The Window Closes And Some Second-Half Thoughts

After much deliberation, consternation, anger and veiled shots, Arsenal finally landed their man.  Andrei Arshavin -- he of the great UEFA Cup and Euro 08 runs -- is now a Gunner.  It only took 32 days and more words written about it than the Bible to see it done. 

I had guessed at the start of the window that we would be targetting a central midfielder (to replace Cesc), a central defender (because Kolo and Gallas didn't seem to be working together) and a winger (to provide a more attacking wide option).  Of course, I was wide off the mark.  

So let's just put that down to me being a complete idiot.  

Arshavin should provide immediate assistance on the attacking third and in helping to break down the 10-man wall defenses that have risen up around the Premier League.  You gotta expect that, at first, he'll slide into the right side of the pitch and keep us from seeing Eboue or Bendtner out there.  (Let's hope that puts each of those players back on the substitutes' bench on their respective spots).  Once Theo returns, we'll probably see Arshavin rotate around between midfield and a forward position.

One advantage we'll have is that he's already cup-tied for Europe.  This will mean he won't feature for our Champions League teams.  And that's probably a good thing.

I spoke earlier about the 10-man wall defenses that we've been facing in the last month or so.  Given that there's only 11 points separating 7th-place Wigan and last place West Brom and 14 games left in the season, it's only certain that we'll be seeing more and more of those walls between now and the end of May.  The difference of a single point earned now can mean millions and millions of Premier League pounds in teams' coffers.

And speaking about, the difference of a few points will mean the difference between the millions of Champions League football and the thousands of UEFA Cup/Europa League football.  I know that we look towards the FA Cup and Champions League to provide us with our best bets for silverware.  But our focus has to remain on the Premier League and the battle for fourth place. 

In a way, we're lucky that Chelsea appear to be ready to fall into the fourth place battle as I don't think Villa's lucky run will end anytime soon.  

In short, we have to prioritize finishing in the Top 4.  Sitting Robin Van Persie (our most consistent player) to play him against Cardiff in the FA Cup is the kind of decision we cannot afford.