Written by Filip Urbancík Thursday, 09 December 2010 16:39

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By Filip Urbancik

Er somehow we have qualified so its magic number time for the players. Feel free to have your say or hold your own score cards up in the comments section below.

Fabianski  (6,5)

"The defence is so leaky all the plumbers in the UK couldn’t fix it.”Steve Rogers (Daily Mail Comments)

Sometimes he looked nervous but then who wouldn´t be behind a defence like ours! However, again Lucas made some decent saves, especially the one from their free kick. Unfortunately no clean sheet thanks to a naughty deflection from Squillaci‘s attempted block.

Sagna (5,5)

His passes and crosses weren´t accurate and his tackling wasn´t good enough. Needless red card for fouling Aleksandar Lazevski whilst being the the last man.  He will be banned for the first leg against our next opponents (which we all know will be Barcelona.)

Squillaci (5,5)

?"Squillaci": noun: he of little or no defensive prowess, from the ancient hebrew term "useless cunt" Darren Kelly (Its Up For Grabs Facebook Group)

No evidence on display of the vast experience he supposedly has.  He should manage the whole defence but he isn´t -  unlike that blue/white scum did and is now doing for them. I really miss Vermealen!

“The way I see it with his faith in Squilacci and Kos on the centre midfield we might be in good position to win silverware but we might not take any. The duo Is always fragile to me I can feel it when I watch arsenal match I wish Verminator gets well soon.“ Princestiv21 (ArsenalMania comments)

Kosicelny (5)

“The prospect of Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci attempting to tame the might of Real Madrid or keep a lid on David Villa is probably one best contemplated from behind the sofa or facing away from the action." Phil McNulty BBC Sport

Unfortunately Djouru couldn´t play due to injury. Or perhaps the manager is saving him for Man Utd (please) Don´t know what he was attempting to do when Cleo scored. Bottom line is we are stuck with him as Arsenal don´t have anyone better and fit. God bless him if he plays Monday.

Gibbs (X) “Can whoever is cursing him please stop now? He’s suffered enough“ Arseblog.

What can I say? This can´t be only bad luck as its the other ankle. We wish him a speedy recovery AGAIN. He is out for the next match against Manchester United.

Song (5,5)

“Can someone please explain that while, although we are winning, song is one of the furthest forward players?” Ian Middlemist (Its Up For Grabs Facebook Group)

He was attacking more than defending again.  Please please Alex do your business first. At least he passed the ball nicely to Nasri for his goal. Do you remember the times when defensive players defended?

Denilson (5) 

“Cant wait for Diaby and Cesc to get back. This team needs a midfield quick“ malcolma (ArsenalMania Comments)

Was he playing on the left wing? Lost balls and bad passes, that is what he does best. If I could choose one player to leave Arsenal it would be him. Don´t know what Wenger sees in him, he is the worst Brazilian football player in the world.

Van Persie (6)

“Anyone else have a mini heart attack when chocolate knees celebrated after his penalty?” Joe Wong (Its Up For Grabs Facebook Group)

The penalty was a good confidence boost.  He spoiled a few good opportunities but partly this is because he and Chamakh need time to get their groove going on together.  Just hope he will be as selfish as he was pre-injury and bloody SHOOT! Arsenal need that killer instinct. Great to have a player back on the field who can make an opportunity with a dead ball situation. Great free kick.

Nasri (6,5)  

“Shoot - Score – Simples!” Rick Warren (Facebook)

He received terrible service from his team-mates during the first half which contributed to him having one of his quieter nights. But yet again despite this he showed just how important he is for Arsenal right now. Another goal in his pocket and another good un. It would be impossible to imagine any points at Old Trafford without him.

Arshavin (5,5)

“Lazy, inconsistent.  Nuff Said“ Koloistoast  BBC 606 Debate

Invisible during the first half. Started the second brighter but then he lost so many balls in midfield. AW made a good decision to take him off and the crowd audibly agreed. His roller coaster displays continue.

Chamakh (6)

“Don't know about you Gunners but I would much prefer the NB52 train to start on Monday rather than Chamakh, Bendtner looked really lively and energetic when he came on yesterday where as Chamakh like always just looked lethargic and tired and caused no problems.“ The Nexus of Bendtner (BBC 606 Debate)

His understanding with Robin isn´t there yet but we now have a credible  4-4-2 option with them both to use against teams like Man Utd or Chelski. It wasn´t his day and he didn´t have enough quality balls to make any impact. .

Substitutions:

Eboue (5,5)

“Eboue has, in recent past, taken some stick but I have always liked him (except his diving) even though he can't shoot, his work rate and versatility makes him a gem!“ Plannet Harris (The Sun Comments)

What can I say? Right footed players should be playing on the right side but he did a fair job as cover for the injured Gibbs. One decent ball for Chamakh but that was all from him.  Always plays with heart if not talent, the complete opposite of some of his colleagues. Just hope Clichy is ready for Man Utd.

Walcott (6,5)

“Who else thought Theo would kick it in the crowd instead of in?” Mohammad Salahuddin (Its Up For Grabs Group Facebook Group)

Such an important goal Theo and well taken. It settled the nerves of the home crowd who were tearing their hair out at this point. Good runs and accurate passing, an improvement on his awful cameo against Fulham last Saturday. One of the best players on the pitch.

Bendtner (X)

“Nice to Bendtner having such an impact on the game as per usual! - Back to the mirror Bendtner!” Daniel 'Eboue' Ethan (Its Up For Grabs Facebook Group)

Don´t know why he didn´t leave the ball for Robin to score, maybe his ego shouted in his head? We know he has been left frustrated by his place in the pecking order and now he is 3rd choice attacking option. Nothing to suggest tonight that he should move up from there.  Maybe we’ll see what he sees at Old Trafford.

 

All in All – The Team

“All those spuds feeling great because they won their group with 11 points. Wonder if they realise we finished with 12?” James Ryan (Its Up For Grabs Facebook Group)

I am not sure if players knew we were playing for our spot in the knock-out stages last night as there were times when they looked a Sunday League team. You have to expect more from The Arsenal at home against Partizan than one shot on goal in the whole of the first half.

To be honest I had higher expectations of our performance before the game. It’s certainly going to be a harder Champions League draw than we’d have liked unless we fluke a match against Shalke. (But we all know its going to be Barcelona.) Let’s hope we find some team spirit somewhere for Monday.

“Adrian Chiles said 'lets have a worry for arsenal'.. what a knob! Liam McHale (Its Up For Grabs Facebook Group)

“Long may our good luck continue, we didn't play brilliantly but got what we needed.  Now Lady Luck bring on Shalke.  Barcelona can wait til we hit some better form. “ Toure (The Sun Comments)

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