A mixture of the goal as well as Cesc being off the pitch meant that we yanked up the handbrake and just kept the ball. We totally eased off the pressure and turned it into a training exercise. We slowed the game down too much to score anymore goals. Stoke were absolutely shameful
Perhaps the young Catalan has been taking strides forward in front of Arsene Wenger during training sessions. He looks very assured on the ball and he gave the defence a nice balance due to his preference to use his left foot. It was very hard to gauge his defensive attributes as he just wasn't tested until the 88th minute but he looks very calm and is certainly an Arsenal defender in the making
Arsenal allowed their defenders to have the ball and Van Persie dropped back into midfield. Our defenders were pushed up high with the intension of flooding the midfield and not allowing them the space to combine and dominate the game. Barcelona are technically so good that even with a very
I was also very impressed with Andrey Arshavin. It was fantastic to see the old Shava back again after a few months. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that he had been doing extra fitness work whilst being out of the side because his work rate was as high as I can remember it ever being in the past. He ran more without the ball than he did with it and that hasn't always been the case with Arshavin
We are talking about a man who was 'attacked' by Dan Smith for it seems, no reason. He had his ankle shattered and has still suffered as a result of that injury. We are talking about a man who had studs from Paul Robinson high in his leg without a foul being given. We are talking about a man who had his ankle stamped on by Michael Essien at Stamford Bridge, given his lack of playing time this season due to injury that is quite a few assaults from players and I am sure I have missed out a few more
Andrey Arshavin who is still not back to his best, delivered a pin point corner to the head of Laurent Koscielny who nipped in ahead of Martin Fulop to head into the net. His rounding of the belly celebration would indicate that his partner is pregnant, so it was a goal fully deserved. His second goal for the Gunners in a wonderful first season. He has developed a great partnership with Johan Djourou and appears to have ironed out his errors. I have no doubt that he will become a world beater for
We have seen how games have improved players and helped them develop and grow. How many hat-tricks would Van Persie have scored if he had an average injury record? How good would he have
Alex Song was masterful until he tired out late in the second half. The 'visible' wall has now turned into a graceful, skilful, brick wall. I love the way he positions himself in front of the opposition midfielder and they just run straight into him, bounce off his solid frame then the blonde haired Cameroonian shuffles his way past a couple of challenges and then finds an advanced team mate who knew that sequence was about to unfold 10 seconds prior to the pass. Gordon Strachan called him the best defensive midfielder in the league, so do I.