Go Nicklas, go!

 

It’s been exactly 97 days since I last wrote a post on our beloved site. Since then heaps have happened. You know the drill; the litany of painful woes that have become the hallmark of Arsenal in the past six seasons.

How we capitulated to relegation-bound Birmingham City in the Carling Cup finals; how we threw away a perceived “easy” fixture run-in that would have saw us challenge realistically for the title; how we capitulated before Messi and co @ the Nou Camp; how we slumped from nearly-winners, to a fourth place finish behind Manchester City – the first time to my knowledge we finished below the blue-clad Mancunians.

It has been 90days of pain, again and again. Since we limped over the finish line at the end of the season two months back, we’ve been forced to listen to Ivan Gazidis plead for patience and understanding of Arsene Wenger and his bunch – not forgetting to promise that this offseason, there would be lots of players’ movements.

Well, “lots of movement” was neither clarified as to which direction the players would be moving. So far, we’ve seen two move into the club and two move out. Very balanced indeed. Unknown Carl Jenkinson of the ninja-own goal and Gervinho have moved in, while Gael Clichy and Denilson have been offloaded. Gervinho apart, there hasn’t been much cause for cheer for this lateral movement. Clichy and Denilson surely had their numbers up and there definitely aren’t any tears shed for those duo.

It is however the curious case of one Nicklas Bendtner that bothers me. Clearly, he isn’t part of Wenger’s plans anymore after three years of absolute torture watching him fumble his way through games. We’ve heard that teams like Hamburg are interested in him (good luck to them) but nothing has happened to stir the blood so far.

Why isn’t he off the books yet? Despite their apparent inefficiency and lack of skills, it is becoming a pattern to see mediocre players become reluctant to leave when they are shown the door from the club. Even when they have burnt their bridges and thrown mud on both the name of the club and Wenger, we still see them getting icy feet when its exit time.

Bendtner (with the able assistance of his manger-dad),raved and ranted all season-long about how he was fed-up with warming the bench and how he was too good not to command an automatic shirt. One would have thought he had already signed, sealed and delivered his talents to another club elsewhere and was just waiting for the transfer window to creak open and he’ll be gone.

Same applied to Denilson, who was effectively and permanently shoved aside by the glittering talents of Jack Wilshire all of last season. He vented his anger late in the season when all hope of silverware was gone by announcing that he embarrassed he was to be part of a trophyless team and couldn’t wait to zoom away from the wasteland that was Emirates Stadium.

Well, two months into the much-awaited window and with no club falling over themselves for his unattractive signature, he’s been “loaned back” – whatever that means – to his former club for a season. Let’s hope that’s the last we see of him.

With the improvement of and promotion of returning-Aaron Ramsey, we look well-stocked in the middle of the park.

The likes of Bendtner, Eboue, Almunia and if I may add, Tomas Rosicky have done enough damage and contributed heaps to our trophy drought. The earlier they sign-out and leave us alone, the better for us all Gooners.

Move it Nicklas. If you are that good, why hang around?

Braga 2 Arsenal 0

It wasn’t a game of too many chances as both teams clearly lacked ideas upfront. We were however more dominant as the possession count showed but when it mattered most about putting the ball into net, there was no one brave enough to do the deed.

Fabregas departed in the 62nd minute after stretching and hurting his hamstring for a Nicklas Bendtner lofted pass inside Braga’s eighteen yard box.
Wenger rung the changes by introducing Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and later, Carlos Vela, but it was the hosts that got the breakthrough, when an 83rd minute counter attack left our defence flatfooted, allowing the speedy Mattheus to beat Fabianski from close range.
Vela was cut down in the box for a legitimate penalty shout in the 82nd minute, but the Hungarian referee instead said he dived and booked him. In stoppage time, another counter off a failed Denilson tackle, saw Mattheus run at our backpedalling defence before smashing the clincher high into the roof, off the bar. It was the last kick of a forgettable game and a dismal week all round.
To add to our misery, Fabregas and Eboue picked up injuries that rule them out of contention in the near future.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1332450/Braga-2-Arsenal-0-Matheus-stuns-Gunners-late-double-Cesc-Fabregas-limps-hamstring-injury.html


Below are the ratings for the game:
• Fabianski (5/10) – It’s five goals conceded now in two games for him and all the accolades and glowing performances of the past six weeks are now almost distant memories. Wasn’t troubled at all in the first half but when called upon to stand up and make saves in the dieing minutes, he couldn’t. Not at fault for the goals, but not excusable either. With the imminent return of Manuel Almunia from injury, his position will surely now come under x-ray.
• Eboue (6/10) – For some reason, he wasn’t his usual overlapping and confident self. Got beaten easily on a couple of occasions in the first half, forcing him into needless tackles that earned a caution in the 30th minute. Did averagely in the absence of Bacary Sagna but the injury to him will now put him out of the picture as we head into a very busy time of the season. Unlucky injury it must be said and somehow, being forced to play ten men in the last ten minutes, contributed to the goals we conceeded.
• Squillaci (6/10) – He did his usual best to contain the threat of the Portuguese particularly their big frontman, Lima. Was at sea for both goals and the pace of Mattheus was clearly too much for him. Probably his worst game for us so far.
• Djourou (8/10) – Despite the goals conceded, I still rate him as our best player on the night. His high confidence levels were apparent as he did everything with an air of assurance at the back. Tackled and defended with authority beyond his years and I personally never saw him put a foot wrong all night. His passing is also top of the range as he found those in front of him with accurate distribution. I’m hoping he avoids the injuries that have blighted his career so far because from the evidence of the season so far, he has a big, big future. Sadly, his record of never being on the losing side all season, ended last night.
• Gibbs (7/10) – Put in a tidy and accomplished display. His defending isn’t up there yet with the best but he’s getting there. Wasn’t ruffled at all and overlapped like his superior, Gael Clichy. One particular move where he beat three Braga defenders in the first half will stick in the memory for long and maybe, maybe he has a future as winger.
• Denilson (6/10) – Still not convinced about the defensive qualities of this bloke. He was supposed to fill in for Alex Song but if the truth be told, no one in this team can match the tough tackling Camerounian. He tried his utmost though but his inability to shield the ball led directly to the second goal after he was robbed by Mattheus. Not a convincing performance by any yardstick.
• Wilshire (6/10) – He started in his usual role beside the defensive midfielder and did his usual best. He was never over awed and of all our players, he was the one with the most fighting spirit. Never shirked a tackle and while with the ball, was neat, tidy and compact. Linked well with his fellow midfielders but all the things he tried did not come off.
• Rosicky (4/10) – A very disappointing night for the Czech playmaker. More annoying is how easily he is bullied off the ball. I couldn’t remember one instance where he held onto the ball long enough without being stripped of it with so much ease. I know he’s lacking in inches but for God’s sake, can’t he stand on his feet?! Very frustrating.
• Fabregas (6/10) – Not a happy night for the captain. Considering all the pre-match talk about resting his hamstring, was surprised to see him lead the team out. Eventually, after running around like a headless chicken for an hour, his night ended early with a damaged hamstring. So far, no one is certain when we’ll see him again as he succumbs to another spell on the sidelines.
• Walcott (7/10) – No one could fault him on account of effort even if there wasn’t much end product to point at. Took up position on his usual right hand flank and troubled the Braga defence from there. Had two good attempts at goal in the first half but poor marksmanship robbed him of any crack at the target. Started the second half with a fine freekick that kissed the roof of the Braga goal but faded soon after before eventually being replaced by Vela.
• Bendtner (5/10) – Did nothing of note. Considering all his protestations in the press about being dropped to the bench, you would have expected him to seize this chance with both hands. Failed to have a single shot at goal and it was curious seeing him receiving balls in the midfield and way, way behind the attack. Can’t see why anyone would lose sleep if he departs as he seems to enjoy threatening he would. Not surprised to see him substituted.


Substitutes
• Nasri (5/10) – Came on in th 69th for the injured Fabregas but the game seemed to pass him by. Couldn’t impose his refreshing style on proceedings and lacked ideas around the opponents’ area.
• Chamakh (5/10) – Came on in the 76th for the ineffective Bendtner but couldn’t make hay as there was little or no service from the midfield.
• Vela (5/10) – In a crisis (as was the case last night), he is definitely not the man to call upon. Hardly troubled their defence and instead played himself into a huge, talking point by drawing a tackle in the eighteen yard which rightly, ought to have been a straight forward penalty. Instead, he was booked for diving and that was the end of his contribution for the night.


Everything that could go wrong, went wrong for us on the night and it was a game that did little to erase the disappointment of the Tottenham loss. The only news of joy for all Gunners however was happening 1,200 kms aways at our own ground where Aaron Ramsey was returning to action on the pitch for the first time since March when he was almost cut in two by the thuggish Ryan Shawcross.
Ramsey played for 45minutes in a friendly against Wolves reserves which obviously means he’s over the traumatic injury that almost ended his bright career. Hoping to see him rejoin the present campaign and help steady a listing ship.