Wigan, Arsene and Cesc

Wigan pitch up at The Emirates this evening to play in the Fizzy-Water-Posing-As-Lager Cup and in Arsene’s words, 90% of the team that comprehensively disposed of Sheffield United will play. The other 10% will be interesting to see who does not. In view of current injuries, it is pretty much certain that Bendtner will not even be in the squad and even though Manuel Almunia is expected to be OK for the weekend, it would be little surprise if Lukasz Fabianski does not start. Equally though not an eyebrow would be raised if he did. Unlikely as it may seem, this evening might be a good time to Kolo Toure a chance to regain his form, partnering Djourou in the centre of defence with Song in the midfield. Again, it could be either way, especially as Arsene seems intent on converting Toure to a right back at the moment. Whatever the result is, and a win is always a good confidence booster for the younger players, the performance is more important, a better guide to the progress being made by the group of youngsters.

The squad’s strength came under scrutiny once more following the victory over Manchester United with Arsene claiming that he has yet to decide if he will venture into the January window:

We will make a check at the end of December and we will see. We have had many players out and showed we have a great squad that can win the big games

And I suspect more importantly, a number of games against ‘lesser’ teams to come which will be the crux of the decision. It is all very well winning against rivals with a lot hanging on the result, showing that the pressure can be handled. A team with title pretensions will have to win the others as well. If he does go into the kitty and spend a few quid, a forward is unlikely with Eduardo set to return in the next four weeks although some scepticism needs to be applied to Arsene’s injury updates as they are frequently out by a week or three. I would be surprised if a big signing arrived although he has in the past said that he likes to make these deals in January to give the player time to adapt to the next season.

One ‘big’ name he defended was Cesc Fabregas, about whom Wenger said:

Personally I don’t see any drop in his performance. At the moment that’s
what people say, but I don’t believe so. I believe he is trying even harder but once you
become a leader like him and the team doesn’t win, you are the first in the spotlight. Before, it was Patrick Vieira. When the team didn’t win, it was Vieira… and you forget about Fabregas. Now he has a lot of responsibility and as soon as you don’t win, it’s ‘Oh, it’s Fabregas. He’s not as good as before.’ I don’t think so. He will get a few more [goals], don’t worry. That is as well linked to the success of the team, and to confidence.

Of course that might be different to his actual thoughts and the duo were having a bit of a love-in post-United when Fabregas said:

We definitely did it for the manager because he has believed in us. Apart from Gallas and Silvestre, the rest of the players would have never had the chance to play football so we owe him a lot of things and have to show that on the pitch.

No doubt this is a stick with which Arsene will be beaten at some point – “Oh, he’s bigger than the club, they play for him not for the shirt” – but with that kind of emotional hold over the players, it is easier to motivate them. He would not even have to say about himself, his body language would have given him away, although he claims to not have contemplated defeat against United. Hmmmm. Whatever way this goes, that loyalty will remain in some, become less important to others as their careers progress. It does not mean that as soon as Wenger goes, the players will all disappear to various points in the globe. One or two will, that is only natural. Much in those circumstances depend upon how the board (whomever that may be at the time) handle the succession which seems unlikely to come from within. A while away though and not something to worry about in the immediate future.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.