Arsenal F.C.: Analysis, What Analysis?

Pundits just think that they know it all, don't they? A lot of them, like Phil Thompson, can't make it as a manager, love the money that a television channel is offering them, and sit in studios and pass judgments which can so very easily influence fans.

Yes, fans should have a mind of their own—but there are many, many fans who's thoughts change after reading certain analyses like these. There is an inherent bias on part of the "analyst" at times, which can be understood and negated - but certain parts of the aforementioned analysis just didn't make much sense.

"The first half was a non-entity as far as chances and movement was concerned.

"The guys up front, Adebayor and Van Persie, both came too deep so there was nothing in the box.

"But they changed it and brought Vela on out on the left and they allowed Nasri to start roaming and getting on the ball," noted Phil Thompson.

While the first two parts can be agreed with, Arsenal did create chances in the first half, but when the opposition parks the bus in front of goal—it does become difficult, doesn't it?

Another glaring mistake in this analysis is the fact that Abou Diaby was shifted to the left side of midfield well before Carlos Vela was brought on, which allowed Samir Nasri to play in-field and create more. Vela then replaced Diaby on the left side of the pitch and was very lively.

"This is not the Arsenal we've known," Thompson continued.

"They are in a difficult period, no matter what anybody says, so they are searching for that form and for that rhythm that they've always had - particularly at the Emirates. They'd open people up for fun, even if they did park the bus.

"Arsene Wenger will come out with all of the clichés about character and passion in his team because it has been a difficult game for them.

"But they've only scored in the 84th minute. They've hit the post, Adebayor had a good chance and there were a few chances - but it was only 25 minutes into the second half before they started piling up."

Arsene Wenger is right to come out with such clichés, because it did take character on the part of Arsenal to break down Bolton. You need a certain amount of determination to score against such a dogged, determined team and Wenger has every right to say that on this occassion—although it is a bit redundant.

And Arsenal used to open up people for fun, even when they did park the bus five seasons ago. Since then, there has been a rebuilding process and even Arsenal fans know that.

Thompson also cited "the same old failings," but quite easily ignored one big improvement - and that was Johan Djourou's aerial presence. Many Arsenal fans have been advocates of his presence in the side, and with Kolo Toure alongside him, there is a greater sense of security at the back.

If anything, it was Manuel Almunia who looked oddly unsettled, despite having very little to do all throughout the game.

There was a "pundit" for the South-East Asian based ESPN-Star who said that Arsenal had around "three to four players" including Denilson who weren't good enough to play for them. 

Here's a simple question: How many times has that pundit watch Denilson play? He has been steady this season and has improved on a continuous basis. Even when he had to play in an unfamiliar position on the right side of midfield, he did the job.

He is a team player.

Many Arsenal fans were not happy with Bendtner's inclusion and cheers went around a certain section of fans when he got rid of the ball by passing it to a team-mate.

What good is this going to do?

These fans must be influenced by external factors, which include these "analysts." It's a shame because Bendtner did end up scoring and was the only player throughout the match who seemed to get into the six-yard box with any purpose.

Arsenal's lack of goals this season is more because of the midfield than anything else. Cesc Fabregas has never been at his best and Denilson wasn't able to form a partnership with Fabregas.

When Alex Song came in, things looked slightly better but there was never enough time for his partnership with Fabregas to work because of the latter's injury followed by Song getting injured himself.

At the minute, Arsenal's injury list reads - Eduardo da Silva, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Alex Song, William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Cesc Fabregas.

So, if I were an Arsenal fan, which I am, I would be happy with a gritty 1-0 win over any side—given that potentially all of the above players could start if they were available.

Of course no pundit, expert or analyst is ever going to look at these facts because they always want to find faults in teams - much like movie critics and movies.

Arsenal weren't glamorous yesterday, they weren't flamboyant but they got the result.

At the end of the day, that is all that matters.