Tik Tok, Mr. Wenger

Arsenal is out of the title race. Not exactly a new revelation, is it? Indeed this is a statement we’ve all become accustomed to in each of the past six seasons. Painful? It should be, but not as much anymore. It is now more of ‘as expected, ok’. Thinking of it, it really does hurt (me, at least) to the core.

The match against Manchester City at their Etihad Stadium was supposed to be Arsenal’s supreme test of their title credentials this season, and predictably or not, they, nay, we fell short. Full time score, 1-0 to the Citizens. The score can be flattering as it can be deceiving. After all it’s not that bad losing away by a solitary goal to the team that humiliated the Premier League champions 6-1 at their own backyard. Despite all that, I was frustrated and livid, not so much that we lost, but in the manner which did. Simply agonizing! It has become an all too adhered to script. Arsenal dominates matches, more so the big games but still and up losing.

Amid all that there are still some Arsenal fans that still think the team is still very much in the mix for the title. I don’t know what to say about that except refer you to my opening statement above. If that doesn’t sort of settle the matter, I don’t know what will. We have lost 5 matches and that’s a fact, just 3 games shy off the halfway stage of the league. The top two, City and United (both of whom we’ve lost to already) have only lost once each. It’s not that easy (actually almost impossible) to win the league having lost more than 5 games. Even worse, there are still 22 more matches to go and of course, barring an outrageously magnificent run we’re bound to be beaten on at least 3 more occasions. So in a nut-shell, that Arsenal is out of title contention is not hearsay. It’s a fact!

What beats me is how and why a team (and manager) that won the league title just seven years ago without losing even a single match cannot mount a serious title challenge each and every season after that. I mean, is it even logical? Or was the feat by the Invincibles a fluke? But no, that’s not it. Before that Arsene Wenger had won the league and cup Double on two separate occasions. What then? Is the club jinxed? If not, then who’s responsible for the slump?

Among the Arsenal supporters you’ll more often than not come across the famous ‘In Arsene We Trust’ line. As an Arsenal fan growing up, I’ve often associated myself with it with pride. It has always been an assurance that my interests are in safe hands. Not anymore. I no longer feel the same way. Instead I feel cheated, short changed and taken for a ride by the said Frenchman. In an age where I could really do with all the success that my team can muster, Arsenal has delivered none. Each season of trusting in Arsene has brought me nothing but disappointment, disgust and disillusionment. I’ve become the laughing stock of my peers. By the way in case you’re wondering, this is extremely personal. It is the lamentation of a boy turning into man battered and bruised by the glaring failures of one stubborn man, Arsene Wenger.

I know that after posting this I’m headed for endless bashing of epic proportions by the rest of the Arsene-al legion. I will be branded ‘traitor’, ‘glory hunter’, ‘hater’ and other demeaning names. Fair enough, but at least I’ll have spoken my mind. Wenger has to leave the club. It is that simple. We are no longer a ‘big club’ anymore, even by his own admission. Don’t give me the famous ‘we have a history’ line. We can’t feed off that history, can we? The fact we’ve fallen this low irks me. We now rank not only behind Man United and Chelsea, but behind Man City and Tottenham Hotspur too. Tottenham? This is hard to take. I can’t.

If ever there was a fixture that I have been absolutely sure of 3 points always (or of at least not losing), it was our North-London Derby against Spurs. Such has been the gulf in class, irrespective of the injuries in our squad. How about currently? Spurs sit pretty above Arsenal on the log by 5 points, with a match (winnable, I should say) in hand. That’s nothing compared to the fact that they’ve beaten us in 3 of the last 4 derbies in the league, with the other match being a draw where we threw a two goal cushion. Quite a far-cry, huh? I see and hear some Arsenal fans still yapping that ‘Spurs – Forever in our shadow’. Come on, this has to stop. We now are in their shadow! Let’s not fool ourselves.

The club simply isn’t moving forward! How can we be, when we sell our best players to other more ambitious clubs? How can we be, when we get stuffed 8-2 by our sworn enemies? How can we be, when we rush to buy a quartet of not-so-great players on transfer deadline day when the season is already underway? How can we, when the manager insists that there’s no need for additions in January yet the team is evidently lacking in quality and depth? And how about when our lead striker and Europe’s deadliest finisher is in title-winning form yet we are still flirting with fourth place?

Arsene Wenger has done a lot of good to the club and done a lot to transform it to the global brand that it currently is. For that, we (and I for that matter) will forever be grateful. But 15 years into the job, and you get the feeling he’s now become the club’s stumbling block to success. I tend to think 10 years in a managerial job is enough for one to have accomplished all that he ever could (leave Sir Alex Ferguson out of this). To have added 5 on top of that is a bonus. Wenger should be a gentleman and call it a day and keep unblemished his sterling reputation. Can he be replaced? No one is indispensible. I don’t want to go into the list of potential replacements now, that is talk for another day.

I wish Arsenal the very best in the remaining part of the season, hoping that we finish above Spurs in the league, win the Champions League and FA Cup and ultimately grant Le Prof a befitting send off. It’s amazing that I tend to wish for a lot. Anyway my loyalty to Arsenal should not be called into question. If I wasn’t loyal I wouldn’t have written this, let alone posting it. Come On You Gunners!

Victoria Concordia Crescit.

The Dug Out.

                

The Business End

The UEFA Champions League Knock-Out Round of 16 is out. After the ‘boys’ had been eliminated at the close of the group stage, it’s now time for the ‘men’ of European football to slug it out in the quest for glory. Indeed, we are now at the onset of the business end of Europe’s premier club competition. Let’s see how the eight pairs will fare and try to identify beforehand who will make the cut for the Quarter Finals.

AC Milan v Arsenal

Without a doubt this is the stand-out tie of the draw (how strange that Arsenal manages to get the biggest tie of the draw every year!). The impressive Italian champions were rather unlucky to be drawn in the same group as Barcelona, to whom they were always going to play second fiddle. Arsenal on the other had to navigate a tricky qualifier against another Italian side, Udinese, before being handed one of the toughest group assignments. Surprisingly the London outfit got their act together and topped the group with minimal fuss. This tie pits these giants of the European game who are finally getting their grove back after near-calamitous starts to the season. Key to this tie will be which side manages to keep their defense sane in the two legs as both more than once have been found wanting in that department. Despite the talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the almost-world class Kevin Prince Boateng, Arsenal’s youth and the second leg home advantage might hand this to the English. And of course there’s the tie’s X-Factor, Robin van Persie. No need to go on and on about his scintillating form. He might win this for Arsenal.

Napoli v Chelsea

The second installment of the Anglo-Italian showdown, and what a match-up! One can’t help but marvel at how fast the Serie A side has risen to the top echelons of European football. In truth, few Chelsea fans will be pleased with this draw. Napoli managed to condemn the free-scoring Manchester City to Europa League obscurity and that has made the football world take note of Walter Mazzari’s men. Chelsea on their part flattered to deceive and had to rely on a last matchday good fortune to fend of Leverkusen’s challenge to clinch top spot. Though the Blues seem to be rediscovering their form, it remains to be seen whether their often exposed defense can withstand Napoli’s fearsome attack. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik have struck fear in opposition backlines at will and won’t need any extra incentive to do it again. Chelsea’s main concern would be getting their frontmen to rise to the occasion, because they have the pedigree. It will be as intriguing as it gets but Chelsea should be too strong and too experienced for the Italians.

Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona

With all due respect to the Bundesliga side, this tie has a Barca win inscribed all over it. There is a reason why the European champions and hot favorites were indeed the  team to be avoided in the draw. Leverkusen can only rue not beating Genk and thus not topping their group. That said expect another Lionel Messi show in a rampant Blaugrana performance. There are no fairytales in this one, absolutely no chance. Aufwiedersehen Bayer!

CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid

Another David v Goliath showdown in the offing, only that in football rarely does David triumph. Indeed Real Madrid has been the team of the group stage, dispatching every opposition with ruthless aplomb and panache and finishing with maximum points to boot. CSKA on the other hand squeaked to the knock out round rather fortuitously and will find it tough containing Jose Mourinho’s men. Cristiano Ronaldo should dazzle and put Los Merengues on course for an unprecedented tenth European crown.

Zenit St. Petersburg v Benfica

Benfica did well to top a group that had finalists Manchester United to prove that it is not for nothing they were a force to reckon with in the competition’s infant years. Zenit, guided by Luciano Spaletti, did just enough to lock out Porto and book safe passage to the next round. Still, the fact they finished second behind APOEL leaves many hanging questions. Benfica have produced slick attacking displays and should be too strong for the Russians especially if the likes of Nicolas Gaitan and Oscar Cardozo are on top form.

Lyon v APOEL Nicosia

As tricky a tie as they come. It’s really hard to determine which team to fancy in this one. Lyon, abysmal most of the time, only miraculously pulling off an unbelievable seven goal haul in their last group match in Zagreb to seal a place in the draw. APOEL, a largely unknown entity has been the surprise package of the season, clinching top spot in a group boasting Europa League champions Porto. As always, in such a situation the more experienced side, Lyon, should come out tops…but only just!

Basel v Bayern Munich

Oh, Basel, the neutral’s darlings. The Swiss side pulled off the surprise of the season by effectively knocking the mighty Manchester United out of the competition! Now as a reward they get to taste the turf of the venue of the final, the Allianz Arena. The Bayern Munich faithful really want to appear in their home final and have clearly signaled their intents especially by the manner with which they beat Manchester City at home. With Arjen Robben back and the impending return of midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger, it will take something more special than a Xherdan Shaqiri-inspired virtuoso performance to deny FC Hollywood another step in their match to the final.

Marseille v Inter Milan

This could be a very explosive tie which many people are oblivious of. No one can forget how Marseille grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat in dramatic fashion at Dortmund to secure passage from the group stage. Inter Milan, well, they topped their group alright but truth be told; Nerazzurri’s season has  on it pathetic characterized by few flashes of brilliance (if any). Unless Inter can get their act together (and I mean really get their act together), Marseille might as well start checking out prospective quarter final opponents. The Milan side just haven’t been anywhere as good as they are expected to be and this compounded by their suspect dealings in the transfer market of late, one just can’t see them stepping up and turning up in this tie. If Marseille can sharpen their attack just a little more, Inter Milan obituaries will dominate the footballing world.

That said, I’m tipping myself to be previewing these teams in the Quarter Finals: Arsenal, Napoli, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Benfica, Lyon, Bayern Munich and Marseille. You might want to know that the writer predicted correctly 50% the Round of 16 Draw. You do the math!

What Next, Special One?

I was one disappointed bloke by the events of this weekend on the football pitches, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to be precise. Not because I have a liking for Madrid (though, maybe), but because the result itself was all too familiar that I even had no regrets for actually not watching the match. 3-1 to Barcelona! A slap on the face right there. Real Madrid was supposed (and indeed, they were) to be the favorites for the first time in a very long time in the Clasico. Karim Benzema’s rather fortuitous goal after less than 30 seconds of kick off seemed add more credibility to that belief, but in the end in typical Barcelona style, Alexis Sanchez, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas (ever growing unplayable, this guy) got the goals and the victory in yet another encounter that Lionel Messi came good for his team as Cristiano Ronaldo fired blanks in anonymity. I think it obvious who the better player is.

With that result begs the question, ‘is Barcelona (and Pep Guardiola) simply too good for Jose Mourinho? (I’m not even going to refer to him as ‘The Special One’). Increasingly the answer to that is becoming a resounding ‘YES’ and I too I’m close to subscribing to this. That Jose is all pedigree and class is not in doubt, but even his most ardent and vocal of supporters (cue, the writer), and indeed the man himself must be wondering what he’s not doing right.

The main reason Florentino Perez snapped Mourinho and tied him up to the Madrid hot seat just moments after Inter Milan’s 2010 Champions League triumph was to stem and curb Barca’s ridiculous domination of Spanish football. Now this is not an enviable task by all means but being the lover of challenges that he is, Mourinho took it up. In his second season, he faces the prospect of being labeled a failure, this despite having improved the team and done relatively well. A Copa Del Rey title, a second place finish in the La Liga and a Champions League semi final finish in any manager’s first season at a club deserves applause really. Not so at Real Madrid, especially in this era. Much, much more is always expected; attractive football, silverware and of course, getting the better of the old enemy, Barcelona. Jose has managed to attain some of these, but it all counts for nothing (rightly or harshly so) if you can’t beat Barca. Truth is, this might be Mourinho's final season at the Bernabeu.

All is not lost though. Barcelona is not invincible, they can be beaten. I mean, Arsenal has proved that this year. This is not to suggest that Mourinho arrange a cup of coffee with Arsene Wenger and ‘talk’. (Though, why not?). So, what should the man under siege do? The answer to this would be as simple as ‘get the best out of Ronaldo in the Clasico’. As vague as it may sound, Ronaldo is Madrid’s best player and a proven match winner, but Jose knows this, right? Rather than play the Portugal captain on wide left or right, play him alongside Mesut Oezil in a more central false striker role and give him the free role. In that position he would be able to draw defenders, win fouls in dangerous areas, devastatingly link up with Oezil, and commit defenders into red-card tackles and most importantly, score.  This would make Ronaldo the perfect foil for Gonzalo Higuain upfront. Yes, it should be Higuain even though Mourinho tends to opt for Benzema. In all fairness the Argentine is a more accomplished finisher than the Frenchman.

Barcelona either beats you or loses to you because of their midfield. Jose is well aware of this and usually opts to deploy power-play in the middle of the pack to contain the Xavi- Iniesta-Messi, and now Fabregas axis. I tend to think that there’s a better way of countering this, having a near-creative midfield of your own and shifting from an overly physical approach. Nuri Sahin. He is the answer. The former Dortmund man may have missed the action for much of the season, but he’s the one who might well add the extra dimension Real needs to beat Barca. He’s well accomplished defensively and his creativity that drove Dortmund to the Bundesliga title last season is well documented. If flanked by whichever two hardmen of Mourinho’s choice, Sahin would surely bring out the best of Madrid’s attacking players at the same time keeping tabs of Barcelona’s midfield domination. Well it may be argued that Xabi Alonso pretty much does that, but really, does he? It’s now time for a change, and Nuri Sahin is the change.

The whole world desperately needs a Mourinho win in the Clasico. Who wouldn’t want a return of his cockiness and arrogance? With a line up of Casillas – Marcelo, Carvalho, Pepe, Sergio Ramos – Khedira, Sahin, Diarra – Oezil, Ronaldo – Higuain, hopefully we might see a change in fortunes when the next El Clasico rolls in.

The Dug Out.