The Situation: I don’t think I need to explain the importance of this match to you – that being Arsenal vs Everton. While many scoff at the FA Cup being a third class trophy, it is still vitally important towards Arsenal regaining a winning culture in the club. On Saturday, Arsenal hosted Everton in a match that would send one to Wembley for the semi-finals.
The Decision: Much of the lineup was created out of necessity due to an injury-plagued roster. One decision was to start the young and unproven Yaya Sanogo, fresh after an unnerving match against Stoke which very easily could have resulted with him as hero. Instead, Gooners remembered his missed opportunity to level the score with a golden chance. It didn’t happen, of course. While Sanogo looks promising, showing flashes of becoming a true striker for The Arsenal, he still lacks that quality that top teams have even as a second option (okay, maybe not Chelsea). Nonetheless, he was selected to play up front against Everton.
The Verdict:
It is an interesting situation for Wenger to be in, given the fact the club are playing for three separate trophies, all of which are to be played out with the fate of the season potentially in the balance within the course of 8 days. First, the aforementioned contest with Everton, then a monumental uphill struggle with the German giants in a mid-week Champions League clash and then Spurs at White Hart Lane in league play.
The decisions Wenger makes has everything to do with finding a balance and to chose starting lineups based on 4 factors: players available, importance of the match, their opponents strengths and weaknesses, and player fatigue. The first factor eliminates much of the guess work and, as a result of our revolving door at our medical facility, in some cases there are simply no other options. The other factors are what impacted today’s decision to start Sanogo ahead of Giroud and Podolski.
It was a good decision to have started him despite the importance of the match and that he remains unproven. At home against Everton, Arsenal were always going to carry much of the possession. Giving the young Frenchman some meaningful playing time could prove critical down the stretch with our lack of options at striker position.
Interestingly, Sanogo wasn’t having a poor match by any stretch which makes the substitution that much more impressive (he did give the ball away cheaply at times, however). We had possession, we had opportunities, but we just needed that touch of class that Giroud is playing with. In the 55th minute, I tweeted: @LastWordMKovacs – “Bring on Giroud in the 60′?”. Five minutes later, Olivier was on and the game was impacted soon after. Of course he finished the game with a brace.
I don’t agree with all decisions Wenger makes, but today he showed why he is amongst the best in the game. He provided his club with a great chance to win, and when it wasn’t going completely as planned he made a few changes at the perfect time. He provided rest for players who needed it, important playing time for a young and developing striker and and a boost of confidence for one of the game’s greatest passers of the football in Ozil and in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had a smashing game.
Your Verdict:
We asked our followers: “What was the single most important decision in Arsenal’s win today?”
Here are some of your responses:
@akring19 – “bringing Giroud on, held the ball up really well and scored two massive goals”
@TheTGPodcast – “the ox’s drive. Both offensively and defending. Incredible!”
@A_N_D_R_E_H “Bringing Giroud on. Sanogo may have potential but he shouldnt have the weight of being our 2nd choice striker so soon”
@Saf_58 – “Bringing Giroud on for Sanogo…Sanogo didn’t have the best of games so the change was needed. Thought Ox was superb as well today. “
@Ndachekpa – “That Barry foul on @Alex_OxChambo“
@AFCEmirate – “To leave Giroud on the bench then bring him on for a struggling Sanogo. Giroud used his brain and had focus when came on”
@Don1886 – “(Oxlade-Chamberlain) Should be one of the first on the squad sheet. Provides us with drive and pace”
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow Modus Operandi on Twitter @AFCModiOperandi, @LastwordMKovacs, @LastWordOnHugo and @PitchsidePie. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our Footy writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
