Good result, but with fabregas or Nasri in the team we would have turned them over very easily. Still missing something. Need a central midfield playmaker. Also, why don't they huddle anymore? The invincibles huddled every game. Why no more? Bit gay maybe, but if ever we needed team spirit and backs to the wall attitude...
I think Arteta was a panic buy and is more of a replacement/cover for Wilshere. Ramsey played the advanced CM role when he came on and with a run of games could be the answer. Rosickys been quite good though and shown a lot of energy.
Well, I'll settle for the defence being solid for the moment. Pity the creativity is a tad out there.
I think the MF did all right, they had to defend as much as they attacked. Rosicky and Arteta looked pretty solid, but I would rather see Song sitting in DM and letting the other two do more attacking.
I agree with piskie. For a dm song does an awful lot of attacking. Personally I think he's more a cm and would be best employed alongside a more disciplined holding midfielder. I would say song should be rotated with wilshire, ramsey and arteta and a new dm brought in. Ideally I'd like to see a new spine... New cb, dm, cam and striker brought in to add some depth and competition. But dm, cam and back up striker are needed urgently.
people need to get over the fab/nasri issue. There not in the team no point even thinking 'if' they were. grinds my gear does that. kos played well and mert was outstanding. Good partnering finally coming together do you think?
problem is, the creative spark can only work when players were making runs. arshavin doesn't do that, and van Persie only did it when we had the ball on the halfway line, and wanted one over the top. walcott was anonymous really, and should have been continuously running back and forth through the defensive line, allowing the midfielders to find him there with a through ball
I'm going to sit in the 'if you travel away in Europe and come home with 3 points it's hard to be critical' camp....
Wilshere can have more attacking influence once he's back. Playing alongside the protection of Arteta and Song there should be no reason why he cannot get forward more, with his undoubted ability he can bring more spark in the final third. Arshavin has to be dropped for the Stoke game, that was one of the laziest, most stroppy and abject performance I have seen from and Arsenal player. OXO has to be ahead of him on current form for a starting berth. Arshavin can still be used off the bench as he's dangerous but his attitude stinks.
I'd insist Song STAYS infront of back4. NO wandering/charging upfield. - But the fullbacks can . Arteta & Rosicky to stay fairly central midfield. RVP central striker (taking NO corners) with Arshavin (then Walcott 2nd half) on left side - Gervinho (then Oxo) on right.
