Unreliable Robin may be just what Wenger needs
A fully firing and fit Robin van Persie is one of the deadliest strikers in Europe.
Let’s be honest, if we’d had Van the Man for a couple of months more after Xmas last season, we could well have ended up with the silverware that eluded us.
But I’ve been disappointed with him this season, I have to admit.
Sure, he scored twice against Newcastle and twice against Porto and five goals by this stage of the season is none too shabby.
But while I remain a great supporter of van Persie, I can’t help thinking that his performances have not been up to scratch this season.
Perhaps it’s because in the past, he set himself such high standards – that volley at Charlton; the spinning on the right and goal from an acute angle at Highbury against Blackburn; the endless numbers of free kicks that speed past goalkeepers, prepared or otherwise.
This season we’ve seen a more subdued Dutchman, and it could be a cause for concern.
Last week at Sunderland, RvP started on the left again and showed that he really is no left winger.
It’s a positive sign at Arsène Wenger is trying out new formations after rigidly sticking to 4-4-2 and failing to have a plan B almost since our run to the Champions League final in 2006.
But when there are wide players available such as Manu Eboue or Carlos Vela (despite his future probably being as a striker, his form on the left in Spain last season suggests that he has more ability to play there than RvP), why not use them rather than a player who has never demonstrated his aptitude for that position?
But think about it – against Bolton when RvP was on the bench, we actually looked dangerous and created chances with Nic Bendtner muscling his way past defences who weren’t expecting such a physical battle.
It comes as little surprise that RvP is injured again – this time a hamstring injury – but with Vela and Bendtner both showing signs of real ability, it’s probably time to give one of them an extende chance anyway.
• The Arsenal international curse strikes again. Breaking news that William Gallas is out now with a thigh injury. But with Mikael Silvestre fit and desperate to prove himself, maybe Gallas needs a little break anyway and Silvestre has the experience and ability to more than hold his own at the back.
DA
Reader Comments (10)
i agree. nic provided us with something different when he came off the bench at sunderland and if we'r gonna keep on crossing the ball into da box with only ade to put a head to it we cud ue more height.nic is playing much better at the moment and gives us more presence up front.
Nic is the THING our saviour
I agree, Nic's not the player we hoped he'd be and he is giving very inconsistent performances. This may be a fitness issue but I feel Its make or break for him this year and I would not be surprised to see him move on next year.
I think you guys forget it was RVP's dangerous corner that resulted in the goal that got us 1 point as well as the great run into the box he made to finish from Theo's cross (which was incorrectly deemed out of bounds) - agreed Nic looked great but i dont think he should replace RVP - if anything he should be playing in place of Ade who is looking spent.
i've been saying since the end of last season, Nic is the nearest thing yet to the incomparable Dennis Bergkamp - should start every game playing as the deeper lying striker, linking play, slipping in the midfielders with his imaginative pinpoint passing, plus he has the ability to get on the end of crosses. it doesn't matter who he plays alongside and Nic + Ade/RVP/Vela/Dudu/Walcott - gives defences a different problem each time.
well look to my formacion,the other that i put in to the team should leav in the banck
Almunia(he make me very happy with his performanc)
sagna(should play better than the las game
toure(should play better and be more careful)
silvestre(he should play after some bad performances from gallas-we can not wayt him to come back in his best times,we have choices and we should use)
clishe(sometimes he should be more careful for his defender position than to go up front)
walcott(for the moment he is playing very good and wenger should not take him out for anyreasen)
fabregas(stop playing him more as a defender midfild or in both position-he should play as a forward midfilder)
song(he should play alongside cesc,till diaby come back,diaby is really a good player strong player and he is much better than denislon or song for that position)
nasry(he is a very good player,but when rosicky is come back than he should be replace with him,that should be in realation of what game we play,and against whom)
adebayor(but,but he should undrstund that he is not much better than bendner)
robin van persy(i accept that i have never thing that he is a great player or a great striker,i just think he is good.i think he definatly should be replace by vela and walcott sometimes,rvp is very selfish player i can see this in every game,that happen maybe because he think he is much better than the others)
wenger- stop using eboye in front of walcott or in frontof the others.try to use as better as u can,silvestre in defence,tell gallas that he is not playing good.next year pls give fabregas the captaincy,and u have to do everythink to keep him in arsenal,even after 2014,tell him to stay with us till the end of his carrier just like denis did or maybe thierry did.tell him this is good for him.
wenger use vela andwolcot up front sometimes because they are to fast and can make some big problems for opponents.
I think RvP should pick out higher goals to achieve, goals that transcends winning silverware with the club. Like being crowned the best EPL player of 08/09. ManU benefited from such aspirations of C. Ronaldo last year. Because RvP is entering his final career phase at Arsenal. He should leave us like a legend, a peoples hero.
Gooner4Life from Rotterdam (Hometown of Rvp).
Nobody can partner Adebayor and have a good season.
smartest post i have ever read Priestdog
I think there is a little truth in Priestdog's statement. Adebayor did a fantastic job for us last year playing as a lone striker and if he had of put away a few more goals could have won us the league. However, his first touch is often excruciating and I think RvP must find it hard to play with him. Bendtner and RvP may be the answer.