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| Arsenal: The Strongest 10 Currently? Match report here. |
A game that promised so much for Arsenal delivered little in the end. Three points would have guaranteed us qualification into the knock-stage but in typical Arsenal style, we are going to have to do it late and the hard way, you know the 'Arsenal way'.
Robin Van Persie and rather unfortunately, Laurent Koscielny were rested. The gamble to rest Van Persie didnt pay off, but on the other hand, I'm glad he was rested. The comments made by Deschamps, the Marseille manager before the game about marking and keeping Van Persie quiet made me fear for his safety in the game.
Koscielny has been playing out of his skin in recent games, perhaps knowing that Vermaelen would soon return to claim his position in the team. On current form, I'm not sure whether Mertesacker is better than Koscielny... But I suppose there will be plenty of games in the season for them all to play. These days success is about the squad system, not the first 11.
Vermaelen played to his usual high standard, even though he has been out for a while. Our front man on the day, Park, was disapointing in his performance. I always maintain that the squad players do well when there is no pressure on the team. Had we won and qualified yesterday first, players such as Park can then come in and do a job...
Robin Van Persie and rather unfortunately, Laurent Koscielny were rested. The gamble to rest Van Persie didnt pay off, but on the other hand, I'm glad he was rested. The comments made by Deschamps, the Marseille manager before the game about marking and keeping Van Persie quiet made me fear for his safety in the game.
Koscielny has been playing out of his skin in recent games, perhaps knowing that Vermaelen would soon return to claim his position in the team. On current form, I'm not sure whether Mertesacker is better than Koscielny... But I suppose there will be plenty of games in the season for them all to play. These days success is about the squad system, not the first 11.
Vermaelen played to his usual high standard, even though he has been out for a while. Our front man on the day, Park, was disapointing in his performance. I always maintain that the squad players do well when there is no pressure on the team. Had we won and qualified yesterday first, players such as Park can then come in and do a job...
Marseille started very brightly, having a back heel at goal in the first 5 minutes. They looked sharper and full of running. Arsenal gradually started to find their way in the match after 10 minutes. from there on, we created chances that were wasted. A little bit more quality and calmness would have seen us convert them but just could convert. Aaron Ramsey particularly had a chance from a cross which he side-footed wide. Theo and Gervinho for me had average games.
After an hour Van Persie was introduced for the very ineffective Park. Rosicky and Arshavin were also introduced soon after for Ramsey and Gervinho respectively, but we just couldn't produce a moment of pure magic to win the game. Van Persie tried to chip the keeper and on another day, that would have been a goal but not tonight. Arshavin and Rosicky had little influence on the match.
The game ended in a goalless draw. Now, I know this was not the result we wanted, but looking at it in perspective, 4 points off a Marseille team is not something to be sniffed at. We still remain top of the group and in control of our destiny. We didn't concede any goal which is a plus, not only for the group standing, but also for our confidence in games to come. We also haven't suffered any injuries so things are looking up for us.
With Vermaelen back, we are only two players away ( Wilshere & Sagna) from fielding our very strongest 11. Diaby is soon to return also and when those players do return, all things being equal, suddenly we have a very strong squad. In the past we've always been 5 or six players away from fielding a strong starting 11...Looking at our squad in that perspective, I don't think we are short on quality and experience to compete with anybody. Just a small matter of application...
After the game Arsene Wenger said:
.....We lacked a little bit the sharpness...
We may not have got the result we wanted after Chelsea, but a draw is a good result. We can only get better. Besides, Chelsea only drew against Genk (know who they are? didn't think so).
And why would Arsenal want to qualify with two games to go anyway? it's just not the Arsenal way!!
The Arsenal way is to first give the fans and the manager a massive scare, then qualify.
Onwards march the Arsenal!!!
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