Sam Bean checking in for my first post. I'm the resident Arsenal fan and well that puts me in not the best mood today.
We completely dominated Manure today only to find a way to lose. In a game that saw us without our captain and midfield maestro, Cesc Fabregas, we still managed to control the game pretty much from start to finish. The Arsenal back four played very well today. Gallas and Vermaelan were quite tidy in defense with Vermaelan showing great anticipation in defense. He's definitely adapted quite quickly to the premier league. Sagna and clichy were both very good in defense and sagna was quite good going forward. However, clichy has been less than stellar going forward. His crossing was terrible today and has been pretty poor as far as I can remember. For a wing back who likes getting forward as much as he does it really is a concern. Especially since the Arsenal attack is not centered around whipping balls in the box but more on finding that killer ball and slotting in runners his attacking play is really quite worrying.
The midfield today consisted of Song and Denilson in more of a holding role with Diaby pushing forward. Denilson did a great job covering the passing lanes and Song put in strong tackles and did well. However, the two of them still lacking in their forward play. I can recall at least four times where they gave the ball away in their own half and at least once where Denilson gave the ball away right outside his own 18. That has to improve if Arsenal is going to win things this year.
As for Diaby. Well there's nothing to say other then he was absolutely maddening and should not show his face in an Arsenal 11 for a long time. That is not to say that he played badly. In fact, he was dangerous getting forward for much of the game. However, his inexplicable decision to head the ball into his own net while under absolutely no pressure cannot be forgiven. What on earth he was thinking at the time nobody will no. However, he gave the game away. On top of that, just minutes later, he was in on goal from about 14 yds and just rolled it wide, showing absolutely no composure. While Aaron Ramsey was largely ineffective when he came on I would rather see him in the starting 11 at this point than Diaby. At least he won't head the ball into his own net. After today I can't stand to see him on the pitch.
Attacking wise Arsenal played well but still lacked the final killer ball. That can probably be attributed in part to the absence of Fabregas. However, the play from the attacking players was still not what is needed for a title run.
Van Persie's link up play today was not terrible but certainly far from professional. Too many times he tried to take on the defender with his back to goal. Wenger insists on utilizing him as a central lone striker with two wingers, a position for which Van Persie is not well suited.
Arshavin's goal was an absolute moment of brilliance. An absolute rip that saw Arsenal get the goal they deserved. He also almost assisted Van Persie with another great run. However, beyond those moments, Arshavin was not a strong influence on the game. His off the ball movement was fine and he was good in his moments but at times he disappeared from the game. He has yet to find the form that he displayed after his transfer last year. If Arsenal are going to challenge he's going to need to find that form.
Lastly there was Eboue. When he was involved in the play he was good. Defensively he was solid against nani but playing as a right winger he really needed to provide something going forward. Unfortunately he did not provide a whole lot going forward. A solid performance from the man without many errors but also without much production.
What this means for Arsenal going forward:
To start I think Arsenal should have been playing with their best 11. That means Eboue should not have been on the right wing. He definitely should be fourth choice behind Bendtner, Walcott and Van Persie (I'll touch on that later). I'd rather see Wilshere against some of the lesser clubs as well. Eboue doesn't provide the attacking prowess that is needed with a three man attacking front. Secondly, Van Persie cannot play alone in the center. He doesn't have the off the ball movement required for that position and prefers to try to turn far to much. Eduardo is far better for that position. He has the finishing necessary for that position and makes the killer runs that makes the passing of the midfielders so dangerous.
There are positives to take away from the game. Defensively, Arsenal have been beyond solid. Vermaelen has been a revelation and his partnership with Gallas is only improving with each game. Song has certainly stepped into the hard tackling midfielder role and his partnership with Denilson is defensively very solid. For once, it is Arsenal's attacking that is the question mark at the moment.
I do not see the question mark lasting much longer. With Fabregas on the pitch today I am sure that Arsenal would have taken the points. For one, the idiot, Diaby, would not have been on the pitch and Arsenal would not have lacked the final killer ball who's absence plagued so many of Arsenal's attacks. Rosicky also looks to return in a couple weeks. Can he stay fit? unlikely. But his contributions in any game will certainly ratchet up the quality of the squad. Imagine an 11 of
Almunia
Sagna Vermaelen Gallas Clichy
Song Denilson
Cesc
Rosicky Arshavin
Eduardo
That's a side that could take down any European 11. The magic that could be created by that side is what I will dream about tonight.
Sam Bean
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