After 4-0 Loss to AC Milan, Arsenal Needs To Play With More Urgency.
LONDON, UK – 48 hours after suffering their worst-ever loss in Europe, Arsenal must turn their attention to Sunderland in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
In a fixture that was eerily similar to Arsenal’s 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford against Manchester United, the Gunners would display an equally uninspired, sloppy and unmotivated form at the San Siro, as they would look listless, lethargic un-Gunner-like display during their 4-0 Champions League defeat at the hands of AC Milan.
This would also be the last game for long time Gunner—and legend—Theirry Henry as his brief stint with the Gunners would end due to him being on loan from the MLS New York City Red Bulls.
Thanks to AC Milan’s Brazilian striker Robinho and his two goals (38’ 49’), Arsenal’s chances of advancing to the round of eight in the Champions League are done, and unless Arsenal can someone score five goals versus a world-class team such as the Rossineri—and hold them to a clean sheet in north London—Arsenal’s dreams for European glory are over.
With that in mind, Arsenal should—and need to turn their attention to winning the FA Cup—and specially, Sunderland.
The Gunners would defeat Sunderland, 2-1 on a dramatic goal by striker Theirry Henry in stoppage time, which would vault Arsenal to fourth on the Premiership table.
Whether it is Manchester United, AC Milan or even Championship side Middlesborough, Arsenal needs to play—and show more consistency in it’s form.
It is one thing to lose 3-2 to the likes of recently promoted Swansea City, and then come back and thrash Blackburn 7-1, but to play as un-inspired and lifeless in a away leg in the Champions League is another thing entirely.
For a such a silverware-starved side as Arsenal, it is no wonder that Dutch captain Robin van Persie is counting the days till he can sign be reunited with former Gunner, Cesc Fabragas in Barcelona.
When you have to scrape out wins over relegation zone teams such as Aston Villa and Sunderland, the problem is not the opposing side, but in the current manager—Arsene Wenger.
While Wenger has done a lot during his tenure at Arsenal, his inflexibility, questionable substitutions and stubbornness make you wonder if his time in North London may be coming to an end.
If Arsenal does not either advance thru and win the FA Cup, produce a good showing vs. AC Milan in London, or finish in the top four of the Premiership table, do not be surprised if the calls for Wenger’s ouster grow louder.
Bottom line is that The Gunners need to display more consistent form here on out, and that starts with Sunderland, and while no team has ever come back from a 4-0 away defeat to reach the next round of the Champions League, the time is not on whether Gooners everywhere really believe in the popular slogan, “In Arsene We Trust?”
Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76 and @TheBoxScore
FEATURED PARTNERS
- Stop Looking At This Cat's Girlfriend
- 10 Lessons From The Premiere Of "Girls"
- 33 Animals With Stuffed Animals Of Themselves
- Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Divorce -- Reconciliation Effort Hits a Cold Patch
- Dwight Howard's Baby Mama Royce Reed -- Dear Judge ... Please Let Me Trash My Ex!!!
- Brian 'The Boz' Bosworth Sued Over Poop System Disaster in Mansion from 'The OC'
- Rick Ankiel Has a Stupid Arm
- Alabama Has Ruined Its BCS Trophy
- CU-Boulder Is Going to Extremes to Ruin 4/20