkeeping position has cost Arsenal the title, make no mistake about it. Mannone cost us 2 points at West Ham, Almunia cost us 2 points at Birmingham and Fabianski cost us 3 points at Wigan. 7 crucial points that would leave us top of the league. Wenger doesn’t have a No1 he trusts, and back-ups who aren’t ready, as shown through-out the season. YOU CAN’T WIN TROPHIES WITHOUT A TOP CLASS GOALKEEPER!
Looking at the team we had out against Wigan today and the lethargic way they performed, i was surprised Arsenal managed to take a 2 goal lead. Wigan were poor and if we were on our game it could have been 4-0, but the way we fell apart from a slight bit of pressure shows how vulnerable we are.
Yes a full strength Arsenal side would not have lost this game, but the back-up players aren’t up to it. If the last couple of weeks hasn’t shown Arsene that a goalkeeper and a centre back is needed this summer i don’t know what will. Although reading his post match comments hasn’t filled me with confidence. When asked if the club needed a new goalkeeper, Wenger replied:
“Everybody has an opinion. I keep my opinion for myself and let everybody have different opinions. I believe you cannot say today we lost the game because of the goalkeeper.”
I say when your keeper drops the ball 2 yards from his line onto the head of an opposition player to gift them an 89th minute equalizer, you can blame the goalkeeper! This squad was never going to win the league, too many weak links and too many injury prone players. The first team and a few subs make the grade, but all our keepers aren’t good enough and Silvestre, Denilson, Diaby, et al are not good enough for Arsenal FC. Simple.
Player ratings:
Fabianski – 2 – Couple of decent saves but horrendous error ended Arsenal’s title challenge.
Clichy – 4 – Poor for 1st and 3rd goals, apart from that did ok.
Sagna – 6 – Did ok
Silvestre – 5 – Scored a good goal, out of position too often.
Campbell – 6 – Did ok
Eastmond – 7 – Played well, much more enthusiasm than Denilson in holding role.
Diaby – 4 – Pathetic effort, caught in possession too much.
Nasri – 6 – Some nice touches, not in the game enough.
Rosicky – 6 – See above
Walcott – 6 – Nicely taken goal, not involved enough.
Bendtner – 4 – Forgot he was playing. Did nothing.
None of the subs made an impact. Pathetic performance all round, the only shinning light was Eastmond who i thought did very well in midfield.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS HERE
Where do Arsenal go from here? Please leave your opinions below….
