Thought it might be fun to do an Arsenal player watch, a thread that discusses the performances of Arsenal players, Arsenal targets or even ex Arsenal players during the tournament. I haven't seen all the matches so far so getting some updates as to how our boys have done/are doing could be useful, maybe even worthy of a sticky !
Podolski looked very good for Germany and he seems to love shooting .Cesc looks good although they are playing him out of position, don't think I should mention Szczesny's performance so far
Day One Poland V Greece - 1-1 Szczesny sent of, not a very good performance from him at all. Flappyhandski not even in the squad. Szczesny needs to improve his decision making, I feel he tries to get involved too much, I had a discussion recently that suggested he is a bit too cocky. Russia V Czech Rep. - 4-1 Arshavin impressed by all accounts, I wasn't overly impressed personally but, an assist is an assist. It is being said that Arshavin is suited to games where he is given time and space which he is denied in England. this doesn't explain his fantastic half of the season when he arrived and his spectacular fall from grace. Rosicky didn't control the game as you would hope but then Russia were just too good, I don't think he was bad necessarily though.
I though Rosicky was very poor, yes Russia controlled the game buy he was anonymous even when the czech's had the ball. Arshavin was very good offensively, but I noticed that he still doesnt not track back and still seems to have his lazy attitude.
Day Two Netherlands V Denmark - 0-1 RVP had a bit of a stinker in front of goal apparently fluffing a few chances (I didn't see the game). For a player who scored as many as he did you would think confidence would be oozing from him. Does he frieze in tournaments ? How did Bendtner do ? Germany V Portugal - 1-0 Podolski had an ok game from what I hear - I didn't see the game. He blazed over from 15 yards when he should've done better. Anyone watch the game ?
One or two nice touches but for the most part was very poor, that one through pass was brilliant though (think it was to Robin when Agger was tightly marking RVP)
Chesney had an ok game and there was little he could have done when the Greek player went through. He took one for the team and it paid off! RVP looked quite poor, i think he was trying too hard and looked under pressure. Not the usual RVP we know and love. Didn't see the Germany game but if he loves to shoot, then i'm all for it at Arsenal Russia looked very good and Arshavin looked at his mercurial best. Rosicky didn't do much and pretty much kept the ball ticking over. The old Rosicky isn't coming back....
Interesting note ... there hasn't been a game yet which hasn't featured an Arsenal or ex-Arsenal player. Chesney in the Poland-Greece match. Arshavin in the Russia-Czech match. Van Persie and Bendtner in the Holland-Denmark match. Podolski in the Germany-Portugal match. Fabregas in the Spain-Italy match. Eduardo in the Ireland-Croatia match. Of course, we'll have Koscielny, Walcott and possibly Oxlade-Chamberlain in tonight's game too.
I dunno if that is good or bad. Maybe unleash him against a tiring team ? Not sure how effective he will be starting.
If OXO starts then i'm giving Roy maximum respect. I hate this safety first approach where we play boring football and still end up with crap all. OXO playing is signalling our attacking intent!
As funny as it would be for England to start Oxo, it would also just be **** for the England team as he's barely played all season and looked rubbish in his last international.
I think its a good idea as it MAY give the French a reason not to pour forward with abandon . MAY ! Lets face it , Andy Carroll is not gonna cause any frenchman sleepless nights .
This, England should be ambitious and really go at France who have a rather wobbly defense in my opinion. Its pointless for England to sit back and try and hit teams on the break, it might work against a few teams but its very difficult to win a tournament with that approach (plus its really boring to watch).
French wobbly defense? They are unbeaten in their last 21 games and I think are joint favourites to win the whole shebang (along with Italy). I prefer we set out 'not to lose' tonight and then go mental when we have a point or 3 in the bank.
And Sebastian Larsson in the Ukraine-Sweden game, that would mean that every game from matchday 1 will feature a former or current Arsenal player. PS: I don't think Podolski had a good game against Portugal. He started alright, but went missing as the game went on. Portugal made it hard for Germany to break trough and against opposition like this Podolski has always been...well...useless when he played on the left flank. Muller on the right wasn't much better though. There are surprisingly quite many German fans who would rather see Schuerrle, Goetze or Reus in place of Podolski on the left wing.
from the games I have seen the partnership between Rami and Mexes looks very shaky, i think that's why Kos has been replacing Mexes at times. Yes they are unbeaten however I would also consider that they have let in a number of goals in the 21 unbeaten streak including 2 goals against Iceland. Im not saying France are bad by any means, however i do think teams can get at their defense and get goals against them.
