It would appear that the likes of Vermaelen, Sagna and Chezzer got a glimpse of the future last night. I know we won't defend like that in every game, but how hard can be to have some passion for the club you play for? That was a spark last night, which was totally missing from recent games. I think Jenko, Kos (whom I critisised earlier in the season in games against Chelsea and Fulham I think it was), showed that they have an unreal passion and desire to see this club move forward. It's games like these where you see that that desire and will to win can overcome lack of talent sometimes. Players with the talent AND right attitude are those we should be including in the team. When you look at a team like Manchester United, one thing that seperates them from every other team in the Prem is the desire to constantly improve, and the will to win.
Wenger's team selection on Saturday is one of the most important of the season in my opinion. Picking Kos, Jenks and Fab would send a message out that no drop in commitment or performance will be tolerated.
Absolutely. They're in form, so play them. Verm shouldn't get back in after that performance. Kos has shown his metal enough to keep him out, as has Jenks with Sagna.
Really surprised by Fabianski's performance. He looked assured and confident, and seeing as he had not played in a long time, that was amazing.
The pressure will be on on Saturday. We'll know more about whether we've turned a corner if we can put in a good performance against the type of team we usually struggle against on their own patch.
Yesterday's good defending was down to a very simple thing, we didn't play the suicidal high line. Yes we showed great passion concentration etc, but at the same time, if you position yourself properly as defenders, it makes it very hard for the opposition. We need to stop playing the high line, and just sit back and make the opposition work hard for the right to enter our box, and yesterday, we never allowed Bayern that opportunity.
We did to Bayern what Swansea, West Brom and Stoke (in the past) have done to us at the Emirates - defend your box, block shots and take your chances on the counter. We were under-dogs and it paid off for us because there was no pressure. Swansea is the real test and I hope the team stays the same.
Fabianski surprised me too. He conceded 4 goals against our under 21s last month, I assumed he was all but finished at Arsenal.
I'm one of the few people who have been a long term fan of Fabianski. To be fair that was cause he waved to me in the crowd at an Emirates Cup when I was younger but nonetheless he's a great keeper in the making. Before Szczesny injured him in training two years ago, he was looking like a fantastic keeper for us. I just hope he can do it for us.
Football is about confidence, for any player. When he went through his horror spell (don't ask) I think he truly was suffering from a total lack of confidence in his own ability. He's not a world class keeper, but when he is confident he is a very able no. 2 goalie.
The last time Fabianski was in the team, he was doing well until he got injured. Szczesny then seized his moment and took the no.1 spot. I think Fab's horror shows may be long behind him.
Also, because our forwards got back to defend when they lost the ball. That meant that the defence could line up properly and play deep, forcing Bayern to shoot from outside the box.
