By @Swales1968
What have these players got in common?
When their names were/are read out there was/is an audible groan around the stadium. They and I'm sure there are other Arsenal boo boys players who were and are perceived to be not good enough for the Arsenal. Yes they were and are not in the same class as Bergkamp, Vieira or Adams, but they have something that perhaps the current Arsenal side need. Wiltord was not Henry but how many important goals did he score coming off the bench or filling in for Henry, can Arsenal at this moment say we have a player who can do that? His problem was not that he was not good enough but that he (like others) could not play with Henry. Eboue at right back played here, there and everywhere by Wenger. Eboue the player famously coming on to play left wing after being out injured for a number of weeks. Eboue at right back playing at left wing but who did the fans turn on the manager or the player?
Senderos a defender who helped Arsenal get through to the CL final, ok I am drifting away from the point I want to make why do Arsenal fans jump on the back of some Arsenal players so quickly. Ramsey is the latest victims of this “he gives the ball away too much” or “he offers nothing to the team” are things you hear when he plays. An attacking midfielder asked to play on the wing as a holding midfielder or right back, his stats show that he passes better, creates more and tackles better than Wilshere. Where as young Jack can do no wrong Ramsey seems to be unable doing anything right in the eyes of some supporters. Yes moan when he does do something wrong but give credit when he plays well.
Have Arsenal supporters always been like this or is it the "we have-not won anything for eight seasons" syndrome. Yes there has always been the Gus Caesar's of the club but it's more the speed of fans turning on players now. Do Arsenal fans now not give new players time, would a player like Pires get the season he needed to settle in the English game. Diaby forever injured and out again for nine months played against Swansea and had the away fans on his back after giving the ball way and reading the forums was slated for his overall performance, but then reading the excellent 7am kickoff who pointed out how well he actually played and what he did within the game. A conundrum is he that poor or is he a player that fans no matter what he does can do no right?
Not so much a boo boy but a player that seems to be getting stick for being “not what we need” is Giroud a player in his first season who has scored sixteen goals and assisted ten times in his forty two appearances. A player who has scored the same as Drogba (16 goals 5 assists) in his first whole season but with games still to go
Arsenal at the moment need every ounce of support from the fans not scapegoating or blame lying at the feet of certain players. Some players need time to settle in or just to get fully match fit. Arsenal fans need to be less judgmental and more supportive less worried about how much a player costs or the size his wage packet. Yes there are players who fail to make the grade like Santos, but every manager makes mistakes bringing players in.
Teams need flexible squad players ones who don't mind playing out of position, players who are the water carriers for the Cazorla's of the team. Manchester United has this season won the PL on the back of players who in my mind would be criticized at Arsenal. Yes they have had the goals of Van Persie, but look at the rest of the squad happy to play anywhere and everywhere. The type of player Arsenal fans are quick to moan at are exactly these types of players.