Written by Filip Urbancík Tuesday, 14 December 2010 17:14

GunnerTalk Blog

Share

Wojciech Szczesny MOTM (7.5) He is The One and Only

What a ground to make your Premier League debut aged only 20. His nerves showed up in poor distribution from his kicks early doors but this improved during the match. 2 excellent saves from Anderson and Rooney to keep the score line respectable. Love his attitude. His display reminded me of that classy showing by of Vito Mannone against Fulham last season. As per the Gooner Podcast he is looking like our future between the sticks

“So, Almunia to be off in the transfer window, Chesney Hawkes to be given number 1 shirt....any takers?!” Luke Davies -  Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

Bacary Sagna (6) So So Sagna rather than Go Go

You could argue he was at fault for Park’s free header. Obviously much better than our second choice RB, Eboue but we need something more, especially when our midfield creativity was stifled. His long balls for Chamakh were like a Shakespearian tragedy to watch.  Sagna worked hard he just lacked quality.  Got Ferdinand’s studs in his midriff, ripping his shirt in the process.

“I'd like to congratulate the players, officials & fans of man u but I can't. They are all scum” Fever Pitch - Twitter

Sebastien Squillaci (6) Solid Seb

Decent play from him in the first half and solid enough in the second. He won pretty much everything in the air. This game just suited him well when most of us expected a complete disaster at the back.

“I felt seriously let down by the whole team today, a man u player misses a penalty and no-one, not one single sodding arsenal player ran up to give him a full on keowning. YOU’RE A DISGRACE, ALL OF YOU!”  Tom Lewis - Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

Laurent Koscielny (6,5) Better Kosser

Much, much, better display from Koscielny.  Like his colleague he was alive to the aerial threat. The partnership looked much more competent than in previous games and there seemed to be big improvements with regards to their positioning against attacking onslaughts. Still a few panicky moments though to blot his copy book. The worst  when he came too far out to win the ball leaving space behind him in the run up to their goal.

“I watched the game again and thought we where pretty solid at the back for once. Laurent Koscielny IMO had his best game for us. Intercepeted most passes that was meant for Rooney“ SuperSamirNasri8  - BBC Sport

Gael Clichy (7) Clenchy Bum Cheeks Clichly

Don’t know if the first goal was really his fault but I don’t think you should let the player with the most assists in the EPL into our area. Also Nani will always look for the pen so an early tackle was a much safer but unused option by Gael.  I actually thought he was one of the better players on the pitch, despite the hard time he has been getting off us Gooners recently.  Frustratingly though when he fought to win the ball he lost it  straight again undoing all the hard work. But he was unsupported by Arshavin (shock again) so really we must be positive with regards to his performance. Like Sagna he needs to create more but yesterday his hands were more than full.

“Clichy, despite backing off a lot (and catching some muted grief from me about it, despite being in the Stratford end) pretty much had Nani in his pocket. He mugged him at least 4 times, and was unlucky with the deflection for the cross.” Andy Berg Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

“Gael Clichy had a good game but the trouble is that he had his moments again where he completely switches off. Example: Look at that chance for Nani. He did brilliantly to win it back and then he has a "Clichy moment" (sad to say but this phrase is becoming increasingly popular) and gives it back to Nani.” Easwaran Ramamurthy - Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

Samir Nasri (5,5) Na Na Na Na Na Na Na – No.

After being a solo Gooner Super Hero it was inevitable he was going to attract the attention and tactics of SAF. They did a good job and he was almost anonymous.

“Anyone seen him, he is missing in action. Last seen dressed like an eskimo at about 7.50pm last night.  If you find him, please feed him as he will be hungry by now, i suggest a snickers mar so he can get some nuts.“ Its All Gone Quiet -  BBC Sport

Jack Wilshere (5,5) Jack be Nimble Jack Be Quick

Firstly no matter his performance you can never question Jack’s heart but saying that secondly this was not his best game by far. We needed his defensive attributes and yet he was sloppy with passes when it mattered. Quality body movement but just lacked that killer instinct going forward even with good positioning, the pass went astray. At the end of the day you can say he was better going backwards than forward.

“Ddon’t worry piers everyone relaxed just frustrated we should have got a result last night but we will bounce back stronger” Jack Wilshire – Twitter

“Not alot to say about last night’s game, very upset about the result but have to move on got couple of massive games coming up!” Jack Wilshire – Twitter

Tomas Rosicky (5,5) Misfiring Tommy Gun

When he first came to Arsenal he was shooting with confidence from distance but he tries that very rarely these days. I expect more from him in the big games and yet there is no delivery. He should only be a bench warmer as he too was invisible at times.  

“Sooooooo, sorry if this sounds harsh....but......what is the point of Tomas Rosicky?” Tom Acres - Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

Alex Song (5,5) Sing us another one Alex

Yet another frustrating performance from our supposed DM. He gave away so many fouls and it looks as if he has forgotten the art of the tackle.  It appeared to be a combination of exhaustion and laziness. Why would you run few meters when you can take the player down? Again please just go back to basics Song. Watch some Gilberto aka Invisible Wall DVDs.

“I can't help thinking we need an Essien type player in the midfield. One who can do everything (tackle, drive the team on, score goals even, cover every blade of grass on the field) Imagine that kind of partner for Cesc in midfield
*drools*” Easwaran Ramamurthy - Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

Andrey Arshavin (6,5) A Familiar Tale

He wanted so much to play but got the kind of performance when you try too hard and therefore nothing comes off. The best player of the first half (which is not saying much) but in the second he just couldn’t get into the match and his passing was awful. To be fair at least he tried to shoot from distance.

“I mean the way he was sleeping on the ball. I was left fuming. He's been to me the most disappointing player for us all season long.“ Etheogun  - BBC Sport

Marouane Chamakh (6) Chamakh Down

He is such a great header of the ball and held up play and possession well. Like Jack he gave his heart and showed a fighting attitude. Too many times he was on the ball in a midfield position when we needed him much further forward. We have enough players to create and win the ball. We are short of men who are capable of shooting! Another match passes without a goal.

“It was a dire game last night, the passing from both sides was atrocious. Arsenal never looked like scoring, bereft of ideas and toothless in the final third, and ManU were far more direct and potent on the counter, and deserved the win“ Magazine_Gap - BBC Sport

 

Substitutions:

Robin van Persie (5,5) RVP needs TLC

Also played very deep. A great clearance by Ferdinand denied our only real opportunity. Sill looks a little rusty.

“We created all but zip. Attack rather than defense the problem for a change at Old Trafford.” The Arsenal_ - Twitter

Cesc Fabregas (5) Captain no longer Fantastic

Don’t want to be cruel but he was a complete waste of space. I don’t think he made a single accurate pass let alone the Cesc pinhead specials. Obviously not fit.

“Jesus has lost the ability to pass the ball.” Mark Masiak - Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

Walcott (6) Woeful Walcott

He was attacking against compact well organised defence. He had one clear opportunity in added time but blazed in into the crowd! Again.

“He hit it in the crowd.” Steve Stokes - Its Up for Grabs Page Facebook

“Did the pitch beat us against Newcastle, WBA and Spuds? What utter bollocks. Were the floodlights too bright? Was the ball too round?” FeverPitch – Twitter

 

All in All – Not a surprise but a disappointment none the less.

We haven’t been playing well and a trip to Old Trafford without form and confidence makes an already tough game almost impossible.  Man U did their job well, defended and kept our midfield subdued. The first 30 minutes were okay and 0-0 at half time would have been fair. We gave away so many fouls that the flow didn’t get going. Some of these was due to our inability to tackle well but most were due to the referee and his team of assistant’s blatant home bias. 4 yellow cards to us and none to them despite a Fletcher push on Howard and Rio’s studs up, foot waist high lunge in the air at Sagna. Also the penalty – WTF? Justice was done by Shrek’s spectacularly funny miss but I am really disappointed that did not spur us on further.

It’s quite sad to loose because our defence was (almost) solid tonight but our attack was rubbish. No shots on target in 90 minutes with RVP, Chamackh, Arshavin, Theo, Cesc, Nasri and Rosicky all on the pitch in varying combinations.  Worrying.  More worrying? We all remember the passion displayed by Keown / Vierra / Wiltord etc over the years at Old Trafford. Not even one drop on display yesterday. Our season will not be defined on the game but how many times are we going to say that to forget a sad low and lack lustre performance.

“Wenger! Wake up!” Glen McCarthy - Facebook

“Webb is a disgrace, I understand why they say corruption is running riot in Football if in 2 games he has reffed he has failed to send someone off for a karate kick (when he's ripped the bugger's shirt no less). How he got the World Cup final I'll never know.” Robert Tonkinson  - Facebook

“Key factors...Anderson bossed the game in midfield n Vidic bossed the game at the back...had they not Arsenal may have had more of a say” Al Cutter – Facebook

“Arsenal just can't compete against the big guns anymore just how many of the current squad would make the invincibles team I say maybe one.” John Alastair Sheehan - Facebook

“Ouch. Rooney's penalty just landed on my head in NYC.” Piers Morgan  -Twitter

< Prev		Next >