8 Things Fans Learned from Arsenal's Goalless Draw with Blackburn Rovers
Arsenal surrendered their stranglehold on English Premier League title leaders Manchester United after a goalless encounter with Blackburn Rovers. The draw signified Arsenal's third successive EPL draw and continued their run of lacklustre performances stemming from late February.
Despite welcoming the return of several key players, including captain Cesc Fabregas, who began on the bench, whilst dynamo Theo Walcott and renowned defensive midfielder returned to the starting XI after injury lay offs. However it wasn't enough to rally the Gunners despite their title chances on a thin edge.
Blackburn defended gallantly alongside occasionally threatening off corners and crosses. Arsenal's attack as usual created numerous, flowing opportunities, highlighting their attacking prowess. However it was the same old story for the North London giants as the end product failed to have the clinical edge necessary.
Evidently Wenger's young squad is still demoralized and lacking in confidence after enduring a horrid month of football which began with losing the Carling Cup Final followed by elimation from both the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, and of course two draws in the EPL.
Returning to form looks unlikely as the Arsenal lineup was one of the strongest in recent weeks yet it still could not muster an adequate solution to breaking the deadlock.
With Arsene Wenger's men seven points off Sir Alex Ferguson's United, despite boasting a game in hand, Arsenal only have eight games remaining to salvage a dispersing title challenge to finally break their notorious five-season trophy drought. Their form suggest that is a tremendous uphill battle for the Gunners even though Manchester United are failing to perform at their best too.
It is still set to be a thrilling finish the English Premier League for 2010/2011 but it appears it may be just out of Arsene Wenger's grasp. Here are eight things fans learned from the goalless encounter.
8. Manuel Almunia Has Yet to Learn His Errors and Jens Lehman Should Be Elevated
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Although there were no calamatious errors that resulting in defying goals, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia still did not boast a solid performance. The much maligned Spaniard, whose error gifted West Bromwich Albion a decisive goal in Arsenal's most recent performance, has continued his poor form and uncertainty in between the posts.
Due to injuries to predominant first choice keepers Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny and Italian Vito Mannone, Almunia has been forced to return to the fray. Since the 33-year-old began his Arsenal career in 2004, Almunia has always struggled to deal and utilize decisiveness when dealing with corners, crosses or set pieces. Furthermore the former Celta Vigo shotstopper has a tendency to fail to contain simple balls as well as the occasional rush of blood which often ends badly.
Throughout all of Almunia's weakness were evident at one point or another and it seemed destined Steve Kean's men would succeed via the Arsenal keeper. Arsenal's EPL title chance may be thinning but there season could enter an even bigger demise should errors keeping arriving through the keeper.
Due to the injuries that have decimated the Arsenal goalkeeping ranks, Wenger has called upon the services of Jens Lehman, resigning the former Arsenal keeper as a emergency transfer. The German may be 41 and produced a less than impressive performance for the Arsenal reserves earlier this week, but Almunia's recent showings suggest Lehman's experience and composure may need to be elevated to the number one role.
7. Jack Wilshere Is in Need of a Rest from the First Team
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One of the brightest parts of Arsenal's season so far, and the English national team, has been the emergence of teenage sensation Jack Wilshere, who has rapidly become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
The Englishman has been on the Arsenal scene since 2008 as a fresh faced 16-year-old but had failed to enforce his young presence on the Arsenal first team. However 2010/2011 has seen Wilshere return from a stellar loan spell with Bolton the previous campaign which has equipped the young gun with the experience necessary to thrive in the EPL.
That he has, arguably one of Arsenal's most consistent and best players throughout the season so far, the 19-year-old has appeared 41 times for Wenger scoring two goals this season but against Blackburn the midfield maestro failed to display his predominant energy, skill and calibre, even missing a quality chance deep into the first half.
Wilshere's fitness has been brought into serious debate in the last few days after the Englishman admitted that following the conclusion of the season, he wanted to play for the England U-21 in the European Championships, despite already being an established English international.
With Wilshere boasting over 40 appearances this season, and more set to follow, participating in the U-21 European Championship puts the teenage star at a bigger risk to injury. However it seemed evident against Rovers that Wilshere is in need of a bigger rest now and may require one in the upcoming encounters that Arsenal face.
There is sufficient depth the replace Wilshere with the likes of Denilson, Abou Diaby and of course Aaron Ramsey, adequate replacements, but will Wenger take the risk.
6. Wenger Needs to Start Marouane Chamakh More Often
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Many may have forgotten that during the first half of the season, when Arsenal's attack and forward line failed to feature star strikers Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner due to injury, that Summer signing Marouane Chamakh's presence and contribution were immense. As Wenger's only fit striker, the Moroccan took on the lone striker role week in week out for the opening months, scoring a hugely impressive ten goals.
The 27-year-old's work rate was easily the most appealing and eye catching trait of the former Bordeaux sharpshooter as Arsenal's attack thrived under Chamakh's tireless running and physical approach. However the return of Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner in mid-December has resulted in Chamakh's game time decreasing significantly.
Robin van Persie superb form since 2011 has ensured the Dutchman has consistently started as the lone striker ultimately disregarding Chamakh to short substitute stints and the occasional FA Cup start. The most notable factor of this has been not only Chamakh's lack of goals, one in 2011, but the African star's distinct lack of confidence.
Whilst recent weeks suggest that Chamakh's form is rapidly returning which can only benefit the Arsenal attack, Chamakh is still failing to start consistently, rarely featuring in the Gunners recent demise. What is also notable is that Chamakh's imposing presence and physical approach, coupled with his impressive skill and balance, would of been greatly beneficial during the recent stalemates Arsenal are enduring.
With Wenger's full backs often utilizing crosses from flanks, Arsenal rarely score and after van Persie missed a number of headed chances against Blackburn, it is becoming more obvious that Arsenal need more of Marouane Chamakh's contributions.
5. Bacary Sagna's Crossing Is Getting Worse and Worse
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There is no denying that Bacary Sagna is one of Arsenal's, EPL and World Football's most consistent and respected players. Week in week out the right back displays performances of the highest defensive calibre, as well as maintaining sublime fitness, often playing over 40 games a season for the Gunners.
Furthermore Sagna's work ethic is always admired, the Frenchman completes an outstanding amount of defensive and attacking work for Arsenal. Never shy to surge down the right flank, continually contributing with strong runs and natural pace, the 28-year-old is a handful for his counterparts.
However one thing that has always come under slight concern for Sagna is his crossing. The former Auxerre defender's erratic and wayward crossing is often overlooked as Arsenal predominantly score there goals with pin point ground passing and supreme movement. But there is no denying that crosses feature heavily in Wenger's attack and constantly Sagna fails to deliver. This was highlighted a number of times against Blackburn with some shaky efforts.
Granted too often at times the Arsenal attackers are tentative to approach the high ball with vigour and aggression but if Sagna's crossing is to improve then the Arsenal attack will rise even further.
4. Wenger Needs to Revert to a 4-4-2 Against More Physical, Defensive Teams
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Blackburn's defending and behind the ball play was superb as they managed to restrict Arsenal despite the North London giants boasting heavy possession. This often the case when the Gunners take on the more physical sides in the Premier League, such as Sunderland, Stoke City and Birmingham City.
With Arsenal thriving on pace and incisive passing alongside quick movement, the more forceful sides impose there power onto the Arsenal attack which has the tendency to pay off. With Wenger utilizing a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, which have a lone striker and a more defensive midfield, the Arsenal attack can sometimes struggle against the less attacking natured teams.
Arsenal last three EPL encounters have highlighted this after a 0-0 draw with Sunderland, 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion and of course the 0-0 Blackburn match. With Wenger boasting three imposing forwards at his disposal in Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh, utilizing a 4-4-2 allows the Gunners to contain and handle the more defensive minded sides and enabling a stronger aerial threat.
The formation does not decrease or restrict the always present speed of Arsenal's attack with the likes of Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri still able to play as wing roles whilst Fabregas or Wilshere or Song dictate the attack.
3. Theo Walcott Should Be Given a Second Striker or More Central Role
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The return of Theo Walcott was a huge boost for the Arsenal attack after the Englishman was absent for more than a month with an ankle injury, missing the whole of the Gunners horrific demise. The 22-year-old's devastating pace was a big asset to the Gunners as it tormented the Blackburn backline in the opening half.
Walcott did struggle to impose himself in the second half with lack of fitness still a factor due to his return. The English international often looked the most likeliest source of a break through as his runs down the wing cut open the Rover's defence. However to often the Englishman found himself at the byline but was unable to produce a clinical pass or have space to orchestrate.
It raised a concern whether Wenger needs to shift Walcott's pace to a more central role to enable a stronger, quicker route to goals. The English star is blessed with a decisive shot but it is rarely exposed due to defenders eager to shut down Walcott as quickly as possible.
With Wenger running through the middle with balls from Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas it very may well establish a superb goal path.
2. Andrei Arshavin Should Be Kept Regardless of How Arsenal's Season Ends
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It hasn't been the best of seasons for Andrei Arshavin as lapses in form and confidence have frustrated the Arsenal fans. Occasional brilliance followed by lazy displays coupled with more brilliance has been a heavy feature for the Russian which has resulted with on and off disputes over his future at the Emirates.
Arshavin was easily one of the better plays for Arsenal as he tried endlessly to create chances. The Russian even aided his defenders with some impressive back tracking when Blackburn found themselves on the counter attack.
Wenger is well aware of the brilliance and impact Arshavin possess and if Arsenal are to continue as genuine title threats for the rest of the season and the following campaign, the Russian captain needs to be present.
Although it may restrict upcoming youngsters Carlos Vela, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Ryo Miyaichi, Arshavin's impact when starting and when coming on as a substitute is invaluable. The Russian's stunning efforts against Barcelona and West Bromwich Albion in the last few months emphasis the importance of Arshavin's presence.
With added competition for places it is sure to force Arshavin to constantly be at his best or risk struggling for game time, if Wenger can instill a more consistent attitude to his Russian dynamo than Arsenal will be well served.
1. Arsenal Do Not Deserve to Win the EPL
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It is plain and simple. 2010/2011 has seen Manchester United and Arsenal emerge as the main title contenders for the English Premier League honours but United have shown they are much more deserving of the title than Arsenal.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men for large parts, similar to Arsenal, have not conveyed the highest standard of football this season but the main difference to the Gunners is that United always managed to find the desired result. Unlike Wenger's side which constantly attack but to no avail, United have dug deep in a number of performance and achieved victory despite playing poorly or being behind by a considerable margin.
There ability to deal with injuries, maintain composure and break through with momentum against them separates them from Arsenal and one cannot say that Arsenal deserve to win the English Premier League.
