Arsenal players who started their games. We had a few goal scorers last night, Nicklas Bendtner leading the way with a brace. That is now 24 goals in 56 games for his country. While Bendtner has clearly lost his way off the pitch in the last few seasons, I think the mocking of his ability is down to his perceived character rather than his actual playing ability. Interestingly though, I don't think I've ever read
Wilshere comments, first the smoking incident, a boring non story. Personally speaking, I believe that if a player wants to be the best he can then he shouldn't drink or smoke so I essentially agree with Arsene Wenger but I am not foolish enough to believe that players do not do it. It has been blown up because it is Jack Wilshere. These new comments about England players being English is just an attempt to jump on the controversy from the smoking debate. It is not necessarily about knocking the player down but a chance to create a storm which in turn gets people talking, commenting,
Wilshere's first half display down to his left position, he has had some very good games in that position this season. In my opinion he lacks simplisticity. Or at least knowing when to be simplistic and when to try and make something happen. It is this reason why I enjoy watching Tomas Rosicky so much. As with Ramsey and other players like Hleb before him, this issue is a temporary issue rather than a longer term problem. Match fitness and playing games will sort this out. In that first half especially, Wilshere would try and dribble past one too many players, get tackled and stay down holding his ankle. There are times when Wilshere's burst past a couple players and then pass makes chances out of nothing but often the early pass to one of the floating Özil, Ramsey, Giroud etc is the better option. Credit to Wilshere
Arsene Wenger would be offered a new three year contract, this isn't really a surprise to anybody at this moment. The likes of Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke have been pretty vocal about this for a while and you got the feeling that it would be a matter of timing. That said we didn't quite know where Arsene's head was or has been in the last few months. The Arsenal home support were getting more and more disgruntled through periods last season before our wonderful unbeaten finish and also during pre season when it seemed impossible to some to wait until the transfer window closed before voicing total displeasure. I don't understand that but many disagree with me so I'll push that one away for now.
Arsenal colours Forget about Giroud's goals for a second, as impressive as the return has been. His all round game has been a joy this season. His awareness of others, his ability to flick the ball perfectly into the smallest of areas is fantastic. I am sure that side of his game is a big reason why Arsene went for him. Is there a better passer with his head in the Premier League than Giroud? When watching long kicks heading towards him you wonder what is going to happen next then the next second he has flicked the ball off to a player in space that I hadn't seen a second ago.
Arsenal on the break, we know how they will play but it will be interesting to see what Arsene does. How does he approach the game, I imagine the first half will be a safety first approach and not much in the way of overcommitting, but I imagine that we will be more adventurous in the second half. Needless to say, the first goal will be vital.This could be the perfect game to rotate Mikel Arteta back into the equation. His passing accuracy from the back four could come in handy. I expect another change with Tomas Rosicky
Arsenal to succeed this season, the secret is simple: get Aaron Ramsey off the treatment table. Currently, he's indispensable to the Arsenal team and he must be wrapped in cotton wool. Analysts and pundits alike seem to have finally taken notice of Ramsey's performances for Arsenal this season. His performances has been very efficient this season. No dazzling dribbles, no 'wow' flicks, no flair, but plenty of goals, a couple of assists, frightening amount of interceptions, mind-boggling number of tackles etc.
Serge Gnabry started the game in pragmatic style as he did against Stoke but just before the half time whistle, he zoomed up the gears and drove at the heart of the Swansea defence in his bustling style of his, he had the awareness to slip the ball to Giroud who was clean through but the Frenchman
I suspect that Gnabry may play 60-70 minutes and if we are winning then Monreal can replace him. We are going to miss Walcott's running in behind that's for sure. While Gnabry was a sprinter in his younger years, he doesn't run in behind like Walcott does. Given that Swansea are an attacking team, we need that outlet. Perhaps we will approach the game a little differently. Maybe pushing Özil closer to Giroud and play a deeper midfield four rather than three forwards ahead of Özil.