Arsène Wenger has made a reputation for himself as the man who is
always looking the other way when things go wrong.
When asked about any indiscretion on the part of his Arsenal players, the elegant Frenchman dances around the issue by saying: ”From where I was I did not see that,” a Nelson’s-blind-eye flaw that has entered footballing folklore in his seven years of coaching in the Premiership.
But he certainly saw enough on Tuesday night, when Arsenal were demolished 3-1 by Bayern Munich. His post-match comments betray a real disappointment of the type Wenger rarely displays.
He said: ”It was a very bad night. I was disappointed by the quality of our performance. It was very bad —certainly our worst in my seven years here in the Champions League.”
And there have been plenty of poor performances in the Champions League from the Gunners, even during seasons where they have sat proudly on top of the Premiership. This season, trailing in third behind Manchester United and runaway leaders Chelsea, a performance of this nature was almost to be expected from this team.
With Dennis Bergkamp refusing to fly to Germany, defensive rock Sol Campbell injured and Ashley Cole struggling for fitness and a new club, Wenger can hardly be surprised. By persevering with Pascal Cygan and breaking goalkeeper Jens Lehmann’s confidence with a mid-season spell in the reserves, he has also been the architect of his own demise.
This Arsenal side has looked fragile ever since Manchester United ended the 49-match unbeaten run earlier in the season with a 2-0 win that took the wind out of the Gunners, who have been becalmed ever since.
For every crushing win over Premiership paupers, there has been a staggering reverse — against Liverpool, Bolton and there was the draw against Southampton, who they play on Saturday.
Last week’s failure to overcome Sheffield United at home was hardly an FA Cup glory day.
There’s an end-of-an-era feel to Arsenal now. When we see Thierry Henry, Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Freddy Ljungberg or Robert Pires produce their increasingly rare magic, there’s a nostalgic air to it. Even the younger guys, Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Touré, Mathieu Flamini and certainly Jose ”Real Madrid” Reyes give the impression that Arsenal may be a stepping stone to bigger things.
Wenger insisted on Tuesday after the blundering Touré had partially restored his reputation with a late away goal: ”The only positive note is that we should be out and we are still in. In this job, you have good and bad nights. This was a bad night — but I still have confidence in the quality of my players, as well as their spirit and desire.”
But he followed that with this very interesting statement: ”There is enough time for crying. I could cry —maybe it would be easier — but life goes on.”
It does, but for how long. A new 60 000 Emirates stadium awaits Arsenal. But while the Gunners pump millions into bricks and mortar, their rivals throw around huge cheques buying the building blocks of modern football: top-class players.
Sure, Arsenal always underperform in Europe. But I reckon Tuesday might just be the night we saw the last of the Invincible Gunners.
Wenger needs to make huge changes at centrehalf, with the luckless Cygan and Touré failing; in midfield, where the injured Edu limped off to add further misery to a confusing season; and up front, where Henry’s petulance becomes increasingly difficult to accept. And the goalkeeper? What goalkeeper?
Anyway, enough of this maudlin stuff, here’s the weekend predictions:
Aston Villa vs Everton
The FA Cup defeat at the hands of Manchester United was over-shadowed by the behaviour of the Everton fans, and rightly so. Last weekend saw a real lurch back to the bad old days of the English Disease. Still, Villa may just be able to exploit the hangover left by that disappointing exit.
Verdict: Villa 2 Everton 0
Palace vs Birmingham
Steve Bruce would love to return to one of his old stamping grounds and roar to victory. Birmingham are, by rights, a much bigger club than Palace. But Ian Dowie has every right to believe his side could be the only one of the three promoted teams to stay up. Just. And it’s games like this that could save them.
Verdict: Palace 1 Birmingham 0
Man Utd vs Pompey
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s threatened return could dominate this one, but whether the long-faced Dutchman plays or not, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Alan ”Remember me” Smith should have the firepower to demolish Portsmouth. But only if Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, the titanic trio behind United’s resurgence, provide the ammunition.
Verdict: United 4 Portsmouth 1
Saints vs Arsenal
Having said all that about Arsenal, I can’t see them losing at St Mary’s, although Harry Redknapp’s men need every point they can muster. The midweek 0-0 draw with West Brom did nobody any good. Be interesting to see if Wenger makes huge changes for this one— it’s almost got to the stage where the FA Cup is Arsenal’s only hope of silverware.
Verdict: Southampton 1 Arsenal 1
Tottenham vs Fulham
Classic London derby this, with Spurs still holding on to the idea of a Martin Jol resurgence and Fulham pretending they’re still a major Premiership force. Spurs will go places under Jol; Fulham’s long decline began the moment Mohammed al Fayed began his dispute with Jean Tigana two years ago. Even Andy Cole, Chris Coleman’s most astute signing, won’t be enough.
Verdict: Spurs 1 Fulham 0
Boro vs Charlton
The battle of the Premiership’s nearly men should go Middlesbrough’s way. Steve McClaren has more strength in depth and Charlton are coming off the back of a nasty FA Cup shock. Alan Curbishley is a master at keeping Charlton punching above their weight, but this season there have been times when the lack of depth and investment have undermined his best efforts.
Verdict: Boro 1 Charlton 0
Newcastle vs Bolton
Last week’s epic FA Cup win over Chelsea will have taken a lot out of Newcastle, despite the fact they were playing nine men — and only about seven of them fit — by the end of that 1-0 win. Bolton are unbeaten in 10 and Sam Allardyce’s foreign legion could silence the Toon.
Verdict: Newcastle 0 Bolton 0