Time for change?

Arsenal 1-0 Norwich

Arsenal moved a step closer to securing another top four finish with a victory over Norwich on Saturday evening.

Much of the build up and aftermath of this game was overshadowed by the planned fan protest against the stagnation at the club.

Arsenal fans have long been complaining about the several perceived problems at the Emirates and this was the first time a number of supporters groups came together to show their frustration with banners displayed at a planned point in the game. The banners read: Time for Change and weren’t necessarily aimed at just the manager but also the owner. In the build up to the game the newspapers picked up the story of the protest and it was believed that most of the Emirates crowd would participate in the protest. In fact Wenger himself confirmed he believed the stadium would be turned white with banners. However when the time came, the twelfth minute of the game having been chosen as symbolic of the number of years since Arsenal last won the league, there were only a few hundred banners displayed around the stadium. In fact in a show of the great divide amongst the fan base, those against such displays of displeasure began to confront supporters who were holding banners aloft and began to chant their support for the manager. Boos quickly rained down from the protesters making for a very uneasy atmosphere inside the stadium.

In many ways the failure of the protest highlighted just why this club is in the position it is. Over the years protests at clubs such as Newcastle and Liverpool have challenged the owners of these clubs as they have involved the vast majority of the fan base. However at Arsenal there is no unity. Throughout the season fans have been heard voicing their displeasure time and time again, yet when the moment came to make those feelings clear, the majority hid their true feelings. Protesting during a game and partly against a manager who has given so much for this club is not something that should be taken lightly and it is ultimately futile as Wenger and the owner will definitely still be there next season, but those fans that protested were simply showing their displeasure at years of stagnation.

On the pitch it was as though Wenger was goading those supporters as he picked the exact same starting eleven as he had done for the previous game away to Sunderland. During that game Arsenal were absolutely dreadful and the decision to pick the same team was therefore ridiculous. It was no surprise that the same team produced the same inept performance with Olivier Giroud particularly culpable. The Frenchman once again mostly offered absolutely nothing for the team, although in the end he did provide the assist for the only goal of the game. As a result of the lethargic display from the team, the atmosphere was largely listless and the game began to quickly drift away. In the build up to the match against Norwich Wenger had suggested it was the home supporters who were to blame for the poor home form of the team as the atmosphere inside the Emirates had been hostile at times, but the supporters can only react to what they see on the pitch and if they see their team not giving their all, then why should they?

In a strange turn of events the time for change banners actually had a positive effect on the game as Wenger did change from the norm. Usually the manager waits until the 70^th minute of the match before making a substitution, regardless of his side’s performance. However on this occasion he made a substitution far earlier than usual bringing on Danny Welbeck for Alex Iwobi. The substitution was still greeted with boos as most supporters would have expected to see Giroud come off. However only three minutes later Wenger was vindicated as Giroud’s header back towards Welbeck was perfectly weighted for the Englishman to show great technique, getting his knee over the ball to keep the shot low and hard as it flew past the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net. The introduction of Welbeck was the spark the game needed. He offered so much more than Giroud, as he was full of energy, always looking to make runs in behind and creating angles for the midfield. Of course there is still the question mark over the number of goals Welbeck scores during a season and therefore he still cannot be considered as the answer Arsenal’s goal scoring problems, but the fact he offers so much more than Giroud, should at the very least see him jump ahead of the Frenchman next season.

The victory against Norwich coupled with other results going their way strengthened Arsenal’s position in the race for a top four finish but with their next game being away to Manchester City, the level of Arsenal’s performance must be a worry. Wenger has struggled miserably to get his side firing since the turn of the year and it is difficult to believe anything will change in time for next week’s match. Make no mistake, if Arsenal are to salvage anything from this season it is vital they finish in the top four. It may be time for change, but top four status is not something Gunners fans will want to change any time soon.