Hopefully back on track after a spirited second half secured a 1-1 draw with Man City today.
Here’s how the players rated. Remember, your ratings and comments are welcome, but trolling, idiocy and wankery are not. See our comment policy if you’re unsure where you stand.
Looks like Vermaelen found his form back. Did you see how many aerial duel he’s won? Did he lose any? Also his positioning and intelligence on and off the ball was outstanding.
MOTM Rosicky for me, though.
You know it’s true when Koscielny says it.
I for one hope he stays.
A lot of people talk about starting the same two centre halfs through most of the season not to upset or disrupt the coherence of the defensive unit, but TV5 is class when he’s on form. I just wonder if a more regular rotation of 3 centre halfs can be integrated successfully, somehow.
One match is not a form.
Off-topic: Rumour is that we’ve signed Josip Drmic. He looks very promising, it’s good to finally have a striker that can run with the ball at his feet.
And it’s from reliable sources too. He’s been good this season, 26 games (23 starts) and he’s had 15 goals and I think 3 assists. That’s great, and he’s also 21 which means he is yet to hit his peak. We’re still going to need that big name striker though, even if we sign him.
That guy Fjortoft is not reliable. He was right about Ozil. He has put out so much contradictory stuff about Draxler I lost track… and pretty much all of it has been wrong. He came out with this Drmic stuff, then by the end of the night had changed to ‘could’… well of course he could. Almost anyone could. Now today Drmic says he’s not even married (the original story was Drmic’s wife was house hunting in London).
A 21 year old playing with a mediocre team in an uncompetitive league.
I haven’t seen him but would be surprised to see him make a mark with us for a year or two If he comes here.
Germany uncompetitive? huh?
What is *uncompetitive* ????
It’s a little surprising how dismissive everyone here is of Drmic. Without getting into his many attributes, the fact that he’s level on goals with Lewandowski and only one behind Mandzukic in the Bundesliga leaderboard (2 strikers a lot of people here wanted Wenger to go for) alone should be proof that he’s not exactly unproven, and definitely doesn’t deserve to be “unheard of.”
I don’t know how to pronounce his surname, so I shall call him ‘Doctor Mike’, even though it makes him sound like he’s a rapper.
Hi Everybody!!
Its nick rather then mike but made me chuckle anyway
1 – Yay
2 – Who?
Exciting news! I watched a YouTube video of him and he seems just about as awesome as Ju Young Park’s YouTube video.
Ahh Youtube. The place where Almunia can look better than Buffon.
Jokes aside though, I’ve seen him play, he’s obviously no Suarez but he is good and with Ozil and Cazorla behind him, along with Arsene’s usual touch of turning players into amazing strikers (Henry, that dutch **** at United) who knows how good he might become in the future.
I say Blasphemy sir! What does **** mean? I am sure what you mean to write is dutch CUNT, there’s no two ways about it.
Aaaahhhh. Deja vu.
If we are serious we need a player as good as Suarez.
No offence to this guy, but I’m fed up with someone who might peak in 4/5 seasons time.
If this is true, it is a very, very good signing. He is breaking out in a big way
Glichy’s stupid hair is a 1000/1000. It was hideous!
Giroud was a shadow of his old self tonight. Great spirit to come back into the game by the team. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards to finish in the top3 and win the fa cup.
30 games in the league plus the cups and internationals, of course he is.
The one thing we had over the other top 4 was our dominance over the ‘smaller’ teams (except Manure) hopefully the second half performance restarts that form engine. Rosicky was shining and I would have liked Poldi to take more shots on goal before Hart saved that shot of his.
Terry’s own goal, 10/10 even though it has nothing to do with our match it made my day. Terrible Terry
Terryble
Not sure about Cazorla’s shooting. It was good last season but has been quite wayward at times this year.
The passion and drive of Rosicky and Flamini was a wonderful sight to behold. Sagna was a beast as usual.
And on another note, John Cunt Terry, what a goal. Hahahahaha.
Yeah Rosicky was immense today, although perhaps lucky not to get 2nd yellow at the end.
Win at Everton next week and 4th place is ours. Win all our remaining games, FA Cup included – not such an impossible task – and who knows? A very positive afternoon, actually.
Flamini had a red bull + Cocaine cocktail before the match and shared it with Rosicky.
And Nasri can fly free with the French team, because he fits perfectly into Sagna`s pocket.
Sorry for the accidental down vote. Damn touch screens. Wish my fingers were as accurate as John Terry headers on his own net.
How I want all the those supposed ‘fans’ predicting us losing 6/7-0 and saying they won’t watch the match lined up so they can be embarrassed.
To be honest had Wenger deployed his usual tactics of leaving two people to defend it could have been a score very much like that. Luckily he seems to have wised up since the Chelsea game with a more sensible and defensive approach. Nonetheless, irrespective of what happens in a match or whatever the odds are against us I will always watch us play. All you gotta do is have a little faith!
Home support tonight – unwavering/10.
Great noise levels, including the loudest booing of a player I’ve ever heard, when the chinless cunt was subbed.
And great that so many stuck around to clap the players off. A nice change.
The first half was awful, we had just one shot from Giroud (which does not count, it was a stupid attempt from the middle of the field) and no possession. The second half was better, we had a good period just after the break, during which we had most of the ball and created some good chances. However, after this euphoric period — and our goal –, which lasted perhaps ten minutes, we released the pressure and City could retake control of the match. Then, we could feel that it was impossible for us to show energy and pace again.… Read more »
Despite the number of down votes, it is still a legitimate question. Let me explain. This whole idea of not pressing comes after Bould came on board. He convinced Wenger that in order to solve the issue of us getting hammered by counters, we will place a bigger priority in staying in shape rather than chasing after the ball. If we do not chase after the ball, we do not need to squeeze play so much and thus we do not need to play a very high backline. So far, the shift in tactics has worked well ok for us.… Read more »
Many of the fans need to stop picking on Giroud. Look at the number of mins he has played this season compared to those of other teams. He is tired. We need a new and better striker but please support him atleast till the season ends! And Flaminiii!!! You beautyy
Was queueing for the tube behind Frank McLintock’s son, who was with Alex McLeish.
The thought did cross my mind to call him a big ginger bollock head, but that was quickly followed by the thought of spending the night up A&E. He’s a big cunt.
So if you’re reading this Alex, you’re a big ginger bollock head.
He probably knows that already (we all do!) so no need to tell him.
Gibbs has become vital to the squad in this period without Walcott/Jack/Rambo as he provides an outlet of pace which the current starting XI lacks, even if it is only down the right hand side.
In other news was hilarious to see Judas/Lesbian sitting in Sagna’s pocket for majority of the 90 minutes.
I think you’ll find that Gibbs plays on the left :-p
I think he was talking about Alexran – Gibbslain on the right.
10/10 for the Flam’s reaction after his equalizer…reminds me of Bac’s against the ‘shit’ from North London’s other end….we played with more belief in the second half..now lets win the remaining games…
Showed plenty of spirit today. Rosicky leading by example. Hopefully the start of a decent run now. Vermaelen starting to look the part again. Pity he’s going. More rotation and…. I’m not going there . Beer time. Onwards and upwards. COYG .. Arsene knows (sometimes)
well play.
A decent end to a really torrid week. A the start, I’d have grabbed at a draw, so can’t really complain about the result. It was much better football from the Arsenal, just wish we’d have started more positively. Do we hear an apology from all those who had written us off
before the match had even started and were baying for Wenger’s head? Why are football fans so fickle these days?
Anyway, onwards and upwards now- Goodison Park, here we come!
Bonus rating: 0/10 – Samir Nasri’s number of chins
i think the only thing this team needs to do to be really dangerous is cut down the risky passes, i know easier said then done but most of our troubles come from intercepted passes i feel, flamini rosicky and cazorla were immense today the last week to my mind shows the struggle we have with injuries, i feel a striker is obviously due in summer and a right winger not as cover, as direct competition threat / rotation with theo, same for the striker pos, i love giroud no1 bar ramsey works like he does, but sanogo is raw… Read more »
the Hate on Arteta is stupid and unjustified. how many crucial inceptions did he make? how many forward passes.
Exactly. I agree that Arteta seems to be a tad slower than last season. But people need to realise that Arteta is 32 and he is not Tomas Rosicky. He is definitely losing some pace and acceleration. Furthermore Rosicky gets rotated, while Arteta is almost always in the starting 11. If he sprints to close down every single time, I doubt he’ll last the 90mins. It’s also not fair to compare him with Flamini for the same reason – Flamini gets less games, and obviously will look fresher each time he plays. Arteta’s an asset, but we do need someone… Read more »
Flamini was massive, his fighting angry spirit is amazing, Rozza was really great too and Ox too, came for few minutes but did his impact.Giroud phew, the only thing that was good in him today but it looked weird/funny was his hair…
I love Tomas Rosicky, the way his hair bounces as he storms about, the little bounding hop to his run as he closes an opponent down, the little sweat band he wears on his wrists, the way he never stops running and running and running, the way he graceful edges the ball along as he runs, the little pass and moves he does…
And those immense sliding tackles he does, did several of those today.
Think you missed out on how Rosicky walked up to Giroud and gave him a pat on the chest and comforting words after his wayward shot attempt
I love rosicky
Was a little disappointed with Sagna’s rating against Swansea, and disappointed with the 7 today too. Flamini’s goal was crucial, but Sagna was immense. He was dominating the entire right flank, especially given Rosicky/Carzorla’s tendency to drift inwards. He was always an option on the right, and sometimes, Arteta/Rosicky just releases the ball a tad too slow to him. Anyone has stats on his aerial duels? I’m pretty sure he won almost every single goalkick directed to him. And that itself is of huge importance – most of our midfielders are too small to win the goalkick and keep possession… Read more »
I watch game frm village,good 2 see old club play gud.
Gibbs had a difficult game. I was watching the replay of City’s goal, and he was just jogging back behind Silva. was so happy in the second half. Amazing fight shown by players. Need more of the same when you put on the Arsenal shirt. I really believe we can collect 18 points from the remaining fixtures ( everton, west ham, hull, newcastle, west brom, norwich). That will put us at 82 points. 9 more than last season. Add FA cup (please!) to that – This season would be good improvement.
Let’s kick on from this!
All I can say is I hope Giroud’s carrying an injury coz otherwise that performance was atrocious!
Great stuff from Santi, Rosicky, Flamini and the defence.
Man of the match – the fans. Tremendous noise levels in the second half especially.
Podolski wasnt invisible today.
Great performance, just wish we played close to that in the last four games! Still, if we can take that form into the next few games we can end the season on a high note and build a platform for the future. Rosicky and Flamini bossed it tonight as well
Good performance, game plan, and effort. If only we didn’t begin games so lethargically. Rosicky, per usual, led the way with directness and fearlessness. If Poldi busted his gut the same way, he would be a beast. Solid effort from the back four; Gibbs left on his own too often but responded admirably. Bac solid as a rock and put in some terrific crosses with nobody on the other end. BFG his usual steady self and TV performed very respectable Kos imitation. Flamini always gives an honest effort; well-deserved MOTM on stateside broadcast. Overall lack of pace still a concern,… Read more »
Thought Sagna deserved an 8 or 9. Nasri is still tucked neatly in his socks. Crossing was pretty decent today, he was always an outlet in the second half and he won many headers high up the pitch. Thought Thommy V was very good. Cant be easy for the club captain to basically sit out the entire season, Even in the Swansea game he made that 1 error but he rectified it today, Was pretty seamless in there today beside merts. Dont think we need a centre half as Sagna can be moulded to play their if he stays. Should… Read more »
Not sure I agree with you about TR7 in the Chavski game as he was the only one of our midfielders who showed up for the game but couldn’t possibly do it all on his own!
Great response after two poor matches with such a depleted squad. Rosicky’s energy is amazing, Carzola too. Both are so great technically. I thought this was the best that Flamini and Arteta have played together, was nice to see Flamini getting forward more and the three in the middle rotating roles. Arteta had a solid game and in the back Vermaelen and Per seem to be developing a solid chemistry. Vermaelen at his height did a great job of winning so many aerial battles with Dzeko.
Is it just me or is anybody else getting more and more annoyed by Giroud’s expressions after he misses a goal wide and acts like he just hit the post. Feels like he’s just doing it for the cameras.
He needs a rest – we’re flogging a dead horse ATM
I’m sure you’re not the only one. It’s quite fashionable around here lately to slag him. It’s getting quite boring and repetitive.
Very boring and repetitive. He’s been run into the ground and is missing half the midfield to supply him with balls. Of course he isn’t quite as good as he was earlier in the season.
Unfortunately, it becomes fashionable to criticise certain players. Arteta’s another one at the moment.
It let’s people think they’re in the know. Part of the in-crowd, when they’re really just a shower of bastards.
Arteta is a solid player, but too ponderous at times with the ball at feet. Yes he passes metronomically, but there are definitely other players out there that can do what he can, and more. We should upgrade with a Pogba or Bender, and keep Arteta for 20odd games a season against lesser opposition. Plus he’s a great pro to have around the place.
The interview with Lauren at half time 10/10. Didn’t hear much of it as he is quite quiet but the man is a legend!
Not sure why Sanogo has such a long rating, when he came on he won a lot of headers.
low rating*
I think I’m more surprised these days when Rosicky isn’t mentioned as Man of the Match. Him and Flamini, barring the odd moment, have been consistently brilliant all season which surprises me really more so in Flamini’s case that he often gets dropped for Arteta.
Such a shame Rosicky had all those years out injured but then again who knows, we may get him for even longer than we would’ve. Swoon.
Come on, just a 7 for rosicky. He made one bad pass all game and the rest of the way he carried us.
Even then he got back and recovered it with one of his famous sliding tackles!
Gibbs cant defend.
He really pisses me off the way he lets rumners go and allowes wingers to grt in crosses.
This guy is not good eneough
Perhaps not worded correctly, you will find on this website there are not many who see Gibbs as more of a liability than an asset. When he remembers he has the ability to run past players, he can be good offensively. However his tendency to drift inside too much means he isn’t’ as effective as he could be. His attitude, I.E – jogging back when the opposition counters is something he tends to do. His defensive positioning can be terrible at times as well. What annoys me the most though is the idea he has ingrained in his mind that… Read more »
I think flam the problem is the yellow cards correct me if I am wrong but isn’t he on 9 with the safe day on the 14th. I think wenger is saving him until then
Could Sanogo and Giroud start the same game?
One tree’s not good enough, you want a whole forest?
Poldi was unlucky not to get a goal today along with his assist. But Atleast he hits the target and tests the keeper. However, Giroud was decent today in other areas, but he is a striker after all, but dont really have any typical Striker traits. He is not a good finisher, He does not look to exploit space, he is not good with both feet, he cant take defenders on solo, he rarely creates his own goals but needs to be assisted, and he cant Aim his headers at the target whatso ever and they go flying any which… Read more »
@therainking
Does this answer your question…..
“Got 5 minutes at the end, not on long enough to rate”
City obviously targeted getting in behind our left just as Mou’s little pony and the swans did to take advantage of Poldi’s defending prowess and peg Gibbs back, so I give Gibbs and TV huge credit for dealing with that as well as they did. Szcz came up big shutting off Toure and confidently claiming some high balls into the box. Nothing more I need to say about the midfield. Massive response. Including Arteta, as if he’s not on his job and Flamini makes those runs we’re toast. They did quite well against the likes of Toure, Silva, Fernandinho, etc.… Read more »
Cos the media will have you believe that we have no one in midfield capable of gritty play even if it is staring them in the face, just like they like to mention how short our team is with Nasri, Navas and silva on the other side or how we have issues signing older players on to extension when Rosicky is running around for us like a 16 year old.;)
Flamini and Rosicky must start the remaining games!
Flamini was involved in the 6-3 hiding. The main point is against the better team, we need arteta and Flamini (or kallstrom) to cover sufficient ground defensively. Rosicky cannot out put this sort of energy levels through remaining games. He is like it or not 33 and his injury issues won’t go away. great effort 9and fight) always from the Czech but we must recognise his limits too. For that reason I would prefer we bring in another creative player to eventually succeed him (over next season) whilst the likes of Zelalem and Eisfeld continue development. Someone like Konoplyanka now… Read more »
Good rally from Vermaelen who put in a decent performance today. Perhaps if he has a strong run to end of season, it may convince him to stay on. Rosicky was playing with the sort of bite we needed in midfield. yet the numpty commentators could only go on about how we needed more grit in midfield. It was there displayed right in front of them. Ditto Flamini whom the witless Wenger spent next to nothing for when we needed someone who could play with a bit of aggression. Commentators are worse than Alex McCleish’s tits. Podolski has thus far… Read more »