Saturday, 11 March 2017

Arsene's Arsenal Nadir & Lincoln Preview

      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.
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

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