Crunch Time for Arsenal

Arsenal fans who were devastated by their team’s failure to beat lowly West Ham United in a match which they totally dominated could at least console themselves with the fact that the Gunners played their beautiful football and created no fewer than 31 chances, so once the finishing improved all would be well. Or so they must have hoped.

A couple of days later it was Newcastle United at St James’ Park and sure enough, some things had changed – though unfortunately not necessarily the things for which they had wished. For here there was no rich profusion of scoring opportunities, and precious little of the delightful attacking football to which they had become accustomed, or the confidence which helped to inspire it. Worst of all, the inability to finish what little was created remained constant and as exasperating as ever.

What is particularly disturbing is that there were so few individual performances that might be considered satisfactory. Lehmann was safe and dependable. Gael Clichy continues to give the impression that if he isn’t already a better player than Ashley Cole, he very soon will be. Alexander Hleb, inexplicably much maligned by some Arsenal fans, was as industrious as ever, as was Freddie Ljungberg. And Gilberto was majestic in both defence and attack.

By contrast, Emmanuel Eboue is no longer the magnificent young full back of last season. Kolo Toure, who in times past has seemed like one of the top three Premiership centre backs, is suddenly bereft of confidence and prone to errors not seen from him before. Gallas, though massively experienced and competent defensively, looks casual and gives the ball away almost as badly as Sol Campbell once did. Young Cesc Fabregas seems worn out and desperately in need of a rest, and Abou Diaby, recently hailed as the natural successor to Patrick Vieira, was hesitant, awkward and at times predictable. And up front, Emmanuel Adebayor, who had failed to convert any of the eight chances he had against the Hammers, was even more disappointing and subs Aliadiere and Baptista no better.

Right now it is not simply a question of missed chances. The confidence has gone from this team and with it the imagination, the conviction and the swagger which, together with their wonderful technique, helped these players fashion the most imaginative and artistic football which the Premiership has ever seen. They need to get that confidence back quickly and to add defensive resilience and real finishing ability, because next up it’s Bolton, Bedrock Wanderers, who like to think they know how to play against Arsenal. And if they’re proved right on this occasion, it could spell the end of the club’s ambition to qualify once again for the Champions League.