Arsenal kicked off the season with a marginal 1-0 win at the Emirates over new boys West Brom whilst Chelsea put in a pretty storming performance at home, easing themselves into the new campaign with a 4-0 win over Pompey.
Chelsea’s win was apparently watched intently – well, the first half at least – by the Arsenal manager, who although impressed, hinted the scoreline had more to do with Pompey’s performance than ours and suggested he isn’t convinced we’ll maintain the consistency required to challenge Manchester United over the course of a season. Pretty rich coming from someone whose side capitulated way before last season’s run-in, but still.
Wenger says “I watched the first half, and then stopped watching because I felt the game was over. Chelsea were very good, but Portsmouth had a bad day at the office and that can happen to anybody. Before they could even get into the game, it was already over for them. However, Chelsea were impressive – but on one game you cannot assess too much.”
As I’ve already mentioned, despite a really good first half of last season, Arsenal’s push for the title didn’t so much fade in March as collapse in spectacular fashion, with inexperience taking it’s toll once the odd injury crept in. Not that the Gunners should let that bother them now, because the Arsenal boss feels this year’s squad will cope better – as long as everyone’s fit.
The Frenchman suggests “There was not one factor why we fell away last season, it was a conjunction of a few things, like injuries, some bad luck as well as a bit of inexperience and nervousness. We have a short squad, yes, and we cannot afford ten injuries like other teams with big numbers. But I think we have the right number of players who can compete at the top level when everyone is fit.”
However, despite acknowledging his own squad is such that injuries will still pose a problem, you might assume he’d think Chelsea’s strength in depth could be an advantage for Scolari – but you’d assume wrong. Because the fact that we have players like Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Essien, Obi Mikel, Malouda and Joe Cole vying for places, could cause us problems according to the Arsenal manager, who says “Chelsea has an abundance of good players. That can be a strength, because the Champions League and the Premier League is a marathon, but if it doesn’t go well it can also be a weakness. There are so many players in midfield that they will have to sacrifice very good and very experienced players. They can’t all play at once.”
Well, of course we know they can’t all play at once but isn’t that what a squad with strength in depth is meant to be about Mr Wenger? You know, the idea of having quality on the bench as well as the pitch? Or how about that injury thing – doesn’t it help a bit when you don’t start a season saying you only have the ‘right number of players to compete if they’re all fit’?
Anyway, he does at least admit Chelsea will be one of the teams to beat this season, even if he thinks his own side will have the beating of us, and claims “They will be one of the super candidates to fight for the title, but I feel we have enough to fight with them.”
Handbags at the ready then?
Blue is the colour
