Wenger: There's something missing
By GRAEME BRYCE
Published: 15 hrs ago
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'Welcome' to Stoke
SUNSPORT verdict on Arsenal forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud as they made their first start together at Stoke.
Threat
ALMOST non-existent. Podolksi poked and prodded and was always looking to unlock Stoke, but he had little joy before being subbed.
Giroud got frustrated up front and was clearly out-muscled at times by Stoke's giant centre back pairing. He was almost rewarded for a couple of spectacular efforts.
Physical
PODOLSKI forced Robert Huth to take an early booking but he was always second best to his fellow German, who did not let that caution stop him dominating.
Giroud was well policed by Shawcross all day and barely got a look-in despite his efforts. He was pushed off the ball too easily at times.
Determination
NEITHER player gave up - Giroud especially - but they could have played all night and still not scored.
Podolski looked as though he was prepared to go and look for the ball, dropping deeper early on. Giroud was reduced to a long-range effort which would have been great if it had gone in.
Teamwork
THERE is plenty of work to do here. The duo created little in the way of chances and it is clear they will need time to gel.
Patience is the word and it is not going to happen overnight, but will the fans give them time? And will Arsenal's title hopes be gone by the time they do click?
Premier stars?
CLEARLY the vacancy left by Robin van Persie has still to be filled.
Stoke fans chanted after one Giroud miss ‘Robin van Persie - he would have scored that'. Goals are needed and fast. If the pair of them cannot break down Stoke, they will struggle against top-four rivals.
ARSENE WENGER last night admitted the hitmen he signed to replace Robin van Persie are not up to the job - yet.
The Gunners boss watched his side fire blanks again at Stoke.
And Arsenal are now the ONLY team in the Premier League who have failed to find the net in their opening two games.
That goalless 180 minutes also means it is their second worst start to a Prem campaign.
Worryingly for Gooners, their manager admitted £13m Olivier Giroud and £11m Lukas Podolski have not gelled - and it could take weeks of painstaking work on the training ground before they do!
Dutch master Van Persie gave a timely reminder of the class Manchester United bought for £22m with a stunning goal on his home debut against Fulham on Saturday.
That investment has already started paying dividends. :biggrin1:
Meanwhile, Wenger revealed he must wait patiently to cash in on his newcomers.
After yesterday's bore draw at the Britannia, the frustrated Arsenal boss admitted: "There is still something missing.
"Offensively we still have some work to do because we are missing a bit of accuracy in the final third - in our movement and in our passing.
"Stoke defended very well and have experience at the back.
"I still think we should have won the game 1-0, though."
Asked what he felt was missing from his toothless attack, Wenger claimed his new-boys have not had time to strike up an understanding yet.
And he confirmed he has a huge amount of work to do on the training ground.
He added: "They don't have an understanding yet.
"Santi Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud - one month ago they didn't know each other.
"That will come. We have some work to do on the training ground.
"You can feel the potential but you can see as well that something is missing. We are not spontaneous enough in some situations.
"I am very positive about my team, however. People will say ‘You didn't score for two games', "I cannot deny that. But we played against two teams who, as a unit, defend very well - Sunderland and Stoke.
"Overall I think we can be a good surprise in this season." Wenger maintains he accepts Van Persie's move to United of all teams will continually be used as a stick to beat him with.
However he shot down reports Newcastle United's £15m-rated Ivorian midfielder Cheick Tiote will be added to Arsenal's armoury.
He made it clear: "Tiote is a good player but he is
NOT coming to Arsenal.
"Look, if you want to convince me that we lost an exceptional player in Van Persie then you are wasting your time.
"I would be the first to say that. But we must find a way to get around that."
Wenger believes once the telepathy between Cazorla and his strikers kicks in Arsenal will compensate for Van Persie's missing goals.