Golden Titi?
Growing up, soccer was not a practiced sport in my neck of the woods. There were no organized youth leagues to join and the local school saw no need to field a soccer team as no other school around us had one either. If a match were ever televised, it was not to be found beaming through the large cathode-ray tube enclosed in wood in my parents’ living room.
Instead, the sport that was on the playground, organized by the adults of the town, and followed on television was American football–specifically, the pros from the National Football League. Living in the South, the NFL team I had the misfortune to watch most was the New Orleans Saints.
Long before they were Super Bowl winners, the Saints were the whipping boys of the NFC West. Even when the Dome Patrol was on the field, New Orleans typically guaranteed annual division winners the San Francisco 49ers at least 2 victories each season. A primary reason for that was the play of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.
It seemed that no matter how well the Saints’ defense played or how many points the offense might have put on board, Montana invariably found a way to win . It didn’t matter who the supporting cast was–it could have been Jerry Rice, John Taylor, Brent Jones, or Roger Craig–if Montana had the ball at the end of a game, he was going to beat the Saints either by throwing the winning touchdown, scrambling about to run down the clock, or making the right call on a run play when New Orleans were defending the pass.
As a Tottenham Hotspur fan, I came to see Thierry Henry in that same Golden Joe aura. Henry might not have always been the one who buried the match winner–often it would have been Spurs’ spastic defensive play to ruin the day–but if he was on the pitch it seemed to confirm that Arsenal would beat Tottenham again.
For instance, this goal from 2002 where he ran through EVERYBODY in a white shirt to score. It didn’t matter that Wiltord or Berkamp were open on either side–they were superfluous to the proceedings. It was Henry that was bringing the curtain down on another derby hope for the Lillywhites.
This kind of player doesn’t really play for l’Arse anymore.
There is no player on Arsenal’s current squad that truly strikes fear in the heart of an opposition–a lad that can take a finely-balanced match and turn it into a confident Arsenal victory. And perhaps there should be some qualification here–someone from Wenger’s lot can turn a 1-1 affair against a West Brom and blow it open in the league, but there exists no truly dominant player that can shine when it counts in a championship setting.
Or deny Newcastle United from equalizing a match that should have been won long before. Would Henry have let that match end at 4-4 or would he have found a way to score a fifth goal when Newcastle were on a roll–stopping Toon dead in its tracks?
Granted, talented players litter the pitch and when healthy, Robin van Persie demonstrates a similar ethereal quality. But van Persie’s crystalline constitution has become enough of a running gag that at times his qualities are overshadowed by his injury status.
Really, it seems it just takes a small shove in the back or a change in how the winds are blowing to knock the Dutchman out of a match.
And it might be entirely coincidental, but Arsenal have not won silverware of any kind since Henry’s decline following the 2006 Champions League final. We’re not talking about league titles or Champions League trophies–no league cups and no FA Cups were taken either following a period when Henry and Arsenal had won the FA Cup 3 times in 4 years.
Returning to Montana and the 49ers, San Francisco had the luxury of another Hall of Fame quarterback in the form of Steve Young waiting once Montana’s best years were behind him. After a short transition, Young assumed the mantle of being the player you feared on the field–earning San Francisco another Lombardi Trophy while Golden Joe played semi-retired football in Kansas City.
Perhaps the comparison of Arsenal to San Francisco is extremely poor, but that’s my feeling as a Spurs supporter. I haven’t cringed in a while when I check the Arsenal XI in a derby. Cesc isn’t moving to Barca? Fine bring him on. RvP might be fit for this one? Okay, works for me. Nicky Pink Boots might get a start? Yes!
A few years ago though, tell me Henry was available and begin quoting his recent goal scoring exploits and I thought, “Bloody hell, there’s another derby lost.”
Now, this is no call for Wenger to bring back the legends from the past like Henry and even less for him to return legends of the piss to the fold. Rather, it’s an honest reaction from a football fan that’s completely devoid of any rational analysis of why Arsenal can’t win the big one or who they should focus on in the summer transfer window.
Well, except for this–you Gooners need a closer. You need a rebirth of cool.
I totally read that as “Joe Cole” at first and I was very confused.
Lehmann being resigned today. Crisis solved.
Though I feel like it’s more a case of failing to consistently play at a high level, you make a good point. Though you could merge our point together and they that once one of our players consistently plays at a high level, he can become a Joe Cool, rendering our points into a SUPERPOINT!
Couldn’t figure out where I should put this, but I think the Grauniad’s “Secret Footballer” may have outed himself as either TTR or Disco Stu this week:
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The reality is that I don’t “officially” know any gay footballers, although I suspect I have been only a Jäger bomb or two away from a team-mate confiding in me
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/Sleuthinghat
@OM – completely agree. Both on Henry and the Saints. I remember seeing Saints games at the dome when I was a kid and remembering that despite all the players on the field, they could never close. It was always up to Morten Andersen…a kicker, to try and close the deal. It’s how I see RvP now. Amazing, but due to his nature, you can’t always count on him to close the deal. Someone else HAS to do something. And, for the record, I’m nervous as hell about this Lehmann deal. He hasn’t gotten any MORE sane with age, and probably no less selfish. You want team spirit? I don’t think he’s the guy to offer it, but then again, I could be wrong. It hasn’t happened to me yet, so there’s a first time for everything. (-;
I’m not worried. Wenger will sign Eden Hazard this summer. Then everything will be in place.
/fuct
@OM, I have to say though, the years of heartbreak the Saints have given me were almost worth the epicness of being in New Orleans for the Super Bowl, and excellent article, that is one thing Arsenal has lacked since Titi left, no one can really change the game for them
@ Brian: I had jumped off the Saints fan-trolley prior to Drew Brees arriving and it doesn’t feel right jumping back on now that they’ve won a SB, so I keep the previous years’ heartaches without any of the joy at seeing them win it all.
@ WAG: Spot on–I think Andersen was the highest-paid player on the team at some point. What?
@ Mighty: Hazard, now there’s a game changer. Did it this week for Lille.
To be honest, I agree some what with the point you are trying to make. However, one of the reason Henry could shine was the shear fact that he had players around him that occupied the opposing team. You could only send so many player TH’s way with Dennis B. and Rob P. (not to mention Freddy and Wiltford) running around the field. My point is this: the drop, in quality, from the first 11 to player 13-20 on the squad is HUGE… We can’t rely on the first 11 to play 38 games and 24 + in other competitions and not expect injuries. Don’t get me wrong, I love the kids. I say let them play. But it is another 2-3 yrs before we have a squad deep and seasoned enough to prevent the drop-off in talent. I honestly think 2013-2016 are going to be amazing yrs for Arsenal.
oh yeah…. Spurs r SH@T
Hazard is indeed a brilliant player, which is why Lille reupped his contract. Meaning that if he leaves this summer, he is going to cost a very pretty penny.
This may be a long comment, but I need to get it all out. As I see it, the squad we currently have will change drastically over the summer. Here is what I think will happen:
First, I was being facetious about Hazard. Would like to see him on the squad, but he’s not an answer to our troubles. Arshavin and/or Rosicky are likely gone this summer; Hazard would be a good replacement for one or both of them. Mountain WAG made a tweet earlier today about Henri Lansbury coming back from loan; I “favorited” her tweet because it was spot-on. His loan at Norwich has been a revelation. He can come back and be a much needed injection of talent and heart.
Second, we’re also likely to see Denilson go. As much as I slag on him, by all accounts he’s a good guy and well-liked by the squad. It’s clear, however, that his talent does not match what Wenger demands of a defensive mid. In his place I’d like to see a true volante backing up Cesc/Wilshere. Love Song — integral to the club. Still, he needs a true back-up. Someone who could start day-in, day-out. Song would continue as a starter, but he needs reliable relief. Denilson never provided it.
Third, we need a keeper. Both Fabianski and Wojciech have improved greatly this season. I truly mean that. Before he went down injured, I thought Fabs showed poise and confidence and was becoming the keeper Wenger always told us he could be. Wojciech has been phenomenal (excepting, of course, that OOF! against Birmingham). He will be Arsenal’s keeper longterm, no doubt. But realistically, neither can lead this team to a Prem title, or the CL — yet. Hugo Lloris, perhaps? What was true in 09 & 10 is true today: we need a world class keeper. I don’t care if he is 33 or 34, he just needs to command the backline.
Lastly, the players we bring in this summer (Insh’allah) must all be proven winners. I don’t care if they are 27 or 28 or 29. This team needs leadership (Good God, I’m beginning to sound like Warren Barton) and leadership arrives at the confluence of winning experience and desire. I don’t doubt the desire of the current squad, but we truly do not know how to win. Wenger must address the soul of the squad this off-season. If he doesn’t, 2011-12 will see Arsenal fail again.
tl;dr
@mightmouse — I think you’re pretty spot on, but do disagree on one or two points. Firstly, I think the goalkeeper situation is solved with Woch and we should put that to bed. He’s a good shot stopper, commands the area well (enough, but he’ll get better) and has the gravitas to be a top keeper (huge self-belief and a bit mental). Guy is the present and future for us without a doubt.
Personally, I think we need to revert back to a high 4-4-2. I realize the 4-3-3 highlights Cesc (when he plays), but we lack the rampant counter-attack that won us titles. Outside of Theo, we have NO ONE willing to take on and beat a player one-on-one. Nasri tries – that wicked nutmeg of Evra was great – but he’s slow. Pires and Ljunberg would take players on without fear, so would Henry. That’s the “game changer” we miss; not the clinical eye of Xavi, but someone with balls willing to beat someone and stretch the defense out of shape.
Plus, we have two strikers who often look uncomfortable in their positions. Chamakh’s a poacher and needs a partner; Bendtner cannot play out wide, but has, in my mind, clearly shown his class and has for over a year. Guy has scored amazingly huge goals for us and NEVER gets the credit he deserves. Theo can play up top now too or on the wing – when I say “4-4-2,” I think of the traditional Arsenal: 4-2-2-2 with two out wide and two holding (why can’t Cesc play the Ray Parlour role but, you know, with a ton more class?). Put RVP in the “bergkamp” slot and use the diversity that Bendtner and Chamakh give us up top. Or Theo for his pace. Jeez, think of the knock-down outlet bendtner and Chamkh will give us, playing that ball down to RVP who can control, play it out wide or hit a shot.
Plus, looking at our reserves and loanees, it becomes clearer a 4-4-2 switch will occur in the near term. Lansbury and Botelho will be with us next year, Miyachi probably not, but indicative of that pacing wing man that we really lack. Look at Saturday: the Da Silvas could play forward because there was NO FEAR we would get in behind them, so they were pressed the whole game. Even with just Theo it would have forced the left back to play deeper and relieve the pressure just a bit.
Kyle Bartley looks set to be the 2nd behind Song. Craig Eastmond is still out there too and was “the guy” this summer before injuries. but he’s getting it back on loan. We SHOULD be very concerned about our right back situation given that we have no reliable back-up to Sagna. Thankfully he’s a machine, but eventually he’ll break down and all we have is a very unmotivated Eboue who may be playing the worst football he’s played for Arsenal. Bartley came to us a RB/CB so I guess he could play RB if needed, but that’s like throwing Flamini out there in my opinion: he’s more valuable to us in the center of the pitch.
We also could deviate from our formation depending on the opponent – something we used to do, but seem not to anymore. I didn’t say anything at the time, but I thought it would have been a good idea to play Gibbs as a left mid at the Nou Camp; he’s got a good work ethic and I thought his pace could have given Alves more to think about defensively (especially since we lined up with five in the midfield). His main problem is that he falls asleep in his own box which is a problem for a LB, but I think he could have done a better job than Rosicky could offer.
Definitely out this summer:
Denilson – prolly to Germany or Italy
Rosicky – love him, but he’s done, sadly.
Replaced by: Rambo, Lansbury, Bartley, Eastmond
Gone if the money’s right:
Arshavin
Vela
I doubt both will go, but we’ll get an offer for one that will be too good to pass up. I recognize what Vela can offer us, he just hasn’t put it together – going to Bolton was the wise choice, he’s doing well there and I hope Chicarito’s influence will light a fire under him. One of them will get one more chance
@whiz agree- except you forget emmaunel Frimmpong. In the preseason he clearly demostrated his ability prior to his injury. I suspect he will play significantly next year as a back up to Song.