Today wasn't the best of days to be a gooner, and I would perfectly understand if you are not looking forward to downloading the goals or highlights. So please take a little bit of time to read my opinion and give your feedback.
Arsenal drew 1-1 away at Sunderland- a game in which a draw was probably the fair result but the nature in which we conceded the equalizer made it feel even worse than a defeat. There's no point in me doing a match report because you can read much better material elsewhere, but there are some points which I'd like to touch upon.
- Jack Wilshere is a great player, an amazing talent with a very bright future, but starting him for the third consecutive game away at Sunderland was questionable. And his lack of experience showed as we were unable to control the midfield in the first half. Still, credit goes to him for the way he recovered in the second half but maybe Rosicky or Denilson would've been better options to start?
-Cesc Fabregas is a player who always gives his 100% no matter what; the other day he chased after a lost cause when we were leading 3-0, resulting in the Arshavin cross for his second, and Arsenal's fourth goal. Although his hard-work, commitment and desire are much appreciated and an example for all other players, my question is that should Wenger have withdrawn him at half time/ 60min mark? Or should Cesc himself have eased up a bit considering that we had already won the game and we knew that we had an important away game in 3 days time? I know that I'm criticizing him for working hard!! And that if he didn't give his 100% the "his mind is in Barcelona" bandwagon would be thrilled, but I tend to agree with John Cross that playing three games in a week giving 100% at Arsenal's pace has got something to do with his injury. I just hope it's nothing longterm, and at least he's back for Stamford Bridge.
-Why did Rosicky take the penalty when Nasri was higher up in the pecking order- as Wenger says?
-Those of you who watch Arsenal games regularly would testify that Gael Clichy is getting into a habit of making too many naive mistakes too often- some of which have cost us dearly. You always remember the Clichy of 2007-08 season and wonder what happened to him. For the past two seasons I have forgiven him for his mistakes, on account of him being 'out of form' and 'coming back from injury', always hoping that he will be back to his best. I always hoped that he will learn from his mistakes and try to cut them out. But that has not happened, and for me, today's mistake was one too many. I know that Gibbs, like Wilshere, is far from the complete product, but is the experienced Clichy performing any better? Should we give more chances to Gibbs?
There are so many other what ifs: What if Arshavin or Song had scored their chances? What if Nasri had taken the penalty? What if Wenger had used his third substitute in the stoppage time? And finally what if Denilson had gone to the corner flag instead of shooting in the final moments?
However, whats done is done. Many of us would've taken a draw after our first half performance, and after the Song sending off. We should praise our goalkeeper and both of our central defenders who were pretty much immaculate. Denilson was also very good and helped us control the second half pretty well.
My main worry is not the two points lost; I fear that the psychological effect on our team as a whole on conceding so late, especially on Rosicky, may be worse than the actual result. How many times did Wenger say last season that we need to cut down our individual mistakes? How many times did our captain say that? I really hope we show the mental strength to recover from this result. Our reserves side beating Sp*rs away in midweek would be great for a start.
Goals: 720p HD
Fabregas 13" : Download (Rapidshare)
Credit: PapaArsene
Highlights: Medium Quality
Arsenal drew 1-1 away at Sunderland- a game in which a draw was probably the fair result but the nature in which we conceded the equalizer made it feel even worse than a defeat. There's no point in me doing a match report because you can read much better material elsewhere, but there are some points which I'd like to touch upon.
- Jack Wilshere is a great player, an amazing talent with a very bright future, but starting him for the third consecutive game away at Sunderland was questionable. And his lack of experience showed as we were unable to control the midfield in the first half. Still, credit goes to him for the way he recovered in the second half but maybe Rosicky or Denilson would've been better options to start?
-Cesc Fabregas is a player who always gives his 100% no matter what; the other day he chased after a lost cause when we were leading 3-0, resulting in the Arshavin cross for his second, and Arsenal's fourth goal. Although his hard-work, commitment and desire are much appreciated and an example for all other players, my question is that should Wenger have withdrawn him at half time/ 60min mark? Or should Cesc himself have eased up a bit considering that we had already won the game and we knew that we had an important away game in 3 days time? I know that I'm criticizing him for working hard!! And that if he didn't give his 100% the "his mind is in Barcelona" bandwagon would be thrilled, but I tend to agree with John Cross that playing three games in a week giving 100% at Arsenal's pace has got something to do with his injury. I just hope it's nothing longterm, and at least he's back for Stamford Bridge.
-Why did Rosicky take the penalty when Nasri was higher up in the pecking order- as Wenger says?
-Those of you who watch Arsenal games regularly would testify that Gael Clichy is getting into a habit of making too many naive mistakes too often- some of which have cost us dearly. You always remember the Clichy of 2007-08 season and wonder what happened to him. For the past two seasons I have forgiven him for his mistakes, on account of him being 'out of form' and 'coming back from injury', always hoping that he will be back to his best. I always hoped that he will learn from his mistakes and try to cut them out. But that has not happened, and for me, today's mistake was one too many. I know that Gibbs, like Wilshere, is far from the complete product, but is the experienced Clichy performing any better? Should we give more chances to Gibbs?
There are so many other what ifs: What if Arshavin or Song had scored their chances? What if Nasri had taken the penalty? What if Wenger had used his third substitute in the stoppage time? And finally what if Denilson had gone to the corner flag instead of shooting in the final moments?
However, whats done is done. Many of us would've taken a draw after our first half performance, and after the Song sending off. We should praise our goalkeeper and both of our central defenders who were pretty much immaculate. Denilson was also very good and helped us control the second half pretty well.
My main worry is not the two points lost; I fear that the psychological effect on our team as a whole on conceding so late, especially on Rosicky, may be worse than the actual result. How many times did Wenger say last season that we need to cut down our individual mistakes? How many times did our captain say that? I really hope we show the mental strength to recover from this result. Our reserves side beating Sp*rs away in midweek would be great for a start.
Goals: 720p HD
Fabregas 13" : Download (Rapidshare)
Credit: PapaArsene
Highlights: Medium Quality
BBC Match of The Day (MOTD): Hotfile | FileServe
Credit: michaju
Full Match: Medium Quality
First Half: Torrent
Second Half: Torrent
Credit: pooploop
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