Whether it was hubris about the strength of his squad, or nervousness ahead of Chelsea, Arsene Wenger was too cute by half.
In ‘resting’ players for Saturday’s lunchtime clash with Mourinho’s men, Wenger achieved nothing but to heap pressure on himself and highlight the chinks in his armour.
Prior to Wednesday night, Arsenal looked in fine fettle and good form. All the focus was on Chelsea’s abysmal start to the season and faltering stars. That’s no longer the case.
Suddenly Chelsea seem to have turned the corner against a poor Maccabi Tel Aviv, whereas the Gunners have made European progress unnecessarily tricky. Momentum is lost.
Once Champions League qualification is boxed off, then rest players and relax. Chelsea had the excuse of playing genuine minnows and have an especially deep squad. Arsenal evidently do not.
Wenger unfurled his first-team fur coat to show everyone the knickerless mediocrity underneath. Scratch the surface and Arsenal are merely gold-plated. The understudies don’t cut it.
Debuchy can’t hold a candle to the excellent Bellerin; a regressing Gibbs makes Monreal seem excellent; Arteta isn’t even Arteta anymore, never mind Coquelin; and Ospina is to Cech what Blue Nun is to Cristal.
On this form you have to wonder whether Oxlade-Chamberlain is a legitimate first-team starter or merely a great impact sub, and Ramsey’s stock rose markedly simply by not being involved.
The only ‘squad’ player who enhanced his reputation was Gabriel, who looks good enough to start. He is brave, strong, streetwise and a natural defender. A rare plus point.
Arsenal could easily have continued their good form against a canny but limited Dinamo side. But instead, Wenger got complacent or cocky or something on a night when he showed himself – and his squad – up.
