This was really one of our most subdued performances all season. We didn't click tonight at all for whatever reason. The passing wasn't good enough and some players first touch were appalling. I don't want to be harsh on the lad but i really dont think jenkinson is good enough, he just looked completely out of place but he is still young and has the time to develop. But it is clear that players like santos walcott rosicky and arshavin aren't good enough. Walcott had a good game at the weekend but there are so many areas of his game that just aren't up to scratch and he isnt consistent enough he just isn't a constant threat. Gervinho clearly has the ability but he doesn't stay in the game long enough and drifts in and out of matches, there were also times when if his first touch had been better then he would have got a shot away. The players who played well were song vermalen and mertesacker and i don't really have an opinion on park chu-young yet we will need to see in weeks to come if he is the real deal. It will be interesting to see how we respond on saturday because this is as flat as i have seen arsenal in a while and we just need to keep progressing until january when surely wenger will bring in a few players.
Hmm I disagree... it was a tired looking performance against a tough Marseille team. They are notoriously hard to break down and play on the counter. I may have started RVP from the beginning though, and whipped him off if we had managed to score. I think the defence was much more organised tonight bar a few errors from Santos. Any news on the injury side...?
It's alright. You know, dropping points here by resting RVP is better than dropping them where we need them: In the Premier League.
Think jenkinson was solid today, santos horrid again, Walcott and park, I didn't notice thu were playing, I told everyone park wasn't good enough, he got a goal against a weekend bolton, bendy > park
Im surprised no one has mentioned the blatent penalty we should of got for the Diawara handball. Also Park was awful if we had Robin on to begin with im sure he would of put one of those chances in.
Yeah it was a bit 'after the lord mayors show' and all that, but play like that you'll take a 0-0 against a side who have made big improvements since our game 2 weeks ago. We're still in pole, a draw against Dortmund and we're through but obviously we'd prefer to be top seed...
Park was actually very active, he may not have scored, but I found his moment very encouraging. He came back deep to help out, and was always trying to find pace. He would of been a lot more productive if the collective first touch control of Arsenals players tonight was of its usual standard. Gervinho, Arteta, Ramsey their first touches were awful tonight, and cost us a couple of goal scoring opportunities. Song was immense in the tackle, and incredibly strong at retaining the ball. Yes we should of had a penalty, but also Diarra should of been off after 30 mins.. How can the ref give a free kick for a handball in that situation, and not book the player.
It was a fairly tired looking performance i agree. But Marseille where good defensively and did enough to never let us really play our fluid style of football. Not too dissapointed with a 0-0 and it still puts us in a strong position to top the group. As others have said i'd rather drop points resting RVP in this game than in the EPL. Park was encouraging with his movement - his closing down and pace where good and remember he is still settling into the team and this was only his 3rd game for us. I think Rev Ramsey and Altbouli are being unfair on him - he was playing only his 3rd game against a team who set up very defensively and stiffled alot of our creativity stopping us having many clear cut chances. If anything Ramsey had a chance to put us ahead but for some reason stuttered on the ball before shooting. I think overall the first touch of the team seemed below par as well and that made a big difference. Santos was not horrid Rev ramsey - you love to slate the players don't you? Yes he had a couple of little errors but otherwise he looked fine to me - i'm happy having Gibbs and Santos fighting for the LB spot. Jenkinson played well considering his age and experieince but at times it showed and at the end with the game about to finish he should of just swung the ball into the box! Was pleased with Vermaelen today as well. 0-0 will have kept the team on there toes and i think we will come out with a strong win on the weekend.
Hmm. For me the plus points were: - How many good chances we created. Seriously, we should have buried at least 2 or those and terrible first touches stopped a further 2/3 gilt edged opportunites. - Vermaelen's performance. It's like he's not been away. Bellowing at Santos and Mertesacker, making great interceptions and headers and his patented surges into midfield to open things up. Love him. - Rosicky's challenges! Can't understand why the OP thought he was crap. He came on, steadied us as Marseille were in the ascendancy. Did that superb pass for RVP and added some crunching tackles. I thought he was great! Overall I thought we looked a bit jaded but have again mixed up a squad that had started to settle. I don't think it's a bad thing we switched things around and we certainly created enough to have won the game on another day. Let's not forget that our starting line up was without Gibbs, Koscielny, Sagna, Wilshere and RVP. All of who I'd expect to be in a fully fit starting 11. My only gripes: - Santos is amazing in the final third but good lord that boys positioning is ****! He needs a darn good paddling and fast, not to mention some time in the gym to build his fitness up. - Song could do with practising his passing too. Goddamn it's frustrating watching him bulldoze three people to get the ball, do 2/3 neat turns and then pass it straight back to them! Argh. - Park was poor imo, but it's still early days. I'm concerned about his first touch as on a number of occasions it was atrocious and that has nowt to do with learning a league and new team. There were moments when players (I'm thinking Ramsey here) were getting frustrated by his decision making too. At one point a ball was slid through to him and had he rolled left it would have been perfect but for some reason he inexplicably went right. Meh, these are small details and will come good with time. His control is my worry. - Gervinho. Yikes. I know he can be clumsy but he took that to a new level last night. Bad shooting, bad decision making and a horrific first touch. I myself would have hung my head in shame at some of his attempts at control and as for his passing... oh mumma. However...I shall forgive him because he's been awesome so far this season (in a new team and league - good lad!) and because his forehead reminds me of the Predator and scares me. Still. Top of the group and not lost so I'm happy. We've two tough games left but I'm confident we'll be fine though. Dortmund at home will be very difficult and nobody likes playing away in Greece.
