When Wenger got there the bench was bare

Enough on Bench?
By Boris Mellor
August 21 2009

Arsenal have had a flying start to the season and there is no need to denigrate that, but what are the prospects longer term. Of course they are expected to beat Pompey, but were not expected to beat Everton or Celtic. However the fixtures will become a lot tougher very soon.

Also Arsenal are already acquiring a backlog of fixtures; by the time they play Manchester United away the Gunners will have played two more games than the top three, and have a game in hand.
Already the squad has a host of injuries, apparently Eduardo has recovered, but Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri and Djourou remain injured, and I wouldn't put a lot of money on Diaby or RVP remaining fit over 10 games.
What Arsenal's first two games demonstrate is that Wenger can put out a best eleven that can probably beat most teams. However modern football is a 14 aside game, substitutes can turn games. Also the fixture list demands rotation. You cannot put out the same eleven every game; there is no choice but to rotate. No doubt Fabregas needs a rest before the Celtic game.
Hopefully if he is rested there is enough to beat a toothless Pompey desperate to avoid a third defeat in a row. So what does Wenger have in reserve - well let's look at the bench for Everton and Celtic.
Bare Bench
Against the Toffees he had one striker Eduardo, an untried goal keeper Mannone, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, Gibbs and Merida (where is Vela?). Apart from Eduardo there is no one to drive fear into the hearts of opponents when things are going badly.
Against Celtic it got worse, no Eduardo, but to be fair to Diaby he did do a good job. The rest of the bench was Mannone, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, and Gibbs. If things had gone really badly was the experience, or power there to turn things around?
I think Wenger's problem is that his squad still lacks depth. Arsene now proudly points out that fans are in tune with Song now, in other words he has been proved right. True, but what if Song is injured, what if he has to go to Africa for several months?
Vermaelen is proving a good buy, as was Gallas, but are Djourou, Silvestre or Senderos adequate cover? Wenger says he will not buy Hangeland.
I have never thought that Wenger always knows best, nor that he knows absolutely nothing. He is a very good manager, who has achieved miracles on a limited budget, very few, if any could have done it. What would the special one have won without the Russians millions?
However, I do think Wenger has a tendency to fly close to the wind, that he cuts corners. No doubt financial necessity dictates this policy, and in spite of this approach he has always managed a top 4 spot. Maybe one year he will get lucky and win the league with such a parsimonious approach.
I do think he will succeed on that basis (ie top four spot) again this season, but what I don't believe is that this team will be on top in May. It's important not to follow the knee jerk reaction of some pundits, who a few weeks back said Arsenal were going out of the top four. One good result and they are favourites for runners up.
The same goes for Spurs who have now displaced Man City in stealing our top 4 place. No, Wenger has a very good first 11, better than most, not all, but most. However take a look at the bench - its looks a little bare to me. Maybe it will be a lot stronger in two months as the lame and wounded return.
Nonetheless wouldn't another strong ball winning midfielder, and another quality centre back be a good investment? To my mind that is all it would take to put this squad on a par with the top three.

When Wenger got there the bench was bare

Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)

Date: 21/08/2009 18:05

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:25:16:51:59 by Padre Pio.