Arsenal 3-0 West Brom: As Comfortable As You Can Get.

By: jg | November 5th, 2011

A nice, routine win. Haven’t seen those in a while.

arsenalwestbromwin

Coming into this game, there was a feeling of dread among many of the fans, particularly on Twitter. As I mentioned on the preview, the stage was set for Arsenal to have another meltdown and erase all of their good work leading up to today by losing this one. However, today Arsenal were focused, engaging, and on form as they romped to an easy 3-0 victory over an anemic West Brom. The Baggies looked lost, uninspiring, and deficient on the pitch today, especially in midfield, but it was overall an excellent Arsenal display that led to this good win, and that keeps the pressure on Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs on the battle for 4th.

The match started in a pretty normal fashion, with both sides getting the ball and getting into their opponent’s half. Early on, Koscielny proved Wenger that he was right to bench ‘Sack with some timely interventions and some great pieces of defending. The first real chance of the game was in the 10th minute, where we won a FK in a pretty promising position in West Brom’s half. It was RvP territory there, but instead Santos blazed the ball over. Soon afterwards, we took complete control of the match, but it wasn’t like we were slicing West Brom like a knife through hot butter- West Brom sat very deep, allowing space and possession but defending well when we got near the box. In the 15th minute, play stopped due to Olsson getting a nasty cut on his cheek, resulting in blood. The reason? He contested the ball with Vermaelen.

67169273

We were playing well and West Brom were pretty much nonexistent, that we eventually had to get a goal. And we did. In the 22nd minute, a fantastic Ramsey pass cut through the West Brom defense. Walcott got on the end of it, and rushed into the box, where he shot straight at Foster. However, Foster couldn’t get a hold of it, and the rebound fell onto a onrushing van Persie, who tapped it home from 5 yards. 1-0 to the Arsenal, and it was no less than we deserved.

A big thanks to Arseblog and 7amkickoff for getting that picture.

After that, we immediately kept going and looking for second, wary of letting West Brom back in the game like we let Blackburn, Sunderland, and Stoke do. A good passing move led to Gervinho going on goal but it was narrowly called off for offside. We kept up the passing, and Arteta and Song were brilliant in maintaining our tempo and dominance. The few times West Brom did get through, however, our defense were excellent in snuffing out any chances. West Brom’s biggest chance of the first half came in the 35th minute, where an uncontested cross found Thomas, all alone at the edge of our box. Just when he was about to pull the trigger, Koscielny rushed to cleanly tackle and win the ball from him. Truly impressive defending. Then, soon after, we got the second goal we were looking for. 5 minutes before half time, a cleared Arsenal corner found Song, who chipped a delicious ball to van Persie at the byline. van Persie did a cut back that missed Gervinho but found Vermaelen, who first-timed into the back of the net. At HT it was 2-0 Arsenal, and it looked like only a truly spectacular meltdown would deny us the win.

Once the second half started, however, it was clear that West Brom had more intent and ambition in their mind. To that extent, we were on the back foot for the opening 5-15 minutes, with West Brom finding space and even getting a few shots in, although they all went wide. Gradually, though, we found our rhythm and started searching for another goal as well. Vermaelen narrowly headed wide from a corner, a few fantastic Jenkinson crosses were cleared, and Ramsey lashed wide after some great work by Gervinho. Song had the ball by himself after another great pass by Gervinho, but his first time effort was saved by Foster. And van Persie proved he’s not superhuman by missing a good chance when he skied the ball with his chocolate leg.

The game was drawing on, and even though West Brom had improved after the break, it was clear the 3 points would be ours. And the 3rd goal eventually came. A few minutes after Rosicky and Benayoun came on, we started on a promising move, led by van Persie. His pass found Rosicky, who returned it to our captain, now in the box. van Persie turned around and quickly gave the ball to Arteta, who took a good first touch and then smashed it home, past a helpless Foster. 3-0 to the Arsenal, and that’s how it would end.

arsenalstadiymwba

Match Stats
Possession: Arsenal 59%-41% West Brom
Shots (On Target): 12(7)-9(4)
Corners: 4-1
Fouls: 12-12

On to the ratings:

Player Ratings

Szczesny: 7 A comfortable day at the office for SZCZ. Commanding in his area and when dealing with crosses and set pieces. Made a very good save from Steven Reid from a corner at the end. No dangerous tricks, either. His distribution seems to be slowly improving as well- instead of hoofing it out of play, he immediately rolls out to the nearest free teammate. Good stuff.

Jenkinson: 7 Another promising performance from Jenks. By far our best crosser, he seems to be hitting the square button (or circle, if you’re a PES fan) all the time. Defensively, he was alright, although Thomas didn’t threaten him much. Will get a much sterner test against Dortmund in midweek.

Koscielny: 8 Excellent, as always. Seems to have an awesome knack of being in the right place at the right time, and continued that habit by getting numerous interceptions today. His partnership with Vermaelen has blossomed, and that was on evidence today. Easily our first-choice pairing at the moment.

Vermaelen: 8.5 VERMINATOR’S BACKKKKKK…. an excellent goal in the first half capped off a great display from our vice-captain. A calm, assured display, one that oozed confidence, which spread to the rest of the team today. Has a great understanding with Koscielny, and did well to deny Tchoyi a goal by blocking from the ground… he’s better than Terry even in that regard!

Andre Santos: 7 A decent performance… didn’t go up front as much as he did in previous games, but defensively he coped well and didn’t have any hair-raising moments, past one deep in the second half that was well handled. Gets a bonus .5 point for the following tweet, immediately after the match:

Either Santos and Arsenal are going forward in their attempts to combat inequality and intolerance... or something's going on that we don't know about ! :O

Song: 7.5 Yet another good display from Song. Has improved in his passing, and had a very clean game by his standards (his only foul came at the very end). Almost got a goal, similar to the one he got against Bolton, but it was too placed and Foster dealt with it.

Ramsey: 8 Has really grown into his own ever since his nightmare performance at White Hart Lane. His delicious pass set up the first goal, and was ever-present in our attacks. Nearly scored in the second half after some good work from Gervinho, but his shot flashed wide. Although he is physically not fully there yet, as evidenced by his substitution and his tired display against Marseille, his technical and attacking play is getting better and better and nearing his pre-injury status. I can’t wait to see how he’ll interact with Jack once he comes back.

Arteta: 9 Co-Man of the Match There were numerous candidates for the MOTM today. Vermaelen, van Persie, Koscielny, and Ramsey all excelled. But I think it’s due to recognize the hugely positive effect Arteta has had on this team since he was bought in August. West Brom sucked today, mostly because they were virtually nonexistent in midfield- and a big part of that is because of Arteta’s efforts in bossing his area and exerting pressure on the opposition. He really isn’t the flashy, Cesc type player (that’s Ramsey’s job!), but his role instead is to act like the sturdy floor that this team stands upon. He maintains possession, pressures the opposition into losing the ball, and makes the occasional good pass. His presence allows Ramsey, Song, the full backs, and the strikers to go up and attack, greatly increasing our options and our creativity. van Persie may be getting the goals, assists, and accolades, but Arteta’s excellent midfield work is making all of this possible.

Gervinho: 7 Lively throughout the match. Had a good chance in the first half that was erroneously called off for offside. Improved a bit in the second half, and had numerous chances to either get a goal or get an assist. Seems to be growing into a consistent player.

Walcott: 6.5 I’ll be honest- I’m not Walcott’s biggest fan, and for that reason I think Walcott was the weaker of our front three today. He really should have scored in the play that led to the first goal, and there was periods of play that he seemed to disappear from the action. By no means was his performance a stinker, but not as good as our other players.

van Persie: 9 Co-Man of the Match A poacher’s goal, and two exquisite assists. What more can you ask for? Easily the best striker in the EPL right now, and giving David Silva a good run of his money for the title of best player overall. You can’t help but feel the contract situation is starting to get better as well…

Subs:

Rosicky: 7 Came on for Ramsey midway through the second half. Had a hand in the third goal.

Benayoun: 6.5 Came on for Gervinho. Solid passing, some energetic runs here or there.

Arshavin: N/A Came on for Walcott at the end. Didn’t do anything of note.

A very good display, and although we still sit in 7th, we are now level on points with Liverpool and Spurs (who do have 2 games in hand), and 3 points off Chelsea and the magical 4th spot. Crazy, isn’t it? West Brom were really poor and unimaginative today, but that shouldn’t take away the luster from what was a very efficient and effective Arsenal display.

We enter the dreaded international break this week. While previous Interlulls this season were welcomed to “clear the mind” of our players after crushing defeats, this particular break seems to come at the worst time- we’re on a great run of form, RVP is on fire, our squad is finally near full health, etc. Hopefully nothing serious happens to our players when they play for their NT’s, and they all come back focused and ready to continue the W’s. Have a good Saturday!

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Category: Fixtures, Match Review, Players, Premiership, W.B.A.

« Liveblog! Arsenal – West Brom | Home | Interlull Injury Watch »

FredJacob

http://www.independent.co.uk/s...
TJ_UGA

I know these Pato for 35 mill are bullshit, but if they were true.. I would love my life more than ever before.
wolff

Great win, though i would have liked to see us creating quality goal scoring opportunities more frequently. If you break down the goals they were good, but the amount of real quality opportunities was lacking. I don't know if anyone has been paying to much attention to Jenks play, but he is really an excellent crosser of the ball. Every ball he swung in yesterday was really dangerous and a quality ball for a striker to attack. I have noticed this acumen he has for crossing ever since he started getting time with the first team. While he is no Sagna defensively, he definitely is a much better crosser than Sagna (something I always thought Sagna was lacking in). Considering Theo does not really put in the best crosses from out on the right, I think we should definitely be happy with Jenks play thus far.
FredJacob

Dude watch the game again, i did and the amount of chances we created was emmence, CJ along created about 3, Gervinho shot was not offside after the third we slowed the game down. but we created alot
aconcernedgunner

Isnt it funny how the last performance in month of October has changed our viewpoint on the entire season.The chain of events that led to our current form is the exact reason i was calling for Arsenal Wenger to be fired.Selling our 2 most valuable midfielder and replacing them with no one. Sending a skeleton team to go face a Full strength united side and getting throughly thumped and then purchasing 5 players on deadline day. This not the vision expected of a Big Club coach and there in lies the shortcomings since the invincible era.

That said absolutely excellent win today things i have observed
1. Kosh is easily the best ballwinner in the entire team. before anyone jumps at me about TV5 (our best defender) kosh hardly loses out in a tackle. he allows his centerback teamate (DJourou, TV5 or Sack) to do what they do best zonal marking which is why he is an integral part of our teams plans.

2. The Arteta purchase is one of the best examples should have been done years ago transfers. the man is a machine in midfield and im glad the arsenal fans who were calling for his head in when he came here are now seeing his worth. he extremely economical in terms of passing and possession and is an exquisite defender. When JACK comes back it will be interesting how wenger will choose his team because to me when fit Arteta is a sure starter.

3. Jenkenson is the best squarer in the team now if we can trust him defensively Sagna can finally get some deserved rest after labouring for almost four years

4.i begun supporting arsenal when the flying dutchman came there and im a holland fan. Van Persie should not be allowed to play in ANY international match until EUROS@Homey_Mills:disqus

5. We need twenty five wins to be finish in the top four. Now lets get behind the team
Perry S.

Nothing has changed my viewpoint. I was one of the very, very few who stood firm in stating we were no way in danger nor that we would finish below top 4. I still firmly hold that stance so as long as we have Wenger. All of you who doubted should repent.
caligunner

How Wenger works Jack into midfield is an interesting one to ponder. Jack is so versatile that he can provide cover for all three midfield positions and the natural place for him to start is Arteta's position, playing the double pivot with Song as he did last season. I'm not sure that Jack has proven himself in the CAM position and I think that Wenger probably prefers Ramsey or Rosicky over a fullly fit Jack.

I tend to think that there will be plenty of places for Jack, assuming that Arsenal stay in a cup competition or two, with injuries and squad rotation. Arteta has played in almost every non-Carling cup game for Arsenal since his arrival, and will need a rest at some point. I think Wenger doesn't trust anyone else to support both the attack and defense as well as Arteta.

Would Wenger start a fully fit Jack over Arteta right now? I'm glad I don't have to make that decision.
Martin

"We need twenty five wins to be finish in the top four. Now lets get behind the team"

Number of wins by the 4th place team in the last 10 seasons: 21, 19, 16, 18, 20, 19, 21, 20, 21, 19
aconcernedgunner

i know that Martin. Outside of last year 27-28 wins win u the League. Last year MAN U won with 23. Im Just saying that if we win 25 games we could win the league. Which is actually my first goal. 25 wins secures us in the top 3 which means no champions league playoff. Finishing 4th is not my goal
Martin

Ah, I misunderstood then. For me personally, I'd be pretty ecstatic with fourth place at this point. 4th place and a new contract for RvP would make this a very successful season indeed from my point of view.

It is hard for me to imagine any realistic scenario in which we finish higher than 3rd. The Manchester teams are just too good. And really, I think Chelsea still has so much quality, and once those players start buying into Villas-Boas's system, I think they'll finish 3rd. I think it will be between us, Liverpool, and Spurs for 4th, and I think both Liverpool and Spurs have very good squads this year. (Not slagging off Newcastle, either, I just don't see that team having enough quality to finish top 4.)
FredJacob

Alex Song vs West Brom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
caligunner

I think I might throw something through the TV next time the announcers talk about how Arsenal only have on world class player on the pitch, with a possible second in Jack Wilshere. They clearly haven't been watching Alex Song this season.

I thought that the attack today was lacking sharpness, particularly in the first half, but Song led a midfield that bossed the game so thoroughly it was never really in doubt. Consistent midfield play is going to allow Arsenal to get 3 points against the lesser sides in the league because it maximizes Arsenal's chances while minimizing the other teams'. Song has been the lynchpin in the midfield.

Many criticize him for errant passes in the final third, but most of the balls are attempted through balls, which, when they don't come off, don't leave the defense exposed. This is a lot different than the errant square balls in midfield that Ramsey was in the habit of playing in the first part of the season and particularly against Spurs. He supports the attack, retains possession well, and tracks back expertly. When Arsenal want to close up show and he shifts deeper, he gives opposing midfielder's fits.

He needs to clean up his game a little bit and choose his spots for fouls, more wisely, but he has become quite a complete player over the last 4 seasons.
Homey_Mills

We discussed that topic a bit during the live blog. I think the easiest case would be for Sagna, in terms of who is also world class on the team. But it's easy to forget about him while he's injured.
FredJacob

Those reports are douchbags always trying to embarrass the team any way they can, when Henry leave sure they said the same thing and that year Ade and Eduardo stepped

Once we keep having the last laugh that's all that matters
Orion

A comfortable win that has seen us recover even further from that nightmarish start, followed by that Santos tweet, really set me on having a lovely weekend. Its games like this that remind us that we are still an excellent club, and its been a long time since I've said this, but I really can't wait for the next match.
LachlanS

I thought Theo wasn't too bad really. I would have said he played better than Santos for example.

Overall great game for the arsenal though!
FredJacob

Theo was alright since he set up RVP goal but i was still disappointed with his shot, he tried to go between the keepers legs, it was about exactly the same position as when he scored at Chelsea so i find he should not be missing those kind of shots any more
Casimir

You can say our home form is much improved from last year. It really is our away form that has let us down, but most of those matches were during the tumultuous August and early September. We've caught our stride now and hopefully the team can keep improving. If we can regain a glimmer of that away form last year, we can definitely pressure any team above us for a top four spot. Only Manc has a better home record.
Sujen Rajbhandari

Funny how no one seems to mention how comfortable Newcastle is at 3rd spot. And they are still unbeaten in EPL.
FredJacob

well this is the Arsenal Offside, who the hell cares about Newcastle
JG

Come back to me if they're still undefeated after playing both Manchesters and Chelsea in a row.
They're in midtable by Christmas
Homey_Mills

It has certainly been discussed. But who seriously thinks they're a threat to stay in the top 4? They have a tough stretch of games coming up. We'll see where they are after that.
FredJacob

true lol
Gigi_man

funny note, Wes Brown is still apparently in Manures payroll and gave Fergie a gift on his X amount of years as Manure coach by scoring an own goal.

Wait, not that funny...it gave Manure the win.
Gigi_man

Nice recap, thx JG.

I saw the re run of the game already knowing the score, enjoyed it more and it allowed me to look closely.

Arteta scoring was the cherry on the pie, for me. I was glad when we signed him, so I like the ratings and comments you made (i even voted for him to MOTM at the official site).

TV5 scoring, priceless.

RvP scoring, superbe run of form.

Defence was top notch, clean sheet is awsome.

I thought the performance was tops, from everybody. Even Theo so I disagree a bit with the rating and the reason, but u r right on one thing: if he wants to be a true striker and play that position he should have scored that.

On the other hand, the way RvP scored and the way the other 2 goals were scored, is, imo, something I ve been saying for a while, so it makes me very happy, and its the fact that we dont let the one that has he ball go alone, we follow the play, we run to where the ball might be rejected, bounced or back passed and finish the job
Benjamin Dockter

I thought Kos was a beast today. He is really turning into a top class player. He was up and down the pitch and never stopped hustling. He and TV5 could possibly be the best CB pairing in the PL. What a difference having those two together makes!
Martin

Yep. Kos is quietly turning into one of the best defenders in the Prem right in front of our eyes. Has been brilliant this season.
brenton

Some site I glanced at had him as one of the top six centre backs in the league. I'd agree with that.
Rico

Another win for us and the fact Liverpool stumbled is great! I've even watching the reply on Sky sports. Made my day that TV5 scored!
Love the autocorrect from Santos. Lets just hope our gays all get through next weekend without anything happening! I was wondering, can we protest to keep RVP from playing for the Netherlands?

Na$ri done a fantastic job today, he kept that bench warm for the entire 90 minutes of Man city's game! What a footballer!
caligunner

I'm slightly perplexed at the ill feelings directed towards Nasri, maybe as a follower of American sports where there would be no question that a player should go to the team that offers him a 3-4X times higher salary. He could be injured at any moment and never regain his form and pace, how can you fault him for wanting to maximize his income?

I'm thrilled that Arsenal was able to get so much money for a player that didn't show much consistency over his career and was at the end of his contract.
Rico

Why is everyone getting bent out of shape because of my poor attempt at humour? Yes I don't like the guy any more. Yes I will take the piss out of him when I can. He deserves it! We got him to where he is and he them jumps ship at the slightest down fall. A little respect for the club and supporter wouldn't go a miss.

Didn't show consistency? Which games were you watching? he was one of our best players.
Gigi_man

I agree, we got him to be who he is, (for example Cesc admits it is because of AW that he is who he is).
On the other hand I also agree with Perry below, he was who he was for about half a season.
Pdubber

We got him to be who he is? He was who he was? Fuzzy wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he? Which way did he go?
Gigi_man

oh you poor thing...thats why these ugly bloggers shouldnt allow 5 years old boys like you coment here, ;P
come on, you can read it, you can do it, lets try again! (clue, theres Cesc AND Nasri mentioned! shhhh dont tell anyone)
Go!
Perry S.

For about half a season he was our best player.
Patoux21

Yeah right Nasri picked up a knee injury during the pre-game warm-up so please get your facts straight and previously I think he played in City last 5 games
Rico

Excuse me?! I presented no facts. I simply said he warmed the bench for 90 minutes so reel your neck back in and stop defending someone that's needs no defending. Granted he may of played the last 5 games but only 1 in 5 he saw the entire 90 minutes and I don't think he scored. Correct my facts there then!!
Patoux21

Nevermind you just don't like Nasri and would probably take any opportunity to make him look bad regardless whether it's relevant. Criticising a player for "warming" the bench and not playing without mentioning he's injured is lame. And players can't play every single game for obvious reasons have you ever heard of rest, rotation or strategy? Also let me remind you that when he left Arsenal he wasn't a bad deal at all for the club I don't think many clubs would have paid c25m for his 1-yr contract left.
Perry S.

Wait, aren't you the guy who takes every opportunity to take a jibe at Arshavin, or am I mistaken?
Patoux21

Yes I take every opportunity to criticise Arshavin and to be fair I think I was more or less right about his quality he's now a bench player not playing much and when Wilshere returns it's going to be even worse for him. For his own good he should try a move next Jan.
Rico

am I that transparent? How do you know if he was injured? Nothing in the match report I've read said he was meant to play but pulled out because of injury. So did he call you and inform you of this?
Yes I have heard of those. If that is the case why hasn't Silva been rested? he's played more game time than Nasri, scored mroe goals than him and generally been a far better player? where is the rest, rotation and strategy for Silva? He has also spent less time in the EPL.
LachlanS

The commentary team mentioned it, and I did come across it in a number of news articles.
Gigi_man

coulndnt help to notice that as well, and Clichy too, felt good to see Nasri warming the bench
FredJacob

i to find RVP should not go on internationals since Holland is already qualified. hope Wenger can convince him not to go
FredJacob

how dear you forget to mention how could Clichy was also lol
Rico

oh my apologies, although I don't mind that much of Clichy leaving as he played for Arsenal for a while and didnt fuck about while leaving. As for Na$ri I'd love to have a chat with him and say "really......really? good career move was it?"
Martin

And he would answer, "I make 3 times as much money as I made for Arsenal for the team that's going to win the league. Yes, it was a good career move."
Rico

Granted he will make a lot more money but a footballer wants to play football not sit and watch from the bench. Winning the league is good but playing (sitting on the bench) for a team that is buying the league is not. Also will the money last when the financial fair play system kicks in?
Martin

Well, I mean, the money will last . . . for him, because the team signed a contract with him so they have to pay him his wages over the term of the contract. If they can't comply with FFP (and the regulations are so soft that I think they won't have any problems complying with them), then that's the club's problems, not his.

And while he's not starting and playing 90 minutes every game, he is playing in virtually every match, and has already racked up 2 goals and 6 assists. To try to paint this as a Hleb to Barcelona situation is totally inaccurate.
FredJacob

why is this inaccurate look at Ade he was scoring goals the season he went to Man City also then the next year they didn't want him, also Hleb to barca got games & they didn't want him after a year also
Ian

okay he sits on the bench for one game... against QPR. seriously ever heard of resting your players? hes had a considerable impact on man city this season. how many assists has he got this season? whats with all the hate for nasri
FredJacob

i just don't like him
FredJacob

Yea we all know it was, but does a player want to win a trophy so bad he rather sit on a bench more than play regularly

look Hled won the Champions league now the dumb ass cant get games with relegated bound team
manhattangooner

$40 mil pounds over 4 years. Guaranteed$$!! League trophy. Real Possibility of 1 or 2 more trophies this year. Additional personal commercial $$ deals outside of club. Not such a bad move, eh? He was the last piece of the City jigsaw puzzle.
Patoux21

Nasri plays regurlarly for City even though competition is very fierce in midfiled and the club is top of the PL. This move doesn't seem not too bad
FredJacob

so true i wish his carrier end up like Ade City just not wanting him any more, but i think he didn't play since he played midweek, maybe we can buy him back on the cheap

heard we are thinking of taking back Toure
merlin

Arsenal 9 wins, 11 games. AW 2011 Balon d'Or FIFA world coach of the year. Homey, you on this train??? Plus, he is with some guys here that Arsha is a game changer at 77 minutes.
bobjcanada

from my figuring; in 2011, in all competitions, AW is 25 wins, 11 draws, 10 losses, 0 trophies; not bad but hardly coach of the year
FredJacob

I am at front row of that train
bobjcanada

i'm sitting in the bar car
merlin the magician

I'll join you in the bar car when we reach the semi finals of the CL, sit 2nd in the table and we can kick it around then. Don't forget AW 2011 net spend is actually net "revenue" of $15 mil. So we'll have him join us and he can pick up the tab.
bobjcanada

now that sounds like a plan
FredJacob

when the conductor pass around to see who ass tickets am making sure you throws you off
merlin the magician

Good to see you Fred. Homey is the new conductor!! Let's keep a close eye on him so he doesn't put the switch into reverse.
FredJacob

lol, he won't dear do such a thing with me around
merlinthemagician

I'm counting on you pal.
Gunnerson

Jenkinson plays like Sagna. He doesn't have the athletic capability of his counterpart, but he plays like him and he was as solid today, and last game, as Sagna is on his good days (which are most days). I am talking of someone who up till recently was an unknown teenager worth 1 million with a handful of lower division games under loan spells at shitty teams. He scored a miraculous own goal his first game, looked five years younger when ashley young and evra comprehensively ripped him apart, and seemed as though he could use another loan spell. Look at the kid now. Its too early to say much, but even saying he is a solid back up to Sagna, who many consider the best right back in the league, is a frakking miracle. Can't help but feel proud of our club and our coach. In Arsene I Trust*. (*disclaimer: this position is subject to change, as it does so often now, by future managerial fuck-ups)
Benjamin Dockter

I'll just point out to you that according to Arsenal (dot) com, in the pre-season tests, Jenkinson actually had the highest fitness levels for the entire team!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it..
Darren_V

Perry, I talked to my Palermo guy after the match. He said that it was technically a loan for the first year, but it was structured in such a way that they had to buy him at the end of the year.The only reason it was structured like that, was so that Napoli could delay the payment.
Technically you were right.
Perry S.

;)
FredJacob

what do you guys think about Jenkison's crossing it just keeps missing everyone, i not sure if because it was to good or just it was so awful it went through everyone
caligunner

Carl and Theo both can be excellent crossers of the ball, but I think both tend to cross the ball with their head down and without awareness of their teammates. I think they have yet to develop much chemistry and are both extremely right footed. It seems like Carl will play a cross in from outside the box if the defender is playing off of him or try to go past him and cross if the defender is tight. If one or the other would shift infield, more often I think it would open up more space and opportunities.
FredJacob

I watch the rerun today and carl crossing was really good better than Sagna and Theo if we has someone like Chamahk in there we would get some goals, sometimes he crosses to hard so the players can't get proper control

but he really crosses with his head down, i guess it is to make sure he does wiff on the ball
Darren_V

He crosses very well. It's not his fault RVP, Gervinho and Theo are rarely to get on the end of them. Bendtner would love them I would think.
FredJacob

cool i was just wonder, since his game is really different from Sagna he and Walcott doesn't link as well as Sagna does and CJ really gets caught out of position
Perry S.

Its not that he was missing everyone, it was that no one was in the box to accept his crosses.
brenton

That does make one wonder, though, whether he should be crossing to no one or if there's a better use of the ball in that circumstance.
Perry S.

In the situation he was in, that most likely was the best option he had not to mention he may have expected someone would come to receive the ball considering the setup motion he was in.
FredJacob

yea guess thats in Arsenal's DNA always cross the ball when now one's in the box, i remembers last year when only Arshavin was in the box and they keep crossing like if he could win a header
FredJacob

so were his crosses good enough?
Tomisin

Having Arsenal win games we are supposed to win is a good feeling. Solid team performance.And good to see that our good old passing game is back. Let's just continue to take it a game at a time. Slowly but surely.
Homey_Mills

I'm glad you ended up doing the recap, because my stream gave me fits (particularly in the second half). Funny tweet/picture of Santos.
I think on the Gervinho offside, it was the proper call by about the length of his arm that stuck out past where the defender was. And you know I'd give Theo a better score for creating a couple chances and looking dangerous, but I'm a Theo fanboy, so what can I do?
TJ_UGA

Homey, the rule for offside is more or less for a legally ball playing body part. So if your arm or hand is offside, then it doesn't matter. Only leg, back, head, all that shit counts in the offside department.
Darren_V

"But I'm a Theo fanboy, so what can I do?"

That's easy. Rate him too highly when you do the recaps.
Homey_Mills

Oh, ok. I'll try that next time.