Sunday, September 02, 2012

The Invincibles?

Just kidding. But the Gunners must feel good after a 2-0 win today over Liverpool (at Anfield) that became our third clean sheet of the three week season and kept us undefeated with five points from those three games. The promise the club showed in our first two games finally reaped benefits as new boys Podolski and Cazorla both scored. There are many positives to take from the game, though questions still persist regarding the lack of action on the final days of the transfer window (as I wrote about yesterday). Diaby played the best game I've ever seen from him, Cazorla had a lovely assist and goal and continued to create chances, Arteta looked strong defensively and pushing the ball forward. We had a number of strong counterattacks and kept great shape on defense. 

Areas of concern for me include the continued weak performance going forward of Jenkinson and Gibbs, who got very few good crosses into the box, Jenkinson's general miscues early (five errant lateral passes I counted in the first half alone -- though he was relatively strong defensively and had a better 2nd half including a nice run and shot), Giroux's inability to hold the ball up or finish and Vermaelen's risky defensive play at times. Let's go to player grades before concluding comments:

Giroux (5): I didn't count in the first half, but in the second Giroux had eight chances to hold the ball up out of the air and was only 1 for 8 (leading to a corner, when a good turn could have gotten him a shot). He also missed a nice chance to score on his left foot in the 40th minute and missed a free header at the end. Needs to improve both finishing and holding the ball up. A goal has to come soon.

Podolski (8.5): Scores a nice goal in 30th minute on lovely weighted pass from Cazorla (of course). Moving forward throughout, pushing back on defense and giving us a backbone up front for the first time in recent memory. Really like this kid and think he will shine this year.

Ox (5.5): Not much from Oxlade-Chamberlain today, though he did chip in on defense a few times and had a couple decent runs. His performance might silence those who think he should have been starting every game last season. Butt I'm sure he'll come good again soon.

Cazorla (9): Another strong game from our best signing of the summer. Set up one goal, scored another and played well throughout. Did give up the ball a few times in dangerous positions, but Liverpool appears to be a team without a clear scorer (Suarez is great, but misses too many opportunities).

Diaby (8): The best game I've ever seen him play. Feathery touch, pushed forward nicely, set up chances and held the ball up when necessary. Could show the pundits that Arsenal doesn't need another midfielder. Let's hope he stays injury free for the season.

Arteta (7.5): A strong game playing deeper, with a number of important interceptions and a professional foul (yellow card) after an errant Jenkinson pass that might have saved a goal. He also pushed the ball forward for a number of our strong counterattacks. 

Gibbs (6.5): A good defensive effort for Gibbs, but didn't do much going forward. Really needs to work on his crossing -- and to make sure not to push forward too early, as Liverpool did open up on the left side on several occasions throughout the game. 

Vermaelen (7): A strong defensive effort for our captain, but a couple of errors almost cost us. He takes a lot of chances with tackles and should sometimes take a slightly less risky approach, but led the back line to a third straight game before limping off at the end.

Mertesacker (7.5): One of our most surprising early performers this year, with his good positioning and strength making up for his lack of pace. Maybe should have been called for a penalty on Suarez toward the end, but otherwise solid with only one errant pass I saw in the game.

Jekinson (5.5): Good defensive game after early trouble, but needs to improve his passing and push forward with effect (as he did in the 52nd and 60th minutes). I think this was our most glaring need and I just don't understand why we didn't pick up a right back. Also wonder where Coquelin is these days, as I liked him whenever he played last season.

Manone (6): Looks shaky on crosses, doesn't get the ball in his hands enough, but another clean sheet for our third-string keeper. Will be happy to see our #1 back. 

Subs

Ramsey (6): Looked decent when he came on, with a nice run in the 91st minute that elicited a yellow. Would like to see him come good for us this season, and this 20 minutes might give him a little confidence.

Santos (-): Came on in 81st for Podolski and had a defensive header on his first touch. Not much from him afterwards, though he was solid I suppose.

Koscielny (-): Very quick run out after Vermaelen seemed hurt. Let's hope nothing serious.

So a solid game from the Gunners that might just get them back on the right foot. Giroux is still struggling for form and he needs a goal to lighten the pressure, but also seems to need some coaching on positioning, which is not surprising given his late start into the top level of the sport. Next up, after the two week International break, is Southhampton, who gave both Manchester clubs scares with 2-1 leads (which they blew both times). They are tough in the air and I thus expect Mertesacker to start alongside Vermaelen. We will need to maintain our defensive shape and discipline and hopefully score early to ramp up our push back toward the top. Looking at our main rivals, Liverpool look in for a long season after some questionable transfer window activity (and lack thereof), Newcastle could only snag a draw against Aston Villa and look unlikely to match their lovely run last season, Tottenham strengthened on the last day of the summer transfer window, but have started less than impressively blowing another game late. So consistency against the midtier and lower tier clubs will go a long way in determining what kind of season we have. We can't drop too many more points to the likes of Sunderland and Stoke if we want to make a real push. Go Gunners!
 
P.S. The RvP trade hurt on the back of our win, as he scored two late goals (:87 and :92) to win the game 3-2 for Man U against Southhampton. Man U looked rather lethargic until the late stages and were lucky to get three points, much less one, as Southhampton lost their cool at the end and gave the Red Devils too much possession. One has to think if we had kept RvP with Cazorla, Pod and Giroux, we would be 9 points at the top, tied with Chelsea, and Man U might have suffered another defeat or two. Tough to swallow, but one must move on. Let's hope Giroux, who should really have at least three goals for the club already, starts to come good to salve the wound.
 

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