Out Of Tune Gunners Indebted To Dutch Maestro
Jan 28th, 2009 by 'holic
I suppose you need to be of a certain vintage to remember Les Dawson playing the piano. For those unfamiliar with his talent, he could play the piano so badly, it was apparent he was a very fine musician. For some reason tonight, I am thinking about him tinkling the ivories almost sixteen years after his passing.
You know where I am coming from, don’t you? This Arsenal side has all of the qualities required to demonstrate the art of the virtuoso, but they are performing in the style that reminds one of Eric Morecambe’s famous retort to Andre Previn. We are “playing all the right notes—but not necessarily in the right order”.
You cannot be where we are at the moment, just eight points adrift of Manchester United, without having something about you. It would not be unfair though to say that converting possession into goals is not something that we are currently mastering.
For the opening half at Goodison you would have to say we were in control of the game, but failed to gain anything concrete from that dominance. Adebayor, van Persie, and Denilson all had opportunities in the opening spell but three half chances were scant reward. The match appeared to be following the script that has been written for Arsenal contests of late. We are second to none at controlling the football for an hour, but going through a spell where we could be seriously unhinged.
Where this game differed from the last half dozen was that Everton struck first. Unusually Sagna and Denilson allowed Baines the freedom of the flank to cross for Cahill to head home. Almunia had not been seriously tested up to this point, but now the visitors were facing a massive test of their character. The hour of control was well and truly over. On another night the Aussie could have grabbed a hat-trick.
I have to confess to many dark thoughts at this point. Uppermost in my mind was the replacement of Kolo Toure. What had he done to deserve that, I wondered. As the final minutes ticked away we produced a great deal of effort with no sign of an end product, and then Robin van Persie, who else, struck the right notes at the right time.
A very special equaliser seemed harsh to the Everton boss, David Moyes. With the considerable benefit of hindsight he may accept that the scoreline was probably a fair reflection of the ninety minutes. It was easy to understand his frustration immediately after the final whistle, however. He was not alone in wondering how Arsenal had produced a magnificent goal at the end of such a disjointed showing.
Then again, there are still people who think Les Dawson was a crap pianist.
33 Responses to “Out Of Tune Gunners Indebted To Dutch Maestro”
utterly rubbish performance, but ok result given how crap we have been recently guvnor.
im still struggling to get through this bad patch though, so i would like a pint of gin please al.
9 games unbeaten in the league… I’ll drink to that.
Crap preformance, but we still managed a decent result when you take into account who we were playing. Everton are a very good side who have perennially caused the best teams problems.
I too was alarmed at how easily the cross that led to Everton’s goals was allowed to be taken.
Denilson looked like his mind was elsewhere the entire match. Lethargic stuff from him, and admittedly, other players.
Must admit – I missed the goal having resigned myself to a defeat (and having to be somewhere else rather urgently).
Bah. I don’t derserve a drink.
Am not having a straight mind to come up with much fairer comments. It is quite diappointing how the rest of the team is of late leaving everything to van. Where the hell is Adebayor? Okey, as I had said earlier, since I did not have the chance to watch the match, no fair comment can come out of me.
I would only encourage le boss to sign someone so special for the rest of this campaign.
That Eduardo is getting back is a very big relief for we gunner fans, but then even Tots have never opened a gap at this point in the premiership as much as the villas have done from us. Something special will have to happen. Still yet, my prediction is that, at the end of it all, the whole thing will go down to the wire. Goal difference will give away the trophy to the team with the most goals.
Virtually, the devils have led all the first half of the season, which is quite unusual for them. By this I mean they are going to have a negative turn of events on them sooner than they notice.
More crap from an average team, only one bright spark from one of the very few real class players we have earned us a point which we scarcely deserved.
How much more of this rubbish do we have to put up with from Wenger before something is done to rectify the situation. My respect for this man is diminishing by the minute with his constant and almost ridiculous insistance on stating that this team is good enough to win the league, when it is obvious by his team selections that he really doesn’t have a clue.
It has been clear for 3 years that major investment was needed to keep us up seriously challenging for the title (and before you point out about last season, I firmly believe that we wildy over acheived thanks to Adebeyors goals & Flaminis performances!), but what have we seen, very little in our weak areas that are glaringly obvious i.e. Centre Back, Defensive Midfield, and a true wide left player, plus probably another creative midfielder to be used in conjunction with Fabregas so that we can give him a break, just look at him this season he has been a shadow of his best because everything relies on him!
And another thing about AW……anyone in my mind who can even consider Eboue in the squad loses credibility immediately, not to mention the persistance with average players like Denilson, Diaby, Adebeyor, Song, Almunia, Gallas…..hell this lot wouldn’t even begin to be good enough to clean the boots of our 2003/4 team.
We need a new manager with a new approach, preferably Martin O’Neil. Hopefully then we will see purchases of quality players where we need them. This season we are going to be lucky if we stay in the CL….. looking at things as they stand it could be that we struggle to get into the Europa Lge (UEFA Cup)…..
God help us!!!
so a draw it was after all.
we really ought to pay van persie what he demands because he’s keeping us in the race for the cl spots all by himself it seems.
Great report. Interesting comparison with Les Dawson. The only thing I would say is that he was that shite on purpose!!!! He was that good he could do that for comedy effect I am guessing that we had little choice in the matter and were just shite.
I too am becoming very frustrated about the lack of investment. We moved to The Grove to be able to compete financially. I have not checked the figures but I am guessing that with regards to dealings in the transfer market, since the move we must actually be in credit. So where has all the extra revenue gone???? Some directors have used the phrase “substantial amounts” being available. Others have quoted the sum of 65 million beingavailable. But still apparently, we are unable to find a player suitable????????
The reason for our move tends to suggest that whilst we remained at Highbury we would be unable to compete financially. But as I took my seat in the North Bank I sat and watched the likes of Vieira, Henry, Bergkamp, Petit, Pires, Anelka, Overmars etc etc. I saw us defend with the likes of Adams, Keown, Seaman, Sol, Dixon, Winterburn etc etc. So where have those days gone? Why now do I watch talented young players who for some strange reason have no one with any experience next to them to guide them through?
In my opinion we lack leadership and the right blend of young and old. Tonight we got out of jail and rescued a point. For me it is only papering over the cracks. Perhaps we should have put in a bid for someone like Cahill? I can think of worse players out there.
The glass is half full still but we need some direction, and fast.
Dear dear, some of the suicide merchants on the site feeling a bit queasy tonight, holic. Arsene doubting and appeals to higher beings no less! I’m sure everyone up there on the milky way was watching Setanta and probably preparing a good dose of help right now. If Himself wasn’t watching, I’m sure he’s one of your devotees and is acting upon your readers’ requests. While the arrival of God’s help is awaited, a visit to the white vessel in the small room, head in the water, hard flush! That should do the trick.
Good result on balance. Shocking night, reminiscent of the Hounds of the Baskervilles with all that mist, Shreaking scousers and Jagielska’s teeth. Neither team set the heather alight. Arsenal had more of the game. Everton’s defence was good, as it has been for most of the season and why they’ve been difficult to beat. Brilliant finish by RVP. We really missed him last season. One of the main reasons we didn’t win the league last year.
Obviously we didn’t create enough chances. I thought the defence looked tight although Sagna and Denilson were both dreaming and allowed the cross. Alex Song was god in mid-field. His game is coming on well and I thought that Diaby would be the one to go for Bendtner. Nasri was quieter than I would have liked.
On any given Wednesday this would go down as a good away draw. The defeats earlier in the season against less worthy opposition put the outcome in a less favourable light though.
Give me sunshine, tra la la! (oops that C sharp should have been an F flat). Good work, Holic. Quality stuff.
Hello ‘holic.
A quick whisky before bed maybe, settle the nerves a little after that!
Hope all is well.
A Talisker Single Malt for me holic.
I keep watching the Cahill goal and amazed at the defending of our favorite #10 at the post. What game was he watching?
“If Alex Song was God in the midfield “and I thought he was pretty bad.
Can’t wait till Cesc returns and brings equalibrium and stability to the team and lets hope Arshavin arrives soon, because we are really lacking creativity.
This season it baffles me how pundits andfans can continue to describe our play as exciting. We push the ball around’ like kids at the training ground. Its more akin to German football. The very reason I do not watch German soccer is that they are very adept at keeping ball, but no attack etc etc, very boring. Thats sadlyhas been Arsenal’s passage of play this season. No spark. Relying on individual brilliance to get result.
Strangely, the players appear pather unfit. The reason I am saying this is because I noticed they could only raise their game once in a while and the other games are played at a lethargic pace.
We need a spark, I do not know from where or how!!!!
DW, well done, you win the tuppence for spotting the deliberate typo! Congratulations. Good in midfield, not god (yet).
Unfortunately you lose the tuppence again for poor judgement. Song wasn’t pretty bad, he wasn’t pretty either, but he was pretty good.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Arsenal side whose performances are so flat off the back of an unbeaten run; and I’ve certainly seen some truly dreadful stuff over the years.
Prior to tonight, 8 matches unbeaten should have provided a bit of inspiration but this lot don’t seem to get it (VP the exception). For the most part they’re still playing the sort of naïve/lazy football that saw us lose to Fulham, Hull, Stoke, et al.
Why?
Well certainly we have too many players who simply aren’t good enough. Eboue’s useless. Song has no pace and just doesn’t convince as a holding midfielder – i don’t think he was either god or good tonight; he was just Song. Diaby has ability but can’t seem to apply it and even at his best flatters to deceive. Denilson is to my mind a prospect but AW expects too much too soon.
And, of course, the defence is still a mess. No organisation, not much of anything – why does Clichy end up marking Cahill for the goal whilst Djourou is marking space? Gallas for Kolo is simply perverse. Why not give him the captaincy back while you’re at it Arsene?
If, and it’s clearly a very big if, we get Arshavin I assume the strategy will be to outscore the opposition rather than to have a balanced team that wins by controlling matches.
It almost worked last year until injuries wrecked the plan so maybe if we can get the “new signings” (I really hate that cliché) back from injury it might actually work this time.
Don’t hold your breath.
I think Kolo toure should play in denilson’s position(defensive
midfielder).much experienced and more composure..toure is able to
pass the ball much better(low or high balls) and best of all, he is able
to shoot from outside the penalty box..Denilson should just start from
the bench.The Boss has given him ample opportunity but he just
doesn’t seem to improve himself..
F flat? That’s an E isn’t it?
Just saying like. Maybe we could all do with an E, cheer us up a bit, but it’s always a risky punt though.
Best have a Gin and Bitter Lemon instead, to stay on the safe side.
With some mescaline on the side, of course.
Good post ‘holic. Poor, poor game. Yes, we looked more solid – bit it’s easier to look defensively sound when you’re not up against any strikers – but there you go.
Really, really disappointed for Kolo. After le boss bigged him up recently as “my captain” he must be wondering where he stands. The thought of him leaving truly saddens me – where as I’m sure most of us wouldn’t say the same about Gallas.
It was encouraging not to see Eboue start the game. In my opinion, coming on as an attacking option at right back is the only justifiable place for him in the squad.
One other thing – I don’t know if any Premiership team could miss one player as much as we miss Fabregas. Fingers crossed we’re still in the running when he returns.
Keep up the good work fella.
Customary morning coffee at this point, ‘holic.
Cheers.
Where was Kolo? On the bench? Injured? I honestly don’t know as I missed the opening few minutes of the match…
Judging from AW’s rather odd and confusing comments I’m going to take a stab and say that Arshavin is not coming to Arsenal. Nobody else either for that matter.
I still think we have some players that can help the current situation. I also have a feeling Wilshere could play a role against West Ham this w’end.
Morning all,
Where was Kolo
When the Everton goal went in I thought we were playing ‘Where’s Willy?’
F flat is a bagpipe note, Snail, and unique to that instrument. It’s also known as E sharp (your E with the mescalin on the side). It’s the basis of the wonderful “skirl” that the pipes make but Arsenal don’t at the moment.
OK, enough silliness, I’m off to work. Icy here. Have a great day y’all.
GALLAS OR TOURE
The reason, I think, Wenger went with Gallas instead of Toure, in such a tight game is because of Gallas’ knack for scoring the odd goal from set plays. I know most arsenal fans dont want to see Gallas just because of the incidents leading up to his demotion, but lets be honest, Gallas has always got us vital goals when all hope was lost!! think back to the game against Portsmouth! I can remember a few more vital Gallas goals. So I if you need the odd goal in a tight game, Gallas is ur man. Otherwise if u play an open game, Toure is ur man cause of his pace (a fraction faster than gallas).
Compared to Patrick Viera or Cesc Fabergas we are getting accustomed to mediocraty in our midfield. I guess we were spoiled in the past with top quality ball winners and visionaries who can make the killer pass. Hopefully the good old days will return soon and I’m sure they will, when Arsenal took our breath away.
I wonder if Kolo is being saved for citeh?
Cold and snowy here too.
9 games unbeaten………Bulshit
The only statistic that counts is we are 5 pts behind Villa
The failure to sign anyone will come back to haunt Wenger
We cannot afford to be out of the CL in terms of finance but also keeping our star players Cesc and RVP who will be on the first plame to Barcelona if we dont
This time last year we had Diarra,Flamini,Gilberto and Helb now we have Song Eboue Denilson and Diaby who says we havent gone backwards
gin and tonic please!
btm – you’re a walking education. You’ve clearly been to skirl.
Great report ‘holic.
I remember the Les Dawson stuff well.
Comedy Spuds at it again. They must have had real money problems. When did the rules change to allow you to actually to pawn players?????????
What a joke.
Great blog, ‘holic. The Les Dawson analogy is spot on.
is it true that you’re the cleverest man that ever watched arsenal ‘hols?
cold carlsberg and some pistachio’s please sir.
Oh no, dino. I think the proof that the reverse applies can be found throughout these pages 😉