Hleb and Ade got a rest because they look absolutely done in - have done for weeks. Cesc can't have a rest because we would probably have lost today. Its been the same for at least a season. Cesc is the only midfielder we can rely on to a)play week in/out and b)create something a bit different. Cesc is trying to play the passing midfielder and the Dennis role - its painful to watch as he is under so much pressure to perform every game.
As for the crowd - can't really complain I think they felt how some of the rest of us feel, the writings on the wall and has been since Brum. Early kick offs a disappointing Champs Leage performance (against the same team, train strike, team selection etc probably didn't add much either!
Wenger said this was his most important and testing period at the club at the beginning of the week. I think that's true because the squad depth is really being exposed now. We may still get through on Tuesday night, but the league has been up for a while and Arsene needs to look at his over reliance on his 'kids' and lack of
spending in the summer - we all know January is a shit time to buy.
If this is the wake up call that prompts some realistic purchases in the summer that prove we are serious in bridging the gap between the tremendous quality we alredy have and the potential in the reserve team then for me it will be sort of worth it - as worth it as blowing a lead so tremendously always is
We have never properly replaced the goals that Bobby gave us and since Dennis and TH14 have gone (not to mention Reyes/Baptista
) we have been lacking options upfront, RVP is supreme but lets face it, do you really rely on him as a first choice striker for next season? Ade has done fantastic but has run the line for five months pretty much on his own. Bendtner looks a long way off, and Eduardo will not be back to his potential until Summer 2009.
Hleb has flattered and has at times been mesmerising, but since Xmas running on empty and back to his frusttrating first/second season ness. Rosicky is a joke and as I have said on here before alledgedly has a recurring injury that was not diagnosed properly. Therefore we have had to suffer Eboue and Diaby trying to do something they aint - wingers - when we need some goals to take the heat of Ade and Cesc. On top of that we have Theo who if we're honest has only flickered - sure he is starting to flicker more now and deserves his chance in the run in.
So here's looking to the boys giving their last to the cause on Tuesday - we have that fighting spirit in their but dont think we can do two matches a week for the above reasons. We cant fail (almost) to finish in the top four now so lets have a crack at Pool and then cross our fingers that we get no more injuries/suspensions.
The summer will be very interesting - could be frustrating as even if AW gets his chequebook out it could well be after the Euro's - wonder how long Cesc will have off between end of Euro's and potential CL qulaifying
Anyway, that's got that off my chest - I will duck for cover now
)
