Firing Blanks

By Boris Mellor
March 7 2009

The media haven't missed a chance to have a pop at Arsenal fans this week. The booing brought on by disappointment at the end of the Fulham game proves that Arsenal fans are the worst in England, yay the Universe even. Surprising how blinkered the media are, they haven't noticed that this is common practice in the Premiership now.

There were no sermons for Liverpool fans as they booed several of their team's toothless draws this season. No denunciation of Spurs or Chelsea fans who booed their managers. No remonstration for Villa or Hull fans who also booed their teams off.

No I can't say I approve of booing your own team, it makes the opposition feel great and can destroy the confidence of your own team. I think Wenger has got the message by now, so it might help if it stopped. If booing worked then the motto on Arsenal's badge would read Victory Through Disharmony, but quite wisely it doesn't.

However my antipathy to booing does not undermine my even greater antipathy for the hypocrisy of the British Media. Why aren't Villa, or Hull fans criticised?  Their fans pay far less than Arsenal fans to watch teams that have over achieved. The managers have done miracles with squads far weaker than the ones Wenger has had access to.

Meanwhile Gunners' pay large sums of money to watch Wenger weaken a once powerful squad, and see mediocre players under achieve even by their own low standards. These fans have attended faithfully in greater number than any other club's fans bar Man U, they have paid the highest prices in the World for the privilege.

Can't score at home?
They might be wrong to boo, not morally, but because it just doesn't help, but it has to be said they have a case. Nonetheless it hasn't worked. Has it occurred to fans why the worst performances are at home? Of the four nil-nils on the bounce three happened at home, only one away and that was with ten men.  In the last seven league games Seven goals were scored away, but none at home!

In February the Arsenal.com goal of the month has shortlisted three goals against Cardiff and a penalty kick against Roma. There was not one league goal at home for the entire month. It will be brilliant if a penalty becomes the February goal of the month.

This is where we came in - Burnley Preview

On December 2^nd Arsenal played Burnley in the Lager Cup, a game the Gunners should have won, and would have won but for a toothless strike force. In particular Nick Bendtner frustrated Arsenal fans that night. Wenger made it clear that the team would not be contesting the FA Cup. Several players were sent North to learn hard lessons, Nik wasn't one of them.

On Sunday Nik might get a chance to redeem himself, Wenger will want to hold some firepower back for Roma. A good performance by Nik could change the mood and allow Arsene to husband his scarce resources carefully. Wenger will have to make tough decisions to get it right this coming week, two key cup games, followed by a key league game in seven days.

He will not be able to play everybody's favourite eleven, he could even mess up. Therefore it is important we get behind the team in a week that could make or break the season.

Walcott, Eduardo and Williams Gallas may play, but Kolo Toure, Mikael Silvestre, Emmanuel Adebayor, Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas are all out. Arshavin is no longer cup tied.

Possible squad: Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Gibbs, Arshavin, Denilson, Ramsey, Nasri, Vela, Bendtner, Almunia, Van Persie, Diaby, Song, Clichy, Eboue, Walcott, Eduardo.

Apart from the slip up against Burnley the Gunners have played well against Championship teams, and in the cups this season. This will be a stronger team than the one Burnley faced in December. It will also be on the billiard green pitch of home. Wenger knows how important this one is, he needs silverware and the FA cup is his best chance.