It’s quite amazing the difference a week can make in football. One moment you’re ranting at the manager and baying for his blood while the next you’re singing him praises.
Arsenal have been on a downward spiral since the game against Anderlercht in the Champions League earlier in November. The Gunners were sitting pretty on a three goal cushion at The Emirates with 30 minutes of play left, only for their makeshift defense to succumb to pressure, drawing 3-3 with the Belgian side.
The same sub-par performance was to be repeated the following weekend as Arsenal – who were again on the way to victory with a 1-0 lead against the Swans – proved vulnerable at the back by conceding two goals in three minutes, eventually losing 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium.
After a week and a half on international duty, the lads returned to host arch rivals Manchester United. It was a case of ‘same sh*t different day’ for Wenger’s side as they lost 2-1 to the Old Trafford outfit. Although there were many positives to draw from the match, it still went down as a big loss.
The Gunners did not however let the disappointing result get to their heads as they redeemed themselves with a comfortable and comforting 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
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They further showcased another solid display at The Hawthorns, winning with a solitary goal struck at the start of the second half by ‘Dat Guy’ Danny Welbeck.
Regardless of the win, tension is still brewing among the fans who displayed a banner at The Hawthorns with a message that did not go down well with Arsene Wenger.
Have a look at the banner:
http://gty.im/459708658
When asked to comment about the banner during the post-match press conference, the gaffer appeared infuriated stating:
“I don’t comment on that. Do I need to say it again? I don’t comment on your question.”
The members of the press – who were never going to let Wenger off easily until he provided a convincing reply – made a different approach to the pertinent question but the 65-year old blatantly put them off by saying:
“You’re very good at insisting. The responsibility of everybody is to prepare for the future.”
Just less than a fortnight ago, Alisher Usmanov [one of the largest shareholders of the club] openly condemned Wenger, accusing him of holding back Arsenal.
It has moved from online complains by the likes of Piers Morgan on Twitter to displaying of banners during matches by ‘concerned fans’, from season ticket holders to major shareholders at the club.
That begs the question, now that we’ve ascertained there are dark clouds hovering over Arsenal, will they either pass by to reveal the sun’s rays in all its majesty or cause a storm that will eventually make the oaks take root?
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