Wigan 0 – 4 Arsenal: A Solid, Unspectacular Performance

By: Darren_v | December 3rd, 2011
   

It may sound odd to call a four goal win unspectacular, but that is exactly what it was. And exactly what you want from Arsenal when facing the worst club in the Premier League. It may sound negative, but it’s possibly the best thing you can say about today’s matAretaWiganch.

Arsenal would line up exactly how Brenton described we would in the preview yesterday showing you exactly why you should be reading the match previews. In the first five minutes the only thing of note that happened was a Wigan player tripping the referee up as Arsenal went on a break, but no foul was given as would be the trend for Mark Clattenburg all match. In the sixth minute Wigan really should have gone ahead on the scoreboard when they broke down Arsenal’s right flank and crossed it in for Szczesny to parry away into the path of an onrushing Gomez. Gomez should’ve put the ball into the wide open net, but he scuffed his attempt and Andre Santos was able to make the block. Immediately after that, Arsenal went on the break down the left with Gervinho finding Ramsey in the box who would scuff his chance disappointingly wide as well. Aside from that, the first ten minutes was all Wigan as they dominated the ball with 61% possession and were looking bright on the ball, and Arsenal were looking a bit disjointed when they won the ball back.

There was very little happening though as Arsenal remained solid defensively. Arteta would find Walcott with room down the right hand side and his low, hard cross across the box (reminiscent of Coquelin’s in the Carling Cup v Man City) gave Gary Caldwell problems as he mis-kicked it towards his own goal, but safely into his own keepers arms. Arsenal were slowly gaining a foothold in the match and taking control of the possession game, but creating very little, and the first 25 minutes was uninteresting as the live-blog commentators began to compare the match to the boredom that is baseball.

Nothing was happening when Vermaelen picked the ball up deep in his own half and with absolutely no pressure on him, drove through the middle of the pitch into the Wigan half and laid the ball off to the right side to Arteta. Arteta would take four touches towards goal, and with Wigan backing up further and further and applying no pressure on the ball, he unleashed a powerful shot on goal from 35 yards out and would find the back of the net. It definitely swerved somewhat in the air, but Al Habsi will be wanting that shot back, being slightly out of position and allowing it to slip through his hands. For Mikel Arteta, it was his fourth goal of the season on just six total shots in the Premier League.

Artetagoal

And just two minutes later it would be 0-2 to The Arsenal. Robin van Persie took the corner from the right corner flag and curled it to the back post where he found Thomas Vermaelen climbing high above the defender and he nodded the ball into the back of the net. It was the Belgian’s third goal of the season in just seven appearances, and ended Arsenal’s run of 179 corners without a goal from a corner in the Premier league, the last being from Squillaci versus Stoke.

Arsenal would continue to threaten with another corner causing a scramble in the Wigan box which was eventually cleared. Gervinho would make a slaloming through the middle but his passing would fail him in the box. Shortly after that Gervinho would make another great run into the box and this time his pass would find van Persie who’s shot was superbly saved by Al Habsi. Theo’s follow up was lofted just over the bar. In the dying minutes of the half, van Persie terrific through ball sent Gervinho in all alone, Al Habsi timed his rush out to the ball perfectly and forced Gervinho wide and wasn’t able to find the open net. The half would end with Mertesacker completing a text book sliding tackle on the Wigan forward at the edge of the Arsenal box, and Arsenal had turned around a slow half with a dominant performance.

First Half Stats
Wigan                   Arsenal
81%    Pass Acc.  86%
34%       Poss.   66%
3         Shots       8
2      On Target     3

The 2nd half would begin with no changes for other side, and and after five minutes Aaron Ramsey should have had a penalty. Ramsey drove into the box with the ball and was blatantly pulled down by the Wigan defender Gohouri. Clattenburg must have lost his whistle as nothing was given and play continued to go, with Ramsey absolutely furious. Just another minute later Caldwell laid a terrible tackle into the back of Ramsey at the halfway line as he received the ball and was majestically shown the yellow card. In the 54th minute Gervinho drove from the left flank and into the middle, sent the ball wide to Walcott. His cross found van Persie at the back post who headed back across the net for Gervinho who was waiting, but was cleared away. Wigan would earn a corner two minutes later and Figueroa’s long range effort from the edge of the box would skim just wide of the post. It was a good effort, and a warning shout to Arsenal that anything could yet happen.

Song would earn a yellow for having a Wigan player run into him in a dangerous position, but Szczesny claimed the free kick very well. Wigan would make a double substitution to attempt to change the scoreline, but it would only change in Arsenal’s favour. van Persie and Song combined on a nice one, two passing move outside the box, from which van Persie faked the shot to loose the defender, cut to his right foot and take the shot which Al Habsi could only parry into the path of the on rushing Gervinho who had the simple task of turning it into the open net. The goal was impressive as Wigan was turning up the pressure in the game so Arsenal did what good teams do. They took possession and held it, producing 33 passes in the build up to the goal, 10 more passes than any goal by any team this season. A few minutes later another one, two in the middle of the pitch and Song was fouled at the edge of the box, but the ball rolled to van Persie who shot just wide when he likely should’ve scored. A rare miss in a great position by the captain.

In the 79minute Arsenal would put the match to bed. Koscielny’s long pass would find Theo in a race with Caldwell. Walcott shrugged off the sliding tackle by the Wigan defender, recover his balance and cut back to van Persie who slammed the bobbling pass into the back of the net with his ‘chocolate leg’ and immediately go to Theo in praise of his poise and unselfishness in front of goal. 0-4 Arsenal, and that singled a triple change with Gervinho, Walcott and Song all going off for Benayoun, Arshavin and Coquelin entering the fray.

RobinWigan

'If you didn't pick it up, new song 'he scores when he wants, he scores when he waaaants, Robin van Persie, he scores when he wants'

Benayoun would find himself behind the Wigan defense from a through ball by Arteta over the defense and with the option of passing to a wide open van Persie, he attempted the chip over Al Habsi which was cleared by a defender. The match would die out in truth after that, Arsenal pinging the ball around the pitch to kill time to the tune of Ole’s from the Arsenal fans, which prompted Diame into a cynical foul on Ramsey. Arsenal were not happy, with Vermaelen in particular looking for blood. Martinez wisely subbed Diambe off the field immediately, defusing the situation. The game ended and the Arsenal players reported gave their jerseys to the away fans, or so I read on Twitter.

Full Time Stats
Wigan                   Arsenal
83%    Pass Acc.  89%
35%       Poss.   65%
8         Shots       16
2      On Target     7

It was a solid win. Arsenal didn’t look amazing, and there was no one stand-out player on the pitch. The players simply went out and did their job and did it well, while after twenty minutes Wigan were dire and gave Arsenal too much room in the middle of the pitch. If I were to criticize anything it would be the commentator, who continued to display a shocking lack of knowledge of tactics. When a club is playing a 4-5-1 like Wigan was playing, the job of the one striker is to hold the ball up and bring the midfield into play, not expect the players around him at all times. When the ball is sent in from a counter attack and crossed into the box, it’s virtually impossible to truly expect to have more than one or two players in the box. He would then criticize Wigan for getting too close to Arsenal players when they got beat, and the next instant condemn them for giving too much space on the ball. Sorry Mr. Know-Idea-What-Im-Saying, that’s not how it works. The worst had to be in the final stages of the match when Coquelin was rightly shown the yellow card for a poor tackle, and he called Coquelin, Chamberlain….who wasn’t even on the pitch all game long. I suppose I shouldn’t complain however, it’s the first match in a very long time where we did not have to hear about the Arsenal defensive frailities, lack of trophies, how much we miss Cesc and Nasri and how we are too reliant on the brilliance that is Robin van Persie.

Dec2Table

Slowly Climbing the Standings

It was a total team performance, and with Arsenal already assured top spot in the Champions League, Wenger will be able to play the fringe players in Greece, giving our starters a week worth of rest, and testing the depth of the squad in a typically difficult place to play football and earn a result. Arsenal have now taken 19 points from their last seven Premier matches – same number of points as they took from the previous 18 games. That’s six wins and a draw in the last seven for those counting. (I am counting) Sure, it was only Wigan, but you can only beat who’s on the calendar next, and Arsenal swept them aside easily today.

Szczsings

At final whistle, Szczesny came to away fans, put fingers to lips, we were all quiet & he started singing 'we're by far the greatest team'

Player Ratings:

Szczesny 6.5 – The thing I like about him is he commands his box. He rarely flaps at the ball and just oozes confidence, something that Fabianski and Almunia were unable to do in their tenures as No. 1.

Koscielny 7 – A calm, sure, unassuming game by our best defender this year. Made a beautiful long ball pass in the build up for van Persie’s goal and had a team high 4 interceptions. Confidence cannot be higher than it is right now for the Frenchman, can it?

Mertesacker 7.5 – Had a very solid match and did nothing wrong.

Vermaelen 8 - Already tied for 2nd in the Arsenal Premier League scoring chart with three goals (Gervinho, Arteta). Added an assist today as well and attempted 9 long balls, completing five. He provides a threat in the air and a willingness to drive the ball out of the defense, something that has been sorely missing when he is out injured. Not to mention a fantastic defender.

Santos 7 - Tied Kos for the lead in interceptions for the game at 4 and had a clearance off the line. A solid display and gives Arsenal an attacking dynamic we’ve not had since Ashley Cole left.

Song 7 - Led the team in tackles with five, and just did what he always does.

Ramsey 7 - Had two shots on goal, and should’ve had a penalty given when pulled down. Got hacked down by Wigan players all game, and kept getting up. Could perhaps do more defensively, but was 5/5 on through balls and recorded 3 key passes.

Arteta 8.5 – Scored the goal to open the game up, and played superbly, completed 88% of his 97 passes. He isn’t fast, but his positional awareness is top class. Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Dani Alves and Schweinsteiger are the only players in Europe to record more attempted passes per game than our Spaniard. Only Xavi completes a higher success rate than Arteta’s 90%. Brenton predicted in the preview he would have a good game, and he delivered. (Brenton is also making me point this out so I could go sledding with my kids. Ruthless)

Walcott 7 – A somewhat quiet game for Theo, but did very well to set up van Persie. In Walcott’s career eleven of his 21 assists have been for Robin van Persie, the same exact same as Dennis Bergkamp assisted Thierry Henry for their careers. Not bad.

Gervinho 8 – He is all action whenever the ball comes to him. Virtually always a threat, even if his touch or final ball disappoints. Finally got his goal which was more than well deserved for his efforts of late. Fun fact: Gervinho cost 10.5 mill and has contributed to 8 goals in the EPL (3 goals, 5 assists) while Stuart Downing cost Liverpool 20 mill and has contributed to zero goals.

Van Persie 9 MOTM - Scored yet another goal and assisted on Vermaelen’s goal. Orginally was credited with two assists, but the second was changed to an at fault error for Al Habsi. Actually could’ve scored two more goals, but apparently isn’t as super human as we thought. Lead Arsenal with shots (4) shots on target (3) and key passes (4) and completed crosses (4) all while having the third least amount of touches for the club. Not bad at all. He has now scored or assisted on 40 Premier League goals in 2011, 14 more than any other player in the division.

*All stats not linked courtesy of www.whoscored.com


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Category Category: Arsenal News
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  • What a solid performance by arsenal both the half's are really fantastic I missed the match by this i think I have lost a big day as the performance is unspectacular.

  • Rico

    Excellent! Fulham beat Liverpool 1-0. We stay in 5th place. 3 points and 3 goal difference of the better. 

  • Felegy

    Haven't commented in a while....exactly why are half the comments about Samir Nasri?  Didn't he throw the Gunners under the bus and leave for bought trophies and a bigger paycheck?  Well since that is the topic of choice:  He's a good/great player, but he also showed that he is kind of a scumbag with his comments about the team upon leaving.  If Wenger doesn't drag you out of relative obscurity Samir, you may never have even had the opportunity to play in the EPL.  Had he left with class he would still have some resect coming from me.  But he didn't, so he's a scumbag :)

  • Rico

    Glad to see am not in the minority. 

  • Felegy, welcome back. And stay a while. 

    Not sure what happened in the comments re: Nasri. He's gone, let it go. 

  • Not there yet (but not at all worried), but top 4 is in walking distance away. Two things about this season are going to feel pretty good. Finishing top 4 when everyone wrote us off including many of you (I hope you come out and apologize in the end, because I really do look forward to saying I told you so in this situation), and seeing a highly overhauled squad continue to compete in the midst of extreme adversity.

  • "Finishing top 4 when everyone wrote us off including many of you"
    By you, do you mean me?

  • I don't recall you writing us off. Not sure if I'm off base here, but I recall you being an optimist in most aspects regarding our team and certain players (as I do)?

  • I don't recall you writing us off. Not sure if I'm off base here, but I recall you being an optimist in most aspects regarding our team (similar to me)?

  • Gunnerlurker

    Darren,  I think you are on to something when you speak of wanting unspectacular against bottom half of the table opponents.  One reason this club leaves me optimistic is that I like our chances to get points in the home fixtures against top 6 clubs but I REALLY like our chances to win very consistently against weak clubs.  The last few years we have been spectacular and also horrible.  The Song/Ramsey/Arteta with some very solid defenders and depth at mid with Frimpong and Coquelin (and possibly Wilshire) is really quite solid.  Just re-watched the Wigan game.  Arteta is amazing.  So smart, so patient, and such a great sense for the game.  Against top sides he may not have the speed necessary to consistently be a force but against opponents who give just a little more time, he has been outstanding for us.

  • Alexinho

    Though it's far from the top story, a word on Francis Coquelin.  I love this kid--reminds me of a speedier Alex Song.  Can't wait for him to break into the first team in a year or two.

  • More like Gilberto Silva, to my mind, but more mobile. Song is far more of a tough-tackling DM when assigned that role. Coquelin seems like he relies more on positioning, then moves the ball well. 

  • Nasty

    Song is not old himself so it will take something else for coquelin to put good ol song out of business. Speaking of players out of business, I say arsenal quickly snap up the former gunnar anelka. If arshavin goes(he will I'm sure) anelka would be a very nice backup. Also the perfect backup to RVP.

  • LachlanS

    He'll be after money I'm sure, money that we wouldn't be willing to pay a player of his age.

  • FredJacob

    what you smoking been there done that, he is watched up 

  • FredJacob

    Watch sunderland game today, Bendtner is one awful player not sure how he scored so many goals for Arsenal, hope i never see him in a Arsenal shirt again

  • Nasty

    What? He is like the next ibrahimovich like!!! How can u not want the next ibrahimovich like? Ok I may have exaggerated, but he is definitely a better backup to RVP than park and chamack. I see those 2 play sometimes and I always end up saying 'Bendtner would have put that in the net'.

  • FredJacob

     nope Bendtner has lost his confidence, watching playing he was even worse than Chamahk

  • Tfyoung

    Santos is a liability defensively. He was turned a few times on the outside. A better side will punish down that wing

  • Nasty

    Yeah like di maria would totally skin Santos. Or messi, u know. He would double skin Santos.

  • Ian

    Messi could double skin a lot of wing backs, not just santos

  • He provides as much going forward as he gives up at the back. Wenger is using him behind our left sided attacker, allowing that player (Gervinho and Arshavin) to move across or inside. Song or Arteta and Vermaelen or Koscielny have been charged with covering for him when he goes forward. This isn't accidental and it isn't because he's playing out of position, it's purposeful. 

  • We've played excellent sides. We've beaten them. 

  • Rico

    Excellent result and always banter watching the game and on liveblog. Easy 3 points. Agreed the Ramsay challenge was a blatant pen, Cahill's was a yellow at most and the chelsea on Newcastle decision was a no-questions-asked red card but hey our conspiracy theory continues. 

    Spuds are our main threat however we can't rule out Liverpool as they play on Monday and if they win by more than 2-0 they leap frog us and Newcastle. Chelsea did not deserve the 3-0 win over Newcastle. I think they may drop a few more points in games to come. 
    Again Na$ri didn't get a full game, 59/69 minutes, I can't remember which. (dont' say it is for rotational purposes)

  • concerned gunner

    Your characterization of Nasri is completely off base. Obviously, you did not watch the City/Norwich match. Nasri bossed the midfield the entire game and looked tremendous doing it. He scored as well. He was taken off at 69 minutes to rest him for City Champions League match on Wednesday against Bayern. So, you are correct that he was not taken off for rotational reasons but you are completely ignorant to suggest that he was taken off with 20 minutes remaining due to having a bad game. He was the most influential midfielder during the entire 70 minutes he was on the pitch. When he came off, the game was over, City were comfortably up 3 - 0. So, OF COURSE, Mancini wanted to make a few subs. Aguero came off also. Do you want to suggest he is shit too? Mancini wants to be able to have Nasri available and fresh on Wednesday. In the future, if you are going to criticize Nasri, at least make an attempt to get your characterization somewhat accurate. Otherwise you're just being a dumb ass. Arsenal fans deserve better.

    City will quite likely set a points record this year in the EPL with over 100 points. Nasri will almost certainly be lifting the EPL trophy this year and probably a few more. He is being paid by City double what Wenger offered him. Credit to him for putting in a shift in the Liverpool game for us before he left. The trophy he lifts this year with City will be more than any Arsenal player will lift for the next decade. You want to criticize him? By all means, go ahead. Just get SOME facts straight.    

  • Georgedb1

    Are you a Goon or a Nasri fan? You sound like you got some sort of crush on the dude. You think he needs you to defend him? Nasri was prolly my favorite player when he was an Arsenal Man, but if you're really a Goon, the team is you're first love. Everyday I wake up and its one day closer to the next ARSENAL game; not the next time I get to see a given player. When a player leaves, if he's put in his time, like Ian, Bergkamp, Henry, etc., then I salute em but I don't follow them. I'm an ARSENAL MAN, I follow the ARSENAL. That's what a real Goon does, anything else is being a fake groopie. So shape up dude, Nasri was good but he certainly didn't love the club and he certainly didn't give his best years to the Arsenal. He took the training and advise and patience we had with him while he was developing and is giving now his best years to another club. In part because of him we're getting called a feeder club. You defend that? Don't put Gunner in your name, you're nowhere near a Gunner.

  • Patoux21

    Don't waste your energy replying to Rico. He can't stand Nasri at all regardless of his performance. Every w-e he has to criticise Nasri and I remember in a previous article a few of us made constructive arguments against him and still all he could say was "I simply don't like him"... At least whenever I bash Arshavin there are strong reasons 

  • Rico

    Why are you obsessed that he plays well for Man City? Why do you even care? Its not secret I dislike the guy, I bashed him and think I have every reason too. He sells out for the cash, ditching his team mates and manager when they needed him. Leaving Arsenal in a downward spiral. Don't tell others not to respond to me, that's just rude. Oh your so superior aren't you, therefore I shall not bash any players that you do not agree with.

    Look out Arshavin, am coming for you!

  • Patoux21

    Take it easy! I was just advising "concerned gunner" not to reply to you because we know that whatever we say you will continue to bash Nasri every week even though the guy is not a gunner anymore. I have the feeling you consider that Nasri robbed Arsenal (or maybe your girlfriend too) but remember that ManCity paid £24m for his 1-yr remaining contract ... I would be more angry about Cesc leaving for a outrageous discount price and "Leaving Arsenal in a downward spiral"

  • You really have no right to tell others not to respond to him when you're the one spouting off about a player who is STILL on our squad every chance you get. Rico is bashing on someone who is NO LONGER on our squad, and though you may not agree with him, he has a right to be miffed at a player who took off at an inopportune time. Last I checked, Arsha has worked hard (though it may not be to your satisfaction), and he always speaks volumes about this club and his belief in it. Thats more than say, Nasri, ever did...

  • Rico

    Thank you Perry

  • Rico

    Listen you obnoxious fool. When did I say he was shit? I did not characterise him in any way. I simply made a point he got taken off, I did not suggest he had a bad game and who are you to tell me what I can and cannot put in my comment in an Arsenal blog? If I want to characterise him I will do. No I did not watch that game I was watching Arsenal with the regular arsenal fans on this site. So much for the "concerned gunner". If you want to have a pop at me a least have the decency to relate to what I actually put and not what you thought I was meaning. I don't care how City get on or if they break the records they want. They don't deserve anything as they have bought the league! 
    I'm being a dumb ass for stating he got taken off? Deserve better from what exactly? People posting on a blog? People writing or saying nasty things? You need to grow up!

    I did however see the Na$ri goal and it was a blunder, nothing to write home about.

  • gunner concerned

    Many of us Arsenal fans still respect Nasri and still appreciate the effort he put in for the club while he was here. It's not his fault he wanted to win trophies, like Cesc, and Mancini is willing to pay him twice what Wenger offered. You have been continuously disparaging him, but have gotten nothing accurate! You mention in previous comments that he did not play in a game, but do not mention that he did not play because he was injured in warmup. You indicate above that he came off at 59/69 minutes suggesting that he was subbed because he was not good enough on the day. "don't suggest it is for rotational purposes". That is completely erroneous and inaccurate. He was fabulous on the day. If you want to criticize him or "take the piss out of him" as you like to say, TRY to get SOMETHING accurate. Mischaracterizations of his play are just ignorant. Many of us here still appreciate what Nasri did for the club and don't appreciate this level of ignorance.

    I'm sure if you were offered a raise in salary of $70,000 pounds a week (that's $110,000 dollars a week, $5.5 mil per year) from another employer, you would tell them to shove it, you're loyal to your current employer. You need to grow up son!!!!! And try to understand the world from the perspective of a grown up.

  • Rico

    "Many of us Arsenal fans" What you implying there am not an Arsenal fan? You respect him for ditching the team you apparently follow/support when they needed him the most, with Cesc leaving and the team is in trouble? You respect that yes? Glad to know where your ethics lay. The effort as in faking injury so he doesn't need to play yes? Wenger bringing him in and developing him into the player he is today? You respect his choice to leave the manager in the shit? 
    You aught to do a bit of research into your allegation "son"! 
    So yes, I will be disparaging, offensive, ignorant and most likely down right rude about him. If you don't like it, don't read my post. 
    You are a tool sir, a tool!

  • a concerned gunner

    let the original  a concerned gunner distance himself from this clown.i dont care to watch Man Shitty game and will be happy on Wednesday when they drop out of the Champion league on Wednesday

  • Rico

    Well that response blow my arguments out of the water!
    Well that's one thing we agree on, Man City out on Wednesday. Good times.

  • Casimir

    Who still respects Nasri other than you?  It wasn't for just the money, he bad mouthed the club and it's fans as well.  Are you the guy who made up the Nasri chant based off a garbage disco song?  You seem very concerned for oil rich Na$ri.

  • Ian

    Jack Wilshere apparently does. "Good luck to my friend @Nanas08 (mr Nasri) learnt a lot from him. World class player! Will be missed!"

  • Ian

    And yeah I still respect nasri.

  • satisfied gunner

    So now you don't want to give Nasri credit when he earns a trophy with City? I know you would not move jobs for an extra $6 mil a year. Not you Casimir, you're too loyal for that. What are you making $50k a year maybe. So you couldn't understand it? Oh that's right. You're the guy who thinks Mertesacker is much better that Kos, I forgot. I shouldn't take exception with your brilliant opinions. Nasri never bad mouthed the club. Just fans like you and Rico Ratzo Rizzo. You want to bad mouth him and criticize him too? Fine. Just be honest with it. Don't make shit up just because he jilted you and now you don't like him. Oh, I'm sorry. You probably never had a girlfriend either, Casimir. So you wouldn't know about this either. So sad.

  • Rico

    Rico Ratzo Rizzo? Really! what are you 12? Are you 'concerned gunner' and 'gunner concerned' now 'satisfied gunner'? Consistency has took at hit! Why are you taken the comments (which you find offensive personally) to heart? If you like Na$ri that much go watch him for City and stop being a pretend Arsenal fan. The "never had a girlfriend" part is really mature and you had the cheek to say I need to grow up (If you are the concern gunner person) Stop looking for arguments little boy and try to act like an adult. 

  • Nasty

    It's for rotational purposes...

  • Will

    Just a little update: Wenger has made some statements that he plans to do nothing in the January window despite Chamakh leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations. He did say that if another club offers or comes to him with a fantastic player, he won't turn it down. Which is strange, because I would think a club that desperate to offload their big money players would go to clubs willing to pay more, unless the manager is truly selfless and wants his players to go somewhere to develop.

  • Patoux21

    Wenger hasn't learned from the last transfer window when he bought players at the very last minute. If RVP gets injured (touching wood) who is going to score for us as a regular striker? Park? A guy who didn't play a single game in the PL? Arshavin? The guy who can't even play 90m and is the third option in wide midfield position? Seriously Wenger is such a stingy. He said the club has money to spend but it's better to keep it for the shareholders and owners ...

  • Gigi_man

    I saw those comments from AW, I just hope he says so not to bury the other guys confidence and that the "wont refuse " part is his card out when he sigs someone.

  • What I liked so much about the match is the collective team performance, which was top notch. You could see, from the amount of passes we completed (according to someone on Twitter, over 700) that the signings have settled and the team is in full swing. What we need now, as AW said, is consistency. Let's hope our unbeaten run in the league continues, and we will all celebrate St Totteringham's Day together, as should be done.

    On a side note, did Disqus change again?

  • FredJacob

     am guessing so, and it looks rely crapy

  • Patoux21

    Very good performance by the Gunners. But it is difficult to catch up with the other top teams when the refs are often helping them ie no red card for Luiz in the Chelsea game and very harsh red card for Cahill against Spurs

  • Kenneth Owusu

    I live in Ghana so I thought i was the only person with the shitty commentator. Thankfully we all had to endure him. I also thought Chamberlain was amazing when he entered the fray.

  • Nasty

    Hehe chamberlain!!!

  • Bryan

    commentator was rubbish...kept harping about everything Wigan was doing wrongly the whole game through...and it wasn't some new comment after the other...it was the same sentences repeated again and again and again...and he gets paid for it

  • FredJacob

    Wigan vs Arsenal Highlights http://dai.ly/rzKK2P

  • FredJacob

    Wigan vs Arsenal Post Match Conference http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

  • Gigi_man

    I tried to imitate you but the link I posted didnt show, thx as always for those

  • FredJacob

    Homey really needs to sort that out, maybe he needs to stop bashing Wenger and do something more usualful with his time, like asking Disqus for us to post links

    so what was the link about

  • FredJacob
  • Rico

    I love Song!

  • Gigi_man

    I am so glad that Arteta scored. I always liked him and kind of hoped for him to join us, when playing for Everton.
    Gervinho scoring, nice.
    And well, RvP and tv5...icing on cake.
    Would have loved one of the 4 today in the game vs Fulhm..but well, not bad at all.

    Nice short videos btw, lotsa feelings seeing them an dtheir attitude.

    Any videos of the goals? Fred? :)

  • gooner gynecologist

    U missed yur appointment yesterday.

    Still got the fox stuck in ur box?

    U better reschedule befur u git pregnant! 

  • Gigi_man

    so, no actual football arguments, no actual reason why you write this stupid comment, your life must be very sad.....

  • Tee_sui

    What? No comment on RvP breaking his 1 game scoring drought? LOL.

  • Will

    The game was certainly spectacular for me, if the football wasn't; I'll call any 4-0 victory spectacular! Luckily I was watching the stream muted, so I had no stupid commenting to endure. Disappointed that they chose to broadcast City-Norwich instead, although I like Norwich. Arteta is really blossoming here, and you wonder what could've been if he had switched from Everton earlier. I respect him for sticking to his club, though. On our league position, I consider Tottenham a much bigger threat than Liverpool, even in the long run. Dalglish was a phenomenal player but not a really outstanding manager when it comes to scouting, and buying Downing for 20 million supports that, to me.

  • I feel bad for al Habsi - that shouldn't be an error to him, as he just made a pretty good diving save. 

  • I read that Ramsey completed 93 or 94% of his passes. We were always going to get high completion rates against Wigan, but that's pretty awesome. 

  • "but no foul was given as would be the trend for Mark Clattenburg all match." Well said. 

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