Ratings and Thoughts v Bolton, Merida shows why we must sort contract., new poll...
 G4L_Harry (17 January 2010)
Player Ratings:
Almunia. 8
Much Maligned Manuel, stepped and performed well today, looking shaky in the first ten minutes, Almunia made some good saves and collected well on most occasions, there was a mix up with Gallas at one point, but alot better than usual...............Caveat... We still need a WC Keeper........
Sagna. 7
Solid and dependable, not at his best at moment but did little wrong. Needs to practice his crosses more.....
Vermaelen. 7.5
Strong display, commanding in the middle had Davies in his pocket, has formed a really good understanding with Gallas. Got forward well and unlucky with a couple of chances.........
Gallas. 7.5
Another solid performance, one slight mix up with Almunia, but overall handled everything thrown at him. Pushed forward well...........
Traore. 5
Worst performance yet, after some good games, he let himself down, perhaps he felt the pressure of Clichy on the bench. His attacking play is good, but positionally he gets caught out in defence too many times.........
Eastmond. 6
Ok performance for his debut, so dont want to be too harsh on him, he will learn from this.......
Diaby. 7
Solid game and kept dropping to support Eastmond, so perhaps slightly restricted today. For me thats his minimum today, want to see more on Wednesday.
Fabregas. 9*
Another average performance from our Spanish Maestro, just a goal and another MoTM accolade, I expect so much more, must work harder..........No more injuries please....
Eduardo. 6
Woefully not at his best, ok, the occasional flick or pass, yes the one two with Cesc for the goal was good, but he just doesnt get involved when as a forward he should, he still seems to pull back and hesitate. I think when he is back on form he will be gleaming, but at the moment, I feel that the team is really carrying him at the moment....
Rosicky. 7.5
Looked disappointed when he came off, but we need to protect him especially with Nasri out. Thought he had a solid game, passes well, picks the right option 9/10 times. His effort level to regain possession is fantastic, he was the catalyst for the first goal, and numerous other attacks.......One of my favourite players, who plays with a smile on his face, would prefer him slighty more centrally and deeper.
Arshavin. 7
Probably slightly generous 7 in some peoples eyes, but his running off the ball and work rate is exceptional at times, he seems to drift in and out, but he is way ahead of some of his teamates in speed of thought. He needs a striker to play off and connect with.
Subs:
Merida. 8
Excellent Cameo appearance, really got involved and much better than the West Ham performance, showed why we must get him to sign his contract sooner rather than lose him, I think we'll see more of him in the next few weeks. Took his goal really well.
Clichy. 7
Good to see him back, surprised he didnt dropped into LB and push Traore forward. Must start on Wednesday.
Vela. 7
Only on 10mins or so, usually only give a 6, as unfair to rate, but thought he did well and showed some good touches, would start in front of Eduardo on Wednesday who then can come on for 20mins at the end.
Manager. 7.5.
Thought it was bold decision to start with Eastmond at a notorious battle ground. Was unfortunate to lose Nasri to injury, as this really cuts his options down. Thought he should have changed Traore after 60mins.
Overall................
Good performance against a very difficult foe and also up against the new manager syndrome. Their fans got behind them and at times they put pressure on. But the boys stuck in there and didnt flake as many critics would have expected. It was a longtime coming the 2nd goal, but when it did, that was it.
Should have had a penalty in first 20mins when Fab was taken out, and possibly he was tripped later in the first half. I dont like Dowd as a ref, and thought he was losing the control just before half time.
Wednseday..........
Need to play at a much faster pace on Wednesday with sharper passing in the middle. Would start Vela in place of Eduardo, and possibly Merida instead of Eastmond and have diaby hold..........
And I want to see JET get a chance as well, we need a presence on the pitch. Hopefully Walcott makes it, we need his pace.........
Three points are a must to knock Chelsea off the top, it will give them a little reminder that they have some competition.
On Strikers...........
Wenger was pushed on whether he was more likely to buy or not, but as usual he didnt give much, but he did mention that Bendtner was back soon........
Its getting late in the window and we really needed to buy earlier than this, get the feeling that Wenger is looking to get a bargain and drive the price down as best he can, careful or we might lose out. The thing that worries me is that the big games when we need that extra option all come up in the next few weeks. What if Nick gets injured on his come back? Just wish Robin wasnt injured for so long, he would make the push for the title so much easier.......
Thoughts on Campbell:
Personally I think this is a no brainer, he brings experience and that title knowledge for in the dressing room, I dont think he will let us down either if called upon.
Poll:
With Campbell strengthening the backline, I cannot see any more defenders coming in and he seems that wenger is only looking for a striker, but whats more important to you? a Striker or Goal keeper? Vote in our new poll on the left........
Leave your thoughts on the match, merida, Cesc, strikers, keepers, the title and what ever else concerns you about Arsenal.
If your not a member yet, use the quick register at the bottom of the page, its painless.......
Comments: | | | Buzz3210 | 17 January 2010 23:12:59 | | | | | | | | | Hi All
I am sorry but Traore undermines why he is 3rd choice he makes me nervous whenever he is threatened one bonus is at least he can put in a good cross | | | | | | | | | | G4L_Harry | 17 January 2010 23:14:41 | | | | | | | | | Exactly, I would play him more forward and put clichy back in asp..........More forward as a sub, not a starter, his pace in last 20mins would cause problems...... | | | | | | | | | | Urakanine | 18 January 2010 11:26:12 | | | | | | | | | I don't think Almunia was too fantastic. The communication between defenders and goalkeeper was really poor, especially with the Matt Taylor chances proving it all.
Don't want to be harsh, but Traore could do with some defensive lessons. Maybe he could play in left-midfield... | | | | | | | | | | odede4y@yahoo.com | 18 January 2010 15:37:30 | | | | | | | | | We need a striker not keeper.each player try their best.but traore need more time lesson while da-silva most have focus in each game so as to have more goal. | | | | | | | | | | mikejc28 | 20 January 2010 08:04:02 | | | | | | | | | You could see by the look on Galas's face, he was very frustrated with Almunia a few times in the Bolton game.
When defenders don't have 100% faith in their goalkeeper, they start to get involved in his space and that's when stupid own-goals happen!
Hooray Glad Clichy is back, the LD is finally back to strength.
He makes better runs and crosses down the left wing too.
Every time the ball is on the right side Sagna floats the it in... and nothing?
Bringing Campbell back in, good move, big boy who commands respect. I would like to see Vermaelen move up into DM while Song is away, even just for one game.
Striker - Arshavin, love how slippery he is, every opposition knows he is deadly, so they stick two defenders on him every time he moves, which leaves Eduardo, who is like a lost boy out there, I do hope he finds his magic again?
Bentner, okay he has height, but I just don't see him filling a strikers roll.
My vote - buy a goalie and striker | | | | | | |
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