Disappointing 2-1 defeat at home today to Chelsea for the Gunners. Here are some quick thoughts on the match:
- In the last week, Arsenal have played both Manchester City and Chelsea and have yet to concede a goal from open play. Unfortunately, Arsenal have only picked up one point out of six due to the fact that they have conceded three goals from set pieces. And just like last week at the Ethiad, it was Laurent Koscielny at fault for the Chelsea goals today. With Vermaelen fit, it should have been Koscielny that was dropped not Mertesacker.
- A positive note defensively though was that expect for the two goals, I think Mannone had once save to make all day, and that was from a long-range shot. Jenkinson looked really good going forward, especially in the first half, and most of Arsenal’s best moves came from when he or Giggs bombed forward down the flanks.
- Worrying to see Diaby go off injured after only 17 minutes. In a post-match interview I heard Arsene Wenger say that Diaby has a muscle injury and it could be weeks. I hope not, because an injury to Diaby exposes the fact that Arsenal never replaced Song when he was sold this summer. Arteta is not a holding midfield player, Frimpong is recovering from an injury and Coquelin is too inexperienced.
- Wenger seems to be unsure about what is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best position. WHen he came on to replace Diaby, he played wide right and Ramsey moved into the middle. Then when Walcott came on, AOC moved into a more central role. Personally I like him in the middle of the park running at defenders, but pick a position and let give him a run of games their.
- I thought that Santi Cazorla was a little disappointing today. Did not have his usual influence on the match and he put over a couple of half-chances that he had. He needs to do more in these big games,.
- It was great to see Gervinho take his one scoring chance today, after his missed opportunities last week. What was not good was seeing Giroud waste another great scoring chance in stoppage time. Asked about the miss, this is what Arsene Wenger said: “Giroud should have scored,” Wenger said. “He was in a good position to score. Why did he not score? It is hard to identify.”
- While its a little early to worry about the table, Arsenal are already seven points behind Chelsea in the table. The Gunners cannot afford to let that gap widen to 10. Unlike with Spurs, I can’t see Arsenal pulling back a 10 point gap on Chelsea.
What did you think of today’s performance and result?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My Key 7 Observations.
1. Vito cannot be Arsenal first choice. He was too slow react to those two freekicks and looks heavy to me.
2. Koscielny never should have started ahead of Per because in my own opinion, he has been Arsenal’s best centre defender. Per’s positioning and tactical discipline make up for his lack of pace in the first five matches.
3. Jenkinson doesn’t want to stop impressing me as the best Arsenal defender this season. I am always pleased with the way he bumps forward.
4. The left side of the defence is still not solid, and Arsene needs to do something about it. I would say give Santos more playing time.
5. The Arsenal midfield was clueless without Diaby. Ramsey is slow and still doesn’t want to improve or mature. I would make the centre midfield Ox’s permanent position.
6. Arsenal still need to replace VP because I am unsure of Lukas and Oliver.
7. Arsene and his players need to pray more for luck.
We played well, Chelsea did not deserve to win but neither did we.
You can be sure we will benefit from the reverse circumstance in this game by winning a game we don’t deserve.
This is not a game to start getting all negative about, it was a bad day at the office.
ps, the ref was happy with the result
i thought our full backs were brilliant.. and i can understand wenger playing kos anticipating that per might to be able to cope with their pace and movement.. good in theory.. but Koscielny was a lil rusty.. and wenger needs to rotate his forwards better.. also i think olivier should have started.. he brings some physicality to the side.. we seem to be more of a threat with him in the side..
We miss van persie..period!
John,
I disagree, yes RVP scored goals but he was only able to score from the team assists and now he has gone, the team spirit seems stronger, in a way, I think he held us back by permitting only the ‘Plan A’.