Originally posted by memzey
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Right - just got back from the game to read this thread and be utterly astounded by some of the negativity on here. Amazing - what did some of you expect, for us to go to the Emirates, play Arsenal off the pitch like we are Brazil circa 1970 and they are Marine? Some people need to recalibrate their expectations I think, because as far as I can tell, we just went to our most likely rival for 4th place, restricted them to the square route of **** all in terms of chances and tucked two excellent goals away without ever looking particularly ruffled. IMHO we were in no way lucky. They hardly threatened throughout the game. We had more space after Frimpong got sent off, but I always felt we were the most likely to score (as did most of the gooners sitting around me).
Right - that's my general overview, some more specific points:
Henderson: I'm still not 100% sure what kind of a player he is but he did play extremely well today (I know that sounds daft, but bear with me please). A significant improvement on his debut and I couldn't help but think during the game that this performance would hopefully silence a few of his critics. No luck their though it seems. He kept the ball in all sorts of difficult, pressurized positions and demonstrated throughout the game the one thing I was 100% sure of about him - an astounding engine. The boy gets around the pitch and puts himself in positions to help the team all game long and his technique seems very good. Well done the lad and keep on improving.
Adam also seems to have come on since the Sunderland game, played like a mini Scottish Alonso at times. Not quite up to the standards of everyone's favorite Basque, but he done well nonetheless.
Enrique: Played a blinder all game. All the gooners around me were moaning that Walcott had done nothing for them this game, but it seemed as though Enrique just had his number and didn't let him out of his pocket until the final whistle blew. I hope he continues in this vein.
Our defence in general played extremely well I thought and never really let arsenal get a look in, which is great going against them at their own place, whether they are suffering with injuries or not. In addition to Enrique, a special mention should also go to Agger, who looked comfortable and assured throughout.
On Carroll I must have been watching another game to some of those posting on here, because while he was on the pitch I could swear he got through tons of work, played the target man role well and brought others into play throughout his stint. I will agree though, that he didn't pose a serious goal threat often enough for my liking, but he isn't the type of player to take on a team, dribble it past them and score. He feeds off opportunities his teammates engineer and they are hard to come by when you play at the Emirates. I still don't think the players and coaches fully know how best to use him in our team as it's been over a generation since we had a really good target man, but there is plenty of quality in that big frame to work with so I'm not too worried. While I'm on about Carroll a special mention should go to Vermaelen who played an outstanding game today, arsenal's MOM by a mile IMHO.
Suarez: Simply ****ing awesome. My biggest gripe from today was having to wait until 20 minutes from the end of the game to see him on. But once he was on, Arsenal crumbled whenever he attacked them and he looked head and shoulders better than every other player on the pitch. Whenever he's on the pitch, I can't help but think anything is possible. He could literally, take it past the whole defence and score. Or set up Kuyt for a tap in from 6 inches against the scum. Or something amazing like that. Either way - me like.
Meireles came on at the same time and played in a forward role supporting Suarez, which is a position I'd never seen him play in the flesh before. He was involved throughout his time on the pitch and seemed to link up extremely well with Suarez. There might be some mileage in playing him like this again I think (if he stays). With both Suarez and Meireles it's difficult to separate their own contributions from Arsenal faltering after their sending off. To be honest, I think there was a bit of both in play here as we did find space easier to come by after Frimpong got his marching orders, but nothing should detract from the fact that these two came on and made a significant positive contribution to our play and hurt arsenal at every opportunity they got.
All in all a very ****ing good day. I don't care if Arsenal were weakened through injuries and suspension, boo ****ing hoo it happens to us every season and no one gives a **** apart from to moan about a lack of depth in our squad. At the end of the day you can only beat what's in front of you which is exactly what we did. I can't wait for the bolton game now, really hope we build up some early season momentum and confidence. Just think - We've beaten our main rival for 4th at their place without Gerrard, Suarez (for 70 mins) or GJ.
Right - that's my general overview, some more specific points:
Henderson: I'm still not 100% sure what kind of a player he is but he did play extremely well today (I know that sounds daft, but bear with me please). A significant improvement on his debut and I couldn't help but think during the game that this performance would hopefully silence a few of his critics. No luck their though it seems. He kept the ball in all sorts of difficult, pressurized positions and demonstrated throughout the game the one thing I was 100% sure of about him - an astounding engine. The boy gets around the pitch and puts himself in positions to help the team all game long and his technique seems very good. Well done the lad and keep on improving.
Adam also seems to have come on since the Sunderland game, played like a mini Scottish Alonso at times. Not quite up to the standards of everyone's favorite Basque, but he done well nonetheless.
Enrique: Played a blinder all game. All the gooners around me were moaning that Walcott had done nothing for them this game, but it seemed as though Enrique just had his number and didn't let him out of his pocket until the final whistle blew. I hope he continues in this vein.
Our defence in general played extremely well I thought and never really let arsenal get a look in, which is great going against them at their own place, whether they are suffering with injuries or not. In addition to Enrique, a special mention should also go to Agger, who looked comfortable and assured throughout.
On Carroll I must have been watching another game to some of those posting on here, because while he was on the pitch I could swear he got through tons of work, played the target man role well and brought others into play throughout his stint. I will agree though, that he didn't pose a serious goal threat often enough for my liking, but he isn't the type of player to take on a team, dribble it past them and score. He feeds off opportunities his teammates engineer and they are hard to come by when you play at the Emirates. I still don't think the players and coaches fully know how best to use him in our team as it's been over a generation since we had a really good target man, but there is plenty of quality in that big frame to work with so I'm not too worried. While I'm on about Carroll a special mention should go to Vermaelen who played an outstanding game today, arsenal's MOM by a mile IMHO.
Suarez: Simply ****ing awesome. My biggest gripe from today was having to wait until 20 minutes from the end of the game to see him on. But once he was on, Arsenal crumbled whenever he attacked them and he looked head and shoulders better than every other player on the pitch. Whenever he's on the pitch, I can't help but think anything is possible. He could literally, take it past the whole defence and score. Or set up Kuyt for a tap in from 6 inches against the scum. Or something amazing like that. Either way - me like.
Meireles came on at the same time and played in a forward role supporting Suarez, which is a position I'd never seen him play in the flesh before. He was involved throughout his time on the pitch and seemed to link up extremely well with Suarez. There might be some mileage in playing him like this again I think (if he stays). With both Suarez and Meireles it's difficult to separate their own contributions from Arsenal faltering after their sending off. To be honest, I think there was a bit of both in play here as we did find space easier to come by after Frimpong got his marching orders, but nothing should detract from the fact that these two came on and made a significant positive contribution to our play and hurt arsenal at every opportunity they got.
All in all a very ****ing good day. I don't care if Arsenal were weakened through injuries and suspension, boo ****ing hoo it happens to us every season and no one gives a **** apart from to moan about a lack of depth in our squad. At the end of the day you can only beat what's in front of you which is exactly what we did. I can't wait for the bolton game now, really hope we build up some early season momentum and confidence. Just think - We've beaten our main rival for 4th at their place without Gerrard, Suarez (for 70 mins) or GJ.
Agree with the general sentiment, but that's pushing it just a tad.
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