Yes our 10/11 team was good, it's now 13/14 - i think my statement that this is the best team we have had for a few years still stands given that the example you have given is a few years ago..... No Giroud isn't cack your just a fool who can't see his qualities. He's still joint top scorer in the league, has been one of our better players this season and had a good first season. He looks more settled and he brings our other players into play in good attacking positions. He gives us threat in the air and another big man when we defend set pieces. I like him.
Slightly disappointed with some of the defending in that half. Flamini not covering the back 4 as I'd hoped. Stoke causing a few problems at the back. Nevertheless I think we have more goals in us. Hopefully we can put the game to bed in the 2nd half.
What an exciting half. Szczesny: 6/10 - Couldn't do much for the goal. Dodgy pass at the end. Gibbs: 4/10 - Looking like a liability today. Over-extending himself. Needs to be dropped for Monreal next week. Koscielny and Mertesacker: 6/10 - Were all over the place around the time Stoke scored. Combined well for the goal. If Kosc hadn't gone for that, Begovic would have saved it. Sagna: 7/10 - The only defender doing his job properly. Flamini: 7/10 - Playing better than against Sunderland. Seeing Arteta on the bench lit a fire under his ass. Ramsey: 8/10 - Works so hard. Turned up for the goal. Only one misplaced pass that I counted. Wilshere: 6/10 - Lost the ball quite a lot, but a few promising signs. If he lasts the game he could have a decent 2nd half. Ozil: 6/10 - Same as Wilshere really. Gnabry: 6/10 - Was never going to find it easy in this game. Good experience for him though. Giroud: 7/10 - Doing a good job. Working very hard, making good runs, looking dangerous, linking up play, great in the air. Just needs a goal to complete the performance.
Good first half, we took our foot off the gas for a while and let them back into it but to be fair to stoke it was a good goal and i dont think our defenders could have done anything differently once the cross had come in. Our passing has been good, we have been passing the ball around quickly and particularly Ramsey has covered a lot of ground and we always have options. Ths has been missing in recent seasons and it's good to see thsi comming back to our play. Can't wait to see Cazorla joining this midfield...
I agree it's been an exciting game so far, looking forward to the second half. I think Gibbs has been quite good, it's funny how opinions differ on a performance. Overall agree mostly with your ratings
Jamie Carragher as pundit , what do we all think ? Im not sure , he seems to have a certain honesty and plain speaking about him but , the other pundits seem to look at him as if they are thinking , " what a tool " discuss
We have Swansea next week and I think Gibbo is better than Monreal but he does need a break. I'd say keep him for the next PL game but he does need to defend more as Jack and Ozil don't offer that much defending wise
I agree he comes across quite plain speaking and honest. Think he will have a decent insight into the game but not sure if he will make himself sound interesting enough to be listened to! He sounds so calm, maybe need to add a bit a passion to his talking.
He's not as articulate or incisive as Gary Neville but I don't mind him. He's definitely got enough experience to be a pundit.
i agree he seems to speak from the heart , what he actually thinks , not what he thinks would be bloody good telly . Unlike that total twat Townsend , talk about stating the facking obvious. Slick and totally boring .
