Sunday, February 17, 2008
The fine art of losing
Abject. Disappointing. Pathetic. Dire. Shameful. Woeful.
Once again Arsenal croaked in a cup tie against a major rival and once again questions must be asked of Wenger's exciting team. Do they have the mental strength to be winners?
Last night's showing against United suggests not. Resting Adebayor, Flamini and without injured Rosicky and van Persie (who?) Arsenal rolled over and died against an impressive United who had struggled in their last couple of games.
Like the Spurs semi final Arsenal were almost effortlessly brushed aside by a side that just 'wanted' it more.
Winning is a habit. So is losing. Players like Gilberto, now surely at the end of his days at Arsenal, Traore and Hoyte get called up when it's a Carling Cup game or a game of little strategic value but with them in the team, and throw Lehmann into the mix perhaps, the feeling is this is very much a second choice eleven and perhaps Arsene's heart ain't in it.
I hope that's not the case but what elese to think?
But you can't prioritise trophies. Surely you put your best team out to win every single game every single time. But no matter who you put out, surely have got to be up for it against the likes of United and Spurs.
If not, if you lack the winning mentality for the so called lesser trophies then who is to guarantee the more prestigious ones will fall in your lap?
This Arsenal team is an exciting outfit to watch but they are not a great team. Far from it. Until they win a trophy, and then continue to do so on a regular basis, they will be under achievers. We've endured three barren years. Last year Chelsea won the Carling Cup and the FA Cup in a barren season. Before that United won things while not performing at their best in the Premier League.
It seems Arsenal don't think that way. The Arsenal way perhaps is the Premier League playing our way or nothing. Sorry, I don't accept that. I don't want this fancy football with no end result.
I want trophies. That is how you judge greatness.
(Oh and please, please, get rid of that embarrasment Eboue. His limited qualities are regularly undermined by his petulant antics and downright cheating)
Once again Arsenal croaked in a cup tie against a major rival and once again questions must be asked of Wenger's exciting team. Do they have the mental strength to be winners?
Last night's showing against United suggests not. Resting Adebayor, Flamini and without injured Rosicky and van Persie (who?) Arsenal rolled over and died against an impressive United who had struggled in their last couple of games.
Like the Spurs semi final Arsenal were almost effortlessly brushed aside by a side that just 'wanted' it more.
Winning is a habit. So is losing. Players like Gilberto, now surely at the end of his days at Arsenal, Traore and Hoyte get called up when it's a Carling Cup game or a game of little strategic value but with them in the team, and throw Lehmann into the mix perhaps, the feeling is this is very much a second choice eleven and perhaps Arsene's heart ain't in it.
I hope that's not the case but what elese to think?
But you can't prioritise trophies. Surely you put your best team out to win every single game every single time. But no matter who you put out, surely have got to be up for it against the likes of United and Spurs.
If not, if you lack the winning mentality for the so called lesser trophies then who is to guarantee the more prestigious ones will fall in your lap?
This Arsenal team is an exciting outfit to watch but they are not a great team. Far from it. Until they win a trophy, and then continue to do so on a regular basis, they will be under achievers. We've endured three barren years. Last year Chelsea won the Carling Cup and the FA Cup in a barren season. Before that United won things while not performing at their best in the Premier League.
It seems Arsenal don't think that way. The Arsenal way perhaps is the Premier League playing our way or nothing. Sorry, I don't accept that. I don't want this fancy football with no end result.
I want trophies. That is how you judge greatness.
(Oh and please, please, get rid of that embarrasment Eboue. His limited qualities are regularly undermined by his petulant antics and downright cheating)
Labels: Arsenal Manchester United FA Cup Eboue
# posted by Me @ 6:18 AM 
Comments:
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i don't know... maybe can understand "priorities" and even agree with them.
but find one thing unacceptable.
attitude. at least try to play, even if you are weaker then opposition. i didn't see anything like this today.
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but find one thing unacceptable.
attitude. at least try to play, even if you are weaker then opposition. i didn't see anything like this today.
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