Writing-Off

It seems to be a particularly common trait among football fans, including those on this board, to write players off after a short period of time, making a short-term judgement on their quality, and in some cases assuming an almost personal vendetta against certain players. And this is my answer to those people.

Robin van Persie:

The writing-off of everyone's favourite Dutchman was not down to any deficit in ability. On the old 606, around this time 2 years ago, the news had broken that RvP had picked up yet another long-term injury. This was one response that I remember well:


'Sell him now, while he still has any resale value. Chamakh has shown he can fill his place upfront, he's more of a natural goalscorer, and we have Bendtner/Vela coming through as well'

Can you imagine?

We all know what happened next. RvP proved he was a world-class striker and footballer by coming back and scoring 19 goals in half a season as the rest of the team crashed in ruins around him, before scoring 37 goals the next campaign, his first full season without injury. Of course he spoiled it afterwards, but that's my first example of why players shouldn't just be consigned to the scrapheap by impatient fans.


Laurent Koscielny:

Kos was pretty much unknown when he joined. He had only had a single season in Ligue 1, and that showed in his mixed start. He looked timid and weak initially, improving a lot in the opening two months of 2011, including a world-class display vs. Barcelona, before it all came crashing down following his horrible mix-up with Szczesny in the CC final that year.

He got plenty of abuse as his performances reverted to early season type, as people said that he was weak, skittish, with no leadership or decision-making skills. One voice on this board stood out though. Most people laughed when Kamran declared him our best defender ahead of Vermaelen. Fast forward to May 2012 and Kos had had a superb season culminating in the crucial final-day winner vs West Brom. He had been adulated as our best defender and first name on the team-sheet through the entire campaign. How times change.


Carl Jenkinson:

Perhaps the most prominent example. Jenkinson arrived from League 1 Charlton for 1 million. No-one expected him to start anything other than CC and maybe FA cup games. Instead he was thrust into the spotlight. Many people condemned him after a horrific display in the 8-2. Kamran may have a good nose for CBs but perhaps not for full-backs: 'If Jenkinson can be a pro footballer for Arsenal then so can I'. He wasn't alone. I myself was sceptical. But can you actually remember a bad game he has had since then? This season he has been excellent, earning praise from all quarters, and there has been talk of an England call-up. Who'd have thought it?


There are others who have been written off and who have come back the stronger. Gibbs. Mertesacker. Diaby. Ramsey.

All these players are now generally accepted as good players with plenty to offer Arsenal, despite Ramsey's poor 2nd half yesterday and Diaby's injuries, even if Rambo still get stick.

Some, such as Gervinho and Walcott, are constantly derided, but still produce relatively good goal/assist returns, Walcott last season, Gerv this season.

The main thrust of this article is towards one man. Olivier Giroud.

He's had a tough time so far. Coming in from a new league, into a very different style of play, taking the position of someone who scored more goals for us than Dennis Bergkamp. Th pressure from fans and media is massive. His finishing has suffered from nerves and a lack of composure. He's not the quickest either and the ball doesn't exactly stick to his feet. But you simply do not score 20 goals in one season if you can't finish. He has shown enough, with his height, power, and movement, that with confidence, and a run of games, he can become a very potent threat in the Premier League.

So let's forget the errors of judgement I dare say we have all mad in the past with regard to Arsenal players, and get behind our big, cuddly Frenchman. And lets drop the personal vendettas against some of our other players as well.

Who's with me?