Arsenal 2 Birmingham City 1
It may not have been an evisceration of the Birmingham defence but it wasn't a grind either. Arsenal were comfortable. The only worry was that it wasn't reflected in the scoreline.
Birmingham's goal came from a situation similar to the one I highlighted yesterday. Zigic pulled off Djourou and onto Clichy. Fahey's ball was precise and Zigic made no mistake with the header, placing it inside the far bottom-corner.
I have to say I was disappointed with Djourou in the concession of that goal. He let Zigic get away from him and when the ball was played in, he didn't have a clue where the giant striker got to. I'll put it down to rustiness this time.
You might have started to worry after that but the Arsenal response was rapid. A one-two between Chamakh and Wilshere saw the ball spill in the box. The Morrocan got to it before Dann, contact was made and the penalty given. Up stepped Nasri and he made no mistake, sending Foster the wrong way.
The winner came right after half-time. A lovely combination between Wilshere and Song allowed the former to pop the ball into Chamakh's path. Carr pulled out of the challenge and the striker kept his composure as he skipped past a defender's challenge and the keeper's dive, to slide the ball home. There wasn't much else in the form of chances afterwards but there was, of course, the big talking point.
Wilshere deserved his red. It was a miss-timed and nasty challenge. It's not his first bad one of this season and it will unlikely be his last. Other than that, he was fantastic. I have no problem with him showing a bit of bite in challenges but it was unnecessary this time. And when you consider all the injuries we have, it's a suspension we could do without.
There's a few more players that I'd like to mention too. Chamakh was excellent and made a big impact on the game. It was nice to see Bendtner back too. And while Fabianski had very little to do in the line of shots, he commanded his box with confidence and authority.
Midweek, we'll see the emotional return of Eduardo to the Emirates. Shakhtar are a decent outfit so we should be in for a good game. A win would all but guarantee qualification so hopefully we'll get that and a few good goals too.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Soft Centre is Debatable. The Lack of a Winning Mentality is Not.
During his press conference ahead of the Birmingham game, Wenger was questioned over comments made by former Arsenal player, Peter Storey, and current club-captain Cesc Fabregas.
Storey thinks that Arsenal's midfield is a bit soft, the boss (of course) reckons otherwise. So let's look at it through untinted glasses for a moment. When Wenger has everyone fit, I think he picks Song, Wilshere and Fabregas as his trio in the centre. Some might argue for Diaby but he's inconsistent and therefore unreliable. Fabregas takes crap from NO one so he's not soft. Wilshere held his own against one of the biggest (if not the biggest) and THE meanest midfield in the Premier League last time out so he's not soft. And when Song gets over his 'I'm actually Ronaldinho' fever, he'll be solid too.
However, he is a slight liability at the moment. He's no Michael Essien or Gilberto Silva. Then again, he's still young and finding his way in the footballing world so there is no saying he won't get there. I think that if Storey was talking specifically about this position, then we are a bit soft.
Fabregas says we don't have a winning mentality, the boss says his quotes were 'misinterpreted'. Either way it's hard to argue with the running version in the media. The last four or five games against Manchester United and Chelsea back it up. The collapse at the end of last season adds further evidence.
But one cup, ONE cup would change everything. Be it Carling, F.A. or one of the big two, would bring the required mentality and end the continuous droning of 'five years without a trophy'.
Tomorrow, we entertain Birmingham, a team whose best qualities lie in their defense. There won't be any free-flowing football of the kind that West Brom played. But one thing is for certain, this team knows how to defend. They've only kept two clean sheets all season but it's early days yet and they're more than capable of a shut-out at the Emirates tomorrow afternoon.
Walcott and Bendtner return to the squad and will probably start on the bench. Koscielny and Sagna have joined the party in the treatment room so Djourou and Eboue will start unless the boss chances Song back there in his current state. The rest of the team should remain unchanged from the one that lost to Chelsea.
I'm finding this one tough to call. Jerome probably won't make it for the Blues so Zigic will make his first Premier League start. He has no pace but his height could cause nightmares if he's allowed isolate himself with a fullback in the box (cringe). But the lack of pace means no speedy counter-attacks down the middle of the pitch for them.
I think we'll win. There's too much quality up front for us not to score a couple of goals. Plus, there has to be a reaction from the last two league defeats. 3-0 with Chamakh to open the scoring.
Storey thinks that Arsenal's midfield is a bit soft, the boss (of course) reckons otherwise. So let's look at it through untinted glasses for a moment. When Wenger has everyone fit, I think he picks Song, Wilshere and Fabregas as his trio in the centre. Some might argue for Diaby but he's inconsistent and therefore unreliable. Fabregas takes crap from NO one so he's not soft. Wilshere held his own against one of the biggest (if not the biggest) and THE meanest midfield in the Premier League last time out so he's not soft. And when Song gets over his 'I'm actually Ronaldinho' fever, he'll be solid too.
However, he is a slight liability at the moment. He's no Michael Essien or Gilberto Silva. Then again, he's still young and finding his way in the footballing world so there is no saying he won't get there. I think that if Storey was talking specifically about this position, then we are a bit soft.
Fabregas says we don't have a winning mentality, the boss says his quotes were 'misinterpreted'. Either way it's hard to argue with the running version in the media. The last four or five games against Manchester United and Chelsea back it up. The collapse at the end of last season adds further evidence.
But one cup, ONE cup would change everything. Be it Carling, F.A. or one of the big two, would bring the required mentality and end the continuous droning of 'five years without a trophy'.
Tomorrow, we entertain Birmingham, a team whose best qualities lie in their defense. There won't be any free-flowing football of the kind that West Brom played. But one thing is for certain, this team knows how to defend. They've only kept two clean sheets all season but it's early days yet and they're more than capable of a shut-out at the Emirates tomorrow afternoon.
Walcott and Bendtner return to the squad and will probably start on the bench. Koscielny and Sagna have joined the party in the treatment room so Djourou and Eboue will start unless the boss chances Song back there in his current state. The rest of the team should remain unchanged from the one that lost to Chelsea.
I'm finding this one tough to call. Jerome probably won't make it for the Blues so Zigic will make his first Premier League start. He has no pace but his height could cause nightmares if he's allowed isolate himself with a fullback in the box (cringe). But the lack of pace means no speedy counter-attacks down the middle of the pitch for them.
I think we'll win. There's too much quality up front for us not to score a couple of goals. Plus, there has to be a reaction from the last two league defeats. 3-0 with Chamakh to open the scoring.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Well That Was Depressing
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
I can't say I'm disappointed with the performance. Every player in a red and white shirt gave 100%. The disappointment lies in the reality of this team's prospects for the season.
We won't win the league. Not because this team is useless but because Chelsea are exceptional. Similar failings to last season might see them fall short in the CL, but their team is designed for Premier League domination.
I think that in the last two league games, we've seen this team's two major flaws: inconsistency against the lower teams and a lack of a clinical edge in the big matches. We should of been one-up inside 5 minutes today but Koscielny somehow conspired to head over from two yards. That would've changed everything.
What else can I say? There were of course the positives of Wilshere holding his own against a powerful Chelsea midfield and Fabianski looked really confident between the sticks. Once we get our big players fit, we can really give the cups (Champions League included) a good go. But the Premier League looks out of this team's reach.
I can't say I'm disappointed with the performance. Every player in a red and white shirt gave 100%. The disappointment lies in the reality of this team's prospects for the season.
We won't win the league. Not because this team is useless but because Chelsea are exceptional. Similar failings to last season might see them fall short in the CL, but their team is designed for Premier League domination.
I think that in the last two league games, we've seen this team's two major flaws: inconsistency against the lower teams and a lack of a clinical edge in the big matches. We should of been one-up inside 5 minutes today but Koscielny somehow conspired to head over from two yards. That would've changed everything.
What else can I say? There were of course the positives of Wilshere holding his own against a powerful Chelsea midfield and Fabianski looked really confident between the sticks. Once we get our big players fit, we can really give the cups (Champions League included) a good go. But the Premier League looks out of this team's reach.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
I Really Hate Chelsea.
So it's Judgement Day tomorrow and I'm feeling a bit angry.
"At what?", you might ask.
My simple answer: injuries! How are we supposed to kick the stuffing out of Chelsea without our top three players and one of our most in-form (before his injury) in Theo Walcott?
Fabregas has the slimmest of chances of playing but it does appear unlikely that the boss will risk him. He's obviously a big loss but I think that Nasri and Wilshere can compensate for it. So, in my opinion, the biggest loss of them all is, and has been, Vermaelen.
Where's he gone? The Verminator has literally disappeared off the face of the planet. His small Achilles injury has turned to almost 'Van Persieous' proportions. He makes such a difference when he plays and we missed him badly last weekend (the second West Brom goal wouldn't have happened if he was there).
But enough of injuries, Wenger can't control them. What he can control is the team he picks tomorrow. Fabianski will start in goal and to be honest I don't feel that worried. His confidence is at an all-time high so there isn't really anymore you could hope for, regarding his mental condition going into the game.
Because of the injury situation, the back-four picks itself. None of the recent defensive performances would be good enough against Drogba and co. so there'll have to be a drastic improvement. Either that or Chelsea's attack will have to have a performance similar our's, last Saturday.
The three Wenger picks in midfield are crucial. They'll have to be disciplined and protest the defense. That means that Song will have to 'cop the fuck on' and stop getting ahead of the ball. Diaby will probably play along side him and he also needs to up his game. A lot will be decided on how well Nasri plays at the point of the trio. He could easily give Mikel a roasting if Chelsea don't choke the space.
The front three should be Wilshere, Arshavin and Chamakh. If Jack does play on the wing, he's in for a tough time tracking Ashley Cole. Andrey will do his usual thing: nothing for 90% of the game and probably score. Our big guy up front will put in his usual shift (and a half) and will hopefully cause Terry and Alex enough problems for us to get a goal or two.
I'm really nervous about the game. The players didn't care enough last weekend and I refuse to accept a win against Partizan Belgrade as evidence that their attitudes have changed. If it has, we can win. If it hasn't, we'll be steamrolled.
I'm calling a win because I love Arsenal and hate Chelsea. I really hate Chelsea.
"At what?", you might ask.
My simple answer: injuries! How are we supposed to kick the stuffing out of Chelsea without our top three players and one of our most in-form (before his injury) in Theo Walcott?
Fabregas has the slimmest of chances of playing but it does appear unlikely that the boss will risk him. He's obviously a big loss but I think that Nasri and Wilshere can compensate for it. So, in my opinion, the biggest loss of them all is, and has been, Vermaelen.
Where's he gone? The Verminator has literally disappeared off the face of the planet. His small Achilles injury has turned to almost 'Van Persieous' proportions. He makes such a difference when he plays and we missed him badly last weekend (the second West Brom goal wouldn't have happened if he was there).
But enough of injuries, Wenger can't control them. What he can control is the team he picks tomorrow. Fabianski will start in goal and to be honest I don't feel that worried. His confidence is at an all-time high so there isn't really anymore you could hope for, regarding his mental condition going into the game.
Because of the injury situation, the back-four picks itself. None of the recent defensive performances would be good enough against Drogba and co. so there'll have to be a drastic improvement. Either that or Chelsea's attack will have to have a performance similar our's, last Saturday.
The three Wenger picks in midfield are crucial. They'll have to be disciplined and protest the defense. That means that Song will have to 'cop the fuck on' and stop getting ahead of the ball. Diaby will probably play along side him and he also needs to up his game. A lot will be decided on how well Nasri plays at the point of the trio. He could easily give Mikel a roasting if Chelsea don't choke the space.
The front three should be Wilshere, Arshavin and Chamakh. If Jack does play on the wing, he's in for a tough time tracking Ashley Cole. Andrey will do his usual thing: nothing for 90% of the game and probably score. Our big guy up front will put in his usual shift (and a half) and will hopefully cause Terry and Alex enough problems for us to get a goal or two.
I'm really nervous about the game. The players didn't care enough last weekend and I refuse to accept a win against Partizan Belgrade as evidence that their attitudes have changed. If it has, we can win. If it hasn't, we'll be steamrolled.
I'm calling a win because I love Arsenal and hate Chelsea. I really hate Chelsea.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
League Title Slipping Away
Arsenal 2 W.B.A. 3: A Disgrace.
Arsenal's title chances took a massive blow today as West Brom humiliated the Gunners at The Emirates Stadium. Goals from Odemwingie, Jara and Thomas handed West Brom the win as Nasri fired in Arsenal's consolations.
There's no debating it and the 'blogosphere' can talk this team up as blindly as they like but there's too much dead weight in this squad. In my opinion their was one world-class player out there today. One man who cared. One man who wanted to close the gap on Chelsea. His name was Samir Nasri, and the rest were awful.
Forget about midweek, we can lose that game and still qualify for the knockouts comfortably. But if Arsenal lose at Stamford Bridge, then we can forget about the league title this season.
Arsenal's title chances took a massive blow today as West Brom humiliated the Gunners at The Emirates Stadium. Goals from Odemwingie, Jara and Thomas handed West Brom the win as Nasri fired in Arsenal's consolations.
There's no debating it and the 'blogosphere' can talk this team up as blindly as they like but there's too much dead weight in this squad. In my opinion their was one world-class player out there today. One man who cared. One man who wanted to close the gap on Chelsea. His name was Samir Nasri, and the rest were awful.
Forget about midweek, we can lose that game and still qualify for the knockouts comfortably. But if Arsenal lose at Stamford Bridge, then we can forget about the league title this season.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The 'Jose Mourinho' Factor
What is it? Its what Mourinho has a tendency to do at every club he's at. He creates a 'siege-mentality' around the club which fuels his teams. 'Decisions constantly go against us', 'no one wants us to succeed', these are the kind of things that are said to the media. It's exactly what he did at Chelsea and his teams thrived in the mission to prove their apparent doubters wrong, winning two league titles.
At his next club, Inter Milan, he simply made himself the most hated man in Italian football. His players again responded on the pitch. They won the league in Mourinho's first season and then, in the following one, won an unprecedented treble. It was another masterstroke by the intelligent yet extremely narcissistic manager.
I think that this season, Arsene Wenger has used this technique more than ever. In the past few weeks, Wenger has been attacked from all angles and by all manner of people. Managers, former referees and washed-up pundits have all stepped up to have their own digs at Le Boss for his opinions on tackles and (a lack of) protection from referees. The reaction by gunners fans everywhere has been fantastic. Everyone has rallied behind Wenger in his defense. Blogs everywhere have went about dismantling the attacks of Allardyce and Coyle in impressive fashion. But you'd have to wonder what the players make of it all?
Surely some of them listen to the news and read the papers so they all must have found out how their manager has been criticized in the weeks gone by. So, could you call the results against Blackburn, Bolton and Braga a showing of allegiance to Wenger and his beliefs? I'd like to think so and I hope it continues.
Another man has also been in the media limelight: Cesc Fabregas. He's has had his commitment to the cause doubted and he and the players have responded in the right manner. The way he played against Braga showed how much he still loves the club and how much he wants to succeed here. The statement from Clichy mid-week showed that the squad also believes this.
While the latter isn't an example of the Mourinho Factor, it could still have the same effect on the team. A mental resilience that was lacking last season in the big games could be instilled through the adversary we've faced so far. Perhaps the cirumstances weren't right for this young team to succeed last season. There wasn't a major issue for the boys to respond to early enough in the season. The response when Ramsey was scythed down was admirable but we had already lost twice to Man United and Chelsea by then.
We won't really know where the team is mentally until the final whistle blows in the match against Chelsea. But there are small signs starting to show that this team is ready to lift trophies.
At his next club, Inter Milan, he simply made himself the most hated man in Italian football. His players again responded on the pitch. They won the league in Mourinho's first season and then, in the following one, won an unprecedented treble. It was another masterstroke by the intelligent yet extremely narcissistic manager.
I think that this season, Arsene Wenger has used this technique more than ever. In the past few weeks, Wenger has been attacked from all angles and by all manner of people. Managers, former referees and washed-up pundits have all stepped up to have their own digs at Le Boss for his opinions on tackles and (a lack of) protection from referees. The reaction by gunners fans everywhere has been fantastic. Everyone has rallied behind Wenger in his defense. Blogs everywhere have went about dismantling the attacks of Allardyce and Coyle in impressive fashion. But you'd have to wonder what the players make of it all?
Surely some of them listen to the news and read the papers so they all must have found out how their manager has been criticized in the weeks gone by. So, could you call the results against Blackburn, Bolton and Braga a showing of allegiance to Wenger and his beliefs? I'd like to think so and I hope it continues.
Another man has also been in the media limelight: Cesc Fabregas. He's has had his commitment to the cause doubted and he and the players have responded in the right manner. The way he played against Braga showed how much he still loves the club and how much he wants to succeed here. The statement from Clichy mid-week showed that the squad also believes this.
While the latter isn't an example of the Mourinho Factor, it could still have the same effect on the team. A mental resilience that was lacking last season in the big games could be instilled through the adversary we've faced so far. Perhaps the cirumstances weren't right for this young team to succeed last season. There wasn't a major issue for the boys to respond to early enough in the season. The response when Ramsey was scythed down was admirable but we had already lost twice to Man United and Chelsea by then.
We won't really know where the team is mentally until the final whistle blows in the match against Chelsea. But there are small signs starting to show that this team is ready to lift trophies.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Arsenal Begin To Hit Full Flow
Arsenal 4 Bolton 1
There were a lot of positives to take from the match yesterday. We cruised to a comfortable victory with a lot of individuals putting in encouraging displays. But I want to get the negatives out of the way first.
The referee, Stuart Atwell, had a nightmare. He missed an awful lot of incidents yesterday, one of which cost Bolton their best centre-back, and just seemed completely out of his depth. And even without Cahill's sending off, Bolton could have very easily finished the game with even less than 10 men. How Kevin Davies stayed on the field after consecutive, late challenges on Rosicky and Wilshere is beyond me. He only got booked for the second one which could very easily have been a red on its own.
Then in the second half he missed a foul by Song on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. Not to be harsh on Song or anything, but it was a blatant trip. Then the ball came to Chamakh on the sideline and he flicked a beautiful pass through the legs of Cahill and onto Arshavin, getting clattered by the Bolton player in the process. A tackle from behind is a red card so, in my opinion there was no debate. However, it shouldn't have happened because it should have been a free-kick to Bolton.
The worst one of all though was Robinson's foul on Diaby. It was an horrendous challenge. Over the ball, studs up and right into Diaby's leg. If Diaby hadn't managed to get his weight off his leg, it would have snapped. And Atwell didn't even dish out a booking. Idiot.
Anyway to the positives of the match. First of all I want to mention and really hard working performance by Arshavin. He was constantly moving along Bolton's backline and gave them a torrid time. Chamakh grew into the game as it progressed and scored with a powerful header. Almunia had the jitters at times with a few back passes but looked okay after that. Squillaci gave a good account of himself but probably needs a couple of more games to get into the full swing of things. His partner Koscielny had one bad header back to Almunia that lead to the goal but apart from that was pretty good. Fabregas wasn't his brilliant best but set up three goals and some other good chances all the same. Song had the unusual role of driving forward from midfield and scored an excellent goal.
My man of the match would have to go to Rosicky. He was on fire and covered the whole pitch despite being picked on the right of the front three. His pass to Arshavin early on was world-class and I think that he is getting back to his world-class best. He's had an electric start to the season and I hope that this isn't a false dawn and that his form continues like this. Because if it does he'll be impossible to keep out of the side.
Next up is the Portuguese side Braga in the Champions League. They knocked out Celtic and Sevilla in the qualifiers so they obviously have some pedigree. Our next game after that is Sunderland away in the league. Last season we went there with a major interlull hangover having lost Van Persie for 5 months and with Bendtner also out, had no one to spearhead the attack.
Anyway it's Braga next and a win would build the foundations for qualification to the next stage. Hopefully Diaby's injury isn't serious and no one else picked up any injuries this weekend.
There were a lot of positives to take from the match yesterday. We cruised to a comfortable victory with a lot of individuals putting in encouraging displays. But I want to get the negatives out of the way first.
The referee, Stuart Atwell, had a nightmare. He missed an awful lot of incidents yesterday, one of which cost Bolton their best centre-back, and just seemed completely out of his depth. And even without Cahill's sending off, Bolton could have very easily finished the game with even less than 10 men. How Kevin Davies stayed on the field after consecutive, late challenges on Rosicky and Wilshere is beyond me. He only got booked for the second one which could very easily have been a red on its own.
Then in the second half he missed a foul by Song on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. Not to be harsh on Song or anything, but it was a blatant trip. Then the ball came to Chamakh on the sideline and he flicked a beautiful pass through the legs of Cahill and onto Arshavin, getting clattered by the Bolton player in the process. A tackle from behind is a red card so, in my opinion there was no debate. However, it shouldn't have happened because it should have been a free-kick to Bolton.
The worst one of all though was Robinson's foul on Diaby. It was an horrendous challenge. Over the ball, studs up and right into Diaby's leg. If Diaby hadn't managed to get his weight off his leg, it would have snapped. And Atwell didn't even dish out a booking. Idiot.
Anyway to the positives of the match. First of all I want to mention and really hard working performance by Arshavin. He was constantly moving along Bolton's backline and gave them a torrid time. Chamakh grew into the game as it progressed and scored with a powerful header. Almunia had the jitters at times with a few back passes but looked okay after that. Squillaci gave a good account of himself but probably needs a couple of more games to get into the full swing of things. His partner Koscielny had one bad header back to Almunia that lead to the goal but apart from that was pretty good. Fabregas wasn't his brilliant best but set up three goals and some other good chances all the same. Song had the unusual role of driving forward from midfield and scored an excellent goal.
My man of the match would have to go to Rosicky. He was on fire and covered the whole pitch despite being picked on the right of the front three. His pass to Arshavin early on was world-class and I think that he is getting back to his world-class best. He's had an electric start to the season and I hope that this isn't a false dawn and that his form continues like this. Because if it does he'll be impossible to keep out of the side.
Next up is the Portuguese side Braga in the Champions League. They knocked out Celtic and Sevilla in the qualifiers so they obviously have some pedigree. Our next game after that is Sunderland away in the league. Last season we went there with a major interlull hangover having lost Van Persie for 5 months and with Bendtner also out, had no one to spearhead the attack.
Anyway it's Braga next and a win would build the foundations for qualification to the next stage. Hopefully Diaby's injury isn't serious and no one else picked up any injuries this weekend.
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