Arsenal have suffered a worst start in their champions league campaign and recovered to qualify when they lost their opening game to Inter Milan 3-0 at home back in 2003. They avenged this with a spectacular 5-1 away win Milan when Henry scored a brilliant brace against the Italian giants. This time though there is no Thierry Henry for the gunners and their fans will be wondering what this season holds for them.
Football fans are amongst the most opinionated in the world and Arsenal fans are no exception. The gunners performance against Manchester City was encouraging but they reverted back to ineptitude against a very efficient Dortmund side. In truth the Germans could have won by 4 or 5 but Arsene’s stubbornness to plug obvious gaps in the team will again cost Arsenal dear. I can see them coming through the group stages but they will fail in the first knock-out stage matches barring an amazing turn around in form.
The media are transfixed on the form of Mesut Ozil but in fairness there are a number of Arsenal players who are playing well below their potential but the media pick on Ozil as it makes for a great story. Arsene’s love of 4-5-1 does not seem to be working and I would like to see us move back to 4-4-2. Talking of changing tactics I would like to see zonal marking ditched and us revert back to good old man-to-man marking. Getting back to Ozil his apparent lackadaisical approach is grating many Arsenal fans as the incredible work rate of Sanchez makes the German-Turk looks even more disinterested in his Arsenal career. Ozil needs freedom to express himself. He can be Arsenal’s Eric Cantona; If you remember The King he was not exactly renowned for tackling back and Arsenal fans need to embrace this mentality if his career isn’t to nosedive into a January transfer out of the Emirates.
I will leave you with a great quote from a die-hard Gooner, veteran of thousands of match, 51 years and counting. London Black cab driver Ahmet Suleyman was quoted on Facebook after the Dortmund match as saying “Gutless, Timid, Leaderless, Shambolic, Embarrassing performance led by a stubborn old git. Still, the Greatest Football Club in the World!” Not everyone will agree with this but equally there will be many who will.
For me it is still early days but Arsenal are masters of frustrating the life out of their fans. My message to Arsenal fans is this: Like Ahmet, keep the faith. We will come good.eventually.
Source: DSG
