While we have the unwelcome distraction of the January transfer window to contend with, lets not forget that we have entered the business end of the season, starts earlier for us Gooners (Goonermanic definition of business end = where each passing game significantly determines whether the Emirates trophy cabinet manager will have some work to do or not);
The 'recent' lack of silverware stems mainly from poor performances and form displayed by the Gunners during the business end of previous campaigns; which can be attributed to two main factors: 1. key 1st team injuries and 2. an overall too weak a squad (a bit of a chicken/egg scenario).
So the gaffer's ability to rotate the squad for the upcoming matches (fyi, apparently if we continue to progress in all competitions we will be playing 2 games a week until the end of the season ... imagine **happy days for Supersport subscribing Gooners**) will once again prove pivotal in our quest for glory. I have no doubt that this is the reason the gaffer deemed it fit to make 8 changes to the starting line up that faced Wigan (following the mauling of Chelsea), then 9 changes to the team that lined up against Leeds (following the 2-points-lost-mauling of City).
Now while it is obviously is gut-wrenching to us Gooners (mere mortals) that both those fixtures resulted in draws, Wenger has rightly pointed out that the cost of those draws will only be discovered as the season progresses, so if you get over the results, and look at the actual level of experience (prem league & international appearances) and quality that was still on display, then it should actually send out a threatening message to the rest of the league that this Arsenal squad is stronger than ever and I dare say the strongest in the league at this present time, as neither Utd or Chelsea's 2nd 11 can even be compared to our 2nd 11 (@least not paper, the only place where they can be compared).
From our most recent matches it appears that the gaffer's preferred first 11 is as follows: Fabianski, Sagna, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Song, Fabregas, Wishere, RvP, Walcott & Nasri.
His second 11 boasts the likes of Chamakh, Bendtner, Eboue, Rosicky, Denilson, Arshavin & Diaby; while there are many a harshly criticised players in the group, given a sustained run of games these players would walk into the first 11 of most other PL clubs.
Now if we can just see off Barca, then this crop will be guaranteed some sustained playing time and hopefully they will be able to convert those draws and *whisper softly* ... bring us a couple of trophies this year .... *snap out of it*!
Safe, Goonermanic
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