The greatest humor merchants of all time would have marveled at the spectacle that befell the eyes of the world at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday evening watching the players perform their own comedy show. Even, great comedians like Jim Carrey or perhaps Rowan Atkinson would struggle to script a goal as farcical as Manchester United's second-half opener, a strike thoroughly in keeping with the lack of quality in the game. As Ashley Young drifted in a cross from the left in the 56th minute, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny crashed in to team-mate Kieran Gibbs and the ball fell to Antonio Valencia on the right side of the penalty area. The Ecuadorian smashed the ball across goal, vaguely in the direction of the corner flag, but it struck Gibbs on the shin and flashed into the far corner. Even the United players looked embarrassed as they celebrated before Szczesny added the finishing touch to the scene by limping off with bruised ribs. Or was it bruised pride?
When Wayne Rooney sealed United's victory with a lovely dink finish five minutes from time, it was greeted by the sounds of thousands of seats clattering upwards as home fans left to beat the traffic. Those that were left in the stadium did so primarily to make sure that the Arsenal players and Arsene Wenger could hear their displeasure on the full-time whistle. the boos duly came despite a late rally as Oliver Giroud slammed in a goal on his returned from a broken foot.
In front of the press box, a fan held up a neatly printed sheet reading 'Enough is Enough' - Wenger Out'. It was hardly the most creative of homemade banners but the anger is growing day by day, game by game. this result leaves Arsenal down in eighth in the Premier League with just17 points from 12 matches. What has happened to the Gunners kicking on after May's FA Cup triumph? They have now made their worst start to a season since 1982. The question now is whether or not Wenger will even last the season after a game that summed up how far both clubs have fallen since the peak of their great rivalry at the start of the century. Against a back three of Chris Smalling, teenagers Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair, Arsenal would have expected to carve open the visitors and show that they have the capacity to beat a top side. They created the chances certainly in the first half- but were denied by some poor decision-making most notably from Jack Wilshere, awful finishing and some smart goal keeping from David De Gea. United were there for the taking, crippled by injuries, yet somehow they ended up walking away with all three points.
Arsenal fell into United's trap, just as they did in the defect to Swansea City in their previous fixture. For so many years, Wenger has failed to adapt, and show tactical acumen or to change games with his substitutions. It's more 'invisible' than 'invincibles'.
Louis Van Gaal set up his team to sit deep and threaten on the counter attack. After the visitors looked dangerous with almost every break and should have scored more, especially when Angel Di Maria raced through, but clipped the ball wide. It is the game plan for just about every who come to the Emirates, but Wenger did not have an answer while his squad remains desperately short of defensive cover despite the 200 million Euro cash reserve in the club's bank. It is an embarrassment that a club like Arsenal should be playing Nacho Monreal at Center Back. There was more bad news from Wenger with the ankle injury that forced off Jack Wilshere in the second-half - but any excuses or self-pity from the French man will be given short shrift by the club's fans.
Arsenal fans want a team to compete the premier league title - but already they are 15 points behind leaders Chelsea. And just how much longer can Wenger's comedy show go on? It remains to be seen whether the board's unwavering support for the 'professor' shall remain rock solid in the coming weeks if drastic improvements are not made to checkmate the downward spiral.
By Seyi Owolabi
