They don't deserve a top four finish!! Can we play without Robin?

But we do!!

If anyone watched the Fulham v Tiny Tott match they will know what I mean – talk about Lady Luck!!

Well, we don’t need Lady Luck anymore and it’s a good job too as we seldom get it! No way do that bunch deserve to be in the CL next season, their 3-1 scoreline was flattering to say the least and roll on February 2012 when we batter them at The Emirates!

So, back to us and the first thing I need to say is well done to our team and of course Arsene Wenger.

I believe that the victory against West Bromwich Albion was an important, massive and not only for the 3 pts but the way we played.

To me we looked as if we are very close to where we used to be, passing wise.

We moved the ball around crisply and cleanly and gave the ball away less, we also chased for the loose ball and we closed down a lot better.

I liked the pairing of Kosceinley and Vermaelen as the two central defenders, there was clearly a good understanding between them , they looked comfortable and covered one another well.

Although I miss Bacary Sagna, I thought Jenkinson has been a very good understudy, he strikes me as player that plays within himself and for a relatively inexperienced young player, he shows maturity for someone much older. I like the enthusiasm he puts into his game, I also like his forward runs down the wing but his enthusiasm to get back to his position is incredible for some one of his age.

This young man is the buy of the century, he cost just £1 Million – incredible and Arsene Wenger should take a bow. Jenkinson reminds me of Gerrard, not that one, the one in the film The Fugitive, the way he hunts down his fugitive Kimble if he gets away from him.

This lad is going to be a regular of that I’m certain!

I wrote in my last post about if we catch the leaders and I have to say that we are doing our damdest to try.

Another 3pts has moved us closer to some above us and like i said in that post the others will drop points and that has started to happen.

Vermaelen has made a good return, as in the past he often gets forward without going over the top but as with all good defenders he seems to know the right time and in this game he was rewarded with a fine goal. My concern at the moment is for Robin Van Persie, he has become a talisman for us. When he plays Arsenal play  and the game against Olympique Marseille showed that.

Our passing and movement in that game was not up to the standard needed to win games and that is my concern. Robin Van Persie is without question  quality, he appears to make the rest of the team feel comfortable when he play’s. He appears to have taken over, or should that be over taken the mantle left by Cesc Fabregas, his calmness and unique talent has helped rebuild the confidence that seemed to have left us.

Robin has taken his chances well, and we are in desperate need to find another that can fill his gap if and when he is rested or injured, Ju Park, Alex Oxlaide Chamberlain may be the players for the future but we need a player with Robins attributes, and we need that now.

With the Internationals taking place over the next fortnight, any injury to our Captain could so easily put a dampener on our present run, so with the transfer window looming forever closer, I urge Arsene Wenger to be on the lookout.

Koscienly, Vermaelen and Per Mertsacker have certainly tightened up our back line but I would still like to see another quality centre back added, Per Mertsacker is a good buy but on this showing against West Brom, Kos and Verm would be my first choice.

However, the Premier league and all the other competitions makes for an arduous season and it pays to think ahead. Arshavin has struggled to find the form of his first season with us and I can foresee his exit soon – Yossi Benayoun has fitted in quite well but he’s not young so I don’t see him being with us much longer.

Chesney appears to be Wengers first choice keeper and when asked Wenger said he has plenty of goalkeepers, my concern is are they good enough if the need arose for them to play full-time? My answer would be no, so I would make a clear out and buy quality.

Alex Song, once one of my first choice players but Alex has found the need to hold on to the ball a couple of seconds to long and in this league that’s not a good thing. He also likes to play out of trouble instead of a big hoof which is some times needed. If he can overcome this problem and with Frimpong/Coquelin there as cover, I would see how this works out over the next few months.

Theo Walcott,  well I can see why Wenger has problems with Theo,  should he try him alongside Robin or keep him on the flank and if only Theo could only cross the ball better he would always be a winger.

He shows great speed along the flanks and  at times he makes intelligent runs  but that final ball is a problem!

In fact, so much so, I wonder if when Sagna comes back maybe Jenkinson could replace Theo?

He has pace in abundance, he crosses a mean ball into the penalty area and I think he would work well with Sagna. Jenkinson also defends well too so nothing lost there…

As for Theo up front with The Man, I would be surprised.

Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey has been with us for a while now and he fills the space quite well but should we expect more from him?

Aaron has come back from a bad break and although progressed well,  something still seems to be lacking. Is there room for both in our squad, or will one be off loaded soon once Jack comes back?

Chamakh it has to be said has failed to impress, he has had many chances but has not shown the form of his first six months with us and I can only see him leaving real soon.

Gervinho he is getting better and better but is still settling in, I see him as a good one for the here and now. Santos has some nice touches and some good forward runs and likes to be where the action is but lacks the discipline that’s needed for a left back.  He too often leaves a lot of work for his team mates when he ventures forward and struggles to get back. He also commits himself to a tackle to early and seems to struggle with being part of the defensive unit.

That needs to change, Gibbs had made this position his own and at present will take it right back when his fit.

Back to Robin Van Persie, can we play without him is the question?

The answer has to be that we will have to learn to!

Because, if we can’t, our season will finish as it started.

We must find a way just in case Robin should get injured, we need another player that can step in if this should be the case and we need that player to make that move soon.

Robins history with injuries doesn’t just go away, so a solution needs to be found and soon.

If we have a player that can do just that, our climb up the table will continue…..

COYG.

Written by Steve Palmer.