Just As The Defence Sorts Itself Out, Ewood Do That Again

A point that could have been more but is probably the outcome that was deserved judging the overall performance. Judging by the results from the other games, that particular outcome is not as bad as was feared before the game; Chelsea are no further ahead of us, Liverpool in the same boat and Manchester United under pressure following on from what is apparently their worst start for fifteen years.

It does not detract from the fact though that it was another sloppy goal that has cost Arsenal two points. There is a knee-jerk reaction to the culprit because evidentially it is no longer an out of character mistake. Jens Lehmann is probably enduring the worst spell of his Arsenal career. There are two decisions that Arsene has to make as a result. Firstly he has to take a view as to whether or not this error and the one against Fulham are an indication of the onset of the terminal decline in the German’s career or merely a temporary loss of form requiring a spell on the sidelines to kickstart his form again, and, secondly and equally as important, are either of the substitute Goalkeepers capable of achieving the consistency required to permanently displace Lehmann from the team?

Neither answer is as clear cut as we would like to believe. The Sparta game proved that he still has the ability to keep clean sheets, something that on a regular basis has been in short supply in recent seasons. The problem with judging the Goalkeeper on clean sheets is that frequently they are not the sole or even a participatory cause of conceding a goal. Lehmann though has not been helped by his indiscretions at set plays and other mistakes that have cost goals, slowly eroding his reputation in some eyes. It leads to the mistaken belief that these errors have been happening every other game for more than a year. The reality is that he has probably been at fault for maybe half a dozen or so goals during the course of last season and this. Judging this though is highly subjective for us, relatively objective for Arsene and his staff with the array of technology and recordings available to them.

The second issue of equal import is whether Almunia or Fabianski can replace him right at this moment in time. With the latter, this is unknown. Having signed from the Club and wanted to challenge for a first team place immediately, this could be considered that opportunity. Whether or not he adapted sufficiently is not yet known. That he has not yet figured in the First Team squad suggests Arsene does not believe that to be the case, perhaps it is the language barrier that has not yet been fully overcome. For Almunia, it could be ‘Now or Never‘. He has had occasion to displace Lehmann before, did little wrong in that spell a year or so ago but obviously did not command sufficient belief from either Wenger or Defenders to permanently claim the top spot. He looked better than before in pre-season, confirming he is a good ‘shot-stopper’ but perhaps not commanding the area as a Number One should. Whatever the outcome, nothing much should be read into Arsene’s defence of Lehmann; he was never going to come out and kick the man when he is down. There is no chance of the called for Option 3. Wenger will not sign a new ‘keeper this window unless he has already planned a move for either Lehmann or Almunia, something that is highly unlikely. More likely is that he will have a short spell out of the starting line-up to rediscover his focus.

The thing that exacerbates the situation is that whilst Rovers enjoyed far more possession during the Second Half than perhaps they should, the defenders in front of Lehmann had continued there good form of the previous two matches in that they had eradicated the stupid errors that led to goals. A lot of this is due to more solidity on the right, Sagna again putting in a consistent performance, containing Pedersen, proving that despite the clamour, the player is simply not Arsenal quality. Clichy on the other flank had kept Bentley and Co. reasonably well contained also. Gallas and Toure were similarly getting on top of their opponents, Senderos continued that when he came on. For the sake of his confidence, I hope that he has exorcised the Ghosts from the FA Cup Replay – he can probably be rest assured that he will not be asked to play Right Back again unless there is a dire emergency.

The injury to Gallas leaves the Centre Backs a little short this for a fortnight or so; cover is there in the form of Gilberto, Hoyte and perhaps Nordveidt at a push. The hope on Wenger’s part is that it will be unnecessary. Early reports suggest that Gallas will be back for the visit to Tottenham.

Concerns arose about the battering that RvP and Cesc received. The former got a booking, possibly could have got a red had the official been more ‘trigger-happy’, through fighting fire with fire. It was good to see that the players were not cowed by the game; disappointing that they have yet to learn how to impose their own rhythm on aggressive opposition. They also have to retain possession more solidly in the face of such tactics; the Rovers equaliser seemed a matter of time on that basis although until Lehmann’s error, it was by no means certain.

van Persie’s goal contained positives aside from the ball entering in the back of the net. Firstly the bodies in the box; Cesc, Eduardo and RvP were all there for a chance. The presence of the three also induced the panic in the Rovers defence, pressing and challenging for the ball if the opportunity arose. Signs that post-Henry, a new way of thinking has sunk in.

Eduardo had a quiet debut. Good movement but lack of possession gave little opportunity to shine. He can take comfort from the knowledge that the matches of this ilk are few and far between. Bendtner did well when he came on, causing problems, setting Hleb for a shot that perhaps could have been taken first time; when it came to Denilson, his strike was blocked before it could be parried or caught by Freidel.

Not a vintage performance; ‘resilient’ is the word Arsene used. A point is useful and not the end of the world but disappointing in the knowledge that it could have been more.

’til Tomorrow.