Well then. Not exactly the performance the squad wanted to give in front of the home support, was it? I woke up yesterday morning full of optimism - another chance to see Gervinho and Jenkinson! I was even happier when I heard that Bartley had made the bench for the match, but sadly not Miyaichi, due to work permit issues.
Wenger set us out to play Boca Juniors like this:
Fabianski
Jenkinson Djourou Koscielny Traore
Frimpong Wilshere
Nasri
Gervinho Arshavin
van Persie
The first half was good. Boca had trouble getting the ball down our end of the pitch, and Arsenal seemed happy to keep the ball in midfield. While there weren't many chances created, we did manage to score. A great counter saw van Persie meet a Gervinho cross to take the one goal advantage.
It really was a fantastic counter. RvP held the ball up well for Wilshere, who played a perfect pass down the flank for Gervinho. Then I saw the impossible. Robin van Persie, and Arsenal striker, made a near post run. This was pleasantly greeted by a perfect pass from Gervinho, and the ball was in the back of the net. Perhaps van Persie is learning that he needs to be more direct with balls from wide areas. If so, that's a great bonus for us.
Robin van Persie's goal
We went into half time a goal up, looking very comfortable. Every player on the park at the very least looked decent. Some played better than others, such as Koscielny, Jenkinson, Gervinho, Wilshere, Frimpong, and van Persie.
What looked very good in particular was the rotation of the front three. Van Persie was often found on the right flank, Gervinho was everywhere, and Arshavin was too (though he usually is)!
At half time Wenger made five changes in Mannone, Squillaci, Ramsey, Vela, and Chamakh. The new lineup looked like this:
Mannone
Jenkinson Squillaci Djourou Traore
Ramsey Frimpong
Nasri
Vela Arshavin
Chamakh
Right off the whistle, we scored. After some fast feet from Vela on the edge of the box, the ball fell to Rambo whose first touch of the match bulged the back of the net. Yes, you could draw parallels between Boca's 'keepers attempted save to Almunia's attempted save against Leyton Orient, but Ramsey's shot was a right bullet.
The match continued, and I'm not going to go into every little detail, but at around, eh, maybe the 60th minute or so, perhaps earlier, we started to fade away. Boca had most of the ball, and when we did win it back we couldn't hold onto it. And while Boca had most of the possession, they were simply possessing it in areas that couldn't hurt us. Even so, the brilliant mind of Riquelme was slowly getting more and more into the match.
Then, out of what seemed like nothing, Boca scored. Squillaci easily gave the ball away in midfield, which was pounced on by Boca. Djoruou's positioning was poor, and gave Viatri (the goal scorer) too much space. The ball was played to him, Djourou couldn't make up for his poor positioning, and Viatri smashed the ball into the top corner. It really was a fantastic finish, but the goal should never have happened. Squillaci fucked up, Djourou fucked up, and even Mannone wasn't tight enough to his near post.
So three defensive errors in a row - that's not unlucky. That's a problem. Yes, Djourou, Squillaci, and Mannone aren't first choice, but they are players at Arsenal football club. In order to win a trophy a side has to have depth. At this point in time we don't. Luckily, we can still buy players in the transfer market, but will Wenger make the correct decisions?
We were close to signing Chris Samba from Blackburn. Yes, we have been missing a dominating physical presence in the back, but Arsenal needs more than that. Samba would have been a poor choice and I'm glad we haven't signed him. He just doesn't fit the bill at Arsenal. He isn't capable of reading the game and having the required technical ability to make a positive difference at Arsenal. Cahill is a better option.
Anyway - back to the match. We now found ourselves only a goal up, but to be completely honest, I sensed no comeback. Boca wasn't threatening us too much. In fact, I had forgotten the all the leads that Arsenal had let slip last season - what a fine three minutes that was! Because in the 71st, we suddenly found ourselves level, and only two words came to my mouth. Two words that seem come to my mouth fairly often when watching Arsenal: FUCK OFF.
Some Boca bloke played a ball between Djourou and Squillaci. Djourou went to clean up the mess, which at first it seemed he did effectively. As Djourou and Mouche tried to get to the ball, Mannone raced to the ball, but never got to it because of Djourou's tackle. Unluckily for Djourou, the ball knocked off his sliding leg, and went straight to Mouche, who's finish was a simple one.
It was poor defending from Djourou. He let Mouche get to the ball far to easily, but was unlucky when the ball popped off his leg in the way it did. And you can't get mad at Mannone. When you saw the ball played in, you didn't think Djourou would get to the ball, but he did, and by that time Mannone was in no-mans-land.
As a goalkeeper, you have to make a decision fast, and you have to stick to it. Mannone did so, but Djourou's fuck up made Mannone look like a fool too.
So a pretty shit second half to say the least. The only bright part was that Eboue came on. It may have been his last performance in an Arsenal shirt sadly enough. He's got a fair amount of criticism over the past few years, but how could one dislike Eboue?!
What really dissapointed me more than giving up two goals was where the captains armband ended up in the second half after van Persie left. Nasri. Are you kidding me?!
Nasri has been a demon lately. He has held this club up for money and made us look like fools. Yes, he is a fantastic player, but that does not mean Wenger should give Nasri the armband to lure him to stay! Some fans believe that the captaincy role isn't very important. I on the other hand think it is very important. The captain of the club is also the face of the club. The captain is the player that others look up to. The captain sets an example. Does Nasri do any of that well? No. It was an embarrassment to Arsenal football club to have that armband on Samir Nasri.
On top of that, when the Cesc rumors started to arise yet again this summer, some said Nasri could fill the void. I didn't think so, and I was proven right with his performance against Boca. Nasri holds onto the ball for too long. He doesn't know the right times to release like Wilshere, Ramsey, and Cesc. While Nasri can produce magical moments such as his goals against Fulham, that doesn't necessarily mean he is a creative player. He isn't. He doesn't find that split second gap to split defenses like Cesc does.
Nasri's position, according to him, is central attacking midfield. But according to me and many other Gunners out there, he's now a winger.
I don't want this entire post to be full of hate though! Jenkinson produced another solid performance. He was very good defensively, but going forward is still very raw. His decision making isn't the best, but his deliveries are very good.
Gervinho once again gave us something to be positive about. He looks like such a good player. He did lose the ball a little too easily on some occasions, but he is extremely quick of the mark, and I honestly think he can make a huge difference on the upcoming season.
Frimpong, like last year, had a good match in the Emirates cup. He really hustles players off the ball; a great physical presence. He isn't ready to start for us and still has to learn when to release the ball a bit better, but other than that he looks fantastic.
Traore looked good as well. It seems his time in Turin taught him how to defend better, however he's not 100% convincing. Either way, I think he could give Gibbs a real run for his money.
Away from player reviews and onto another matter. Our offside trap. In the match, the trap didn't work well at all really, and we were lucky not to concede any goals from a simple ball played through/over our defenders.
Set pieces - we saw something different on corner kicks. Zonal marking. Yes, we are shit at man marking, but I really don't think zonal marking is the answer. In order to defend corners with zonal marking, you need a couple players who would really attack the ball and head it clear. We don't have any. I'd much rather go back to man to man marking. We all know how well zonal marking worked for Liverpool...
So with that I leave you. Later today Arsenal plays the New York Red Bulls, where Henry will return. A tear may come to my eye...
Tomorrow I'll have a post reviewing the Red Bulls match. Hopefully I will be happy at the end of this one. Cheers.
.
Then, out of what seemed like nothing, Boca scored. Squillaci easily gave the ball away in midfield, which was pounced on by Boca. Djoruou's positioning was poor, and gave Viatri (the goal scorer) too much space. The ball was played to him, Djourou couldn't make up for his poor positioning, and Viatri smashed the ball into the top corner. It really was a fantastic finish, but the goal should never have happened. Squillaci fucked up, Djourou fucked up, and even Mannone wasn't tight enough to his near post.
So three defensive errors in a row - that's not unlucky. That's a problem. Yes, Djourou, Squillaci, and Mannone aren't first choice, but they are players at Arsenal football club. In order to win a trophy a side has to have depth. At this point in time we don't. Luckily, we can still buy players in the transfer market, but will Wenger make the correct decisions?
We were close to signing Chris Samba from Blackburn. Yes, we have been missing a dominating physical presence in the back, but Arsenal needs more than that. Samba would have been a poor choice and I'm glad we haven't signed him. He just doesn't fit the bill at Arsenal. He isn't capable of reading the game and having the required technical ability to make a positive difference at Arsenal. Cahill is a better option.
Anyway - back to the match. We now found ourselves only a goal up, but to be completely honest, I sensed no comeback. Boca wasn't threatening us too much. In fact, I had forgotten the all the leads that Arsenal had let slip last season - what a fine three minutes that was! Because in the 71st, we suddenly found ourselves level, and only two words came to my mouth. Two words that seem come to my mouth fairly often when watching Arsenal: FUCK OFF.
Some Boca bloke played a ball between Djourou and Squillaci. Djourou went to clean up the mess, which at first it seemed he did effectively. As Djourou and Mouche tried to get to the ball, Mannone raced to the ball, but never got to it because of Djourou's tackle. Unluckily for Djourou, the ball knocked off his sliding leg, and went straight to Mouche, who's finish was a simple one.
It was poor defending from Djourou. He let Mouche get to the ball far to easily, but was unlucky when the ball popped off his leg in the way it did. And you can't get mad at Mannone. When you saw the ball played in, you didn't think Djourou would get to the ball, but he did, and by that time Mannone was in no-mans-land.
As a goalkeeper, you have to make a decision fast, and you have to stick to it. Mannone did so, but Djourou's fuck up made Mannone look like a fool too.
So a pretty shit second half to say the least. The only bright part was that Eboue came on. It may have been his last performance in an Arsenal shirt sadly enough. He's got a fair amount of criticism over the past few years, but how could one dislike Eboue?!
What really dissapointed me more than giving up two goals was where the captains armband ended up in the second half after van Persie left. Nasri. Are you kidding me?!
Nasri has been a demon lately. He has held this club up for money and made us look like fools. Yes, he is a fantastic player, but that does not mean Wenger should give Nasri the armband to lure him to stay! Some fans believe that the captaincy role isn't very important. I on the other hand think it is very important. The captain of the club is also the face of the club. The captain is the player that others look up to. The captain sets an example. Does Nasri do any of that well? No. It was an embarrassment to Arsenal football club to have that armband on Samir Nasri.
On top of that, when the Cesc rumors started to arise yet again this summer, some said Nasri could fill the void. I didn't think so, and I was proven right with his performance against Boca. Nasri holds onto the ball for too long. He doesn't know the right times to release like Wilshere, Ramsey, and Cesc. While Nasri can produce magical moments such as his goals against Fulham, that doesn't necessarily mean he is a creative player. He isn't. He doesn't find that split second gap to split defenses like Cesc does.
Nasri's position, according to him, is central attacking midfield. But according to me and many other Gunners out there, he's now a winger.
| Take that armband off right now! |
I don't want this entire post to be full of hate though! Jenkinson produced another solid performance. He was very good defensively, but going forward is still very raw. His decision making isn't the best, but his deliveries are very good.
Gervinho once again gave us something to be positive about. He looks like such a good player. He did lose the ball a little too easily on some occasions, but he is extremely quick of the mark, and I honestly think he can make a huge difference on the upcoming season.
Frimpong, like last year, had a good match in the Emirates cup. He really hustles players off the ball; a great physical presence. He isn't ready to start for us and still has to learn when to release the ball a bit better, but other than that he looks fantastic.
Traore looked good as well. It seems his time in Turin taught him how to defend better, however he's not 100% convincing. Either way, I think he could give Gibbs a real run for his money.
Away from player reviews and onto another matter. Our offside trap. In the match, the trap didn't work well at all really, and we were lucky not to concede any goals from a simple ball played through/over our defenders.
Set pieces - we saw something different on corner kicks. Zonal marking. Yes, we are shit at man marking, but I really don't think zonal marking is the answer. In order to defend corners with zonal marking, you need a couple players who would really attack the ball and head it clear. We don't have any. I'd much rather go back to man to man marking. We all know how well zonal marking worked for Liverpool...
So with that I leave you. Later today Arsenal plays the New York Red Bulls, where Henry will return. A tear may come to my eye...
Tomorrow I'll have a post reviewing the Red Bulls match. Hopefully I will be happy at the end of this one. Cheers.
.
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