What Can Arsenal Do for a Fair Title Shot?

By Zain Alvi | 9th February 2009

What Can Arsenal Do for a Fair Title Shot?

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fabregas-ashley-cole As soon as Emmanuel Adebayor started limping off the field in the 38th minute, it was clear that the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham would swing into the favor of the hosts at the White Hart Lane. The more important implication of Adebayor’s injury, however, was obviously much beyond this afternoon’s game. Each and every frustrated face in the visitors’ area seemed to be questioning, “Why is it always Arsenal?”

While rival fans might accuse Gooners like me of endlessly using injuries as an excuse for our title drought, the last couple of seasons legitimately justify our claims. It is understandable that injuries are always unknown variables in determining the course of the title race as no team or no player can predict when or how they will be relegated to the sidelines. Yet, for Arsenal FC, this variable is quickly turning into a constant that may not have an easy solution.

Speaking of solutions, let’s stick to them for a moment. Last season, when the Gunners lost Eduardo to a horrific injury at Birmingham City, Arsene Wenger had no option but to resign to using Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner in the attack while injury-prone Dutch striker Robin van Persie also recovered on the sidelines. Many outsiders showed sympathy towards Arsenal but few showed support for Arsene Wenger’s transfer tactics as he was accused endlessly for not adding depth to the squad.

This season, when van Persie is Arsenal’s most consistent performer, captain Cesc Fabregas, star wingers Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky, as well as a varying member of the defense have spent considerable time on the sidelines. But today, when Adebayor limped off almost exactly a year after Eduardo was carried off at St. Andrews, Wenger had back-up. Yet, to reiterate, even this back-up may not be enough to cover Arsenal’s misfortunes with injury.

Nicklas Bendtner immediately replaced Adebayor just the way he had replaced Eduardo in Arsenal’s squad last February. Furthermore, Arsenal fans can now take comfort in the fact that their impressive back-up includes the returning Eduardo, the talented Carlos Vela, and last but not least, this January’s massive signing Andrei Arshavin. However, can any of these players make up for the shortcomings left by the superstars who are rehabilitating? As much as I hope they do, it is extremely hard to guarantee a revival at this stage.

It is true that Manchester United and Liverpool have had just as much of an injury problem as Arsenal has suffered this season. Yet, the experience of those two squads gives them an obvious edge over Arsene Wenger’s inexperienced Gunners. With Aston Villa escaping to third place this weekend, Wenger’s men have a lot of ground to cover as they trail the West Midlands outfit by seven points.

With Chelsea also in the mix with a five-point advantage over the Gunners in the chase for the last Champions League spot, an injury-plagued Arsenal side certainly has a mountain to climb, especially with Everton hot on the heels of the Gunners. As far as the club’s ambitious fans are concerned, however, the more important situation to address stretches beyond this season. In short, the question is, “Can Arsenal ever get a fair shot at the title without being depleted by injuries?”

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Zain Alvi says:

February 9, 2009 at 9:27 am

A LOT more injuries? That’s not true…the number is about the same, and I conceded that quite clearly. This article does not even include the injury to Clicy that left him bloodied and that takes our injury count up to six starting line-up players.

And I also conceded that Wenger has to find a major solution to the lack of experience very soon because of all these injuries…so I don’t know where any argument over that would come from.

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Brian says:

February 9, 2009 at 9:21 am

While it’s true that Arsenal’s season has been hampered by injuries, United has had A LOT more injuries. You say United’s top because of more experience throughout their squad, but everyone knows Arsenal doesn’t have experience, and Wenger has never dealt with that.

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