You’d have to go back some way to find a domestic match where we played as well as this. The key to the success has to be the way the team was able to demonstrate its overwhelming superiority in midfield. Although, going up against Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell, I expect nothing less. While I’d still very much welcome a designated defensive midfielder, it cannot be denied how well the trio on Saturday worked together as a unit. Santi was at his metronomic best dictating the play and teasing Fulham like some sort of fleet-footed burlesque dancer. The constant debate over whether he should be in the middle or coming in from wide areas is one I never really understood. When he plays like this, there are very few opposition players who could even get near him. And even if
Centre Bac
The most encouraging aspect of the win over Fulham was the performance of Bacary Sagna slotting in at the heart of defence and looking better there many of the ‘natural’ centre halves we’ve had misfortune of seeing in the red and white (I’m looking at you, Pascal…). Despite the attentions of Berbatov, Sagna put in the kind of assured performance that could provide the boss with food for thought regarding how we line up defensively this season.
My biggest concern regarding this summer’s transfer “activity” is the seeming neglect to shore things up at the back. As I pointed out last week, the team almost has something of an addiction to making elementary defensive mistakes – Sagna himself guilty of a glaring one against Manchester United at the tail end of the season. This week was far more encouraging against quite an attack minded team. I’m not about the get overexcited by just this game (as well as his cameo at Sunderland last term) but seeing how well Sagna played centre half at Craven Cottage, I am ever so slightly less concerned if we don’t recruit in that position.
Keep(er) up the good work
Another contrast to last week was the much improved display of Szczesny who looked far more secure this at Fulham in terms of handling, awareness and positioning. He also pulled off what essentially a match-defining double save when the score was only 1-0.
The problem with Sir Ches is that we know he has the tools to be a top class keeper but he is still quite raw. Young keepers will make mistakes. It’s part of their development. What matters is if he can learn from these mistakes and knows not to make them as his career goes on. Last week I suggested he hadn’t but if we see more games like this, I’ll be more than happy to be proved wrong.
Jammy Olivier
I was watching the game in the pub with some friends and friends of friends. One of whom happened to be a Barnsley fan. When Ramsey’s initial shot ricocheted and fell kindly for Giroud to poke home, this lad turned to me and said such a goal wouldn’t look out of place at Oakwell! He had a point. Aesthetically, it won’t win any beauty prizes. In fact, if you were to make love to it, you’d turn off the lights and make sure it was out the door before your housemates found out. As ugly as it was however, I’m more than happy to see us score like that. The obsession with trying to score the ‘perfect’ goal in football is redundant. When all is said and done, it doesn’t matter how they go in.
As for Giroud, he’s not perfect as we all know and the clamour for a new striker both from the club and fans is hardly a ringing endorsement of his qualities as a player. However, his goal on Saturday demonstrated his ability to find himself in the right place at the right time. If he does just that 20 times a season, there won’t be much cause for complaint.
In Pod we trust
When the ball broke to the edge of the box, I have to say that I don’t there would be another player in our squad I would preferred to see running in than Podolski. Much is made of the fact Arsenal players all too regularly opt to make a pass when a shot is on. Often times the decisions proves costly as the chance is wasted so it was certainly refreshing to see someone willing to just stick their foot through the ball and twat it into the goal. Similarly with his second strike, had it been any number of other players in the same position, it wouldn’t have been at all unexpected to see them seek out another pass rather than shoot.
There were strong rumours at the end of last week that our Lukas was set to be shown the door. Hopefully his match winning performance will squash such rumours until they can no longer draw breath.
Middle Class
You’d have to go back some way to find a domestic match where we played as well as this. The key to the success has to be the way the team was able to demonstrate its overwhelming superiority in midfield. Although, going up against Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell, I expect nothing less. While I’d still very much welcome a designated defensive midfielder, it cannot be denied how well the trio on Saturday worked together as a unit. Santi was at his metronomic best dictating the play and teasing Fulham like some sort of fleet-footed burlesque dancer. The constant debate over whether he should be in the middle or coming in from wide areas is one I never really understood. When he plays like this, there are very few opposition players who could even get near him. And even if they do, his ability to work his way in and out of the tightest of spaces can actually be terrifying.
Rosicky’s experience is invaluable it’s really pleasing to see him get a run of games without breaking down (touch wood!). Ramsey seemed to pick up where he left off against Fenerbache and was a constant threat driving from deep. It’s been noted how much of an improvement there’s been in his game since last season. Long may it continue, I say.
Hell Bent
Darren Bent – a boyhood goner who apparently had a season ticket in the North Bank growing up – has now scored against Arsenal for Charlton, Sp*rs, Sunderland, Aston Villa and now Fulham. I would happily blow half the transfer budget signing him just to stop him doing so much damage. I’m not even sure if I’m joking…
EXAMPLE OF AD POSITION
