Ok PMB is finally back and we can all go back to
our regular schedule as Nigerians sheey, except for those of us who are
currently still Arsenal fans. For us, the football nightmare continued, we have been outdone, outplayed, outmatched
and unbelievably outgunned by our own miserable selves. Its hard to describe
the gunners play these past few weeks. 4 consecutive losses on the bounce in
all competitions, out of 3 competitions, the league race, the UEFA Champions
League UCL, I honestly can’t remember the last time that has happened. Saying we
are abject and terrible is like compliments, those words feel they make Arsenal
look good, the gunners are currently that bad. Lets start with the Liverpool
game last weekend.
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| Image Credit: The UK Guardian Online |
I hate to sound like a pessimist but the
first half against Liverpool was a one way traffic, Coutinho lacking match
fitness was what kept the score line at just 2 nil by the end of the half and I
am not kidding here. He had two glorious chances to increase their tally. The
less we say of the first half, the better, Liverpool had us as bit in their
teeth…. Period. Arsenal came out in the second half much improved albeit due to
the introduction of Sanchez, who came on for a Coquelin walking on tight rope
having been booked earlier. Obviously the excuse from wenger for not starting
the Chilean would be an eye on a pretty much dead rubber Champions league game
against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. We pulled one goal back via Welbeck and
seemed like turning the game on its head, for a while there was that fleeting
hope of nicking at least a draw but, we got caught out by one of those Liverpool
counter attacks and that was good night.
10-2 on
aggregate!!!
It was always going to take a mammoth
miracle to claw back such deficit, 4 unreplied goals even if it is against a weakened
Bayern, that would be a miracle of Miracles. I heard someone saying before Tuesday
night’s game..….”watch Arsenal perform the great escape tonight”. I guess its
safe to say reality has hit in hard with a sledge hammer of 10-2!! How do I begin
to describe our collapse? Who is to blame, the players, the coach, the fans, the
board? To be honest, I just don’t know. I am that confused right now. I mean we
know we have exited the UCL at this round of 16 stage for 6 consecutive seasons
and running, but it felt like this season was going to be slightly different,
on a positive note. The team on paper
looks more balanced, with the additions this season, there is a better mix of
experience and youth while Bayern though coasting in the domestic league but
they seem a bit weaker this season. Add in the spice of the usual talk from Arsenal
about how we were ready to give Bayern a fight. And then there was that…..10-2!
On this blog we try to look at things
more objectively from a footballing perspective despite our unwavering support
for Arsenal and that’s not going to change, however we believe it’s time to
rethink our strategy in the Champion’s league especially. Qualifying for the
competition year in year out is no trophy Arsene, it’s what the BIG teams do and
while we do that, are we just qualifying to make up the numbers cuz that’s honestly
what it seems. Or how do you explain our annual race for top 4, qualify for the
UCL competition , make it through the group stage only to bow out at the round
of 16 regardless of the opposition………..for seven consecutive years. That my
friends, is an absolute SHAME on everyone, from the coach to the players to the
Arsenal BOARD!!! Nuff said.
As the saying goes lets look ahead, just
maybe we might see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, God knows
Arsene could use some feel good news. I am talking about the FA cup as the only
hope of silverware this season, yes I know what you’re thinking but hey..let’s
hope, besides it costs nothing and winning the FA cup is also better than
nothing. Arsenal welcome Lincoln City to the emirates in an FA cup quarter finals
encounter and all I ask is a win. That’s my preview, whatever team the gunners’
field, if we can’t beat Lincoln at home, then maybe Wenger should just resign
along with the entire Arsenal Board as well. Thank you. Whatever happens, I hope
you enjoy the game wherever you are…..Ciaoo
