Arsenal vs Anderlecht: Gunners Blow it Yet Again

Arsenal vs Anderlecht FINAL: 3-3.

Anytime you’re up 3-0 in any sort of match against anyone, you should be able to hold on.

Not Arsenal.

That quick start that we had been so desperate for finally came in dominant fashion, as Arsenal went up 3-0 via a penalty from Arteta, a great solo effort from Alexis Sanchez, and the Ox slotting in another, all within 60 minutes.

And then it went bad.

Anderlecht answered back immediately after the Ox’s goal with their own in the 61st minute, put in another in the 72nd and capped off a brilliant comeback/detestable choke job by putting in another in the 90th to solidify a draw against an Arsenal team that is just not what you’d expect.

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Let the finger pointing begin.

The first place I point the finger is going to be a popular destination: Arsene Wenger. Not replacing Thomas Vermaelen may well cost us more dearly than we could have ever imagined. Without Kocielny, we are absolutely positively helpless on defense. Let me say that again: Helpless. We have no cover, no options, no chance against professional strikers.

Per Mertesacker, while large, is still only one man and he cannot be burdened with his own position (which he struggles with at times) as well as being forced to baby sit for his inexperienced and out-of-position back line.

Don’t point fingers at Monreal though. He is one of the smallest guys on the field and he’s forced into the centerback role because Arsene Wenger saw fit not to fill his vacancies because “no one was on the market,” although it’s more than likely because he was too busy having a blast in Rome with Diego Maradona on deadline day. Maybe he expected Abou Diaby to be able to fill in at center back as well.

Regardless though, credit goes to Anderlecht. They didn’t give up. They fought it out, drew a seemingly impossible tie, and forced Arsenal into that familiar position where we’ll be second place in the group, and therefore have to match up against one of the European giants. Let the good times commence.

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