Written by BBGun Monday, 23 January 2012 12:14

GunnerTalk Blog

By BBGun

Gunnertalkers... I was initially very annoyed that Wenger substituted the Ox. I, like many of you thought it was the wrong move, he was buzzing and by far our best player on the pitch, setting up Van Persie for a nice strike and pulling us back into the game. The continual treat from the boy was so good that the Utd players were really standing off him and giving him the respect he deserved.

Then came the change and we were all like....... ‘why?’ I really wanted to hear what Wenger had to say for himself after the game. Once I heard it I have to say the guy made sense to me. This part where he said .... ‘You have an 18-year-old kid making his first Premier League start and a player who's captain of his country and they are querying the substitution? Let's be serious’. It’s very true Wenger, I don’t think we can or should continue to go on about this move changing the whole game. It wasn’t the decision to make the change that let us down, it was a viable thing to do after 70 plus minutes played, when the Ox has given his all on his first start for us against serious opposition.

No the problem lies with how we were let down by the man coming on the field! The captain of Russia!! Who certainly did not perform like he is a captain at all!. What’s wrong with Andre? He doesn’t even look like he wants to be on the pitch! He came on, made a few aimless runs, then was at fault for the goal as he didn’t track his man ....and when he did have a chance to put a block to the cross he tamely turns his back and just shows his arse!

Andrey gets a lot of lenience as we all know what he is capable of. I still have faith in him as a player but there has always been this air of...‘I’m a play maker’ and not up for the fight of the English Premiership. These sort of players don’t last in the EPL, I know he would flourish elsewhere like Italy or back home in Russia, but not here in the Premiership. It’s a real shame because he can be one of the best and so exciting to watch, and he should be the kind of player that everyone want his name on the back of their shirt.. but he just hasn’t gone that way!

Our performance wasn’t anything to be ashamed of. But Arshavin should be ashamed of himself, when an 18 year old played so much better on his debut. Well done the Ox, keep it going son!

As for this season, unless some players start to step up and bust their guts then we will not finish 4th. Le Boss doesn’t look like making any purchases so the guys we’ve got have to start playing for the badge. Perhaps Thierry will lead by example!