A pretty convincing 4-1 win today over Hull with goals from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and a screamer from Granit Xhaka.
Here’s how we thought the players rated today.
News
Thursday, December 19, 2024
A pretty convincing 4-1 win today over Hull with goals from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and a screamer from Granit Xhaka.
Here’s how we thought the players rated today.
I think Xhakas left foot should have a rating of its own. For which I give it a 10
Compared to podolski?
Both get a 10 rating. Aha.
Iwobi and Theo played well, encouraging.
The Ox needs to knuckle under if he wants to get back in the starting team.
Coq was massive today.
Is it just me who always feels incredibly uncertain whenever we have a penalty? Didn’t make the difference today luckily, but hopefully the lads can decide on one player (Santi I would have thought) who maybe gives it like a few minutes practice at training every now and then
It’s not just you; it’s every fan of every club ever.
I’m the same. For a penalty during a match it simply must be Cazorla, but I’m dreading the prospect of a penalty shootout should it happen in a cup competition. The only players I feel confident with from the penalty spot are Cazorla, Giroud and for some reason I get the feeling Koscielny would take a really good penalty. Not many others though tbh. Not to keep getting on his back but can you imagine Ox stepping up for a shootout in a cup final? *Shudders*
I miss Kim.
Agree with most of your post except I do not have a problem with Ox taking a penalty, as to my knowledge he hasn’t missed one yet!
I feel confident when Cazorla takes a penalty as he does have a very good conversion rate. Just shit myself whenever someone else does!
I still feel uncertain when we are two goals up with the opponent down to ten men …
Keep it up Feo. So much more up for it this season.
I missed the game so I haven’t rated anyone but at this moment I love everyone and everything (except John terry and Jose Mourinho)!..COYFG!!
Costa?
I don’t understand the negativity surrounding the club. Fans are spending so much time criticizing the manager, his team selection and players before the games even begin. Every bad touch is being over analyzed and God forbid a player has a bad game.
I can’t wait for us to go back to just enjoying the football. The comments on today’s team sheet post were unbelievable!
Too many Pierce Morgans these days.
*Piss Moangan
THIS!
Thank you Mr. Balls (may I call you Mr. Balls). I too hope we might now get behind our team and at least stop all the moaning and complaining until, god forbid, we lose another game. We have gotten results while not playing our best and to me this is one of the most positive elements of the start of the season as we have so much growth and possibilities embedded in this team. The different combinations at Wenger’s disposal are really interesting and despite some of the shrill noise regarding team selections and unfair targeting of certain players, we… Read more »
Great comment Arsefull (and Balls) – most certainly time to cast off the pall of gloom and (albeit hesitantly) accept that Arsene may well have at last assembled the makings of a very good squad. What is especially encouraging is that the new boys (particularly Shod and Shak) and settling really quickly and showing some proper class. I would like to see a little more ruthless single-mindedness on the field though – e.g.: our penalty taker gets nominated BEFORE the kick-off and no bollocksing around with personal egos or possible hat-tricks or whatever during the match – it’s about placing… Read more »
I think it’s happening mostly because of what has gone on in previous seasons, particularly the end of the last one. Also the changes going on in the team, and recent shaky performances. The unconvincing performance against PSG probably didn’t help.
If we can get on a run and start smashing it most of the negativity will disappear.
I agree to an extent. Winning is great and unnecessary criticism is just that, however it is fair to be realistic too. While we have won a few games on the trot in the league, our second test comes this weekend. (Our first big one was Liverpool opening and we failed). Perhaps it is fair to get excited once and if we get the 3 points against Chelsea, until then, I will refrain from getting excited about games like this one against Hull (which we have won in the past). If we can beat Chelsea, I’ll be happy.
Mootilated, I cannot agree with you less. You hit the point. Some fans think when you make a valid point or criticize performance that invariably makes you a lesser supporter of Arsenal. We cannot jump gun thinking we are home and dry because we won three games. There are still some issues with the team. First of all, there shouldn’t have been any confusion regarding our penalty taker on Saturday. The defence is still shaky. I believe we can only judge our success or failure this season based on our head to head performance with our close competitors. Like Mootilated… Read more »
Xhaka can shoot .xhaka can pass. Xhaka can get stuck in. Xhaka can fight. Y Wenger no play Xhaka ?
Because Coquelin has also been really good lately, what message would benching him after solid displays send?
Wenger had no prolem benching Campbell after he played well, so
Xhaka’s goal…Ooof! I hope both he and Lucas can start on Tuesday.
Fucking hell, that Xhaka goal, fucking hell!
Iwobi must start over either Englishman. Period.
Özil gets off lightly here, he was thorougly inefective today, can’t see how he gets the same score as Walcott.
Because both the good and the bad that Theo does stand out like dogs’ balls. Whereas Ozil has so many nice linkup touches around the box that most people don’t notice.
Mesut’s touch has just been off since the interlull. His performance yesterday was similar to the PSG one. It’s good thing that the others are compensating. Tuesday should see him get rested and hopefully well see the magic touch against Chelsea
Iwobi’s inability / unwillingness to track back was reminiscent of alexis’ in the past…..arsene may just have found his next striker!!! 😛
I fucking love Xhaka, he is quick and decisive with his passing, he is well up for physical challenges. Can crack a sweet shot off his left peg…. Won’t be long till he is first choice in mid field… Wenger is just teasing us by starting from the bench…..
Coyg
really impressed by mustafi’s tough tackling.
surely that wasn’t a celebration aimed at wenger ????
I was.wondering exactly the same thing! Was that really?
lol why would that be aimed at Wenger?
Been quite impressed with Xhaka and Mustafi, very solid and definitely add some extra bite to the team.
Tuesday: ospina-debychy gabby holding gibbo- xhaka elneny jeff- chambo lucas apkom…..nice team….coyg….?
I have to say I think nacho is very weak. Itso too easy for opposition to attack and cross down our left every week no matter who is on front of him. Need to start blocking the crosses
I wouldn’t say he’s very weak but certainly blocking crosses is the Achilles Heel in his game. You could argue he needs more support from Iwobi/Ox but the ball gets passed him far too easily 1 on 1
Is this the same Nacho that was arguably our best and most consistent defender last season? It’s possible to criticize a player’s performance without completely dismissing their attributes and contributions to the club. When a player has a bad game, that’s all it is, a bad game. Likewise, when a player has a fantastic game or makes a good contribution, like Xhaka, that’s all it is! If either of these things happen consistently, over and over again, then we can pass a verdict
Oh stop it Kieran! You’ll get your games in league/fa cup.
With all the praise going to Obi Won for his performance, had Arsenal been playing a decent opponent he would have been deeply criticized for leaving Nacho out to dry with his neglect of his tracking back duties.
wait till he’s match fit … he will tear Chelsea new one. Can’t wait to smash Conte’s cunts. Hope Terry is fit to play alongside Crazy Dave and Ivanabitch so Alexis and co can make him look like a cunt again. Costa and Coq to clash violently. 4-0 Arsenal.. Pass the kush pipe Wrighty …
Coq – 96/98 pass completion. – and the mupppets still say he shouldn’t of started. Dear me.
I think Coquelin-Xhaka is our best midfield combination, specially against high pressing physical midfields. If Xhaka plays box to box, then Coquelin can stay back and protect the back four. Xhaka can press and use his physicality to win balls higher up the pitch. Cazorla can’t be bullied off the ball, but his passing can be slowed to down a lot by opposition pressing where he has to dribble out of pressure. Xhaka might just be able to drive through such physical midfields and he’s obviously got excellent passing range. Recovery pace is also in Granit’s favor. Anybody remember Diaby… Read more »
And no yellow card. I’m not sure he even came close to one today. How weird was that?
I don’t believe most supporters have anything against our Coq, as such – I think they just want to see Shaka play more.
Fair enough, but the two outcomes, Coquelin playing and Xhaka on the bench, are not set in stone so I am at a loss to understand why some folks here cannot support both players at the same time, rather than pitting their individual successes against one another.
some people just seem to need a scapegoat, coquelin is now in the same bracket to walcott, ox, ramsey and giroud, they have been prejudged and no matter what they do, some will still find fault.
Absolutely spot on mate, drives me up the farking wall it does! I’m sure a lot of these so called fans are trolls from other clubs!
Nothing against Cech but having seen the way he came out for that ball today I’m grateful that Ospina started in Paris. Oooof.
Age is catching up with Petr. Ospina is a great keeper, but I hope we plan for the future(4-5 years) like most other teams do for a position like this. City may have had to replace their first choice after the start of the season, but they have signed a young keeper in Geronimo Rulli who’s had a few solid seasons with Real Sociedad (and is on loan there now). Chelsea transitioned from Cech to Courtouis. United have De Gea. I’d have to say we’re short on a quality young goalkeeper. Happy to be surprised by Martinez or someone else… Read more »
Strange post. We have Ospina who has many years ahead of him, who you admit is a ‘great keeper’. Cech has several more years at the top level, and we have Szczesny on loan we can recall from Roma. I’d say we are extremely well stocked in the keeper department. Not sure what you are trying to say.
I’m amazed how quickly I feel confident in this team now. I know it was Hull but we looked so much more like a team. And that’s Wenger playing pretty much the same team from PSG. Also Theo, if you keep doing what you did today, I take most of it back. I think the Alexis up-front has something to do with A: his desire to win the Big Shiny Balls trophy — only strikers these days win it, B: The Boss seeing something in him — convert winger to striker = win and C: Pandering to Alexis’ contract negotiations.… Read more »
Good theory, but I’m pretty sure we’ll see Giroud back as the starting striker and Alexis on the left after a few more games.
Does anyone else notice how good Iwobi looks when he comes inside and plays more center mid. It may leave Nacho a little exposed but Iwobi is so fluent in his play there. He fits right in a same level as Ozil which is a huge compliment.
What a cracker from boom Xhakalaka. I don’t want to criticize players on such a good win however we really need Theo to show some fighting spirit. If he did not score it would be one of those games for him. I like the dude but his work ethic needs to improve. Iwobi great going forward but also need to defend. I fear that if these things are not instilled when developing, its hard to deal with it later.
Alexis seemed to be staying up top a bit more today. Also Iwobi and Walcott seemed to be filling in more.
Maybe this Alexis as a CF thing just needs a bit more time.
I understand the desire to see Xhaka play more, but I hope that doesn’t take away from what Coquelin has been doing this season–playing consistently well, some games really well, and getting himself genuinely involved in the attack in effective ways. He almost got his goal today, even! I also think he should be commended on rising to the challenge for his place in the team. He looks more fit this season, quicker, and clearly worked over the summer to improve some of his shortcomings. No matter how he fits into the team going forward, this is the kind of… Read more »
You could tell Carzola had some heavy legs after three matches in 8 days, but love his fight and attitude. Really would like to have seen Wenger make some changes (like maybe Perez in up top and Sanchez/Iwobi wide) and Xhaka in for Coquelin (and maybe even Elneny for Santi to give him a break). Not sure why Wenger waited so long to bring Perez in for Walcott at any point when we had the 2 goal lead in the 2nd half to give him an opportunity to get some more work in with the team in a lower pressure… Read more »
Cazorla
Walcott’s rating is generous. Granted he got himself a goal courtesy of MacGuire (Spidy), he could not hold on to the ball, poor touches, insipid in general.
I think the reason he and Alexis are on is Wenger is trying a mobile two in both of them.
But Walcott needs to hold on to the ball better and get in the game more. He lost the ball countless times (Thankfully I can’t count beyond 3)
😀
He scored a great goal (that was going in whether the defender touched it or not) and set up at least 3 excellent chances with balls from out wide (mostly low crosses to the penalty spot). I have no idea what the guy had to do to please some of you guys. He had a good game by any possible measure.
Iwobi was excellent today. Wenger has had great success bringing through the current crop academy of youngsters first with Coquelin (belatedly) but more recently Bellerin, and now Iwobi. That said, Mustafi did well today and what about Granit? That was a cruise missile sent to the back of the net. Its another weapon in our arsenal we need to exploit. I think Elneny can take a page too and also be encouraged to shoot. If we carry this threat, the opposition will come out of the box to close them down which allows more space for the likes of Perez… Read more »
Fair play to Theo, think he deserves higher here. Directly involved in 3 of the 4 goals, can’t ask for much more than that from him.
90% pass completion too and created great chances for Sanchez, Iwobi and Coq (leading to the penalty)
Drop the Ox and win by three.
Go figure.
I like balls
The only reason Monreal struggled today was because he was paired with Iwobi on the left who frequently neglected his defensive responsibilities (what do they teach these kids in the youth team?)
Pair him up with Alexis again and mark my words that left flank will be sewn up tight!
Could Walcott finally have turned a corner? He’s looking a tad dangerous again…
his fitness and confidence are returning after a long injury lay off, just as Wenger (and I) has been saying all along!
Like a new Dawn?
Theo’s first touch and control was top top quality today.
Fair play to him.
I have a feeling Wenger signed a wide player of Lucas Perez stature so as not to threaten iwobi’s progress – the kid can fucking play and absolutely warrants an automatic starting berth. Sanchez now has 45 goals in 99 games – he doesn’t look like a natural in the position but if he can adapt then there will be goals
Ozil role in the team is just to make that final pass (that assist) but also to help the team move the ball along, to shift play from a tight area to one that is not, to do quick one-two further up and closer to opponemt’s penalty area to brrak the defence or make defenders move away from their positions to create spaces for our players, to be the 2nd or 3rr man in the box besides the striker to provode options (to our player crossing)and distractions (to the defenders)… All these duties I think he did well yesterdqy and… Read more »
This is what makes up his minutes on the pitch more than the split second key pass or assist. He keeps the ball recycled.
He missed an open goal with his left foot but it didn’t matter … generally super and will get hat-trick v Chelsea and nutmeg Cunte on the touchline before setting up Theo for his hat-trick. 7-0 Arsenal. Eyes up.
so BBC Match of the Day analysis of the Hull v Arsenal game did not even mention Granit Xhaka’s goal, and their main aim was to imply, in fact AS stated, Ref had a bad game, and to back up this view, they even got the rule on hand ball sending off offences wrong. Stating that is had to be a certain goal that was stopped by the handball for it to be a sending off when its in fact only a goal scoring opportunity that has to be denied, which the Livermore hand ball clearly was. Would also like… Read more »
They did at least admit that we were awesome
its inexcusable for them to get the rules wrong, it is that sort of thing that ends up with many fans believing it is as they claimed. BBC had over five hours to check it out, something that would take all of two minutes, but they would rather get it wrong, if it suits the mantra they want to promote on said game.
I very much doubt that the pundit, or anyone at the bbc or match of the day will highlight that what they stated as the rule, was totally wrong.
They have an agenda to stick to. I stopped watching MOTD for the “punditry” long ago.
CAVANI!
Walcott did well to score, but it wasn’t redemption for the horrible game he played.. He was responsible for breakdown of play time and time again. He was dismal at passing today.
What do you need to do to earn an 8??
Fail to track back, don’t follow your runner, and be sure to leave your defender exposed, apparently.
One back heel assist and all is forgiven.
Damn! Cheer up buddy
Actually I’m quite happy with the match And Iwobi – just thought it was funny he got the only 8 considering his defending duties were a bit lacking and Alexis got a brace.
Kicking John Terry in the nuts gets you a 10
Consider Hull City, most of the time of the game, had a line of SIX PLAYERS AT THE BACK!!!. That´s requires hard work for the attacking players.
I dont know what it is about the number 20 shirt. But mustafi like flamini was pointing and clapping a lot. Organising pretty well. 🙂
Alexis scored a brace for us, a vital opening goal, as well as made the game comfortable to a 3-1 lead. Something you’d anticipate from your number 9. His hunger for goals and link up play against Hull has been an improvement of his recent performances at number 9. But still some fans slate him for the penalty miss, unfair. This has happened to every great player. Not to mention that I’d better see him in his natural left wing
All the Coq haters out there…are you still hating?
I mean I get frustration over Xhaka not starting, I too want to see more of him, but it’s kind of hard to drop Francis when he plays like that. So many of our attacks come from his tackling and pressing, he played a big part in the first and third goals, got us a penalty and a sending off while only missing two passes.