Man Utd and Chelsea school Arsenal, but maybe not enough

What a torrid run of games and results, having played 4 'top' teams in a row, Aston Villa 0-0, Man Utd 1-3, Chelsea 2-0, Liverpool 1-0, the team only managed to get 4 points out of 12, not good enough, furthermore, 4 games, 1 goal scored, 5 against. This is when the pendulum starts to swing for a team looking for the championship, and at the moment, Arsenal are 6 points behind the leaders Chelsea, make that 7 when you include their far superior Goal Difference and Head-to-Head count.


From the Aston Villa game, it showed that it was a big mistake to not buy players, creativity was stunted and there were no strikers. Man Utd came to London, and exposed Arsenal on the counter attack, Clichy and Almunia particularly looking like they were on loan to Man Utd for the day, Clichy owned by Nani, Almunia just ridiculous. Chelsea further exposed Arsenal, weak marking on set pieces then on the counter attack. Both games, Arsenal suffered using Arshavin as a point man to lead the attack. Liverpool also exposed Arsenal on the break, but never scored.


Only two major stumbling blocks are now in the final games, Spurs away and Man City at home, what is clear, Arsenal cannot slip up at all, no draws, no losses, they need 3 points in every game. With 12 games to go and chasing a 6 point deficit, it leaves 10 games to try win the league.


What angered me most is that Arsenal never changed tactics, Arshavin up front was never going to do anything, and why do the full backs always have to come forward, in fact, why do the central defenders come out? Ever see Vidic/Terry come forward? Look at their GA column, it explains a lot. Also I don't know what we do in training, do we know what a counter attack is? We need to stop them with small fouls and real defending, tell that to Denilson-Fabregas-Song-Clichy-Vermaelen-Sagna-Gallas. Also, teams now know we are crap on defending counter attacks, Liverpool barely play for quick breaks and looked good doing it, the team needs to react to this new reality and make teams try to win another way. Spurs and City will surely look to use this tactic and exploit the team on the break.


Match Ratings for all the games: Not much time, but here are the players who suck right now, Almunia (not a keeper or a sportsman) - Clichy (can't defend, can't attack, getting slow) - Sagna (can't cross so wastes the ball) - Vermaelen and Gallas (both paid to defend, too many goals are flying in, so they suck) - Denilson (no desire ) - Fabregas (no leadership in tough times) - Walcott (just leave) - Arshavin (talks about others not being good enough, on these showings, neither is he) - Wenger (no tactics, no new players in January, does he want us to hate him?).

Lets hope that despite those bashings, the team can do something special and fight to the bitter end for the championship.