Defensively we were very poor; Bacs and Kos were just about so so, Squillaci and Clichy disappointing. What in God’s name was Squill up to when he headed a ball in the path of Nani, only for the latter to miss?  As the game progressed Clichy at least

What is it about teams like Man United and Chelsea that Arsenal have not won against them, both home and away, in the recent past? These teams have got such a stranglehold on us, that of late, let alone win; we have not even managed draws against them.

Arsenal’s playing pattern means a quick passing game, lots of possession concomitant with control of midfield, full backs pushing forward,  midfielders’ link up play with forward line, pressing the opposite team’s players, creating lots of chances and generally try and outscore the opposition. When some of this does not happen, it affects our game and ability to score. When all of this does not happen, we are extremely poor and more often than not we lose. Compounding all of this is poor refereeing, rotten luck etc.

For Szczesny it was baptism by fire, and boy didn’t he acquit himself well. But for him and Rooney’s poorly taken penalty, the score line would have embarrassed us. No flapping, no flailing, no punching, just plain shot stopping. His one on one save against Anderson and gathering the chipped ball from Rooney with outstretched arm provided the only bit of warmth in the chilly winter.   

Defensively we were very poor; Bacs and Kos were just about so so, Squillaci and Clichy disappointing. What in God’s name was Squill up to when he headed a ball in the path of Nani, only for the latter to miss?  As the game progressed Clichy at least tried to make up for it but it doesn’t help the defence’s cause if you are either backing away from Nani or not forcing him out wide, or winning the ball in a tackle only to quickly give it back.

Supposed to have some of the best midfield players, we never bossed the middle of the park. Rosicky was OK but not enough to influence the game; Song gave a poor account of himself with repeated fouls. Song is not blessed with speed. His role is crucial as a defensive midfielder, providing protection to the back four and breaking up play. Wilshere needs more games to develop his composure. Both were guilty of wild and misplaced passes.           

Chamakh works hard and provides an aerial threat in the box but as a lone striker he ain’t the Rooney or Drogba type. Arshavin needs to be more effective going forward. Nasri is presently our best player, was heavily marked and expecting him to score in every match is difficult.

Options: Change of formation to 4-4-2 at least in the big games? Starts for Djourou, Walcott and Bendtner?  Nasri playing central in absence of Cesc? Wilshere, Vela at home against teams in lower half of table?

Agreed that we have fewer injuries this year, but these are to key players like TV5, Fab4, RVP, etc which really hurt. Cracks and deficiencies are cruelly exposed in the big games, there needs to be a serious rethink on strategies, formations, tactics for at least getting draws, if not winning against the big teams. Can we redeem ourselves against the Chavs?

Gooner for life.

Mean Lean’s Response

I am not sure if I agree with you on several points.

What I do share is the disappointment. The disappointment that we once again finish a match against our rivals with no points. Disappointment that a Manchester United side who are not that impressive have managed to do a job on us once again.

Where I disagree with you is in the manner of the defeat. I seem to be watching a different football game to many Gooners. What seems to be missed is that we changed our approach for the game. We usually push our team up the pitch, play with a defensive high line and press the opposition in their own half. Home or away, Wolves or Manchester United. We have been punished plenty of times on the break because of it so Wenger changed it.

I think the ‘Defensively we were very poor’ line is almost automatic for Gooners now but I didn’t feel that was the case at all. Manchester United were restricted to a few chances. Manchester United always create plenty of chances at Old Trafford but we defended well. We were not perfect, had we have been then we would have kept them out.

The problem was the other end of the pitch. A team that is so used to playing in the opposition half looked as if they could not score with a new approach. We had Chamakh at the half way line or chasing down a full back.

We need to find a balance between keeping tight and creating chances against these lot.

Szczesny had a good game but I do get the sense that he is being a little hyped up because of the clamour to have a new goalkeeper in between the sticks. Newcastle mistake aside I don’t think Fabianski has done much worse than that all season and was certainly better than that against the likes of Manchester City and even Wolves away

I agree 100% that our key players being out have hurt us. I am not looking for excuses, that is just a fact. Every team in the world regardless of how good their squad is will miss their best players because like I say.. they are their best players.

We may have still lost with Vermaelen, Cesc and Van Persie playing at their best but I sure would rather they were there.

The Chelsea game at the Emirates is now massive. We lose that, then clearly we need to figure out what the problem is. I believe we can beat them and will not get punished as we have done previously.

Only time will tell.