Leyton Orient 1 Arsenal 1 - Be Thankful For the Replay



Well done Tomas.


   Alright, today's match analysis will be a little shorter than usual. Why? Well there isn't much to review really.
     We started the match with this formation:

                       Almunia

Sagna     Squillaci     Miquel      Gibbs

                 Song      Denilson

                       Rosicky

  Bendtner      Chamakh      Arshavin

     Arsene put out a defense that had never played together before, introducing Ignasi Miquel, the captain of our U-18's. Even so, we had a side that was fully capable of getting the job done.

     We settled in well, but no real chances arose. A couple half chances here and there, but nothing to note, until a couple of minutes before half time. Gibbs fired a low cross into the box, and Chamakh, from 6 yards out, unmarked, missed the target. We went to the break at nil nil.
     My thoughts at halftime -

• Attacking department - Arshavin was working his ass off, Chamakh was unproductive, Bendtner was playing well but his shots were shit.
• Midfield department- Rosicky was playing better than I’m used to seeing (he wasn't making me pull my hair out), Song was very poor, and Denilson was playing better than I'm used to seeing.
• Defensive department - Sagna was rarely included in the attack, Squillaci was doing alright, Miquel was doing better than Squillaci, and Gibbs wasn't getting enough of the ball.
• Goalkeeping - Almunia looks like such a druggy.

     So not the best half by any means. The passing was OK, but we lacked decisiveness in the final third. That's understandable though, these players don't play together week in week out.

     The second half kicked off, and eight minutes in, we scored. Who scored?
Nope, not him. Nope, not him either.
     It was Rosicky. The very last man I’d put my money on to score, besides Almunia. Not only did he score, but he scored with his head. And not only that, but his header was from 14 yards out. I couldn't believe it. The cross from Bendtner was perfect after a long passing move from Arsenal, and Rosicky's header tucked inside the far post. Brilliant.

     Up to that point, Orient was happy with sitting back and keeping their defensive shape. But our goal forced them to attack more, which stretched the game. As a result, Rosicky was given a golden chance. Arshavin reached the byline and turned it into the middle, where from about two yards out Rosicky's shot was brilliantly saved by Orient keeper Jamie Jones, and his follow up header was also saved.

     Minutes later Arshavin was away on the break, and his shot slipped out of play off their far post. Unlucky for him. But a brilliant play all the same.

     But once again, Arsenal was punished for not converting their chances. In the 87th, Orient striker Tehouhe split Miquel and Gibbs, and from just inside our box fired a shot straight at Almunia, who simply did not save the ball.
    
     First of all, it was poor tackling and miscommunication from Miquel and Gibbs. Miquel - We'll let this one go. Gibbs - You could've done better. But Almunia - What the hell.

     Despite the fact that the shot had pace, there is no forgiving Manuel. The ball went straight under him. I'm sorry, but as an Arsenal fan, am sick and tired of letting games go due to poor goalkeeping. He has to go this summer. James Shea is promising, Fabianski won't be injured next season, and we all know about Szczesny. So thanks for everything Almunia... But what is everything? We haven't won anything ever since he became number one. Coincidence? Maybe. You decide.

     And the match ended all draw. Fantastic, because what this Arsenal team needs right now is more fixture congestion.

     Some of you are complaining about the fact that Wenger didn't throw on any subs. To be completely honest, every player that was on the pitch last night was and is perfectly capable to complete 90 minutes. I would've liked to see Song come off for Wilshere though, to improve our passing game, and save Song for upcoming matches. Other than that, our side was completely second string.

     Our replay match will be on March 12th or 13th, right after the second leg of our Barca tie. Those of you are worried about fatigue, don't be. I hope that Wenger puts out the same side he did last night, because, as I said, they were more than capable of winning that match. A second try at the Emirates should be interesting.

     If we beat Leyton Orient (but let's not get ahead of ourselves) we play Manchester United away. The very last side we would’ve wanted, but you can't be that upset. After getting Leeds, Huddersfield, and Leyton Orient, we're long over due for a top side. And plus, we'd probably have to play them eventually, so why not beat them early?

     And it may be better for us to have a replay with Leyton, believe it or not. If we had simply won, we would have had to play Man United right after Barca. Not favourable, is it? Now we'll be able to give the lads a rest at least, WHEN we beat Orient, right? So thanks Almunia, for not saving the goal. You knew what was best for us all along, didn't you?

Alright, player ratings -

• Almunia - 4 - He had nothing to do really, throughout the entire match until the goal. The shot wasn't perfect, and he really should've saved it.

• Sagna - 5.5 - Defensively, he coped well with a pacey Dean Cox, but did not impose himself when in the attack, slightly due to Rosicky.

• Squillaci - 7 - Was fairly solid. Not at fault by any means for the goal, so basically he had a very good game. Made an important block to prevent an Orient goal.

• Miquel - 6 - Also played well, but was at fault for the goal. Other than that, a very good match for his Arsenal debut.

• Gibbs - 5.5 - When he went forward, he was effective, but he didn't go forward enough. Was also at fault with the goal.

• Song - 5.5 - Gave the ball away much too easily, and did not defend very well. A night to forget.

• Denilson - 7.5 - My man of the match. His passing was very good, and defensively played much better than he has in recent weeks. Of course he plays well after I call him out.

• Rosicky - 7 - Also played well, and of course, he finally scored. Kudos to him, but he could've done better with an easier chance that would've secured Arsenal a place in the quarter finals. My main problem with him though was that he did not spread play well enough, which lead to a lack of width.

• Bendtner - 6.5 - Did well overall, but his shooting was terrible and was a little slow at times when he took players on one on one.

• Chamakh - 5.5 - A very bad match. He had some oppurtunities which he didnt capitalize on. Didn't impose himself enough.

• Arshavin - 7 - Like I said before, he worked his ass of. Looked our most likely player to score/create. Unlucky when his shot hit the post.

• Arsene Wenger - 7 - Did nothing wrong really, their was no reason why the player he sent out couldn't have gotten the job done. I'm happy he picked Miquel, but dissapointed he didn't take Song off.

     So that's about it for the Leyton Orient match. Now on to some happier news -

     Victor Valdes picked up an injury in training on Saturday, and is expected to be out for approximately six weeks. Therefore, Pinto will be his replacement. Based on my knowledge, Pinto isn't very good at all. The Almunia of Barcelona.

     I'll be back tomorrow, make sure you check back.