I left the Emirates not as disappointed as usual after defeat because really, they were simply too good for us. At their best, they are unplayable and we should be glad we only lost two nil.
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| Stearman improves with every game |
We never threatened their goal until the last ten minutes, when the game was practically over. We seem to have a settled defence now, we need to focus on getting goals. Richard Stearman and Christophe Berra have formed a very good understanding at the back, and although our full backs were at times torn apart I thought they were OK. Zubar grew as the game went on, and was one of our biggest threats going forward.
Our best outfield player? Probably Karl Henry. He looked very classy on the ball, keeping it for us and getting it to the creative players like O'Hara and Milijas. He also covered well, and against players like Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas he did alright.
Hennessey - 9
Zubar - 8
Stearman - 7
Berra - 7
Elokobi - 6
Hammill - 7
Milijas - 7
O'Hara - 6
Henry - 8
Jarvis - 6
Doyle - 7
Subs: Ebanks-Blake - 6, Foley - 7, Fletcher - 6
I was in today's verdict in the sport section of the observer. Here's my part:
It was a bit of an anticlimax after last week's win over United. We didn't do too much going forward until the last 10 minutes but the game was over at that stage. It was the right team that started for us and I don't think we played that badly but Arsenal were just really good. They were on another level, especially Wilshere and Fábregas. Hennessey made some fantastic saves and Henry had a good game too. We're bottom of the table now and we've two massive games coming up against Blackpool and West Brom. We need to get four points from those.
You can see that here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/12/arsenal-wolves-premier-league
That horrible set of fixtures is over now, and this is the time to start picking up the vital points against teams around us. It's a tough game, as they always are, away at Albion but after their defensive performance at home to West Ham I'm confident we can pick something up.
Worth the money to see the quality of play from them!
ReplyDeleteDecent defensive performance, not so good offensive. We were a bit lacklustre off the ball, we didn't press as much as usual but can you blame them against Fabregas, Wilshere and van Persie? maybe not
might as well have not turned up. And as for how great Arsenal are...it's 11 v 11. How can we be so utterly outclassed for so long. No shots on target. we only got a look in when they took their foot off the gas. McCarthy is not capable of competing at this level. If he stays we will very soon be back where HE belongs..in the championship. And won't our stadium look good there! By the way bloggerwolf, how could you possibly give Henry an 8 for that inept performance?
ReplyDeleteQuite agree with you about Henry. 5 out of 10 at most
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bloggerwolf. Henry was excellent. He worked hard to stem the flow of attacks and kept the ball whenever he could. Fabregas, Wilshire and song is as tough a midfield to play against as there is. A 2-0 defeat at the emirates is nothing to be ashamed of and it's important to recognise that none of the big clubs has given us the expected beating. Now we have to be more clinical in the games against those clubs we are fighting relegation with
ReplyDelete