Following Arsenal’s 0-0 Champions League draw with Marseille last night, both Carl Jenkinson and Wojciech Szczesny spoke about the defensive side of the team’s display.
Despite only scoring one goal against the French side over the two legs, the Gunners kept two clean sheets, neither of which was a surprise to Szczesny. The Polish stopper said, “I’d like to have won 1-0, but if you had told me before the two games against Marseille that we were going to get four points and not concede, I’d have taken it, so I’m pleased with the result.
“We kept a clean sheet, which is all you can ask of a back four. They did well today but I’ve been training with them for a long time and I see the qualities. We looked really solid today; the spirit is really positive in the team.”
While the former Charlton youngster said, “Defensively we were solid and although they did break a few times they didn’t really have many clear-cut opportunities. So defensively it was a good display by us and I think we’ll build on that now.
“I think you’ve got to take the positives. Obviously, Marseille are a good side and we haven’t lost – 0-0 is not a bad result. So, in my eyes, the glass is half full. At the end of the day, we’ve kept our unbeaten run going.”
And Szczesny was also quick to praise the spirit in the Arsenal camp. “We’re very confident going into every single game. There were some tired legs but you expect that. It’s hard to play a big game every three days. And at the moment, every game for us is massive.
“It’s always tough in the Champions League because you get to play against top, top opponents, but I’m confident we can get the results and qualify for the next stage.”
Good result and it seems that the confidence is coming back. Szczecny has been outstanding but something about mr Jenkinson doesn’t let me think he is really reliable at this time. Good young prospect though
What Jenks lacks currently in skill and experience because he is still developing, he makes up for in determination and sheer stamina. Anyone who’s played the game as an overlapping fullback knows it’s the most demanding position on the field. He had the same burst of acceleration as Sagna near the end of the game. Very important he has that now because it can’t be trained. And he gives us something in the air like Sagna does too. Crucial header away in the Chelsea game to set-up the counter for RVP’s third. Otherwise, his crossing is very good but he… Read more »
Have to say though, we have to remember that Woj is only 20 (21?), and his rushing out instincts can be really helpful for sometimes, but he needs to calm down. But again he’s 20, and well beyond many goalkeepers his age. While I think they both possess the same amount of inherent talent, he has far more command of the area.
Jack captain, Woj vice within the next five years.
*command of the area than De Gea.
Age didn’t stop Jens Lehmann from making those exact same runs out of the box to scythe down opponents and gift other teams goals.
I admit I’m no expert but for the entire game, I found myself clapping at the TV at Jenkinson’s solid display. I thought he was very solid but perhaps it was just the Andre Santos provided a stark contrast. Jenkinson doesn’t seem to provide much flair but he does provide solid, hard working defending whereas I love to see Andre Santos bomb forward with the ball, I shudder when he’s back defending.
Agree with the comments about woj, there’s definatley a mature kind of confidence he has in his game which seems to rub off on the back four. Overall, with him, song, arteta and rvp the team have a great “spine” to build off.
Check out the sweet picture I made with MS paint 🙂
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2057/loljtl.jpg
More competent than Terry’s defending. Schweet.
Think the szcz had come on loads… Great to see him organising the defence… During the chelski game he actually had a couple of his team mates by the shirt and pulled them around into position…. Fuckin love it…. Up the arse….
“thing the szcz has come on loads…”
I liked watching him come all over ashley cole on saturday 😉
Does that concern anyone else? The boss seems to have settled into a limited rotation. Depth should be addressed in January.
Otherwise, I love how this team plays for each other and not personal glory. It feels like the entire dressing room is united for the first time in quite some time.
[…] a few more clean sheets before we can say we’ve really become a solid defensive unit. Both Jenkinson and Szczesny were talking up the clean sheet after Tuesday but let’s get a few more of them under our belt and then see where we […]