Samir Nasri seems to have a bit of everything and perhaps is still below some previous Arsenal play makers in some areas but at 21 could well be better than the rest

Match Review – Arsenal 3 Plymouth Argyle 1 – FA Cup

Arsenal were expected to dominate Plymouth and win comfortably even with a depleted squad. I was interested to see what the Ramsey and Diaby partnership would work out like and to be honest they were not really tested as Arsenal rarely gave the ball to the opposition to use in an attacking sense.

Both players had positives to their games which added something new to an Arsenal team which is developing and learning. Diaby and Ramsey also had areas in their games that they need improving. Cesc Fabregas does not lose the ball very often, he knows when to pass short when to play it first time and when to use to killer pass. The stand in players still to work out which is the best option during the game. This will happen with games.

Samir Nasri swung in a corner just after the half time break which Van Persie did his very best impression of a traditional number 9 to power home a header past goalkeeper Larrieu. I remember the days when Alan Smith scored 10 of those over the course of a season. It does not happen these days so it is a joy to see it executed so well.

That goal seemed to relax the team much more and the football improved after that. 3 minutes later Van Persie let the ball run across his body and put in a low cross into the penalty area which was turned into his own net by a Plymouth defender. Bendtner did his very best to claim the goal although he was nowhere near the final touch. He could do with a few goals so you cannot blame him.

Arsenal switched off on 53 minutes and Duguid struck from inside the Arsenal penalty area. It could have been a difficult moment for the team but the class told throughout the match.

Arsene often makes defensive changes to hold leads that has often shot him in the face, this time round he did not want his side to fall for the same trap so he went the other way and made some offensive changes. Eboue was replaced by Vela who took up a role on the left wing, Bendtner instead of Nasri went on the right and Nasri played in the hole behind Van Persie.

Nasri came into his own in his new role as Hleb did before him. He ran at Plymouth and showed excellent passing. Samir Nasri seems to have a bit of everything and perhaps is still below some previous Arsenal play makers in some areas but at 21 could well be better than the rest. Nasri has vision, passing, makes goalscoring runs and dribbles past players.

It is clear that he is more effective from behind the striker and could be used more often in this role if Arsene finds another creative wide player.

It was Nasri’s chipped pass into Van Persie who’s first effort was blocked by the keeper but smacked in, off the crossbar with his second attempt on his new strongest right foot. That is perhaps slightly tongue in cheek but you have to wonder how much work he has done on his weaker side after a collection of goals on his right foot. Infact 4 of his last 6 goals have been scored with his right foot.

Nasri could have scored a late goal but his shot was blocked and it took nothing away from his performance. 2 assists from the Frenchman and two goals from the Dutchman has given the side a chance to play Cardiff in the next round.