Massive disappointment once again. Player ratings and match review

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I don’t know… Arsenal players make it tough on themselves don’t they? Last week Gibbs threatened to break his foot for the under 21′s, this week he went through with the threat by smashing his foot into the underside of a Liege players boot. Kieron’s broken his metatarsal and he’ll be out for the next two months. What a gutter.

Will boot manufacturers ever wise up and build more protective footwear? I mean, we are talking about football here. The difference of 0.1 seconds worth of pace on a football pitch over a protected foot? Well, surely it’s a no brainer. So for Sundays game, we’ll either see Traore or Silvestre. Nice…

Onto the game.

Again, it’s a tough one to report on. I’ve got to give it to your straight and I’m worried that if I dish out too many superlatives, I’ll be doing you an injustice. Standard Liege are a poor team. A poor team on the level of Wolves. We beat them convincingly and played some pretty special football at times, but if you take off your blinkers for a second, you’d have to admit that we could have drawn or lost that game last night because of the silly mistakes.

Despite dominating possession for a majority of the ninety minutes, Standard still managed to hit the woodwork twice. More worryingly, a freekick flew into the box, bounced 8 yards out, luckily Almunia wasn’t beaten by the oncoming striker. I can sit here and talk about how we could have bagged 6, it’s true, but we’re playing Chelsea this weekend and those chances that an incredibly poor team carved out, will be goals if we continue to take a sloppy approach to defending this Sunday.

Arsenal started in a hungry fashion. If Wenger let rip with a 4 letter expletive in a press conference, you can imagine the mood in the dressing room. Fair play to the boss, molly coddling grown men is never going to get your results. Song went close early on after he miscontroled the ball and was fortunately let back in by some poor defending. Fabregas and Nasri also had chances in the first five minutes.

Song continued to impress going forward, neatly cutting the ball away from his challenger, releasing Nasri who inexplicably crossed it to the back post. Our next chance… or 4 chances, came from a Fabregas corner which Bolat saved the resulting Arsh header, Vela had a toe poke cleared off the line, Gallas had a double shot saved, before Arshavin nearly had his head taken off by a Verminator thunderbolt! Humorous stuff.

Then came the usual sucker punch. Mbokani, skillfully worked his way into some space at the expense of Vermaelen and let off a rasping shot that nearly snapped the upright! Outrageous how things like that only ever seem to happen to Arsenal.

Our time was upon us. Vermaelen sensing Mulemo was uneasy with long balls, fired a 45 yard looping ball to Nasri, the Liege defender inexplicably slipped over, the ball bounced on the 18 yard box, Sammy followed the ball in and clipped the ball on the bounce into the bottom corner. An amazing finish!

Moments later, Eboue played a poor pass outside our box, Goreux picked up the ball, Gallas shoved him over in pub brawl style fashion and unbelievably, the ref waved play on. Perhaps feeling guilty about not giving Eboue a penalty earlier in the night (Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that. He really has cleaned up his act, hasn’t he?).

The ball went up the other the other end moments later, Denilson looked up and smashed a 30 yard screamer at the goal. The ball moved 3 times enroute and deceived the keeper to give our young Brazilian his first of the season. Denilson and I have a strange relationship… I didn’t enjoy his contribution in preseason, but last season, I preferred him as the holding midfielder. If only he had the bulk…

The second half was a bit of a write off. Arsenal mostly controlled the play and nothing of note really happened bar of course some shoddy defending and another woodwork effort with seven minutes to go. Theo managed a run out and looked powerful and pacey and Cesc was being praised for keeping his cool when Carcela-Gonzalez went for the head butt. The press didn’t mention Cesc slapped his face moments before in the challenge, but fair play to the captain for keeping things under control.

So in conclusion. William Gallas wears a gum shield. Samir Nasri is a sly finisher. Cesc has his temper under wraps. Denilson has promised to deliver us more screamers. Eboue is still a diving cheat. Gibbs is out. Arshavin bleeds for the cause. Willy G looks like the elephant man. Gibbs is injured. Arsenal are going to have to out score the Chav’s on Sunday, because we’re not going to out defend.

Ratings:

Almunia: Hard to rate a keeper who had very little to do, yet still nearly managed to concede 3 times. The ball bouncing in the box was a particular worry. He’ll need to dominate his area on Sunday if we’re to have a chance. 6

Gibbs: I thought he was having a good game at left back, I’m just gutted his been cursed by the same injury Clichy suffered with for so many years. Someone needs to invent foot-pads for defenders… or metal boots. 7

Vermaelen: I love the guy, he is always keen to get forward and defends with his heart on his sleeve. However, we’re still looking susceptible at the back and he is part of that. 7

Gallas: After a nasty collision with Arshavin, it would have been easy for him to go off. He didn’t and he fought on despite looking like he’d just been involved in a nasty car crash. I’m giving him an extra 0.5 for that. 7.5

Eboue: Sloppy passing, loads of running into the opposition half with no end product and a customary dive. We’ll get the old cut and pasters telling us that he’s really improved this season, I’d beg to differ… he’s still the same player. The irony of being a cheat and having a God message on your shirt is not lost on many of us. 6

Denilson: I thought the Brazilian had a pretty solid return to action. His passes in the main went forward, he joined well with the attack and he played in an intelligent manner. Oh, and he even managed to bag his second of the season, first of the Champions league. 7

Song: One of the players steadily moving out of the marmite category, straight into blind love pile. He can do no wrong amongst some of you, which leads to cries of man of the match after every game, tales of spectacular control of the game and comparisons to some of the all time greats. He played well yesterday, but to hear some of you harp on about how amazing he is, is quite beyond me. He’s supposed to protect the back 4, we have the worst opening season defensive record in our history. 7.5

Cesc: Played superbly well, hustling and putting his weight about in defence, creating and crafting out chances going forward. He’s been unlucky on the goal scoring front, but he’s still the form man in our side at the moment. Give him movement up front and he’ll give you chances. 8

Nasri: Drifts in and out of games, but after 3 months out, that’s to be expected. A laboured performance from our Frenchman today and a very tidy finish. 7

Vela: Didn’t really have much of an impact on the game. We have to give him time though, he’s really quite green to the first team. He does have a lovely touch and he knows how to turn his marker inside out. I’ve got high hopes for the new Robbie Fowler. 6.5

Arshavin: Far too much criticism from the fan base over the contribution of Arsh. It’s normally the people telling you Song should take the Balon D’or right now. He is a dream of a player, every person I speak to about Arsenal talks about our Russian green with envy. He is a once in a lifetime player, enjoy what he does and stop moaning when he doesn’t give you 4 goals a game. He’s feeling his way into this season and he’s still managed some powerful, tangible stats (Tangible as in goals and assists, intangible as in Hleb assisting the assister). He even bled for the cause tonight. 7

See you in the comment Grovers!

679 Responses to “Massive disappointment once again. Player ratings and match review”

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  1. Pedro

    What the fuck is a yam? Anyone ever had a yam?

    Chipo, don’t americans just love telling you they’re American-Irish.

    Where are all the American-English?

    Oh… just for the record. I reckon Arsenal are going to win 1-0 on Sunday. Just to defy the odds of us keeping a clean sheet.

  5. I AM GOONER (maqitlarge)

    Pedro, I went to uni in the states and absolutely no one says they’re American

    They’re either Irish, German, Swedish, Scottish, Portuguese, Italian, Iranian, whatever, no one actually claims to be American!

    Never met one who said they had English heritage either

  6. Matthew Gunner

    I agree with the view that the gunners are vulnerable to the sucker punch. I’m afarid Chelsea aint going to miss chances with a sloppy defence.
    Remember Hull 2008-09? The unners despite havjing been dominant for long periods of the game were undone by a sucker punch.
    I seriously hope the defence will tighten up and not go to sleep after taking the lead.
    According to stats this is the most vulnerable period when the opposition has good chance of hitting back with a goal.

  8. wardo

    Pedro…think its like a potato dish. Seen it on an episode of friends once (before you all start, my missus was watching it !!)

    Prob full of sugar so those fat btards keep their figure.

  10. Chipo

    Pedro they’re all pretending to be Irish!

    It’s either Irish or Scottish. I think 50% of Americans claim to be part of a ‘clan’ haha

  11. I AM GOONER (maqitlarge)

    not sure yet Wardo. Possibly Pins.
    Depends on my dipsitck bro who lives just off Blackstock Rd, not far from the S+B tbh.
    I’ll post sat/Sun am if I know what happening.

  14. Pedro

    Wardo, I’m single now… I’ve noticed many things disappear out of your life when that happens… friends, heat magazine and healthy eating being the main ones!

  15. Gooby

    we can get back seriously in the title race this week end but i m still angry about the sunderland game. we could have been top of the league…crap, same old same old

  21. wardo

    My missus (as you know) is preggers……she seems to think that she gets more time on the TV remote !!!

    I will never give up the TV remote when footie is on…..she still tries tho the cheeky sod

  26. kingsley

    dutchman he will stay here cos its the best place for him. if he goes to barca the boy has big bollocks but he will get lost in their system.

  28. kingsley

    i personally have never seen cruise play at centre back, have you? I think Ayling has been injured but i’m not sure to be honest. Anyone know?

  38. Stu

    Can anyone clear something up for me. Watching the Moscow – wolfsburg match on shitanta and the commentator keeps on pronouncing the ‘CSKA’ part as a word (shishka is what he is saying).

    What i want to know is ; is that correct or is he being a retard because I always thought ‘CSKA’ was an abbreviation(sp) for a combo of words.

    ANyone?

  43. Evandre Smith

    Does anyone want to sell me two tickets for Sunday’s match agaisnt Chelsea? I will pay 500 pounds max for two. Please e-mail me if you wish to sell you tickets for that game.

    Arsenal for Ever!!!!

  46. SUGA3

    Stu,

    it’s just the pundit thing – remember ‘Ebowie’?

    we have a pundit in Poland named Szpakowski – one can piss himself laughing listening to this prat ;)

  48. Stu

    lol SUGA, i do remember Ebowie. But that was more to do with the guys accent. These idiots are just trying to sound competent but failing horribly. Mis-pronouncing wnames left, right and centre.

  57. A

    delph is so shit, and such a nob! Cruise isn’t a bad left back, he’s grown on me. Not sure about Eastmond playing centre back, certainly interesting!

  66. A

    almost certain merida is suspended for the city game, very unfortunate for him, though makes team selection a bit easier! he’ll just have to play in the semis and final….

    jlp you can’t blame gilbert for that goal!

  67. chozzer

    Found this on a Reading website. Not sure if it applies.

    “For disciplinary purposes, first team games and reserve games are treated separately. The only exception is that a player receiving a red card for violent conduct or serious foul play will be banned from all competitions until the relevant number of first team games have been missed.”

  70. jlp

    i can and certainly will A…
    nah not really blaming him more cussing his name for lack of not knowing the lineman who got Fran sent off
    i didn’t see the fight…
    .fuck………. gilbert

  74. Big Raddy

    Reserves getting totally outplayed by AV. Merida was stupid, he should never raise his hands, it gives an invitation for the ref to send off the best player on the pitch.

    JW is well off the pace. Is he fit?

  78. Big Raddy

    Why not accept that it was a very good goal scored by AV. The pass to Downing was excellent as was his first time cross. No-one to blame. Just good football

  80. A

    true raddy. I blame the ref, he was letting delph get away with some really nasty tackles, it was always going to result and a reaction at some point, especially with us getting so many injuries from nastiness like that. Bring randall on to sort him out!

  89. David

    Cant see Chelsea beating us without Lampard.

    Thing is we need a win. Not a draw.

    A draw would favor United. And Fuk that.

  93. A

    that official choy re grant?

    utd are an irrelevance, they’ll be closer to liverpool come the end of the season than to us and chelsea

  95. David

    Wish that was the case A

    But teams lie down and take it when they play United.

    Wolvshampton didnt even put up a fight yet they were up for it against us!

  97. A

    what David?! we smashed them 4-1 away, and were always going to win! Have Utd played Wolves away yet? not sure they have, but they’ll make tougher work of it than we did! Think you’re thinking of Chelsea playing them at home at the weekend??

    It is the case too David, just wait and see!

  98. bini

    David that is what I was thininkg… why has Fergie fielded such a weak team….
    If the lose tonight and lose by two goals away to Wolfsburg then they will be about..

  110. charybdis1966

    Look how empty the stadium is…and the press slag us off for emptying the seats early at the Grove.

    I suppose it’s a long journey home to Surrey and Devon for the Mank fans so they have to get started early.

  118. A

    choy they qualified in the last set of games! CSKA can’t catch them…. Remember – the last minute equaliser, late come back etc. Was a shitty deflected goal that put them through

  119. charybdis1966

    True “A” but it would be nice if the mank skummers don’t go through as group winners.
    Reggie – the ITV shiesters will show the Chavs instead anyway.

  125. A

    yeah they have reggie, they did last time! how can people not remember it, people made a big deal about it! and we could’ve qualified in the same week but failed to

  126. David

    How is that so A?

    If Wolfsburg beat United by 2 or more and CSKA take care of business by 2 or more they dont go by goal difference?

  127. A

    yeah it would be chary, we could play them then! I really wanna play them in the champs league and do to them what they did to us. Get a couple of goals ahead in a tight first leg, then when they come at us in the second just totally destroy them

  130. A

    David it’s not been down to goal difference for a while, it’s on the head to head record, which is why it was massive when they scored the last minute goal against cska to draw last matchday, and they celebrated like mad because they’d qualified!

  135. A

    Manchester United FC confirmed their place in the last 16 when they recovered to draw 3-3 with PFC CSKA Moskva on Matchday 4. Holding a three-point lead over second-placed VfL Wolfsburg, United can take another step towards winning the group by defeating Beşiktaş JK at Old Trafford. Wolfsburg, who in turn are three clear of CSKA, visit the Russian outfit in the other fixture knowing a draw will secure their place in the first knockout round.

    That was the official UEFA.com preview for Utd’s group

  137. WB

    chelsea were really lucky win their match,porto probably had around 10 shots on target,most of them denied be cech,chelsea had only 2 or three of them.both anelka and drogba started for them

  138. A

    Traore has more chance than Gibbs imo Samir…. Much quicker and stronger, and Anelka is a pacy player, rather than a clever player, where Gibbs would be better.

  139. SUGA3

    A, Traore is absolutely pants there – did not like him one bit against Sunderland, I was geniunely pissed off when Gibbs limped off, should have played Traore aganst Liege, he’d do against them IMO…

  140. A

    SUGA3 if you didn’t like him there against Sunderland then you must have something against him! Didn’t put a foot wrong defensively, was much more mature and disciplined than he used to be, and made two superb runs going forward that almost resulted in goals! I don’t see how anyone could fault him against Sunderland, even if they don’t rate him!

  141. Samir

    If Gallas is fit we will have a chance however….

    I’ll go with:
    __________Almunia____
    Sagna–Gallas–Vermy–Traore_
    Denilson/Nasri/Rosicky–Song–Fabregas_
    _Walcott–Eduardo–Arshavin_

    Maybe Nasri in Walcott’s position…. And Walcott benched as impact sub.

  142. SUGA3

    are you fucking kidding me? acres of space for that ex-Spudcunt Malbranque twice in the first half: you know with Anelka there it’s a goal…

  143. A

    I consider Traore to be the equal of Gibbs, and if his defensive maturity and discipline showed against Sunderland is maintained whilst he’s in the team now, he’ll be a fair bit better, because he is superior in terms of pace, power, and crossing. Gibbs is more intelligent though.

  145. SUGA3

    he is not a LB – he is a LW for a classic 4-4-2 with conservative non adventurous LB as far as I am concerned, that is why he did so well at Pompey…

  146. A

    Samir I’m going for

    Almunia

    Sagna Gallas Vermy Traore

    Cesc Song Denilson

    Nasri/Rosicky Eduardo/Vela Arshavin

    I reckon 9 of the players are cemented in there, the only variables for me are Eduardo or Vela and Nasri or Rosicky

  147. WB

    anyone watched cska vs wolfberg match,krasic was fucking good,i definately want to see him in arseanl shirt one day.an ideal replacement for rosicky,he he doesnt sign an extension

  149. A

    Gotta disagree SUGA, he’s absolutely a left back, more so than Alves is a left back, and he’s been a left back since before Gibbs was! He just didn’t develop the positional and discipline elements to his game until late, which is why he hasn’t developed that quickly. He still has everything to be an amazing full back. He’s not ever going to be anything other than a left back or wing back

  150. A

    It depends what you mean SUGA. Traore has more recovery pace, and is stronger in the tackle and just stronger generally. Gibbs reads the game better and is positionally better. Different but equal imo, both will get caught out defensively in different ways

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