We Just Can't Get Over the Hump

Sisyphus Just Couldn't Win Either

Well that rather sucked didn't it. Coming off the high of winning while those above us lost, Arsenal began the New Year with a loss of its own at Craven Cottage. Arsenal went into the game after having just played Saturday,as did Fulham, hoping to take advantage of the Top Three dropping points. After rising to fourth place on Monday, winning would have put us only six points behind the League Leaders. But, alas it was not to be. Like the sinner Sisyphus from Greek mythology who was condemned to Hades and punished by being made to roll a boulder up a mountain only to have it roll back down again, we seem unable to get past a certain apex. We're missing that final thrust that would catapult us permanently over the edge into the Top Four.

I'm not sure if it's a combination of lower table teams being more competitive or higher level teams being less so. All the top four have had upsets including the supposedly meteoric Manchester City. For us though, I suspect one cannot ignore the lack of offensive prowess the last few weeks. The December 3rd match against Wigan was the last time we won comfortably. That was a stroll in the park. Four different Arsenal players scored that day: Vermalean, Gervinho, Van Persie and Arteta. In that game both Arteta and Theo had assists as did RVP. Theo's form the last three games has been poor. He is wasting chances, missing sitters, and mistiming runs. Add the fact that Arteta looked dead-legged the whole second half and I think some of the explanation comes to light. Some still say Arsenal is a one-man squad. I disagree just by noting that if only two of the key players are not up to par, our game suffers.

Let's not forget we have NO FULLBACKS at the moment. Arsenal employ specialists full backs. Our left and right back positions carry the weight of not only preventing the opponent from crossing and penetrating into their final third, but they are given the task also of providing width and speed to our offense. They play the one-two's with the wings, put crosses into the box, and win corners. For the first time today (not that I always pay attention), Djourou played a one-two with Theo and provided space for Theo to make a run in because Djourou's man went with him. It's all about the movement. And as fantastic as Coco was today (my new nickname for Coquelin as my brother told me I can't call him The Coq anymore), I'd rather see him in the midfield giving Mickey a break. I think it all begs for people coming back from injury, shoring up the gaps in positions, perhaps losing some more dead weight, and keeping the momentum going.

Speaking of filling the gaps, as an endnote, here's the link to an article from the Guardian which quotes Podolski's agent as saying Lukas is not interested in a mid-season move. Mind you, the player himself is not quoted in the article, only his representative. The reasons given, though, are somewhat sound as as Schramm states Podolski does not want to jeopardize his place on Germany's 2012 Euro team by playing second fiddle to an in-form Van Persie. The article also discusses brings to light the fact that Arsenal's supposed 10 million pound offer is not enough because the club's sponsor get a slice of the pie, lessening Podolski's fee and the club's profit. This all could be a scheme to drive up Podolski's price tag, but my hopes are dimmer than before.

Anyway, we do get a whole week off before the FA Cup game on January 9th. Arsene would normally make a massive rotation in the squad for a Cup Match, but after a week's rest, and not another League game for six more days after that, he may play his Starting XI. The FA Cup is a competition we could win, and I don't mind him taking it seriously if our starters have gotten a good rest. After securing only seven points from four games this Holiday Season, progressing in the Cup could provide the impetus we need to get back on track.

That's it for today. I really was hoping for a better result since it's my brother Chris' birthday and all, but that boulder is heavier than it looks. Take care Gooners and talk to you tomorrow