What did everyone think about our result tonight? I thought that a lot of the young players played very well. Chamberlain was brilliant, i also thought that coqueilan was very impressive and had song not been as impressive as he has been then coquelan would be banging very hard on the door. I think that the fact that we have song frimpong and coquelan all of whom play in the holding role we can put this thing about us needing to bring in a defensive midfielder to bed. Overall we played well tonight and one really poor piece of play has cost us, dzeko really didn't have to work very hard to create the goal and a few players switched off. But it may work in our favour because we will have less games to play, and clearly this is the leads important of all four competitions. However considering that we have already guaranteed top spot in our champions league group stage why wouldn't we have played a slightly stronger team, especially against the team that is setting the pace in the league. Wenger could have started the likes of gervinho and ramsey etc and we might have won the game. Then he could have rested all of those players for the olympiakos game and he could have even left all of those players at home and not even made them travel.
Impressed by all the young players. That what took from tonight. Today was a step up for them and they showed their quality. We have plenty of talent in reserve and can use them more against some of the lesser teams.
Agree with Jayram - Oxo, Frimpong and Coquelin are all pushing for a first team place. I think Miquel is knocking at the door too.
Miquel while not great going forward has become a solid defensive left back. Also adds height to the back four. If Gibbs keeps getting injured then I would not be too worried in the knowledge that we have Miquel as a back up for Santos. Although as players those two are very different in terms of their attributes.
I thought Chamakh was alright today, he worked very hard but was often isolated upfront, Park was awful and I think he should be our third choice striker based on his few games so far. Our defence was good for the most part but again Djourou was caught ball watching which meant Agureo pretty much got a free run off of him. Our midfield was very good today and we kept players like nasri and Johnson out of the game for the most part.
Do not agree with Chamakh being sold.. He was very impressive in certain areas, considering how little match play he has, and how out of form he has been. I think the major issue with him, and it was highlighted in this game, is that he is misunderstood. He tries to link the play with audacious passes, clever turns etc, things that the rest of the Arsenal players just aren't expecting, and that is what comes down to the break down in play when Chamakh has possession. A few times tonight he tried quite spectacular plays but noone else on the pitch really read what he was trying to do. I can't offer any solutions as to what can help him at this point in time, I honestly don't think the issue is how he plays, it is all a mental thing, something that is much worse than just being in bad form. (Something that stopped Eduardo from shining after his injury). I hope time is given to re-energise Chamakh as tonight I was impressed by his overall game.
Oxlade - Chamberlain was the dominant force on display. Being substituted must have ruled him tit of the running for MOTM. Coquelin was immense, so too Frimpong, Miquel didn't impress me. Goal aside Djourou had a solid game, his lapse in concentration underlined the problem with our defence.
Another played well but LOST scenario. Considering this was our best chance of a trophy this season Wengers selection was once again found wanting.
@Tuffnell Are you suggesting Wenger should have played the first team and not our young plaeyrs then? And considering it was our young players do you not think overall there are alot of positives to take from the game?
Don't even get me started on arshavin, right ok so he had a good euro 2008 and played well in his first season at arsenal. But he wasn't spotted until he was 27/28, clearly if he was an exceptional player clubs would have been tracking him from the age of 20. What has happened is that he has had a few good seasons and now everyone thinks that he is a great player. No i have no time for him anymore, i cringe whenever he plays and he flatters to deceive, he clearly just doesn't want to be there and i think that him chamakh and squillaci should be sold. Because they are just using up the clubs money without contributing much, we have park chu-young who looks to be a similar player to chamakh and afobe will also be knocking on the door very soon. It is time to really promote these young players the likes of miquel frimpong coquelan afobe and when he comes back from his loan spell chuks aneke who is an exceptional talent.
