For years and years we talked about the tipping point—or at least I wondered about it. That tipping point in which people would grow disillusioned, the point where the fairy tale ends with Wenger.
I think it’s happened folks.
The most rational of people will probably tell you that they respect the man, even like him, but have lost faith in his ability to really move the club forward. The more emotional people will…well—they’ll say stuff.
It’s a match day and I don’t have that smile on my face that I usually have when it’s a match day. That smile when I tell myself Arsenal is playing and I’m excited to watch. Maybe it’s just me. It would be silly to assume everyone else feels the same, but I think I mirror the feelings of most people.
Leicester dropped points yesterday and the truth is while a lot of us are disillusioned, we really could still mount a challenge. A win will put us within 3 points of the Foxes and if we can actually get our acts together and win at WHL at the weekend, then we’re definitely in with a shout. So while mathematically all this is still possible, it’s the emotional side of things with which there’s a problem, I just don’t have the faith anymore.
It could restored though. Two wins, two good performances and I really think people will feel some hope again—at least I will.
In terms of team news we know we’re without Oxlade Chamberlain and the manager has hinted at resting Danny Welbeck who has played a lot for someone just back from injury, so maybe a start from the bench. It would be interesting to see who he goes with.
Gabriel had a shocker against United so you wonder if Mertesacker will come back in or the manager will show faith and retain him as it’s always possible to have a bad game. In midfield I wonder if it’s possible for Arsene to move Ramsey to the right and maybe partner Elneny and Coquelin. On the right hand side things are tricky.
Oxlade Chambelain is injured, I really don’t think Walcott should touch that spot with a ten foot pole, so what to do? I think our only options are Joel Campbell or Aaron Ramsey or if we’re looking at a decision out of left field we could go with Iwobi, but I doubt Arsene will look at left field though.
I expect Giroud to start as I think Welbeck will be rested and probably unleashed again Tottenham. Then of course Ӧzil and Sanchez.
The latter is in worrying form and he’s someone who can actually drive a team towards a title and he just isn’t doing it at the moment. I wonder what it is. I think a goal and a good performance could just jar something and he could spark into life and that’s all we need.
We really need a win tonight to keep the pressure on, it’s not over yet, but we really need the team to lift us the supporters and themselves up for this.
COYG!
