Written by Filip Urbancík Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:59

GunnerTalk Blog

Manuel Almunia (6,5) 

I think it´s good to play him in these kind of matches. Wenger needs to put him on a shop window if he wants to sell him and he can also add some kind of experience. Unfortunately it wasn’t great when he ran against the player leaving his goal wide open. He didn´t have much to do which is only a good mark of our defence.

Emmanuel Eboue (6,5) 

It was a solid performance from him in the first half. Good defending together with support on the right wing. I didn´t expect him to combine so well with Diaby and Rosický. There were few bad moments but this match suited him.

Sebastien Squillaci (6,5)

There weren‘t too much to defend in the first half but I like the way he played alongside Miquel.  I just would like to see closer defending from him during corners and free kicks. He made few good runs but I really want him to stick with basics and rather then playing something in the midfield.

Ignasi Miquel (7,5)

We need more defending options and he is slowly becoming one of them. I think the first match helped him very much. He is slower than Koscielny but his height and muscle are useful. He tried to solve problems with a cool head and he did it very well. He was a better CB tonight.

Kieran Gibbs (7)

It was a very good display from our young left back. Majority of dangerous situations were on the right but he played smartly and tried to support midfield and left wing as much as he could. His patience brought the penalty. There will be a pressure on Clichy as Gibbs wants to play more.

Abou Diaby (7)

One of the best players on the pitch in the first half. He wasn´t scared of going forward, he held the ball effectively for other players. His passing was on a very high level and his positioning helped us to cope with some dangerous situations. Really liked the way he penetrated into the box. He could have easily scored a goal with a very good opportunity.

Denilson (6)

What can you say about Denilson; short passes all around, few good runs and...? I don´t know if I am so blinded by his previous poor performances but I would like to see more from our midfielders. Tonight he tried to play something more and it was one of his better displays in an Arsenal shirt but he must take responsibility and do more.

Tomas Rosicky (6,5)

He was absolutely quiet in the Carling Cup final but this was a solid display from him. There was certainly creativity in his play and he was quite useful for the team. His pass for Chamakh was perfect unfortunately he left the pitch injured AGAIN!

Conor Henderson (6)

He was involved in the first few minutes but then disappeared. There were few good passes from him and a well taken free kick but not much else to catch Arsene Wenger´s eye. It will be a good experience for him.

Marouane Chamakh (6,5)

You could see how much he wanted to score a goal but on the other hand he didn´t want to take any risk of getting injured. I would like to see more determine striker that he used to be at the start of the season. At least his positioning is still good and finally he managed to score. It will surely help him to get confidence back but he needs more than few matches to get to his best. I always ask why we have to play our central forwards on the wings but can never get the answer.

Nicklas Bendtner (8,5) MOTM

He was on the wing at the beginning of the match but fortunately realised his position is in the centre and in the box. Good understanding between him and midfield players and his header for his first goal was very good; position and movement made that goal. His second goal was even better when he managed to bend the shot to a bottom corner of far post. Then the coolly taken penalty kick for his hat trick. He worked hard during the whole match and the hat trick is a proof. We need his goals very much at the moment and we can only hope he will play this way against Barcelona.

Substitutions:

Nasri (X)

I had to ask myself where his creativity was on Sunday when we needed it most. His ball control and vision is just magnificent! He is a team player, always tries to give the best. This is an attitude that Arsenal need.

Wilshere (X)

Certainly added something to our game. His movement and positioning is getting better match after match. You can see how much he wants to play and gives his best.

Clichy (X)

What a strike from Gael Clichy even Robin van Persie would be proud to score like that. His second goal in his Arsenal career and the first one at home