Just
when you thought you had seen it all at the White Hart Lane when Manchester
City destroyed Tottenham HotSpur 5-1 something was about to happen at the
theatre of dreams as their neighbours Manchester United tore apart Arsenal by 8
goals to 2. The talking point will certainly be about that game at Old Trafford
with Wenger and his team coming under deepest scrutiny.
In the earlier Man City were great on
the day and their riches seem to be starting
to pay off with their striker Edin Dzeko scoring 4 goals also making it his
first Premier League hat trick. Lately City had been criticized for letting
their opponents hit back when they were leading but their killer instinct was
really superb against the North Londoners. It was also interesting to see the
new signing Samir Nasri walking into the starting XI and the French man looked
comfortable with his new team mates as he made vital assists.
Arsenal misery continued when they were
handed their worst defeat by the Red Devils at the Old Trafford and with
striker Wayne Rooney taking his Premier League goals to 107.
Heading into the match with eight
players missing due suspensions and injuries it was always going to be
difficult but who would have thought about 8 goals before kick-off.
Arsenal back four were all over the
place and they were often found wanting. It showed that the team need a centre
back before the transfer window closes because if what we saw is anything to go
by, then pain and anguish will be the order of the day at the Emirates.
Careless needless free kicks were given just outside the box and Rooney
punished them. Another Arsenal player was sent off (Carl Jenkinson) after fouling
Javier Hernandez meaning the Gunners have collected more red cards than points
in this campaign.
The season is still young but the
performance against United has certainly raised questions about Wenger and his
team’s ability to win some silverware. Their transfer policy will be
questioned, during this summer the club have sold Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri
but to the surprise of many they have not been replaced by quality players. One
would have to ask what Arsenal is doing with the money that they have cashed up
from those two deals. They wanted Juan Mata but Chelsea was quick to move and
got the Spaniard in their books.
The club have a health financial status
as they try to play within the boundaries of the new Financial Fair Play but
that does not seem to be benefiting them on the field of play. The likes of
Barcelona are in debt but they know the importance of having a good squad on
the field despite their not so good finances.
Two billionaires are on board for the North London club and they will
have to spend. But wait a minute, in the post-match, Wenger said whenever you
lose in the Premier League people say you have to buy new players and he
pointed out that people have to remember that they have injuries and
suspensions.
They have few days to reinvent the squad
but judging by those post-match comments it seems Wenger and the board will be
not spending with two days left before the transfer market closes. The
international break is upon us, imagine if a player like Robin van Persie comes
limping off from national duty or if some of the key players also get injured
while the transfer market has closed it’s going to be horrible.
In their next games they face Swansea
City, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers. They will have to win but
with young players mixed together,
injuries and suspensions it’s going to get harder before it gets any easier for
the for Mr Arsene Wenger and the
Gunners.
What
do you think is the solution for Arsenal?
By Terence Mthembu
By Terence Mthembu
