Arsenal: Lets Get Some Perspective on the Season so Far and the Liverpool Match

Being an Arsenal fan hasn’t been easy over the summer. The club promised so much during the transfer window and it would be an understatement to say that they failed to deliver what the fans expected.

But what’s been most irritating and painful to see is the constant criticism and predictions of doom made this summer. Predictions of Arsenal finishing outside the top four are frequent ahead of every season for the past few years.

But with the departure of Cesc Fabregas and with the imminent departure of Samir Nasri, critics have reached fever pitch with many finally seeing this as the season in which Arsenal drop and their legendary manager, Arsene Wenger leaves.

Ahead of the start of the season with Fabregas and Nasri not there in the squad and with some of the squad’s main needs still needing addressing, Arsenal were not prime contenders to qualify for the Champions League next season.

So far this season, there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Gunners’ fans. Sure there was the 1-0 win over Udinese in the Champions League qualifier but the margin of the win means that Arsenal have still plenty of work to do back in Italy and with the Gunners’ attack misfiring, fans will be extremely nervous about the second leg.

Arsenal’s English Premier League campaign too has been another major disappointment. Arsenal drew their first match against Newcastle amidst controversial circumstances as they had a penalty denied and were reduced to 10 men at the same venue where they let a four goal lead slip last season.

Arsenal’s second match, their first home game of the season against the rejuvenated Liverpool too ended in disappointment as the Gunners crashed to a 2-0 home defeat.

On the face of it, the defeat seems a shocking result, a real poor one. But in reality it wasn’t all that bad and it is far better than what has been portrayed in the media.

There is no doubt that the Gunners should win their home matches if they want to go far this season and while losing their first home match is never a good thing, there were positives to take away from the match, especially considering the fact that the Gunners were missing several youngsters and two teenagers made their full Premier League debut with another playing close to 75 minutes.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal have had contrasting summers this year. In case of Liverpool, it has been all positive. With a large influx of players including the talented Jose Enrique, Steward Downing and Charlie Adam, Kenny Dalglish has assembled a squad capable of earning a top four spot and there has been plenty of positivity vibrating around Anfield ahead of the season.

The same however cannot be said of Arsenal who have been looking ragged for sometime now and while it is still early days, the media has portrayed an image of Arsenal being on the verge of collapse.

Ahead of the match, most would have fancied Liverpool. Arsenal’s chances did no good when star midfielder and teenage sensation, Jack Wilshere was ruled out. Despite his young age, he is a key player for the Gunners whose importance is only doubled with the departure of Fabregas.

Arsenal were also missing key players, Alex Song and summer signing Gervinho, both of whom were handed three match bans in the aftermath of Arsenal’s match against Newcastle.

With Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou and Armand Traore all injured, Arsenal gave summer signing Carl Jenkinson his first start of the season. Emmanuel Frimpong came in place of Song. Arsenal’s youthful team with hardly any bench strength and with Liverpool having plenty of the same, most gave Arsenal very little or no chance.

Arsenal’s chances were done no good when Laurent Koscielny was substituted after a mere 16 minutes, with Ignasi Miquel coming in his place. Miquel, the Reserve team captain has made just two starts for the senior team, both coming against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. It is safe to say that he is the 5^th choice defender at the club and possibly 6^th choice if one takes Kyle Bartley into consideration.

Arsenal’s defense is often criticized especially following its poor showing towards the end of last season. However this season prior to the Liverpool match, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen had done brilliantly in the two matches conceding no goals and looking very solid on set pieces.

So when Koscielny was substituted, alarm bells started to ring in the minds of several Gunners’ fans as Arsenal’s defense now had Jenkinson and Miquel, both making their Premier League debut.

It wouldn’t have surprised me one bit had Liverpool scored a couple of goals especially since Carroll was starting.

But despite injuries and suspensions, the Gunners performed remarkably, as they played their hearts out, epitomizing spirit and courage throughout the match. The youngsters all put in extremely hard working and spirited shifts.

It was interesting to note that on a day in which some of Arsenal’s more experienced campaigners namely Robin van Persie, Andrei Arshavin, Theo Walcott let them down the youngsters including Szczesny stepped up their game and gave Arsenal a fair chance of winning the game.

All three caught my eye but the best performance was from young defensive midfielder, Frimpong. An injury last season meant that he had to watch from the sidelines as his much awaited breakthrough was put on hold. After impressing once again in pre-season he was expected to play a role this season. No one however could have expected such an early entry into the lineup as Song’s suspension threw him into the fray as early as the second match of the season.

Needless to say he didn’t disappoint. Some might say that he let the team down with his red card that eventually proved to be the turning point as Liverpool scored two late goals to win the match.

Prior to his sending off, Frimpong put in a whole hearted display that showed what all the hype was about. Frimpong’s biggest asset is his fantastic work rate and robust style of play, a style suited to Arsenal’s new pressing game. He rarely backed down from any challenge and wasn’t bossed around by the Liverpool midfield that included Lucas, Adam and Downing.

Frimpong did however get sent off in the 72^nd minute and following his sending off, the Gunners conceded two goals. While his first booking was a tad unfortunate and was in my opinion not meriting a yellow card, there are no such qualms about his second yellow card, which might have even merited a red card on any other day.

His second booking was a direct result of enthusiasm and this is one aspect of his game he will have to curb. There is no doubt that this kid has the obvious quality to become a huge hit for the Gunners and experience and playing time will only improve his game. His red card is no cause for worry as there was always a chance of this happening, considering his style of play.

In Frimpong the Gunners have a more than able back up to Song and while some see him as good enough to usurp Song this season itself, that remains to be seen. Whether he beats Song to a spot in the starting line up only time will tell, but there is no doubt that the Gunners have another fierce midfielder in their ranks.

Ignasi Miquel was another player who performed much better than most Gunners’ fans would have expected. The youngster is highly rated but being thrown in against Liverpool is no easy task and he performed remarkably well. Aerially he was a bit poor winning just two out of his six duels but considering he was coming up against Andy Carroll that was understandable.

Arsenal experienced how deadly Carroll can be as he scored Newcastle’s winner at the Emirates last season but this time around they kept the big man quiet as he got just one clear cut chance on goal, which too he spurned.

Another youngster who made a mark was Carl Jenkinson. Playing in the right back role, he did look a little suspect at times but made a couple of valuable interceptions and doesn’t mind getting close to the attacker when he is defending.

He looks to be a solid prospect for the Gunners and this performance, building up from where he left off against Udinese will only further his growing reputation among Arsenal fans.

These three youngsters did a tremendous job filling in and should an injury crisis arise, they should that they provide decent replacements who can be counted upon.

There is no doubt that this was a disappointing match. But let us see some of the positives in the match. Considering the injuries and suspensions that have hit the Gunners this was a far more mature performance that exemplified the spirit and dedication of the Gunners including their youngsters.

Some may see this as an excuse, but the fact is that the Gunners did extremely well for the squad they had at their disposal.

Arsenal’s season so far has been portrayed as a complete a disaster, a shambolic mess and while it has no way met expectations, it is not the disaster that it has been described as. A mixture of suspensions, injuries have prevented the Gunners from fielding a full strength lineup even once this season.

But one thing the game against Liverpool did show was a lack of quality depth. While the performance with the squad at hand was commendable, the Gunners shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place and for that signings have to be there.

Wenger has promised signings and while he hasn’t delivered yet, he still has time to make the signings the club requires desperately. And that includes signing a proven creative midfielder and not just one but two to make up for the loss of Nasri and Fabregas.

Eden Hazard of Lille is one player who has been massively linked to the club and he is a signing that I believe has to be made. He is easily one of the best players in France right now if not the best. Marvin Martin looks to be another solid player and he too has been linked with the club.

A striker should be signed and while Zarate has been linked with the club, validity of the rumors still remain in doubt.

Right now the priority should be Champions League qualification and if the club manages that, it removes a burden of their back and also ensures an influx of cash into the club.

Many have been quick to ring alarm bells at Arsenal but while the Gunners have failed to meet the mark, their performances haven’t been all that shambolic and has been decent.

There is still hope for the Gunners with the right signings and if Champions League qualification is guaranteed and the signings are made there is nothing to prevent Arsenal from competing for the top honors this season.