Match Reports
Goodplaya: Arsenal pretty good at home right now.
Telegraph: For all the recriminations about Arsenal’s failure to win a trophy since 2005, Arsène Wenger should soon have a rather more favourable statistic to recite to his doubters. Barring a truly extraordinary sequence of results, last night’s resounding 4-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar has ensured that his team have now qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League in each of the past 10 seasons, a record that no other English club can match. Rafael Benítez, for one, will be casting an envious eye just now.
Match Video
The Arsenalist has started posting match videos as the match is happening. If you need to see the action and can’t get to a feed, try his site.
Quote of the day
Today we had still Bendtner, Walcott, offensive players who were not available. We had Denilson who did not start, Eduardo, Rosicky, that’s why I was always amazed when people told me ‘buy buy buy!’ But to do what with the players you buy? … and Carlos Vela I forget.
Arsene Wenger, describing Arsenal’s team depth, why he didn’t buy in the transfer market, and Carlos Vela.
The Good
It was, by all accounts, a superlative performance. Arsenal dominated possession at 55%, dominated the shots tally at 6-3, dominated the goals tally at 4-1, and when they lost the ball everyone, to a man, worked very hard to win it back.
At the back, Arsenal made two changes from the 3-0 drubbing of the Spuds on Saturday with little or no ill effect. Gibbs slotted in beautifully for the injured Clichy going forward with aplomb, bombing in crosses, and at the back his tackling seems in some ways stronger that Clichy’s. A strong performance and the perfect way to kick off his run of matches at left back.
Shielding the back four Alex Song would have been a revelation, if I hadn’t already watched him so closely all season. Last year the bag on Song was that he was too slow, lacked confidence with the ball, and that his passing was too often side to side. If there were any lingering doubts about Song, yesterday certainly put them to bed. He was very strong with the ball and seems to have discovered a dribbling confidence. With Song playing confidently as the lone central midfielder, Cesc and Diaby were able to get forward and help build the attack higher up the pitch. And when Gallas or Vermaelen go forward Song slots into the back line perfectly, every time. Song is not the same player that so many criticized last year, he’s strong in the tackle, he has a good burst of speed when needed, he has a nearly complete understanding of his position, and he can turn, dribble, and pass forward just as well as anyone on this Arsenal squad.
Song’s midfield partner and also oft maligned player, Diaby, must have benefited from Arsene Wenger’s pre-match pep talk because last night he was pretty damn good. My criticism of Diaby is that he has a tendency to hold the ball too long, doesn’t really have any defensive awareness, and the timing of his aerial game is poor. Yesterday he was very tidy with the ball, which showed in his season high 89% passing rate, and he tracked back pretty well, even making an excellent tackle outside the 18 yard box which dispossessed the Alkmaar attacker and started an Arsenal counter. Two out of three ain’t bad.
On the other side of Diaby, Cesc Fabregas has FIGURATIVELY exploded. He’s now scored 8 goals and provided 11 assists in just 13 games in all competitions and his return in the Champions League is a massive 3 goals and 2 assists in just 4 matches. I credit this to the new system and to the strength and confidence that the whole team has in Alex Song. Last season, Cesc seemed reticent to get forward but now there’s no holding him back. All these goals are making him more and more confident as well and he’s taking his chances like an old pro. The one-touch on the second goal last night was something that only an experienced player pulls off.
After a long layoff, it was really special to see Samir Nasri play all 90 minutes and get a goal. He showed yesterday why his dribbling and finishing are crucial to Arsenal breaking down defensive minded teams. Here’s hoping that Nasri stays healthy from here on out, he’ll be perfect to slot in when any of the front three or midfield three need a rest.
Last but not least, Andrei Arshavin has come in for a bit of criticism over the last couple of weeks, from me as well as others, for appearing to be a bit lazy and sometimes not tracking back and helping out in defense. Last night he put all those criticisms to bed as he both surged forward providing three assists with perfect passing and tracked back unafraid to kick at the heels of the Alkmaar wingers. Maybe he was playing with a bot of a knock the last few games, no one is saying, but whatever the reason, Arshavin showed last night why he’s such an important player for Arsenal.
Man of the Match
I’m giving Andrei Arshavin MotM because he was so crucial to 3/4 of Arsenal’s goals yesterday.
The Bad
The AZ keeper was beaten three times at his near post and I wonder if Arsenal didn’t study video of him and found out that he was vulnerable to near post goals. It was a strange performance from a guy who I rated very highly after the away match.
A bad also has to go to Eboue and Almunia who combined in a lazy display at the end of the match to let AZ get on the sheet. It’s not the end of the world but Eboue could have put in a tackle on Lens, I mean ostensibly, Eboue is a defender, he should know how to tackle, right? And Almunia… sigh. I think he just turned off at the end of the game there. It was eerily similar to a goal he conceded at Citeh and makes me wonder where his head is sometimes.
The Ugly
Right after he scored the first goal, Cesc Fabregas was seen angrily barking at David Mendes da Silva before his teammates surrounded him and pushed him to midfield. I can’t find anything which explains what Cesc’s beef was with Mendes though I did find a photo of Mendes speaking to the press before the match. So, I wonder if he didn’t say something.
It’s also possible that Mendes said something after he scored the goal in the away leg. I don’t know, if you all find an article or a quote, I’m interested in hearing it.
Conclusions
Arsenal’s record in all competitions is now, P18 W14 D2 L2 F51 A19 and their home record is a perfect, P10 W10 D0 L0 F33 A7. There is no doubt that Arsenal are dominating at home, which is great. Moreover, Arsenal are currently scoring at an incredible rate, having put in 51 goals in 18 matches, which is a 2.83 per match scoring rate.
According to Goodplaya, back in 1992, Arsenal set a record by scoring 92 goals in a season and this feat was commemorated with a video called “92 in 92″ or something. At our current rate, we’ll score 107 goals in the Premier League alone, and how many Arsenal can score in all the other competitions will likely be down to how long they stay in each competition. Like I’ve said before, 100 League goals would be an unparalleled feat and in my mind, at least as good, if not better than the Invincibles season — especially if it leads to the League title. Of course, there’s a lot of matches to be played between here on the League title, but Wenger, for one, sees this team really gaining momentum:
I believe that this season, it looks like we get stronger from game to game so it’s important to keep that attitude, to progress, to improve, to play for each other even more, and then we are allowed to believe in our future.
Incredible home form will help, but it’s Arsenal’s away form which needs to be tightened up defensively and opened up offensively. Wenger explains that at well:
We try always to play exactly the same game and the price we have to pay with our game is that anywhere we go teams will organize first not to concede. And when you play away from home, the commitment, that little push, is a bit stronger, and the commitment is a bit higher, and the referee a bit more lenient sometimes. So, it’s a bit more difficult to express yourself than at home.
Having just scored 7 home goals in two matches, Arsenal next travel to the Molineaux to play Wolves on Saturday and perhaps can get that away form rolling.
In the mean time, Arsenal supporters should revel in a great win. The team is clicking and goals are coming in from all over. It’s a good to be a Goonah.
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its always great to be a gooner
Just a note on the closing words about Wolves, I don’t think we should underestimate them, they’ve tightened up at the back recently and I think they’ll be up for the game against Arsenal.
Was glad to see Robin didn’t pick up a yellow last night, but I heard Cesc came off with a tight hamstring, I wonder if Ramsey might be in line for a start at the weekend?
I found an article yesterday that does a great job explaining Arshavin and Diaby. (pops). Just thought I’d share.
Nice work as usual.
My apologies. I left the target off the link and it doesn’t pop. I’ll try again.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am
@Alex, Yeah someone pasted that whole article in the comments for yesterdays post…
I do agree with it partially, but the problem with the “Diaby is growing now, just like Song and Denilson did last year” is that last year it was pretty much accepted that Arsenal weren’t going to compete so I didn’t mind giving those guys time. This year they actually look like title contenders, and so Diaby looks that much more out of place (except, of course, when he has a good game and looks every bit the player that we all expect him to become).
And as for Arshavin, he’s a victim of the high standards he set for himself. He made such an impact coming in last year and people want the same from him now.
Underestimate any opposition at your peril. Footbaall is full of instances.I believe the gunners did that to some mid table teams and were undone last season.
The defence must not go to sleep after a goal up.That is the most dangerous and vulnerable time.Players become complacent and are relaxed.
The Liverpool MU game showed how focussed the reds were to win.They were written off by all and sundry.
The gunners defence is still not as good as Chelsea and MU.In order to win matches there must be a balance between offence and defence.Imho AW is too attack oriented at the expense of defence. Get it right and maybe the drought will end.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
@David, Hmm. MU’s defence is bollox this season.
Being a goalkeeper in my younger days I know the shot from Lens was a nightmare for a goalkeeper.
As a goalkeeper you normally anticipate on the position of the attackers leg to see how he likely to shoot. But when you shoot like that with the toe as a keeper you have no clue. Also the striker has no clue to where it will go. A toe poker from that range is a fluke.
But as a keeper you look rather silly, must admit it.
Once again, the outplaye opposition just rolls the ball forward, and faulty Manuel just kindly lets it in!
Those who think he did a great save early on, HE DIDN’T, he should have (again, like a million times before) punched the ball away, but he punched it goofily, and got lucky that it hit the bar instead of going in.
I like the fellow, but I think he is at best a 3rd choice keeper (not even that for the Spanish or even English national teams), and I am dreading the mistakes he may make to undo the great work of a great offensive team, when it is time for critical matches like Chelsea or in CL, where the opposition is no AZ or Portsmouth!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
@Alan, Bollox
The boys are doing very well. As long as we not get hit by injuries, special at the back center, I believe we will win a big trophy. Our back 5 should keep it tight and they will be the key for our success this season. Now Gibbs is getting a chance to go step further in his career. He is young and inexperience that why he will be a target as from our opponents (special against the top team).Therefore he needs a support from the winger to make a cover for him when we lose the ball. Keep it gunners.
Once again, the outplaye opposition just rolls the ball forward, and faulty Manuel just kindly lets it in!
Those who think he did a great save early on, HE DIDN’T, he should have (again, like a million times before) punched the ball away, but he punched it goofily, and got lucky that it hit the bar instead of going in.
I like the fellow, but I think he is at best a 3rd choice keeper (not even that for the Spanish or even English national teams), and I am dreading the mistakes he may make to undo the great work of a great offensive team, when it is time for critical matches like Chelsea or in CL, where the opposition is no AZ or Portsmouth!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I think you are being rather harsh on Almunia. Pelle hit a half volley from 8 yards away! Almunia did well just to get a touch to it from that close. To say he should have been able to punch it clear is ridiculous. My question on that play is where were our defenders. Pelle had time to chest it down in our box…
I don’t disagree that Almunia is prone to mistakes that may cost us games/points, but you can’t criticize him in that instance.
The game was advertised the day before in ESPN here in the Philippines and at the last moment was bumped off by the Liverpool game agianst Lyon! What a bummer! Liverpool has a bigger fanbase here. I really hope pool drops out of the top 4.
I agree with Alan, Almunia gives us nightmares, we’re a top team and deserve a real top keeper.
Walter, nice try to save his face, but we seldom see top keepers concede such goals after all!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
@ALMUNIA! Oh No!, Fail.
Glad I’m not the only delusional one Tim in regards to Cesc shouting in anger at somebody after his goal. I was confused why he looked more upset at scoring than celebrating. However we still don’t know why………
I’m not sure it’s fair to single out Eboue for the goal. Gibbs got beaten at midfield, Rambo (i think, one of the white guys anyway) got muscled off Lens, then Eboue has to decide, when he’s the last defender, at 4-0 up with 10 minutes left, whether to a) try to distract the shooter as he can and trust in the goalie or b) go in from the side, maybe clearing the danger but maybe (and this is easy for a skilled forward to make happen) getting the attacker’s leg first and getting sent off. And then finally Almunia didn’t have his near post covered.
That fuckup was a team effort.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
agree. why risk a yellow or red when you’re 4 nill up?
Great photo of Koeman adjusting his feces stained bottoms. I guess that’s what happens when our attacking talent literaly scares the shit out of opposing managers.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, keep up the good work Tim
Guys – don’t forget to pause and smell the f%$#ing roses. We are playing some of the best football in Europe. We should enjoy it. Stop moaning about our players. I don’t know any other fanbase so prone to stupid complaining i.e. NON-CONSTRUCTIVE. We even do it after big wins.
Specifically, poking at Arshavin?!?! Come on! He is our best player in technique and vision of the game. Yes, I rate him higher than SexFab (who I love).
November 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
@Alex, there are two types of Arsenal fans; those who complain about the players and those who complain about the other fans.
Crap…
127 goals in a season is the Arsenal record, set by Herbert Chapman’s 1930-31 League winning club
http://www.arsenal.com/history/herbert-chapman/arsenal-win-their-first-league-title
It was in 42 games but it was still 3 goals a game and had multiple 30+ goal scorers.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:28 am
@Tim, also, 97 goals is the record for the Premier league, United in 1999-2000, and yes, they won.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am
@Tim, We should invest all of our profits into cloning technology and make a frontline of all Thierry Henrys in his mid-20s
focus should be for the Wolves!
3 points and no injuries
@ctpa, yesterday: please, please, ctpa, stop hoping for things! A while back you hoped for Liverpool in the Carling – and got them. Now you’re hoping for Rubin Kazan? That’s the team Barca couldn’t score against home or away? In February, when it will be about minus 50? Think of poor Almunia who’ll have to wear a furry rabbit suit. With ears.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
@Mia, Well he looks like a rabbit, might as well wear one (suit that is)!!
November 5th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
@Mia, Just being prescient.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:30 am
I’ve noticed – that’s what alarms me!
Chesk or Lampard?
uhm… chesk.
Chesk or Gerrard?
who’s been injured? Yeah. Sorry Andy Gray, still taking Chesk.
Pirlo? eh. Ballack? meh.
The only true midfielders who are playing as good as our captain are Xavi and Iniesta, and on current league form, it would still be foolish not to take Cesc.
If he moved to Barcelona right now, I think he would start. He is an absolute monster, and there is no doubt in my mind that players like RVP, Arhsavin, Song and Nasri look up to him 100%. He is the on field standard-bearer of Wenger’s philosophy, and judging by their post-match interviews, only one thing is on Cesc’s mind: Silverware.
I think the league will be a struggle unless we bring in holding mid cover in January (We won’t ever sign De Rossi, but I wish we would every day) eh. I like our chances at any of the three cups. I also like Gibbs to make it to South Africa, at this rate.
It is a positively brilliant time to be a gooner.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
@Dooley, Screw De Rossi. Toulalan is a much more technical player. De Rossi is all running and shooting – hardly any passing or dribbling skills.
hi all,
fistly..up the arsenal
secondly, your critique of eboue is unfounded, he didnt committ to the tackle for the fourth goal because if you noticed there was another player who was running on the other side whom he also had to partially cover..as he was closing him Lens took his shot early which caught the keeper out..a weak goal overall but really its more a team defensive error rather than just eboue’s for not tackling..
anyway we’re playing so well im too happy for negatives..lol
I have sat down to review the whole match again. Anyone who blames either Eboue or Almunia for the freak goal is GROSSLY unfair. Neither is solely to blame. As others have pointed out, it is a whole team error. If Eboue had flown into that tackle, two things were likely to have happened: (a) He would have mostly likely taken the AZ attacker as well, however slightly, which would have resulted in a red card. Or (b) The attacker would have slipped the ball to the path of the other attacker who was running into the empty space on the the other side of Eboue, which would have resulted in a goal. So Eboue was trying to pay attention to two attackers. He was trying to steer the attacker away from Almunias goal towards the left where it would have been safer to make a tackle; and trying at the same time to block him from passing to his teamate on the other side. Unfortunately the attcker toepoked the ball.
As for Almunia, he did what anyone goalkeeper would have tried to do in his position. He tried to read the body position of the attacker to anticipate what he was going to do. It did seem like the guy was going to cross to the oncoming attacker, but the guy toepoked, thereby wrong-footing Almunia. It is a bit like reading a penalty taker. The attacker TRIED his luck and got the goal. You cannot blame Almunia for that, especially because of the oncoming attacker. If he had focus solely on the guy with the ball and the went to the other attacker to score, people will start shouting that he should have anticipated. He tried to and was unlucky.
Guys it is easy to find fault from the comfort of an armchair after the fact. Try putting youself in the right there and then. What would you have down? Don’t lie! You dn’t know. You are all just using the benefit of hindsight. Thank you & Goodbye for now.
where is carlos vela????????????
November 5th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
@louise, Apparently recovering from an some kind of injury. Although if I’m Vela I’m a little dismayed when the manager mentions the word ‘forgot’ and my name in the same sentence
November 6th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Indeed, and it’s the second time he’s forgot him.
i dont have an explanation but here’s the photo of Cesc shouting at Mendes.. http://www.daylife.com/photo/0ePi8kE2Ky9Lw pretty uncharacteristic of him i’d say. I watched the replay of this match and at the beginning before kick-off, Cesc was all smiles to the referee and AZ captain. maybe mendes said something to him after that goal?
“When Wolves Attack” by Mick McCarthy