Arsenal: Rio Ferdinand A Justified Scrooge

Rio Ferdinand has criticised Arsenal players for their celebratory photos after Wednesday’s win. While impersonating Scrooge, his comments are justified.

That certainly was an impressive win by Arsenal on Wednesday night. While Ludogorets are not the calibre of opponent that the Gunners will face in the Premier League, the verve and vibrancy of their attacking play was a joy to behold, only building the confidence of a side already beginning to stride and strut.

What was particularly pleasing from the win, was the quality of the goals scored. Alexis Sanchez’s chip was utterly wonderful, as it sailed over the helpless – and hopeless as displayed throughout a terrible performance – Vladislav Stoyanov, Theo Walcott’s finish showcased a confidence that has not been seen in his game for many years, while Mesut Ozil scored three excellent goals thanks to some wonderfully technical pieces of play.

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Consequently, on social media after the game, the team were more than happy to post photos and posts displaying the joy at their victory. That did not appease everyone, as Rio Ferdinand, working as a pundit for BT Sport, criticised their celebrations over what was an easy game of little significance in comparison to the finals and crunch time matches that are still to come:

"“Arsenal have always been undone by not winning trophies. I have said it before, I wouldn’t be doing that until I have got my hands on a trophy. If that is what the boys want to do…it’s a new age.”"

https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/788875863643287552

I cannot help but think of a Scrooge-type character when reading Ferdinand’s comments. However, that would not be fair to the former Manchester United centre-half. This is someone who, at club level at least, has won everything there is to win in a variety of teams, displaying an outstanding understanding of the game and mental attributes needed to win trophies, and when I consider what he says, and not the party-pooping nature of his comments, there is some merit to the criticism.

Arsenal, while looking like the best team in England, have not won anything yet, and that is yard-stick by which they will be measured come the end of the season. How many times have we seen Arsene Wenger’s sides enjoy such purple patches of form only to falter by March, crash and burn in a run of results that sees them drop out of the title race, exit the Champions League having come second in the group stage and then drawing Barcelona and then inexplicably lose in the FA Cup, falling short to a plucky Blackburn side?

Next: Arsenal Vs Ludogorets: 5 Things We Learned

Unfortunately, the Gunners are the best and worst team in England simultaneously. When on form, they are the very best in the country. When injuries hit, with the wind and rain howling down, they lack the resolve that the great Rio Ferdinand-led sides boasted. Celebrations are fine, but only if they lead to trophies. History does not suggest that that is the case.

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