Arbeloa

[UpTheMiddle]

I haven't posted much but I have to vent.

Why, oh why did Arbeloa even play tonight? Rafa should never have changed the defence which has served him so well that past few games. Hyypia should have started with Carragher right back. Carragher would not have let that cross in at the end.

Arbeloa was caught out of position time & time again. OK, I can understand Rafa wanting his full-backs to attack in the home leg but he has one of the best right-backs in the Premier League sitting on the bench in Finnan. I've heard that they've have had a falling out but please, do me a favour, Finnan is head & shoulders above Arbeloa.

Serious tactical blunder by Rafa. Arbeloa was at fault for the equaliser (Riise apart) and he was our weakest link all night.

Just checked. Finnan wasn't even on the bench. He played on Saturday so I'm pretty sure he wasn't injured. Rafa's just being stubborn teaching him a lesson

[Marky]

Finnan is far better player Arbeloa ever will be. Finnan has balls on the big occasion.
I'm sorry but Arbeloa froze tonight. He looked proper nervous from the start.

[Matt]

I agree, I wanted Finnan to play.

[Reece]

Up, the and Middle - it's nice to hear from you

BTW - People moan when Carra is put at right back, and then moan when he isn't.

[BigChief]

Its all hindsight which I'm sure even Benitez must be thinking. Rafa can't tell which players will freeze on the night, it just happens. But Arbeloa was a bit cr*p tonight.

[MrMichael]

Meh. Arbeloa's probably been the better across the whole season between him and Finnan, who has been well below his own high standards a lot of the time.

And didn't Hyppia get subbed at the weekend through injury?

Why do we have to look for scapegoats? We played well and should have won by 2 clear goals. It didn;t happen like that, 'cause that's what football's all about, the "best" team, or "most deserving" team doesn't always win.

To win this competition we are supposed to have to be the best side in Europe. Well if we are the best in Europe we can go to Stamford Bridge and win by a goal (or draw 2-2). If not, we probably don't deserve to win it anyway. It would have been fantastic to get the result we deserved tonight, but its all to play for, no need for the public executions yet imo.

[Scratch]

I think he wanted Carra and Skittles in the centre back areas to counter-act the Drogba effect. I know Carra ain't the quickest, but at least he can keep up with Drogba better than Sami ever could in a one-on-one situation.

[souliv]

Dont think it was just tonight I think he is a shocking defender but good at getting forward, really wanted Finnan there instead, he lost the ball on several occassions which nearly cost us a goal and he should have stopped Kalou getting the cross in

[rage]

arbeloa's a strange one, doesn't offer enough going forward and isn't solid enough positionally at right back. he's actually better left back when he doesn't bomb forward too much. imo finnan will start next week with arbeloa moving to left back if aurellio's still out.

[tomasjj]

I haven't posted much but I have to vent.

Why, oh why did Arbeloa even play tonight? Rafa should never have changed the defence which has served him so well that past few games. Hyypia should have started with Carragher right back. Carragher would not have let that cross in at the end.

Arbeloa was caught out of position time & time again. OK, I can understand Rafa wanting his full-backs to attack in the home leg but he has one of the best right-backs in the Premier League sitting on the bench in Finnan. I've heard that they've have had a falling out but please, do me a favour, Finnan is head & shoulders above Arbeloa.

Serious tactical blunder by Rafa. Arbeloa was at fault for the equaliser (Riise apart) and he was our weakest link all night.

Just checked. Finnan wasn't even on the bench. He played on Saturday so I'm pretty sure he wasn't injured. Rafa's just being stubborn teaching him a lesson

spot on

[MrMichael]

arbeloa's a strange one, doesn't offer enough going forward and isn't solid enough positionally at right back. he's actually better left back when he doesn't bomb forward too much. imo finnan will start next week with arbeloa moving to left back if aurellio's still out.

Yup, I'd generally concur with that

Arbeloa's been quite impressive at left back the few times he's played there for us.

[saj]

Arbeloa was cleary at fault with the goal. Why was he trying to play the offside trap from a throw in? He has the attention span of a 3 years old and this isn't the first time this has happened. Chelsea semi final last year, 1st leg?

[Elrond]

Arbeloa did not head the ball into his own net ...

[corbylpfc]

totally agree finnan should have played!

[Zapater]

Arbeloa was cleary at fault with the goal. Why was he trying to play the offside trap from a throw in? He has the attention span of a 3 years old and this isn't the first time this has happened. Chelsea semi final last year, 1st leg?

bull****, why? Did he tell or physically force Riise to head the ball into the net.

I've never understood why Arbeloa is given a hard time from supporters he's done nothing but a good job here. It's funny how so many people will get on someones back for when it's a player they aren't fond of but make excuses for the same mistakes that players which are proffered do.