Written by Lindsay Melrose Thursday, 08 April 2010 13:37

GunnerTalk Blog

(Hugo Lloris)

By Lindsay Sheehan

In my blog "Barcelona - it was the first time that we met" I bemoaned the denial of a full 11 vs 11 in the 2006 final. I still have no idea, even after watching both legs of the current competition, if on our day we could get near em as it was virtually our B team playing at the Nou Camp. What is clear is that we didn't get even close last night. We all know the qualities of Barcelona and especially their little magician Messi. They are stunning to watch, work hard, hussle, and completely out Arsenal the Arsenal. They are also a little prone to Oscar winning diving and referee-conning. Disappointing but hey most beauty is flawed. It is no shame at all to lose to Barcelona in such scintillating form.  They are the Champions of pretty much everything at the moment and we are probably only the 3rd best team in the Premier League.  Yes again there were some disappointing Arsenal performances and we looked lazy in comparison to their work rate, but really on paper, it was always going to be a thumping.  What's more important is that we pick from the ashes something to propel this team forward for the end of the campaign and into next year. There were many positives as described eloquently by Adam yesterday.

What has been proven is that we must add some depth and strength to our squad. . Let me just say I am not sure any spend would have stopped Barcelona last night. It looked like nothing short of dynamite would have achieved that but there are still 4 games of the season left and it would be gutting to drop points now.

We have amazingly come to the final furlong with this threadbare and injury racked group of players, but perhaps we lack the personnel for the final push which would undoubtedly yield success. This is not to undermine the perseverance, guts, determination and general lucky bastard nature of the current team. We have certainly performed beyond all expectations and have surely developed.

But I am sick of the opinion that if we buy the younger players will fail to flourish. It seems glaringly obvious that if we add players to the squad we will be much more competitive, therefore we will be involved in more games, which gives the squad members more chance to play rather than less. Er DUH! There are always going to be injuries/rotation so there will always be chances for developing players to step in and step up. Competition for places also increases performance levels. I wonder how much the younger players actually learn from being continually mullered by the classy teams. Arsenal have been comprehensively beaten by Chelsea and Manchester United on various occasions over the last 2 seasons. What does this actually teach them apart from the fact that they are not as good? It’s kinda like rubbing a puppy's nose in its own shite just for being a puppy. To just be proud of them is becoming a bitter taste, we want success for them too and not just a patronising pat on the head and a tummy rub for giving it a good go. This isn't the sack race at primary school; a club like Arsenal deserves silverware.

Wenger said last night "We are at a stage where we develop the players. Today in midfield we had Walcott who is 21, Bendtner up front who is 22, Nasri, Diaby and Denilson are 23, 22. I think they have shown some great qualities and will be stronger every year. We have to add something that is for sure but we have some time to think about that."  He obviously thought about it last season with our pursuit of FelipeMelo and Marouane Chamakh. These 2 would have had a great impact on our game, especially with the addition of Vermaelen.  For financial reasons we lost Chamakh (although it appears a done freebie deal for the summer) and Melo chose to have a disappointing season with Juventus instead - weirdo. Obviously the boss is aware of where we are missing the vital ingredients but seems that Arsenal were too skint to purchase the icing. I refer back to our almost signing of Alonso from Liverpool as further evidence. Apparently this went tits up over £2 million quid.  This is where I become extremely frustrated. For pocket change we deny Cesc the chance of pairing up with a guy who he has constantly praised in the press (hint hint) and plays with on a national level.  We are all aware of the mantra of sustainability. We know we need to live within our restraints and employ and sensible model to keep our club in the shape it deserves. But for fucks sake for £10 million quid we let a striker fall through the net? Its pocket change to the extra revenue some serious trophies would bring in. We are the fucking Arsenal and we haven't got £10 mil to spunk? Really? I know we should not get "done" by the inflated market but it’s not like we are buying a second hand Cortina from Big Frank. Loosing players like this over principles like these seems daft in the day of much larger football excesses. We aren't asking for a Man City style lets buy anyone who is available and pay them a million a week plus image rights. Just 2 or 3 finished articles full stop. It’s actually costing us too much to worry about cost.  If you've watched  the GT episode 05 "Wenger Please spend some money" you can see the fans pleading for a purchase!  Not rocket science.

 I heard many supposed Gooners calling for Wenger's head on various radio phone ins after last night mauling. How embarrassing. It makes me cringe.  I have already nailed my flag firmly to the Arsene mast in previous blogs (We know which side our bread is buttered) and nothing has changed for me. It’s said in France that Wenger is seen as too stubborn, too focussed on his ideal, to the detriment to his team. Surely now the evidence is so strong that he must pay more than lip service to the transfer window this season.

So "what now?" is that we get a week’s rest before the absolutely massive game at Shite Heart Lane. This won't help us with the sick list (apart from perhaps Alex Song) but hopefully it will give some tired minds and bones a respite and a refocus. Including mine.