Simply Not Good Enough

Evening all,
As you can imagine I'm not in the most ambitious mood today after the events that unfolded in yesterday's game. In the preview I explained how this game meant so much to everyone associated with Arsenal and that no less than 100% was required from every player. We didn't get that and as the heading reads its just not good enough. I'll give a quick run through the game.

As expected William Gallas was given a hostile reception. I couldn't have cared less to be honest. He came, he have his all and he fucked off, I don't think of him as a massive cunt like Adebayor but at the same time he hasn't exactly earned my utmost respect. You could say the same for Nasri who refused to shake his former team-mates hand. I had to have a little giggle, it was only the second time this had ever happened in the Prem, of course the other time was the Bridge-Terry scenario. I didn't think Samir despised of him so much that he couldn't even look the man in the eye. He must be quite the prick in the dressing room.

The pair clashed early on as Nasri appeared to be set through on goal only for Gallas to cut across and clear the danger and appeat to accidentally strike his fellow Frenchman in the process. We started brightly but I was refusing to get carried away judging by past home games. Then as the clock approached the 10th minute Fabregas played a delightful ball over the top of the Spurs defence to Nasri again, his touch looked too heavy as Gomes came out to collect but the Brazilian somehow lost control of the ball as Nasri rounded him and squeezed home from the tightest of angles. The Emirates erupted, it was the best possible start.

We were looking increasingly dangerous at this stage, it looked at any time as though we could cut through them like a knife through butter. They had no defensive midfielder, this being a big factor in them being over-run in midfield. Everytime Spurs lost possesion in our half we broke and it was only a matter of time before we punished them again. That time came in the 27th minute. A swift counter-attack starting off with Denilson who passed to Cesc who fed Arshavin out wide and he played a lovely ball into Chamakh who somehow flicked the ball past the defender and the helpless Gomes into the back of the net. At this stage it was a case of how many. Tottenham were lackluster, getting outplayed and looked disinterested for long spells.

Being as cautious as I am though I knew this one was far from over. We should all know that by now. We threw away a two goal lead to these scumbags in the space of two minutes in the 08/09 season, we were definately capable of doing it in 45 minutes. Tottenham brought on Defoe for the effortless Lennon at half-time. We knew this guy would provide much more of a threat and can punish you for the smallest of mistakes. It was crucial we kept the focus and didn't let complacency resurface. This wasn't helped by the oles at the end of the first-half. You'd be surprised how a relaxed atmosphere in the stand can pass onto the players just like a nervy one can.

We began okay and Spurs didn't seem to be anymore a threat than they were in the 1st half but I spoke too soon. A long ball from Ekotto was knocked on by Defoe, Van Der Vaart raced onto it and layed the ball to Bale who finished clinically. The Spuds were back in the game and we needed to wake up. It was a disappointing goal to concede to say the least. Everyone was rushing back when they should have been organised. Also Denilson was very tight on Bale until he began to run, then the Brazilian just gave up. There are no excuses for this sort of thing espeically only five minutes into the 2nd half when the legs are fine and fresh. You have got to track your man, it's one of the basic things taught on the training ground.

This injected an edgy atmosphere into the Emirates. You could sense it in the stands and on the pitch. The Spurs players were fully pumped for it now, they knew this was a great opportunity to go and get the equaliser. Luka Modric almost did so with a superb effort just outside the box which skinned the crossbar. The warning signs were there. Soon after Modric fell to the ground after a shoulder from Song. It really was a poor decison from the ref. I can't remember his name but I do recall yelling fat tits at home for some time. He didn't exactly help his reputation amongst Arsenal fans when he then awarded Spurs a penalty. It came about when the supposed free-kick Song gave away resulted in Van Der Vaart blasting it against the wall and Fabregas was adjudged to have handballed it. The decision seemed harsh at first but looking at replays Cesc's hand should never have been that high. It was over his head and he of all people must know you cannot do that. Van Der Vaart then stepped up for the penalty and sent Fabianski the wrong way. It really did put that sick feeling in your stomach.

We now needed a goal and Arsene responded by taking off Chamakh and bringing on Van Persie. We seemed to have awaken from our slumber and began to pile the pressure on the Spurs defence but they stood firm for long spells, Gallas being a standout performer as he intercepted several passes and made key tackles. We thought we had retaken the lead when a free-kick was met by Fabregas' head who knocked it down for Squillaci to score but they were both ruled offside. Tottenham then brought on Crouch for the poor Pavlyuchenko and we responded by bringing on Walcott and Rosicky for Arshavin and Nasri. The frontline had completely changed as we looked for that all important goal.

Fabregas went ever so close when he picked up a misplaced pass, cut inside Kaboul before forcing a fantastic save from Gomes. The man makes his fair share of blunders but he makes up for it with saves like that. Shortly after clever foot-work from Van Persie led to a dinking cross which Koscielny somehow headed over when the goal was gaping. It would prove costly.

Spurs won a free-kick just inside our half when Koscielny brought down Bale and was carded for his troubles. This time it wasn't red surprisingly enough. Van Der Vaart's inswinging free-kick was met on the head by Kaboul and the ball flicked on and passed Fabianski. My heart skipped a beat, I was in utter shock and disbelief. Had we really just thrown away a two goal lead to Spurs? How on earth were we 3-2 down? We had five minutes to respond. We pressed and pressed looking for an opening. Walcott had perhaps the best chance when he was found by Sagna only to flash his shot well over the bar. When the ref's whistle went I was on the verge of vomiting. It was the first time Tottenham had beaten us on our patch since 1993. This game will not be forgotten easily.

As the Emirates emptied I looked at the Spurs corner with anger and disbelief. The only thing going through my head was how? How the fuck did we manage this? I can get over defeats to West Brom and Newcastle but losing to the enemy stays with you forever. A scar had been left in our history and there was outrage wherever you went among Arsenal fans.

Many questions have been raised since then. What did Arsene say at half-time? Does he know how to motivate the players? Has this team got any character? I could go on for hours but there is clearly something wrong with this team. What it is we do not know. I for one don't think it has anything to do with the boss. He has made these players who they are ability wise but you cannot drill it into someones head to stay focused for 90 minutes. You can tell them but at the end of the day its up to them to deliver and our players are not doing it. The worrying thing is that all of these slumps are coming at home. I heard someone make the point yesterday that it is because of the atmosphere. It is well known that we have incredible away fans but at the Grove you'd compare the atmosphere to a funeral home. In the first-half it was buzzing but when we went 2-0 up the fans sat back and decided to cheer oles instead of keeping the players motivated.

I know the fans aren't entirely to blame and the players should be able to self-motivate themselves at this stage but arrogance in teh stands can easily transmit onto the players.
I have the usual player ratings here:
Fabianski: 6 - Faultless for any goals and didn't have much to do besides that.
Sagna: Very impressive, Bale couldn't beat him so he switched to the right flank.
Squillaci: 6 - Did okay but not his best game.
Koscielny: 6 - Was clumsy at times, should have scored too.
Clichy: 5 - Failed to make any real impact, defended okay though.
Song: 7 - Brilliant first-half but faded in the 2nd, cannot afford that.
Denilson: 7 - Like Song, impressive in 1st half but faded.
Fabregas: 7 - My man of the match, everything came through him.
Nasri: 7 - Scored a brilliant goal but was taken off in the 2nd half, looked like he picked up a knock.
Arshavin: 7 - Seems to put in more effort now, set up Chamakh's goal. Needs to do more though if he wants to play the 90 minutes.
Chamakh: 7 - Won every ball in the air and scored a good goal. Needs to be more ruthless in front of goal though.
Subs:
Van Persie: 6 - Created an opportunity for Koscielny with a brilliant cross but still isn't as sharp as he'd like to be.
Walcott: 6 - End product is still disappointing at times. Need him to produce when we're in trouble.
Rosicky: 6 - Tested Gomes but had no time to make impact.

The ratings sum it up really. Everyone began the game flying and working for each other but in the 2nd half we switched off and ultimately it cost us. I'm sick of repeating myself now. I thought the West Brom game was a one off but then we lost to Newcastle, it was then I began getting worried but now there is clearly a massive issue that needs to be addressed or we wre going to find ourselves in a fight for 4th spot instead of top spot. Sort it out lads, the motivation is there, get it into your heads!

Next month we should have Vermaelen, Diaby, Ramsey and Bendtner all back which will provide good competition and hopefully bring the best out of everyone. Luckily for our sake Chelsea also lost, they too seem to be in a spot of bother. They've only scored one goal in the last four games which is a really worrying statistic as far as their concerned. I'm not even thinking about that though because we have issues of our own that need sorting out. It wouldn't surprise me if the boys game out and responded with a win in Portugal midweek and then going on to beat Villa but this time I won't be fooled into enlighting myself with optimism.
Winning the next five home games will reinstall some belief but until then, you have my support boys but not my entire faith.

Till next time Gooners.