Wenger has striking lack of options
ARSENE WENGER’S Churchillian call to arms has been a feature of Arsenal AGMs over many of the recent years.
But despite Saturday’s lacklustre slip-up against Aitor Karanka’s well-drilled Middlesbrough side, things are looking rosy enough in the final year of his contract that the Arsenal manager, below, joked he might not even bother turning up to the meeting today.
“Maybe the shareholders were not always happy but I think we have never gone into the AGM in a disastrous state,” said Wenger.
“Why? Because we have always, for 20 years, been in the top four. So let’s not go overboard about this draw. You don’t win on command and the AGM is not in your mind. What you want to do is do well and win the game and when you don’t win you deal with it.
“We prepare now for a game on Tuesday so we will be practising on Monday morning.”
At the very least, Saturday showed the Frenchman clearly needs a striker who offers an alternative when the Alexis Sanchez-led system that has worked so well this season falters, as it did here.
For now, he is woefully short of options. Lucas Perez offers more of the same but with half of the confidence.
Thankfully, Wenger’s only other out-and-out striker, Olivier Giroud, is finally in contention for some EFL Cup action against Reading tomorrow so a Plan B may soon be on its way.
“Physically he has no problem, he’s still not completely there but he’s better and might be in the squad on
ARSENAL MIDDLESBROUGH
Tuesday,” said Wenger. “Honestly, after seven wins, subconsciously you can become less vigilant.”
Petr Cech pulled off a series of important saves and is backing Wenger to get it right in time to secure a new contract.
“As for the manager and the players the future is always uncertain in football, but you work every day to be successful and this is what we can do,” he said.
Middlesbrough, understandably, were happier with the point, and Karanka believes it can mark a watershed moment in their Premier League campaign.
“I asked them afterwards if there was anybody left in the dressing room who thought we could not play against every single team in the Premier League,” he said. Some players may need a bit more convincing. Certainly Adam Clayton is not about to ditch his lucky pants and socks.
“I wear my Batman socks every game with my tracksuit and the same boxers as well,” he said. “The first time I wore them, we won.
“They do get washed though – the missus always makes sure I have my Batman socks ready.”
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1):