Another Defeat

Oh Dear. After not having lost to Fulham since the Battle of Hastings, it was a game you thought we could win to put us back on track. Sadly it wasn't to be. Seven changes were made to the starting eleven from the Bolton game.

Both the fullbacks, Eboue & Clichy, were dropped. Both players had been pretty poor the last couple of games, so in some ways it was a positive change - players who don't perform need to be reminded that they are not guaranteed a place in the team. Unfortunately, we don't have another recognised left back, so Wenger chose to play Flamini at left back. This in turn meant he needed to change the midfield - and for some reason Wenger decided that Fabregas should be dropped and replaced with Song. While I agree that we can't expect the 19 year old Fabregas to play game in, game out without feeling the effects, you would surely struggle to find anyone who would think Song is an adequate replacement.

Ever since he first appeared for Arsenal, there has been much debate over the quality (or lack of it) of Song. However, his performance last night has been universally criticised, with the Daily Mail describing it thus:

"Song's performance was as bad as it gets at this level. Rarely has an Arsenal player looked so out of his depth under Wenger's stewardship."

I can't see many more games for Song in the immediate future...

Where we go from here I don't know, but we can't put in a performance like this against Spurs on Saturday. However, I fear we now have too many players who don't appreciate the history of the fixture, and we seem to lack players who have a more physical nature to their game (which is bound to be needed in a local derby). I for one will be glad to see Lauren & Diaby fit again, as at least they are prepared to get physical when needed.


As an aside, after the Hamburg game, I put the poster of Flamini that was in the match programme up on my 2 year old Son's bedroom wall. On Saturday afternoon (before the Bolton game) he ripped it down and tore it into a hundred pieces. Maybe he had a glimpse of what was to come...