Match Reports
Telegraph: There was a hot frisson of excitement on an afternoon of bitter coldness that Arsène Wenger may have had to contemplate something he has not had to contend before. An exit from the third round of the FA Cup.
ESPNSoccernet: Arsenal scored twice in five second-half minutes to come from behind to beat West Ham at Upton Park and secure their place in the FA Cup fourth round.
Match Video
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The Good
I’m just going to go straight in and say Aaron Ramsey was my Man of the Match. Despite having a midfield partner in Merida who seemed to be miles away for the majority of the game (probably already planning a return to the plains in Spain) Rambo conducted himself admirably in midfield, doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the first half and trying to get Merida and Wilshere into the game.
It’s no criticism of the player to say that his game really opened up when Wenger put on Diaby and Nasri. Nasri was able to hold the ball up better than Wilshere (who was easily fouled off the ball by Mark Clattenburg, erm, I mean one of the West Ham players) and Diaby provided strength and touch in the midfield where Merida was simply a passenger. So naturally when they came on Aaron blossomed.
Many people are comparing Rambo to Cesc and I can see a bit of that I suppose, but where Cesc has eyes in the back of his head and can see openings that no one else sees, Ramsey is more of a power player ala Steven Gerrard. Well, that’s not fair, Ramsey has far better fundamentals than Gerrard ever dreamed of having. Oh and Ramsey’s only 19.
Either way, Rambo got his second left-footed goal in as many games and is really getting good run of games here. Wenger set a target of 15-20 matches for Rambo this season, and he’s already got 23. On his current form, I expect he will be the midfield starter in Cesc’s role until Jesus returns.
Meanwhile, up front Eduardo got a very, erm, Eduardo-esque goal heading a wonderful looping shot past Robert Green (who was no slouch). Dudu seemed to be moving a bit better than in the last few games so, let’s hope this signals a return to the form we’ve all been waiting for. I’ll readily admit that he is one of my favorites and I’d love to see him back to scoring goals for fun.
The Bad
A lot of people blame Silvestre for yesterday’s goal, but in reality the whole back line was in tatters throughout the game and especially at the moment that Hammers scored. In fact, it looked like West Ham should have had a couple of goals and but for the lack of class that their players displayed they probably would have.
I’m not absolving Silvestre, he had a rather poor game and clearly doesn’t have the speed to play fullback in the Arsenal system. Either Arsenal need to change their system and basically play three defenders with Sagna as the lone wing-back and Silvestre holding a line with the two center backs or Arsenal need to not play Silvestre. Because pretty much every time he went forward Arsenal were exposed by his lack of pace getting back.
Considering Wenger’s pre-match comments about Senderos getting a start, I was also shocked to see Gallas and Vermaelen out there once again, though in retrospect I probably shouldn’t have been so surprised. At this point you have to think that Senderos moving somewhere is a real option this Winter and I know I’m not alone in hoping that Wenger finds a center half who can come in an do us service in a pinch. After all, we’re rotating the hell out of the midfield and I know it’s not as simple to rotate the central defenders but we really need to be wary of playing Gallas and Vermaelen in every match. So far, they lead the team in appearances with 25 each. That’s 25 appearances out of 31 matches and while I’m aware that guys like John Terry already have 30 games under their belts, Arsenal players tend to be more frail and I’m starting to worry.
The funny thing is Wenger mentioned as much when talking about why he rotated his squad, he has to know that Gallas and Vermaelen could suffer burnout, at the end of the season, when we need them most. Right? Unfortunately, instead of saying that he has a player or two in mind, Wenger said,
I have the money, I have the motivation, I just don’t have the player.
I know I’ve said that buying players isn’t like buying a loaf of bread but I also understand that it’s hugely frustrating for a lot of fans to hear that Wenger doesn’t even have a target.
More bad news (sorry) as Wenger talked about injuries to the team, saying that part of the reason he rotated so heavily was down to the fact that Arsenal had 9 (nine) players out with injury yesterday. Walcott was the buzz of the press, asking about whether he’ll get the string of games needed to see him included in the World Cup squad and Wenger said that Theo has a rib injury and could be out for a month. A month!
The Ugly
It’s a bit predictable I suppose but I really have to say that Mark Crapenburg is a disgrace. A huge disgrace, a Hunt even. How on earth is it that he sees Song’s tackle and gives him a yellow card but when 6′3″ Diaby is kicked IN THE FACE he gives Luis Jiminez a ticking off? What exactly did he have to explain to the player?
Right, Luis, I’m going to stand here, ok? And wave my hands around, as if to say ‘no more’ – shake your head now – and what I really mean is ‘go on, get stuck in.’ I mean, after all what’s a boot to an Arsenal boys face, eh?
There’s something seriously wrong here with Clatenburg and I’m just going to say it; I think he has an anti-Arsenal bias. This is the second time this season where he’s looked directly at a player put his studs on the face of an Arsenal player and given no card. The first was the infamous Adebayor stamp on van Persie and the Jiminez high boot yesterday. Frankly, it’s sickening what he lets Arsenal’s opponent’s get away with, Valon Behrami could have been booked half a dozen times for his dangerous play and yet somehow escaped censure despite committing dozens of fouls.
It was the same in the Citi game, the same in the Spurs game, the same in the Stoke game, and now it was the same in the West Ham game. Mark Clattenburg has now “refereed” 4 Arsenal matches this season, each one has seen serious dangerous play go unpunished, and though Arsenal have managed to win 3/4 of those games, I think we have been lucky to escape one of our players suffering a year ending injury.
Conclusions
Yesterday was Alex Song’s last game for Arsenal until after the ACN and he put in his usual huge performance in the middle of the park. Arsenal will have some big shoes to fill now and it’s a bit worrying that Wenger doesn’t know who he’s going to put in there.
Most folks point to Denilson, and the boss has said that if he’s fit he’ll play Denilson on Wednesday. Though whether that’s in the holding role or not is anyone’s guess. Diaby, for his part, is going to have a word with Wenger and try to secure the holding midfielder role for himself. I’m fine with that, Diaby is bigger and stronger than Denilson and can fill in at center back when Gallas and Vermaelen go marauding forward. Well, physically he could… mentally? I have to wonder. But if he’s up for the job and begging to do it, then I’d let him have a go at it in training and see if he really does have the restraint needed, and positional awareness necessary to do the job. He is our biggest midfielder by far and the one I think most physically capable of handling the job.
As for the other injuries, I think we saw that Fran Merida and Jack Wilshere are no where near ready for first team action yesterday and we have to keep our fingers crossed that Rosicky gets back in to shape and can get some games under his belt. If Merida was bossed off the park by West Ham, he will be utterly destroyed by Bolton.
Next up for Arsenal in the FA Cup is another away trip, this time to Stoke City on January 23rd. Meanwhile, Chelsea get another bye week in the FA Cup with the draw pulling Championship strugglers Preston North End. Chelsea really have the best luck when it comes to cup draws.
Irregardless, there’s a lot of football before then. In fact, next up we’ve got the famous game in hand against Bolton at home on Wednesday. Win that and we’re just one point off league leaders Chelsea and certainly giving all the doubters something to think about. Especially considering the toll that injuries have taken on Arsenal this season.
I’m fairly sure I read that Senderos failed a late fitness test, so perhaps he didn’t want to put Gallas and Vermaelen out, but had no option?
Also, I don’t think AW is telling the whole truth when he says “I just don’t have the player.” Let’s wait and see, which is about all we can do if he’s playing it that close to his chest!
I enjoy reading the blogs but don’t usually reply. I particularly hate any negativity re. Arsenal, in blogs, even if iy’s sometimes merited. Having said that: Clattenbugger is an absolute HUNT. His decisions against Arsenal are consistent. Always biased. Note when there’s a few heavy/dodgy tackles flying in, he’ll never stop the play until he thinks an Arse player has made a foul. Worse still, the boot in face/shoulder/ribs tackles find him standing within 3 yards of the offence, which he clearly sees, and then ignores. It sends the message that it’s ok to kick Arses, and he’s not the only ref to allow this. At the same time, Arsenals opponents get away with murder. I’m sick of this egotistical git’s existence. Given how I started this piece, I apologise for my negatvity. Well done Arsenal. Onwards and Upwards.
I agree with the above poster. There’s no reason to examine Wenger’s words too much about imminent transfer activity. Frankly I’m surprised he’s said as much as he has to date. Really, though, what benefit can come from Wenger saying he wants to buy a player, he doesn’t want to buy a player, he has a player in mind, or he doesn’t have a player in mind? His words about this transfer window suggest that there will be activity. While I believe he likes to mess with the media, I do think he’s more sensitive to the frustration of the fan base over the perceived lack of major transfer activity over the last few years (more so in terms of making big ticket purchases) and wouldn’t say what he has said if he didn’t mean it. The last thing Wenger should want to do is to create these big expectations inside the fans’ heads and then go out and do nothing other than sell Senderos for a baguette in January. But then again, he is a Frenchman. It wouldn’t surprise me if nothing happens until after the second Bolton match on Jan 16. After that, there are 11 days until the next league match, away to Villa, which kicks off the murderous 4 game stretch which will surely play a central part in determining the season.
I was beginning to think I was the only one who thought that ‘tackle’ was outrageous. Even if it was unintentional, it was still extremely dangerous and worth a yellow at least. If Song or any other Arsenal player had done that they would be off in a moment.
disagree on the burnout issue. players should be able to play 1 or 2 games a week. stop mothering them and giving them an excuse
b Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 9:58 am
@bb, they should be, and i’m sure they are ‘able’ to, but is it fair to expect them to do that and still perform at the same level as opponents who don’t have European games and/or are out of the cup and therefore don’t play as much? It’s not so much a matter of what the players need for their own good, it’s about staying competitive with the other teams.
Tim Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 10:11 am
@bb, Well, Arsenal play a very different, very physically demanding game. No other team demands as much from their players as Arsenal, so it’s not a case of mothering anyone, it’s a case of being realistic, and wanting to have a real shot at winning the league.
But let’s just say that Gallas and Vermy can handle 60 games in a season. What do we do if Gallas goes down injured? Or what happens if Vermaelen picks up a knock at the same time? Silvestre? Song? Senderos?
At every other position in this squad there is world class backup, except in central defense.
how in the world that boot to the face was not a booking is simply baffling. just because jiminez put his hands up in the air apologetically does not absolve him from getting booked. a high boot to any part of the body is an automatic yellow card – it’s as simple as that. in europe, refs give out yellow cards for dangerous plays like that even if there is no contact. english refs are an utter disgrace.
I do think that AW has a player in mind and does not want to disclose it. We did experience being robbed by other teams by waiting who we eye on and come in with a outragous bid that we can’t counter. Then again knowing Arsene he most likely won’t sign anybody. The twist on plots AW puts in just makes it more interesting and worrying.
I smell blood…Chelski blood
Bull Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Maybe AW does have a player in mind, but it’s not his disclosure that we need to worry about, but leaks from the selling club hoping to generate more interest and thus increase the price. A CB and striker will do nicely, come on Arsene dust off the chequebook!
i am worried about burnout about gallas and verminator… there needs to be cover… man u were in deep shit because of it… when their defense was injured… we have depth going forward but when its come to the back we need backup… i am surprised he didn’t play sendoros more often… i dont even remember when he last played… so he must be lacking lot of match fitness… we need to 2-3 players now… 1 for forward.. 1 for midfield though midfield rambo is doing a good job… but i at back for sure… striker and a defender…
and the death crunch games in jan feb is insane… i dont know why it happens with arsenal fixtures… its too much pressure back to back… some wins and draw will be alright… lets hope now that now in jan chelsea will drop more points as their “free” drogba goals wont be there… and why is rooney not injured?
I beg to differ with the view expressed above that our whole back line was in tatters throughout the match.
That was far from the case, and, by and large, we were reasonably solid defensively.
Even the commentators during the match felt he left his foot up there way too long to be a mistake. I haven’t read that challenge resulted in Diaby being hurt and out. Anyone?
That challenge was so bad, Diaby was actually pretty close to thumping the guy. well he looked a little pissed off, which is amazing considering Diaby is so laid back as an individual.
I thought our defence looked shaky and managed to deal with most things well. But the West Ham guy nouble was very, very hesistant. A more confidence striker, even a more confident nouble would have caused serious damage. Yesterday though, he never wanted to take a shot. Perhaps we should sign him up? I’m joking.
Mark Clattenburg is a disgrace and biased against Arsenal. I am surprised that more Arsenal fans are making an issue of it…
Rosicky signed a new contract!! Yippee!!
Honestly the challenge on Diaby got me up on my seat. I thought he dislocated his shoulder the way the Cuntenburg called the physio
As I said before this game, the only problem we would have is that Clattenburg was the referee and he didn’t disappoint. You don’t have to be a “Mentalist” to see what Clattenburg is all about. In fact you could be deaf, dumb and blind and still see the anti-Arsenal bias.
Coyle in talks w/ Bolton. Too bad. I only hope he includes the transfer budget that Megson didn’t have as part of his negotiation.
Diaby talking shit about he’s the man to fill in for Song. Prove it.
5d until the return of Clichy. Can’t we just suit up anyone to play LB who has some speed. Hell let’s ask Boro for short term loan on Hoyte
Rosicky resigns. I’m indifferent to this news until he can show he stay on the pitch until the end of the season.
Someone tell SAF that the injury time complaint has run it’s course. 5″ was about right according to my stop watch and that was pushing it.
If the only player who played well against Leeds was Valencia, does SAF make wholesale changes in the CC? He planned to anyway so it’s no big deal.
Yan Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@ctpa, Well, somewhere AW said that Rambo can even play at full back thanks to his power and stamina.
Clichy, Fabregas, and Denilson will return for Everton at this point.
You have to like that crotch kick Vela attempted on Diamante after he himself was kicked. No more Henry ‘diplomacy’ here.
Tim Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:32 am
@ctpa, I loved that. I was telling the Goonah watching the match with me that if that hhad been me, I would have kicked Diamanti in the balls too.
17highburyterrace Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 11:59 am
@Tim, Vela looked a bit stronger and feistier out there, though still timid in the first half trying to lead the line. The second effort on the first assist showed (to me) that he wasn’t focused on how he could draw a penalty. (Wasn’t ever gonna happen with Plugs calling the match….) And the running and crossing late in the game showed me some solid stamina and some serious left-footed skills, esp. when compared with the dire efforts from Merida at earlier set pieces. And finally, it was unjust to have what should have been our third goal cleared off the line after Carlitos took Fabianski’s throw, chipped to himself, did a fine one-two with Ramsey and beat (England’s #1?) Rob Greene late in the match….For me, La Obsesion con Vela is back…
b Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
@ctpa, i was kind of disappointed that he didn’t get into Diamanti’s face more in the aftermath, Diamanti was looking for an altercation and i’m sure some well-chosen words from Carlos would have drawn a headbutt or some other red-cardable offense
Well, it was no surprise really to see Crapenburg allow a potentially career-ending challenge on an Arsenal player go unpunished. He’s done that all season long. It’s an FA rule that Arsenal players get booked for their second foul, while opponents are allowed to assault Arsenal players all game long at the risk of only a yellow, and that only if the assaulting player’s name is not Darren Fletcher, and the game is not being played at Old Trafford.
It’s an absolute disgrace.
That Cunt-tenburg of a referee makes my blood run so high such that I could commit an aggravation of prohibitive proportions given the chance. Can he justify the acceptance of a karate kick in football? Does anyone remember the Karate kick by Evans of ManU on Drogbreath of Chavski? The stupid referee could not do anything about it either. Who is that referee anyone?
A professional win; hard, gutty and matured perfomance. A glorious inspiration from Diaby and Nasri.
I’ll wait and see what happens in the transfer window. I am not much good at speculations.
Tim Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@LRV, That was Martin Atkinson who let Johnny Evans kung-fu kick Drogba and then yellow carded Drogba for his faux seizure.
LRV Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Yes! Thanks Tim. Two referees in the Premier League now seem to accept Karate Kicks. Cunt-tenburg allowed Adebay-madness to stamp not only on Fabregas’s thigh, but to attempt a boot reconstruction of RvP’s face. Atkin-idiot-son allowed Evans to kung-fu kick the Drog, albeit a cunt himself, in the ribs. Suddenly, the great Cunt-tenburg decided to go one better by allowing Diaby, an Arsenal player, to get an unrequired facial reconstruction from the WestIceland player. How much hatred does the Cunt need to show before the FA come to the realisation that the MURK deeply hates Arsenal?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article6975870.ece
this sucks.
I’d be interested to see how one of our youngsters would fare. If Denilson’s really out, maybe a combination of Eastmond and Coquelin over January to see if they’re up to scratch. Eastmond’s really impressed in the Cups, and Coquelin got such a great name that he’s destined to be a first-teamer. Or JET, if he’s still around. I don’t think Diaby should be moved; it’s taken him this long to start getting good, it’s not a good idea to mess with his game.
Plus, I’m going to miss that game in hand. It won’t feel the same once we’ve converted it into 3 points.
Here is some more terrible news, for use Yankee gooners:
http://www.epltalk.com/breaking-fox-sports-international-in-talks-to-acquire-setanta-sports/14489
Let’s all get used to not watching Arsenal.
Kevin Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
@Matt, fuck…what good can come of this?!?
totally off subject but i was wondering if anyone knew how to get a hold of this beer from Denmark. It is called Gunners Ale and is made in honor of our Arsenal.
http://www.midtfyns-bryghus.dk/sortiment/gunnersale.html
I would love the get my hands on this.
JayL.A.Gooner Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
@josh,
I would try a bevmo, or look it up to buy it online somewhere and have it shipped.
Re-signing Rosicky is absolutely the right decision for several reasons. First and foremost he still has much to give and his touch and skill are unquestioned. Wenger apparently has seen enough to think that he still has something to contribute and is a player that brings quality, experience, and a winning mentality to the team. Rosicky is an experienced international, captain for his country and a winner everywhere he has played, winning titles with all his prior teams.
A great point is that he is great mates with Cesc, so locking up his best friend on the team is always a good idea if you want to keep your captain and best player happy. A very good point made earlier in the comments referring to bobby and paddy for our friend Henry. Another thing above his experience is that he is a consummate professional and a great example for the young players, as well as a calming influence in the dressing room. It is always said that a team needs the right blend of youth and experience to achieve things. I am a firm believer in the concept that class can not be learned, nor can vision. Some players are gifted with these talents and they are special for this reason, and Tomas is one of the few in the squad(and world) capable of this kind of vision. I remember the only good thing I could take from the world cup mach in 2006 where my united states were beat by the czechs was that their architect, little mozart, had just signed for arsenal, and he single handedly dismantled my team.
I believe he will still contribute and be very useful later this season, and as long as we can afford to still pay his salary he should stay. If we decide he is no longer worth it at least recoup some money for him instead of letting him walk on a free. Up the Arse!
[...] yesterday’s Good, Bad, and Ugly, I mentioned that Merida played like he was miles away and as it turns out, he actually was. [...]