This is Arsenal's defence against the United attack this afternoon.
Disgraceful.
Despicable.
No excuses, Arsene.
In fact, I have serious doubts to whether Arsene Wenger is capable of taking this football club any further.
There are several problems with today's performance, which I'm going to bullet point below.
- Down 1-0, Andrey Arshavin played in Theo Walcott, who was tugged down by Johnny Evans, to give Arsenal a penalty. Arsenal, up to this point, had barely had a kick. In fact, Peter Drury correctly pointed out that De Gea didn't have a save to make. With so few experienced, first team players, you'd expect the captain, Robin van Persie, to score the penalty, but he didn't. It was one of the worst penalties I've ever seen, and, though Arsenal still might've been shellacked, it was a game changer.
- The other experienced players had nightmares. Armand Traore, a player with Premier League and Serie A experience, was awful. Andrey Arshavin had a chance to make it 3-2, but missed. He also could've been sent off, twice. Tomas Rosicky was ok, but not very good. Aaron Ramsey was anonymous, and at the moment, it's hard to see the player who scored against Manchester United, let alone the player before Ryan Shawcross broke his leg. In 3 Premier League games this season, Ramsey has been bad. Johan Djourou was absolutely horrendous. He was so bad that Sebastien Squillaci would've been better. His defending on the first goal was shockingly bad.
- Carl Jenkinson had a nightmare, but worse, in my opinion, was when he yelled "F**k off" to Theo Walcott, who rightly had a go at him after Walcott had to cover Patrice Evra bombing through with Jenkinson no where to be found. Jenkinson also got himself stupidly sent off; the third to be shown a red card, and the fourth to receive a suspension.
- Finally, you Arsene Wenger. The tactics deployed today were awful. With a back four that had never played together, you decide to play a high line. That's alright if pressure is placed on United, but there was no pressure. United's pace and high tempo was too much for Arsenal. Time and time again, United played over the Arsenal back 4. It was terrible defending, it was terrible tactics. Arsenal should've played deeper, and played on the counter attack. And Arsenal's defence has been like that for a long time now. When there's no pressure, it's too easy. How many times do we have to see the same thing? Wenger may be a good finder of talent, but tactician he's not. Alex Ferguson would not have been that naive.
- Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny played well.
- Our away fans are awesome.
- United were missing Mssrs Carrick, Vidic, Valencia, Rafael and Ferdinand was only fit on the bench. All would've got into today's Arsenal team. United's squad is excellent. Ours is awful. Even if United were missing the amount that we were today, their squad would've been strong enough. That's why 3 signings isn't enough. It has to be 4 or 5.
- United's squad was the same age as ours. We don't have the young talent and potential anymore as an excuse.