Solid defending as a team and individualy. Our closing was good and everyone covered where they needed to. Mert played a blinder, clearing everything up at the back, helping Vito to settle into the game with his distribution and always offering for him, great play for the offside goal - he stepped up and knew he had done enough for the offside call, he reads the game very well. Jenkinson did everything right, Gibbs and Vermaelen were solid and even Vito had a great game. I hope to see more clean sheets this season! Our full-back positions not looking as bad as some thought. Our midfield were strong and creative, Diaby played well but faded a little in the second half with moments of quality, Cazorla faded a little in the second half but played brilliantly today, Arteta was his usual efficient self. We didn't get the clear cut chances we would have wanted but as with Sunderland plenty of half chances. As the team gels and learns how each other play more of these will be clear cut chances, so i'm not too worried about that. Up top Giroud had a great first half, he holds up the ball well, closes down, wins balls in the air but i think he is getting annoyed at not winning free-kicks for some of the challenges on him - overall he looks like he can deal with the physicalty of the league and he looks eager to do well, the goals will come. His lob attempt was quality, i was glad he shot instead of passing to Ramsey - it shows he's got an eye for the goal - we need players who shoot! Gervinho was good again, defensivly he did well, but still lacking the final product - if he can just add a final ball he would be a fantastic player - i still have hopes he will become the player we thought we had signed. Good signs from Podolski as well, a couple of good efforts one stopped with a stoke hand, he linked play with the midfield well and i enjoyed watching some of the play between him and Cazorla. As with Giroud i'm confident he will start getting goals. I'm happy with our new signings and i'm happy with the squad in general - alot of positives to take from the game. The team will improve game to game and we have a good base to build from. I'd like to see another player or two brought in still this transfer window, we could maybe use another attacking player and another defensive player. Wenger has said we are in for possibly two new faces and i'm thinking midfelder/utility defender or midfielder/striker(or wing forward).
We don't have caves, it's too flat down here, rather than your silly, sheep-infested, hilly-terrained part of the world.
Good post. Mert, Cazorla and Jenkinson were our best players today, with Gibbs, Arteta and Pod not far behind. We controlled the game well. Goals will come, not too much to worry about.
Im convinced this is still a fitness issue, the guy was out for a long time, and I think he would have been taken of with 20 mins to go if it was any other team but stoke. I think there is a lot more to come from the guy as his fitness levels improve.
BTW I was surprised with Podolski taken off. I understand he wanted more pace with Oxo, but Podolski played really well today under the circumstances IMO.
while i dont support our fans rubbing it in your face you have to admit your chances of winning anything looks slim once again.
Another great game for Carl Jenkinson. Gibbs was ok, seemed to slow down the attack though at times, and didn't chase back every time but nothing serious. Vermaelen and Mertesacker were good. Arteta, Diaby and Cazorla were fantastic. Mostly impressed with Arteta today, the double pivot is working fantastically well and showing that a pure DM isn't a priority, but I would still like to see some one like Cabaye. Attack was fairly lacklustre, but that can be forgiven, it was Stoke, after all. Overall, a great defensive display, the goals will come eventually, don't forget that the attack is 75% new.
I'm watching the Liverpool V Citeh game, and i've been thinking. Why don't we play a 3 CB system? We have 3 excellent CB's, it negates the weakness at LB.
