Arsenal Bottle It Up Again Against Watford: Fans Blame It On Wenger

In our earlier post, we cautioned against Arsenal being caught in two minds by looking ahead at the challenge in the shape of Chelsea away at Stamford bridge and failing to devout necessary resources at Watford who lay before them. In what has now become a habit, a shambolic first half display at the Emirates left Arsenal trailing by two goals from as early as the 15th minute.

Arsenal fans on twitter blamed the poor start on Ramsey who hobbled of midway through the half with another muscular injury. His replacement, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain took a while to settle in and Arsenal's worst half ever at the Emirates persisted. At this point, Arsenal fans on twitter lamented not knowing that they would be playing Bayern Munich today.

Piers Morgan wanted to die. So embarrassing a half it was. No one was spared. Even the usual empathy for Alexis whose toiling and 'carrying the team on his shoulder' routine spares him from criticism when Arsenal is misfiring, was absent.

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If memory serves me right, the last time Wenger was banished  to the stands, we were deep into a mauling at old Trafford. Right there in enemy territory, Arsene stood arms stretched in a crucifix pose. For all his failings, you've got to give it to Arsene for leading from the front when it matters. Even when Arsenal are under siege (another incident that comes to mind is the Jose Mourinho altercation the season before at Stamford bridge) the boss doesn't back down.

During those moments as a fan watching on, you hope that by Arsene's action the team will get a lift and fight for their pride. Depressingly, in both circumstances any attempt at a fightback was nothing more than the twitch of a dead horse. At Old Trafford, it served to confirm that Arsenal's project youth had run it's course. That you can only do so much with inexperienced lot of Szczesny, Jenkinson and Djourou.

Arsenal's Old Trafford mauling was followed by the mad transfer deadline day trolley dash that brought in Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun. Those unusual signings have build up to this Arsenal team that this term has shown resolve. It has been a long time coming and there have been days like this Mirror headline Wenger's push on Mourinho was packed with years of frustration, anger, dislike and powerlessness.