A late Yossi Benayoun header seceured three hard fought points for Arsenal as the Gunners put Sunday’s defeat against Manchester City behind them in gritty style. A Robin van Persie penalty had set the Emirates outfit on their way although it looked likely to be a frustrating evening for Arsene Wenger after Marc Albrighton equalised out of nothing on the hour mark. Nevertheless, a spate of late substitutions came good for the French coach with loan star Benayoun securing hero status off the bench.
Arsene Wenger opted to solve his side’s dearth of centre –back options by sticking with Thomas Vermaelen at left-back and handing Francis Coquelin a starting berth in place of messrs Djourou, Sagna and Jenkinson on the right. In the middle of the park Emmanuel Frimpong was charged with playing the role usually filled by Alex Song. The rest of the team was the same which started at the Etihad on Sunday.
Villa started the game well. Perhaps surprisingly so given how wretched they were against Liverpool at the weekend. A Gabriel Agbonlahor header forced a save from Szczesny before the same player caused a further problems in the box with two further attacks before the 12 minute mark.
After fifteen minutes a beautiful dummy by Walcott completely outfoxed Ciaran Clark who pulled our boy back in the box as he raced towards goal. The ref immediately (and correctly) pointed to the spot and Van Persie smashed home the penalty with aplomb. It was the Dutchman’s 34th goal of the calendar year and his 20th of this season – remarkable stuff.
Inside a minute RVP and Walcott were causing mischief again, the England international having a lobbed effort saved by Brad Guzan after a tremendous through ball by his teammate.
As is so often the case when streaming a game I was served up an array of intriguing adverts as we reached the midway point of the first half. One in particular caught the eye – “Call of Roma” a game which appeared to have a mythological and raunchy theme suitable only for adults. It would have made Arsene blush if he weren’t too busy watching Szczesny make vital claims from several low crosses into the Arsenal box.
Charles Insomnia was giving Le Coq a torrid time, although the Villa man eventually paid for his flash spins and little flicks by getting a good kicking from our young Frenchman. It earned the stand-in right-back a yellow, but certainly sent a message to his compatriot – Insomnia lived up to his name for the rest of the half.
On 31 minutes Ramsey should have doubled Arsenal’s lead or at least set up Walcott for an easy chance. Instead after being played in by Van Persie, the Welshman rashly blazed over from the edge of the box – an all too common trait this season.
In the 10 minutes before half-time it appeared that Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Frimpong were having a private bet about who could give the ball away more. Arsenal were generally comfortable in possession and happy to slow the pace although there was one final scare before the break when Barry Bannan (on for Stephen Ireland) fired a free-kick over the bar with his first touch.
Having obviously been unimpressed by his side’s lackadaisical attitude to pressing the Arsenal defence, Alex McLeish’s side rushed out of the blocks in the second half closing down both Mertesacker and Koscielny far higher up the pitch. It came up trumps within eight minutes. After a Vermaelen headed pass failed to make it to Mertesacker, Marc Albrighton nicked the ball through on goal and slid the ball under Szczesny. It was hapless defending. 1-1.
The equaliser seemed to wake up Wenger’s boys in blue. Walcott won a corner which Mertesacker, in a bid to make immediate amends, jabbed goalwards. Only a super stop from Guzan denied the centre-back his first Arsenal goal.
Nevertheless, after that brief spark by the hour mark we were well and truly under the cosh, Villa having 70 percent of possession and taking advantage of some very slack play in the midfield. Frimpong in particular was regularly guilty of giving the ball away and it wasn’t surprising to see him replaced by Tomas Rosicky.
The game turned very scrappy with few chances created by either side. Too often Arsenal would work the ball into the final third before losing any semblance of creativity. Villa weren’t much better, but with Albrighton (arguably the game’s most dangerous player) the Holt End sensed blood.
The clock continued to countdown with alarming speed as Van Persie was given a ridiculously harsh booking for simulation. Petrov then fired a long range free-kick well wide before, with ten minutes left, Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho made way for Andrey Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun. Could we get our foot on the ball and create a winning chance was the question?
A spell of intricate play on the edge of the Villa box finally released Rosicky but his effort was blocked by Dunne. Then Arshavin cut in from the left and saw his shot take a wicked deflection which could have gone anywhere but ended up over the bar. From the resulting corner, Arsenal’s 11th of the game, Yossi Benayoun stooped at the back post to head home from four yards. The substitutions worked! We’d got the goal we needed.
Four minutes of extra time made for very nervy viewing – not least because the stream was getting somewhat sketchy. A few handbags in the middle of the park wasted a few valuable seconds. Spurs reject Hutton picked up a booking which Van Persie didn’t mind taunting him about and then the prattish Scot picked up a second a minute later after a bad challenge on Vermaelen.
Finally the ref blew and three hard fought points were secured. Phew!
______
Goal highlights courtesy of @arsenalist
quote of the live blog
some cunt off. some cunt on
I got to step in here:
http://twitter.com/#!/arsenalist/status/8558771423
It wasn’t pretty but a hard fought win is still as satisfying. There’s just something about Arsenal this season, feels like we have fight in us.
An aside, I gotta say this is my opinion on the pecking order for our attacking midfield subs:
1.Benayoun (not just because of the goal but he seems the best at ball retention)
2.Rosicky/The Ox
3.Arshavin
Couldn’t help but think the very same thing; Rosicky, Yossi and the Ox have been sorely underused thus far. Let’s sign us a competent striker, get us a full back on loan and I think our team is in really nice shape for the second half of the season (not forgetting the man they call Jack Wilshere!). Great game though. This team really does have a lot more than just eye-catching passing. In my personal opinion, even though it really feels that our football isn’t as appealing as it has been in the past few years, they certainly make up… Read more »
Another thuggish team courtesy of Alex McLeish. They’ll be on their way to the Championship just like Birmingham City.
Observations from an ugly game – Coquelin should have been in place of Frimpong. Frimster’s passing is horrible and has been pretty much every time he plays. Make him a defender or send him on loan. Arteta is amazing, enough said. Ramsey is just not cutting it right now, maybe he needs a rest? Mert was not at fault for the goal, the pass was short and he would have been sent off for any kind of foul (second yellow). And maybe Ox should have been on instead of Arshavin? Not too sure, Arshavin had his best showing in a… Read more »
I thought Arshavin was pretty poor, twice I laughed out loud when his touch let him down in a comic way.
Frimpong was poor and subdued, I think rosicky and benayoun should be challenging ramsey for a starting place and the OX should be coming on for gervinho. Arsenal needs a good ATM, like hazard or goetze, and a good forward.
We won last season 4-2. Agree about Frimpong, he wasn’t very DEEEEENCH today will definitely be going on loan when Wilshere returns, and then Ramsey will be first CM back-up. Rambo needs a rest next game, Rosicky should start with Song and Arteta behind him. He just looks tired and out of ideas.. and where was Miquel today? not even on the bench.. I’m glad we could grind this one out. We won’t start to see the Ox unless we’re a few goals infront with 20 to go in these types of games. Like everyone else I can’t wait to… Read more »
I meant this kind of game, not the actual game last year
Agree on pretty much every point. Coq isn’t a right back and kept getting exposed. The nutmeg on him was a real low point. Perhaps he and Frimpong should have been swapped, but that’s no guarantee of a better outcome. Ideally Frimpong should go out on loan to a team that will play him every week. Rosicky and Benayoun had a big impact. I think they both offer a lot more dynamism than some of our other options. Ox needs to get more games, and I would like to see Ryo getting a few appearances even if only for a… Read more »
Alan Hutton, what a cunt.
Hating on Alan’s?
Alan Pardew, what a thunder cunt.
Alan Hansen is a dick and Alan Shearer shouldn’t be allowed near a microphone
…Partridge is a cunt too, but luckily of the very funny variety.
Sign of a good confident team, when you can play badly and win. That’s exactly what we done. All Important 3 points a draw for the scum tomorrow will be nice and then roll on Christmas and the transfer window, as surley that has to be arshavins last game for us it just isn’t working out for both Parties.
That’s what’s called ‘winning ugly, but it’s the points that matter, no? Frimpong was totally off the boil today as was Ramsey imho. Perhaps now Benayoun will get more playtime after he’s practically saved our Arse today? Give Rambo sometime off for a few games coz he really has been average for a several games now, methinks. But credit to the team for digging deep and coming out with 3pts when it mattered the most. COYG!
I agree with resting Ramsey, but I disagree it should be done because of his form. He has been superb overall this season and a few below his average games dont bring him down.
True look at the stats for km ran per game he’s always near top
good job by the team for sticking all the way through and getting the win..
but feel it’s really been a problem in a few games not getting enough urgency.. at least until the other side scores which seems to wake up the team…
feel Ramsey could really use a rest…
Agree the Villa goal was down to a poor header from Vermaelen (i know I cant believe it too) b/c mertesacker couldnt risk fouling Albrighton and getting a red. Hard fought, but 3 points is all I need thank you very much.
I think that should become a clut quote for arseblog. some cunt on, some cunt off
**cult
Who’s gonna tell TV5 the goal was his fault?
Fuck that for a job.
he knows… read his tweets
Ramsey needs to be on the bench. Start Rosicky because he’s looking sharp. was surprised by the team choice. why was miquel not even on the bench? Arsene’s team selection confuses me sometimes. All in all, a below average performance from the arsenal. I wonder why we played well against city but then turned up today sleep-walking around the pitch. on the plus side RVP looks good to break the Shearer’s record.
Defensively we were shocking today and a good team would have put 5 past us. thankfully we got through it and won the game. phew!
I don’t think it was that bad defensive performance apart from a mistake. I don’t think any defence in the world would stop all the speculative crosses when the midfield is not controlling the game.
I haven’t felt this confident about our defence since 2006. BTW, BFG is such a cool defender…reads game so well and makes so many interception….still getting used to the physical bullying of epl
Is Arshavin even trying ???
Is he fuck trying I think he’s trying hir a move out
Yes, he’s trying my patience
Man of the match – Koscielny. He was a beast, tackling heading all over the place and great interceptions and reading of the game, I must say what a signing from wenger nobody believed that he would be that good this season and consistent, I can’t remember when was his last average game.
We definitely need 3 players as soon as the transfer window opens, ramsey is not a starter. Gotze, ventrogen and podolski
Messi, Ronaldo, Benzema. Yep keep on playing FIFA 12 or Football Manager
what’s a Ventrogen ?
sounds like an evil corporation
It’s a breathing apparatus used when terraforming exoplanets
According to the ol’ tinterweb; it’s an ointment for dogs to help with conjuctivitis. Interesting but not sure it’ll be much use on the field of play……
It’s a German car. The Lurv Bug.
Do you mean Vertonghen? That’s quite some misspelling.
A midfielder that’s Injured (so won’t get a transfer), a CB who can play at LB (like 3 other defenders we have) and a striker that hasn’t made it at the highest level of the Bundesliga and lacks drive at times (could turn out to be another Arshavin),
How about Zamora, Heskey and G Cahil. All England internationals, so they must be amazing….
I wouldn’t blame RVP if he were to leave. Playing with such weak link like Ramsey, it is an insult to RVP’s class. Look at the 2 assists he created for Walcott and Ramsey, Ramsey couldn’t even hit the target. Every season we would have a weak link, last season was Denilson, this season to me is Ramsey. Being an attacking midfielder, I cannot even remember when was the last time Ramsey scored or created a goal in the premier league.
If rambo wasn’t british he would be under loads of pressure to deliver
Ramsey played that beatiful through ball that RVP converted to a beautiful goal in the Man city .(The linesman dissalowed the goal although MOTD thinks it wasn’t offside). Ramsey also played that defence splitting pass to Gervinho who instead of scoring gave to RVP who scored in an empty net Vs Chelski . If Ramsey’s poor performance in today match made you think it’s an insult to RVP to play him behind RVP , then those two example should make him ZINEDINE ZIDANE. what cuntish comment you just made , If you were a player you’d be Samir Na$ri ,… Read more »
Master bates, How can you possibly say “If you were a player you’d be Samir Na$ri” ?
Samir Na$ri is proof that you can be a c*nt even if you aren’t playing football every week.
Meaner, don’t let Master Bates put you off being a Samir Na$ri if that’s your goal in life.
Yeah, thats exactly what is expected of him as the playmaker of a top four team. Its only sad to know that he does that once in every 180minutes, while Fabregas does same every fifteen minutes. And for further details on what I think…check out Tim’s by the number. I sure didnt write that.
Ramsey has 5 assists this season (4 in the PL) in addition to 5 pre-assists. While Arteta does his job of linking up the play between defense and attack perfectly, Ramsey’s role in the team requires a lot more risk and creativity. He is always playing forward passes and driving toward goal, so of course he is going to give away possession more frequently. His passes are the kind that don’t come off often, but when the do they create a great scoring chance. Another great thing about Ramsey is that he tends to cover more ground than anybody else… Read more »
Soo true. And I don’t remember Denilson winning matches which in my memory Ramsey has done twice.
Can i add that Ramsey is not a AMF, he’s a box-to-box midfielder but has needed to play in an advanced position due to Jack’s injury. He’s was/is used as a B2B for Wales, at Cardiff and in his first seasons at Arsenal.
I think I will fuck off to a new blog. Speaking with such a weak link like meaner, it is an insult to my class as a Gooner. Every week we have a weak link, a poster who won’t say anything supportive of his team, this week it is meaner. I cannot even remember when was the last time meaner made a point that wasn’t an attack on Ramsey.
Arteta is really settling in now. the man is amazing
Agree had a look at game tonight and arteta was quality, always looks calm and dos’ent lose the ball
Well, he does occasionally, but by heck he works hard to get it back when it happens.
BFG. Such a cool player.Most players would
have dived in on Albrighton and got sent
off.It cost us a goal but with 11 men on
The pitch we were able to get the winner.
Unlikely with 10 men .
Not our best performance but it’s the 3 points
That count.
Good point, poor header back from Vermaelen
Saw it the same way, and we need a CAM. This system with a DM and two CM is costing us considering all our fullbacks are all out injured. WE DONT HAVE AN ATTACKING CM. I like Rambo but game by game i get the feeling he plays the same position as MA8.
We did seem a little lacking in the attacking department last night. Not quite the pizazz we are used to, but I don’t think that it is to do with Arteta and Rambo playing the same position.
Those attacking full backs really do drive a lot of our offensive play, and, in my opinion, Rambo is literally running himself into the ground trying to make up for their absence. What we lacked last night was due to our most creative force being knackered after a long unbroken run in the team and a huge match last week.
If we start passing like Man utd in the final third we will be champions next season but need to aquire some talent in the final third,we are too light weight and if Van Persie leaves it spells disaster.
Thought you meant if we start getting the same decisions and calls as Manu. That rvp yellow woulda been a soft pen for rooney.
If that was a manure player, it would have been a straight red and 4 game ban for the defender…
I hear Utd are looking for more fans on Thursday nights. As you love their passing so much, maybe you should move along… There’s a good lad
And I must say great subs from wenger I was crying frimpong to be subbed for creative player and wenger added to more and was going for 3 points changed the game credit to the manager !
Another 3 points, and we roll on. I don’t think that Arshavin has really tried hard in the last few games and the fact that nothing has come for him for a few months, today he further seemed scared of even trying a simple pass to a player in space. I think it will be best for everyone if he leaves in January; however, if he’s to stay on longer all he needs to do is look at Rosicky. Rosicky has never been the player he was prior to his 2008 injury but he puts in solid effort and when… Read more »
Well said.
Super 3 points. Another 3 on boxing day while I’m polishing off the last of the Christmas fare. Bang!
Serious question; is Arshavin the worst player in the Premier League?
Behind the following of course:
Fernando Torres
Andy Carroll
Tony Hibbert
Nicklas Bendtner
Of course he’s not the worst, he’s just going through a terrible time which he’s probably never going to come out of at Arsenal.
Actualy, I’d have bendtner over arshavin rite now.
Swap John Terry for Nicklas Bendter Nd I might agree with you.
Crap. Just read this and it reads like I want JT in the team! I don’t.I want him in Domfelton’s list of worst players. Call off the dogs of war.
Ramsey please change your name to Denilson.
Amazing to me how some people just don’t fucking understand the game and want to be so negative after we’ve won.
Get a fucking grip.
meaner please change your name to nicer. 😉
We won ugly and thats all that matters also taking of ugly I cant help but think of Nasri and he is fucking ugly.
Hard fought victory. The three points is certainly what matters. Gunners till the underworld.
Very good point about Koscielny. He has been close to magnificent all season, really. He appeared to twist his ankle making an interception near the end: hope that doesn’t swell tomorrow, because we need him. Rambo needs a break: I don’t agree with those saying that he hasn’t provide any goals or assists this season – he certainly has – but he played like a space cadet tonight and it has to be time to give Benayoun a run in central midfield. And if anyone really wants to buy Arshavin we should bite their hands off: he’s past 30, can… Read more »
Agree with everything except needing to drop Walcott or Gervinho. Gervinho defended very well tonight while still fulfilling responsibilities as a winger. Walcott could finally be given his forward role he’s been wanting to prove himself in. Play Gervinho, Arteta, Song, Benny through the middle, RvP behind Walcott. Play whoever has 2 functional legs left in the back 4. Problem solved.
Was thinking the same thing with the 4-4-2, the defense is pretty solid right now but the midfield is weak without our normal full backs. Play Song-Arteta-Ramsey-Rosicky with RVP-Walcott/Gervinho up front. At least we could bring on walcott or gervinho as an impact sub plus benayoun to replace a midfielder.
i would not blame RVP is he were to leave , playing with a weak link like Ramsey—-from meaner……. sometimes i don’t understand fans like meaner, what he forgets is, this is a team sport, not a not a one man show. RVP is class , i love him to bits , we all know of his qualities as we see him week in week out, he has scored loads for us this season , and may he continue to do so… OUR TEAM— it is a team sport, not a one man show, at the end of the day… Read more »
“Ramsey please change your name to Denilson?” oh please… The kid is leagues above Denilson… Emphasis on ‘kid’… Well done you gooners, never an easy game given the problems in defence & we came through… Roll on!
Am mad villa stole the 20000 epl goal from arsenal. great win today lads. Lets keep grinding them out. Tomorrow should be interesting
had ramsey not being greedy, van persie would have become that man. cesc would have passed the ball.
(welcome the thumb-downs) i don’t care. sticks hurt, but good for you.
With Fabregas in the team, RvP wouldn’t be playing as well as he has been and we probably would have lost this game due to him being such a great captain that his head always dropped. Everything went through him but now we have a proper but of team play.
Move along troll
Mate, we have had many occasions in the past where we thought that a shot might have been a reasonable bet. You can tell them during the game. It’s when all the fans scream “Shoot”. It often happens when a player has the ball and can see the goal in front of him without a crowd of defenders blocking his way. Somebody at some stage has to take a shot, and if Ramsey had hit that one properly then he could have scored and he would be our hero today (He is anyway, the hardworking son of a gun). How… Read more »
There’s a lot of anger directed at people who criticise Ramsey. I’m sorry, but I thought the main problem with this club in recent years is that we rewarded potential rather than established quality. It’s time to change that mentality. Based on intelligence, technique, impact, and MERIT, Benayoun deserves to be starting ahead of Ramsey right now. If Wenger persists with Ramsey, what message is that sending? That mediocrity will go unpunished? That there is no incentive to work for your place back? That the PL is a training ground? I do not want to see Ramsey get crucified like… Read more »
here is our recent form
WWWWWWDLW
I think If any of our players were ‘mediocre’ , we would have had won all those matches . I don’t know may if we had Bergkamp that it would have won all matches ,but that doesn’t make Ramsey mediocre .
A lot of people are pointing out that we won the game ugly , So every time we win the match the pretty way , players like Ramsey have great games like that time we won 5-3 and made John Terry slip.
He is not mediocre a lot of teams would want him.
Like I said below, mediocrity was probably too strong a word. I want Arsenal to win every game. I want the best for Arsenal. My opinion is that we would be more competitive, not less, if we had someone more experienced and with more quality in Ramsey’s position. I am also of the mind that we need to protect young, developing players. Ramsey has not been sharp recently; he cannot seem to hold possession unless he’s free from pressure, and sometimes not even then. I think we’d be more competitive with Benayoun in the side rather than Ramsey. I know… Read more »
Yeah i agree Wenger should rotate players ,Wenger promised he’ll rotate in December , maybe Ramsey won’t start the next match.
If Ramsey puts a consecutive string of poor performances ,he might not reach his potential
Hmmm ramsey going through! Rough patch. Lately we have been having too many of those players in the team. He needs goals to get his confidence back.
They’re all getting tired, both physically and mentally, because every bloody game is a bloody Cup Final at the moment. It’s not a confidence problem. The whole team is confident and working hard (although it isn’t as obvious with Arshavin).. We need a bit of rotation to keep players like Ramsey sharp, but I believe that Wenger is a bit reluctant to mess with the team because a) We have a lot of awkward injuries right now so his choices are limited, and b) the team he has been playing week in and week out has achieved a great team… Read more »
Yossi playing in central midfield??? Der…
Yeah at this point ramsey’s status as a starter is in jeopardy. Benayoun and even rosicky should be getting ahead of him in the pecking order. this is a big club and right now he is a passenger while everyone else is trying to push the bus up the hill.
Mediocrity? Look at Ramsey’s numbers this season… Have we been watching the same player? He needs some work on his decision making and finishing, but he is a gem of a player.
I think at the beginning of the season, I’d agree with you. I’d be curious to see his numbers in the last few weeks in comparison with those in Sept. Mediocrity was a strong word, but there is no doubt in my mind that he is the weak link in the midfield, and I would never expect him to start for a club with top four ambitions. Gem of a player he surely is, but if Wenger doesn’t use him prudently, we’ll see him become a scapegoat just like Denilson. As I said, we need to change the strategy at… Read more »
Also, Burgerkamp (and I’m not doubting you, just saying), the idea that numbers should determine mediocrity or excellence really didn’t hold up with Denilson, did it? He was absolutely crucified at the end of 2008 despite putting up the best numbers of any Arsenal player that season (5th best midfielder in the Prem according to OPTA). I mention Denilson because several others here have brought up the comparison. When I say Ramsey should be a sub player rather than a starter, my idea is that we PROTECT him from being blamed for something beyond his control, namely the fact that… Read more »
Denilson was a DM Rambo AM. He plays ball forward and not just sideways. And for the love of God stop comparing him to Denilson. If we say we want to sell Rambo, I bet Man United will be the first team to want him.
But how often when he has a chance to score the goes sky high instead of in the net?
I dont think he’s mediocre but possibly needs to start on the bench at the moment. Resting him, as stated earlier, wouldn’t be a good idea. The lad needs a bit more confidence.
Sometimes, when young players take their position in the team for granted, they become less responsible in their play. There’s an argument to be made that if Ramsey were disavowed of the notion he may hold that he’s an automatic starter, he’d have reconsidered some of his recent back heel attempts against Man City and his mind may have been more focused when put clean through on goal today. No one is questioning Ramsey’s potential, but his mind is not sharp. Some time in practice working to get back into the team may be just what’s needed to sharpen it… Read more »
How can there be anger, when we love our club to bits. .. Anger is not the problem but to transform the Anger into positive things not negative. Negative comes with Negative.. Positive always attracts Positive. Ramsey is doing a great job, just cos you miss some goals at vital moments , this does not make you weak or underachieving, it means you are very close , you need to work on the last puzzle. Benching Ramsey and putting on Benayoun is not a bad idea but for now i feel i see no reason to bench Ramsey, IT WILL… Read more »
“…you need to work on the last puzzle.”
====
We’ve used the PL as a training ground for several years now. Haven’t we learned that lesson?
Ramsey needs to be protected and introduced gradually. Yes, once every few years you encounter a Cesc or a Messi but the exceptions prove the rule, wouldn’t you say?
@11:02
I don’t remember Cesc scoring too regularly at 20.
Bunburyist believes what’s best for Arsenal Football Club is to regularly field a 30 year old player that we have on a season long loan ahead of an incredibly talented young man who could be a mainstay in our midfield for the next decade.
Sound logic.
How desperate. If you need to make a straw man of my point in order to make yours, it doesn’t say much for your point, does it?
“Sound logic”? Don’t be a child.
Burgerkamp, the premier league isn’t a finishing school. If playing that 30 year old will give us a better shot of winning our next game, then he can start the match. Win now, nurture later. We’ve forgotten that.
@Burgerkamp; usually i agree with sticking with a player to help him gain his confidence back but in this instance i feel Ramsey needs to have a break (and a kit-kat or whatever his choice would be) and learn from someone who has experience at League and International level. Benayoun isn’t captain of Israel for no reason and he’s been part of squads fighting for survival and fighting for the title. I’m all for trusting Arsene (and at times i defend him using stats, past games, past successes as FatGooner can testify) but you really do need to take the… Read more »
It was quite a risk to experiment with our defence, and I have to say I am not satisfied with it.
Should probably loan Frimpong out and play Coq in DM. Frimpong still needs some more first team experience. So does Coq, but for the short term replacement for Song, I think he’ll do a better job.
Also, if possible, would still want Vermaelen to play CB. Sadly despite his Ajax days, he simply isn’t full-back material.
Would have still liked to see this setup instead:
Miquel-Vermaelen-Mertesacker-Koscielny
Still. Despite everything, good to see Kos improving by every game.
Ramsey was going to be behind jack at the start of the year. Jacks hurt. Ramsey plays. It’s not science boys. Wenger isn’t an idiot. Injuries happen and sometimes you wind up with Ramsey starting in midfield before he’s ready. Shit happens. Move on.
Spot on look at what happened with szczeny
Rambo and Jack play different positions. They both van play in the same team and even swap places with each other. And while we’re at it, how many goals did Jack score last season or even created?
He scored 2 and set up 9 in 49 games
To be fair though; Fabregas only scored 4 and set up 16 in 54 games at the same age and he had been part of the Arsenal squad for almost 4 years, so Jack hasn’t done too badly in comparison
Not really am of the opinion that every player on the team who has been working hard should be given a fair chance to play when another is not doing so well. Being dropped when your not doing well should be viewed as a challenge to fulfil your potential by working harder on your shortcomings. Also its a chance to recharge your batteries coz indirectly you are being rested. For me this season rosicky has seemed really solid and sharper and so has benayoun. The amount of chances they have gotten has been too little in my opinion. 10 minutes… Read more »
I agree with you about competition within the squad. The problem in this case is benayoun is on loan and rosicky may very well be sold in 11 days. It throughs a variable into the equation. I’m afraid we’re stuck with Ramsey untill jack is back. Then we can hope the competition between them makes both of them better players.
As far as benayoun, I feel he should be above arshavin in the order. I don’t want him starting in central midfield. Rosicky ha had more than a few chances in his arsenal day. Time to move on.
Great match report btw. Cheers Andrew.
1. Koschielny was awesome! Simply amazing! So underrated its working well for him!
2. Ramsey! Ah Ramsey! When he has a shit game arsenal have a shit game! And he been having shit games lately! Give benayoun the spot, at least he can hit the target.
3. Arteta-amazing. Hes been amazing since he arrived! Not his fault he has Ramsey to deal with! When’s wilshire coming back?
4. RVP-pure class-bough said
5. Song- we looked so naked without him! So so important!
On to the next!
We play badly but win ugly, a game last season we probably would have lost, and it’s all Ramsey’s fault? How did you feel about him during the Chelsea game we won 5-3 when a lot went through him in the middle?
Vividland showed the Arsenal sub pecking order with Arshavin last on the list. When I saw it, it was 23 thumbs up. Funny enough, that’s Arshavin’s number. Good job mate. Yossi is a late goal specialist. He’s done that a lot. Good fight gunners, I love to see us grinding out results even when we didn’t play well. That’s one attribute of a champion
I can’t help feeling that Ramsey is never gonna provide our forward line the consistent quality that we got used to with Cesc… can’t question his work ethic & effort, however, I fear he is not & never will be Cesc quality…. He will be a great backup & long term successor to Arteta though.
Wilshere, I believe has Cesc quality & can’t wait to see him in this team.
Wilshere is
Cesc didn’t replace Vieira , and Ramsey shouldn’t replace Cesc . he can be his own player , I don’t think even Cesc can can have better performances than he had with Arsenal (with the team built around him).
Let’s just move on
All about moving on & agree that he should be his own player but it still don’t make him good enough to be a starter in that position at Arsenal. Although Cesc wasn’t a like for like replacement for Viera, there was never any doubt he was a cut above… top, top quality…. All I’m saying is that Ramsey does not have the consistent quality to make the sort of impact Vieira, Cesc, Henry, Pires did…
Wilshere is the future & in my opinion top quality & a cut above Ramsey.
Fabregas wasn’t better than Vieira , Just because you can pick the final pass that alone doesn’t make you better than Vieira .Vieira was a box-2-box midfielder he was waaay better than him in defence,had leadership qualities,he had mental strength ,loyalty , Douchebagness to other teams,he hated roy keane , his first english words were “Tottenham are shit!”,he was bigger and stronger,not technically better(maybe) but overall he was the better player for us and he fucking won us trophies. Ramsey is better than Fabregas defensively and mathematically he has already replaced last year’s cesc , the one that was thinking… Read more »
Perhaps i got lost in translation & should elaborate… didn’t mean he was better than Vieira…. but that he possessed that extra quality that great players bring to their teams(leadership, skill etc) that give them a cutting edge… irrespective of position. As you rightly point out, Vieira & Roy Keane had it, Adams, Bergkamp, Henry had it. Out of the current lot, Chezzers & Wilshere (RVP obviously but he ain’t a kid) have it. I hope Ramsey makes me eat my words, i really do but as an attacking midfielder, i just don’t see him consistently attaining levels that are… Read more »
Ramsey is the new Denilson..Wenger’s son if you wanna put it that way..how in the hell can he starts ahead of Yosi or Rosicky…his been woeful this season, yess! This season. The lad has potential dont get me wrong, just needs to start from the bench though..all these people who think otherwise are being bias cause he had that horrific injury and his British..
I don’t think that’ll do Justice Ramsey . He chases everyball…such an amazing work ethic which I have never seen in Denilson. And he’s also a match winner, like against Marseille, Manure.,… Even when he’s not playing particularly well he’s helping the defensive side and sometimes wins matches. I haven’t seen fabregas play poorly and win match….any comment?
“Ramsey is the new Denilson”
Get real.
Lack of understanding of the game.
Bollocks on all counts.
Can’t get over some of the crazy comments with regards to Ramsey! There are some over the top reactions to anyone daring to suggest he didn’t have a fantastic game but there also some frankly ridiculous claims that he isnt good enough and never will be! Ramsey has had some excellent performances this season and has forged a good understanding with arteta and song that has seen the three of them dominate the midfield in more than one match. However, he is still only 20 and prone to inconsistency, hardly uncommon at that age! At the moment many things aren’t… Read more »
Glad Song got a rest today and that we managed a scrappy victory without him. Forward.
I for one was very impressed by Rosicky when he came on. Many have said Ramsey should be switched out for other midfielders, although I think he plays a very important role in our team, in that he is always looking to drive and play the ball forward – even if it doesn’t come off. That seems to change the teams dynamic into one which looks to go for the throat more, rather than passing it sideways, as has been the case in recent years (a la Na$ri etc), and I think that’s an attitude which couples well with this… Read more »
Why can’t wenger play arshavin in place of ramsey ? atleast in a few games
Andrey Arshavin?
John Arshavin? Andrei’s more consistent, driven brother….
what ramsey really lack of is consistency.. technically he is good.. but he doesn’t have vision as good as cesc.. even song has pretty much the same vision as ramsey..
(welcome thumb-downs from ramsey’s bitches)
Thumbs down for people constantly banging on about Cesc. Cesc would have done this, Cesc would have done that….
Well he’s not here anymore. He chose to leave.
Move on.
Also, how do people know Cesc would have done half the things they’re are claiming? With Fabregas in the team and everything going through him, we never won the league or any other trophy. Seems to me that this fact on its own puts their views into perspective.
Certain players have stepped up because he isn’t there and they are free to play football as a team and not rely on an individual.
Ramsey simply needs a rest, that simple. Ramsey/Wilshere/Song is going to be a midfield to be reckoned with. When, Wilshere comes back, who will be the starting three, Wilshere/Arteta/Song? Or simply rotate?
And on a side note, how on earth did RvP get booked for simulation? That was a ludicrous decision I must say.
Eh eh eh why all the fuss about Rambo? The people fronting for him to continue playing 90minutes only have two excuses: his high work rate and age. Since when has work rate become a substitute for quality? And by the way we dont need Ramsey running 10km every match, thats why we have Song and Arteta mopping up behind him, all we need from him are key passes and to stop shooting as if he is aiming a firecracker into horizons beyond. He is our playmaker and should be the magician in midfield, grab the match by the scruff… Read more »
Arteta has scored 3 goals while Ramsey has scored 2 but Arteta only has 2 assists while Ramsey has 5, so what exactly was your rant about?
Again we have this problem with fans wanting an individual to be this amazing playmaker to make sure we win and to always play the hollywood pass, which has served us so well in the last 6 seasons. This year we are playing as a team and surprisingly look more likely to win something that we did last year when our team has more experience playing together