Written by Filip Urbancík Tuesday, 28 December 2010 15:11

GunnerTalk Blog

By Filip Urbancík

Lukasz Fabianski (6,5) Fabianski had to deliver another good performance because Szczesny is still breathing on down his neck. This is another solid display under his belt. Was confident going out of his goal and more accurate kick outs. Also a good understanding with the whole defense. He didn’t make many saves throughout the whole match which gives credit to his defenders.

Bacary Sagna (6,5) I would say Le Bac is almost back! I think this was one of his best performances this season. Nicelink up with Walcott, also added more accurate crosses and passes. He was always in the right place when we were defending. Good at going backwards.

Laurent Koscielny (7) He is becoming an established central defender in the English Prem now. Few times he lost the ball unnecessarily but he added sharp runs through the center of midfield. Combined well with Djourou to erase Drogba and Malouda and controlled the whole defense very well, also holding an offside linewell.  He could have covered Ivanovic better for their goal but I forgive him. Another best season performance.

Johan Djourou (7) I wanted Djouru to start against Chelsea because he had made solid displays in last few games.Maybe it was quite risky but a better option than Squallaci. Vermealen is out for another month so there´s a good chance of a strong defensive partnership involving Djouru and Koscielny. He did a lot of hard work tonight. Surely deserves to be in a starting XI.  Looking at the comments on GunnerShout he was some peoples man of the match -  great performance, just what we’ve needed defensively for ages!

Gael Clichy (7) Tonight´s game really suited him. He was very confident in going forward and fortunately his passes and crosses were more accurate than previous games. Also nice link up with Samir who helped him defend more than Arshavin. Love the way he interrupted dangerous situations. He was strong on the ball and didn’t panic.. His shooting is poor but who cares when he defended so well.

Jack Wilshere (6,5) I was looking forward to seeing Jack in this big game. He isn't scared in fighting for the ball, he tried to distribute passes, good movement on and off the ball. Another decent display from this youngster.He played more defensively as AW wanted and he did a great job.

Alex Song (7) Defensive Midfield is always a key position in these kind of matches. Alex was defending solidly and he also supported the attacking players. His 5th goal of the season was another important one for Arsenal. He finally managed to combine defending with decent runs into the box. One of his best performances this season. Almost as good as last season Alex!  keep it up - GunnerShout loved you too!

Cesc Fabregas (7) I wasn´t very pleased with his passing in the first few minutes but then he showed why he´s our captain. Lovely crosses from deep positions, decent runs and holding. He was playing deeper than he would have liked but the leaky defense of Chelsea let him join the positions around the box. The goal he scored was surely a mental booster for him. Unfortunately he won´t be in the squad on Wednesday vs Wigan because Clattenburg is a dummy!

Theo Walcott (7,5) My Man Of TheMatch. I thought this match would suit Theo well and how glad was I that he backed me up!. He wanted to show how important he is to Arsenal and his display was splendid. He was running up and down that wing and absolutely erased Cashley. A few wasted chances but what an important goal he scored and his pass for Fabregas was very unselfish and a good decision. He fully deserves a place in the starting XI for the upcoming matches.

Samir Nasri (7) Arshavin plays solid in big games but we needed a player who can run all the way back to help defend and Samir Nasri did just that. Eye catching link up between him, Clichy and Van Persie. Maybe he could try to shoot more from distance but he was still a very  important part of our attack. He held the ball nicely.

Robin van Persie (7) Robin knows how important these matches are and you can see a huge passion from him. His ball control, movement and passes are great but we need the real striker in him who isn’t scared of pulling the trigger. Few wasted chances but a decent display from him.  Lovely link up with Nasri which could be our secret weapon in big matches!

Substitutions:

Diaby (6) I would personally have took off Wilshere instead of Walcott, but we needed muscles and a tall player who is able to defend set pieces well. Nobody can separate him from the ball when he has it but then he loses it all too easily. Arsenal need players like him to rise up now, he is someone whocan deal with the likes of Drogba, Rooney,...

Chamakh (6) The game lost momentum when Robin came off. Maroune tried to hold the ball but he was playing alone against 2 defenders. He had a chance to score but his twists and turns killed it again. He added some height into the defense and that was important.

Rosický (X) Quite surprising substitution for me. Tomáš tried to combine with Sagna but we couldn't expect too much from him. Unfortunately he hit the post when put through which should have been a forth.When is he going to score? Hope he saves it for the time Arsenal need it most.