Arsenal v Olympiakos – A game of missed opportunities

Well, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I was at least expecting those players to show up once they got to Greece. But in all fairness they didn’t. Olympiakos came in with a plan. Stuck to it and frankly our boys – albeit our reserve boys (for the most part) never got off the airplane.

You know what though, I like having a match where I didn’t care one way or the other what the outcome was. For me it was a chance to see 90 minutes of players that either come on as reserves or don’t come on at all. And in that case I am really disappointed.

First I was disappointed with Wenger in not just going with the same exact lineup that started against Man City in the Carling Cup. That line up was solid and while it didn’t win, it certainly gave a stronger Man City side a run for its money for 85 or so minutes. That side would’ve likely done better. Why? Because it would’ve been a side without Andrei Arshavin in for one. I also wouldn’t have risked our only healthy LB who now seems to be out for a while. (That’s right we could play Everton with a back four made up entirely of central defenders.)

Secondly and more importantly I was thoroughly disappointed, frustrated, disgusted, and other adjective that ends in “ted” with some of our fringe players for whom this match offered and opportunity to show that they actually give a damn. It didn’t happen. In fact in all the cases all of those fringe players were absolute crap. Yeah I said it, it’s harsh for a blog – maybe. But it’s true. I am going to look at 3 players I had hoped for more from. I am excluding Sebastien Squillaci from this list because frankly I held no hope for him, I want him gone and never to wear anything resembling a red and white kit again.

Andrei Arshavin.

To me he is the night’s biggest disappointment and he further solidified in my mind why he has to be shipped off to Siberia or Anzhi or whatever their name is.  I wrote in the preview to the Wigan match that I felt January was the time to finally move on from Arshavin. Last night only made it a stronger feeling for me.

The biggest problem with Arshavin that I saw last night – besides his inability to create anything of substance – is his work ethic and constantly giving up. On quite a few occasions passes were made to Arshavin that either were intercepted or off target. Arshavin instead of hustling to win the ball back spent the next minute and half throwing his arms in the air and looking to the heavens for divine intervention. Let’s not also forget that clear cut early chance he had with a shot on goal that he shot into the legs of the keeper.

Like I said I no longer can support the idea that he is playing out of position as his excuse for his lazy attitude and approach to football. As I mentioned in Wigan preview, this is behavior that is not isolated to this team. His disappearances for the Russian National Team are well documented as well.

I firmly believe that in the end Andrei never wanted to come to England. He had his mind set on Spain or to a lesser extent Italy. When those moves never materialized he took the Arsenal opportunity because it allowed him to move to a bigger stage. Arsenal made the buy because their place in the top 4 was in jeopardy by Aston Villa at the time. I don’t think Wenger ever really wanted to buy Arshavin, especially in light of his criticisms of the player at the close of Euro 2008. But in January 2009 he was simply the best player available and from the start he certainly looked the part.

But when even that sparkling early form didn’t morph into an opportunity in Spain, then I think he just started to mail it in. We got glimpses when he felt like it. And last night was the culmination of that laxidasial attitude that has cost us. To think if he gave a damn and applied, maybe a match like Fulham doesn’t turn into a draw because Arshavin does his magic. Or maybe had he been sharper and cared more he buries that shot last night and forces the game to open up earlier and force Olympiakos off their pressing game.  But he didn’t and those games didn’t end a result we would’ve wanted.

Sorry to say Andrei, I really wanted you to be successful here but I am voting you off the island.

Lukasz Fabianski.

Ole flappy hands was back between the sticks last night. And man, I know no reason why he should ever start again. And I am going to focus in on one reason. I can almost forgive the positioning on the first goal because the goal scorer was in the right place at the right time to get the ball dropping at his feet and round him. But what really annoyed me was the repeated insistence by Fabianski to do short passes to the back 4 defenders when they were under constant pressure by Olympiakos.

I mean, really! Okay so if you boot the ball up the field they may get the ball. But if you pass it deep and they are pressing they may actually get the ball deeper in our zone and get chances on goal – which happened – a lot. It was ridiculous. It was stupid. It was another indication why we are fortunate to have Szczesny who while he is young doesn’t repeat stupid mistakes. Fabianski on the other repeatedly kept passing the ball out to a back four that was under constant pressure. I was screaming at the screen for the insanity of it all.

Fabianski wants to go out on loan or be sold in January so he can challenge Szczesny for the starting GK position on the Polish national team. No offence Lukasz – oh hell please take offence – performances like that only validate why you won’t be starting ANYWHERE any time soon.

Marouane Chamakh.

After the start of last season, I had such high hopes for the Moroccan from Bourdeaux. He could hold the ball up well and bring others in play and he could the ball like a bullet out of a rifle.

Now well, let’s just say the Titanic moves faster than he does, I have a better shot scoring than he does and he holds the ball up right until the point where the defender steals it from him ruining good build up play.

I don’t know if it is personal problems that he is noted to have going on outside of the team or his lack of play. But I have never seen someone take such a far step backwards in such a short time. I personally think it is neither lack of play or personal problems but the speed of the Premier League game that is hurting Chamakh. Some players adapt like Koscielny has. Others don’t like Chamakh.

Leading the line last night he wasn’t awful, he just wasn’t. He just doesn’t offer us anything and it is amazing how bad he really is. He seems to be drawing alot of interest from France again. I think its a good thing for him to go back and likely flourish once again. The game in England hasn’t been kind to him once it has found him out.

I didn’t mentioned Vito Mannone here but his gaffe that led to the second goal was certainly note worthy. But since I never expected him to play I am going to leave him alone  – for now.

I certainly can’t criticize the kids. Many of them do look like they will progress to good players. I hope they learn from last night and learn that a match likes this requires a certain intensity and focus – much like they had on last Tuesday against City. The thing is you need to bring it every game. I think the match also showed that there are a lot of these youngsters that fans want to see get first team opportunities that just aren’t ready to bear the load yet. They need time and I will say the way Wenger is handling them may not be to some people’s liking but it makes sense.

Well, anyway, the trip to Greece didn’t show us what we were hoping for and in most cases solidified that its time for certain players to go – now. In the mean time its back to the grind of the Premier League and waiting for next Friday’s draw of the final sixteen – while watching the Manchester clubs sweat it out today.

Until next time – stay Goonerish

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