The Good and Bad of Arsenal

So after the victory at Stamford Bridge proved that Arsenal could beat another top flight side, the question hung in the air: but can they do it against the bottom clubs?  That's where the issues have been for this Arsenal club ironically enough -- the Stokes, the Fulhams.

The Wigan Athletics.

Now when any side features the comic stylings of Mr. Titus Bramble on defense, you know that there will be at least one major opportunity available for your attack.  So it should have come as no surprise when Bramble misplayed the ball and left it available for Adebayor to put it in the back of the net.  

But what did come as a surprise is how lacking the attack went after that.  Two strikes hit the post and you have to feel sorry that at least one of those shots didn't go in.  Those misses eventually led to a sense of dread over Wigan's chances -- who pressed forward and forward against a defense that bent and bent but never broke.

And then there was Eboue.

Look, few players in the current squad are as controversial with the supporters as Emmanuel Eboue.  Arsene, for some reason, sees quality in him.  Even when Bakary Sagna arrived to take over his RB spot, it did not mean the end of his tenure.  Instead he was pressed forward into right midfield and occassionally as defensive midfielder.  In short, he's had plenty of opportunities to show something to make us believe he's more than what he's shown.

Today wasn't his best day.  And the fans let him know it.  And the Sky commentators reacted negatively to it while Arsene had, at least, the good sense to not spout too much stuff:

"It was sad the way the crowd reacted to him," said Wenger. "He is a sensitive boy and wants to do well for the team. I'm sure he will come back. On this occasion, I had to protect the team because he was becoming a danger to us."

Well boo-freakin'-hoo.

At least Arsene recognized that Eboue was becoming a danger to the club with his miscues and pulled him out. 

So we got the 3 points from beating a club that wasn't in the Top 4.  While we made a meal of it, the 3 points are what matter.  

January can't get here soon enough though.  All the deficiencies we saw during the summer are getting us in trouble now.