Changes to the 11 from Hull

maybe the whole team needs a pair?

Nasri and Bendnter came through in the end and Bendt's boots are vicious to the eyes and to the back of the net.

We pulled out a win against Hull, and actually looked really strong at the end of the match after a game that was mostly mediocre.
Ade and RVP were both on form, and really had a go at the defense.

Defensively, besides Clichy's mistake marking too far off Mendy the back 4 were quality. You can't really put too much blame on Clichy, Mendy is QUICK, and he was trying to play smart and safe but, he got beat with a quick touch and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Gael just has to trust in his pace, he could have been closer to his man.

Our issue, was again... in the midfield.
Some moments we looked bright and had a wonderful passing displays while trying to break down their attack. Other times we gave away the pall and couldn't put any attack together, this hot, cold, on, off issue is really the main issue with our middle-men.

On a positive note, Denilson stood strong against Hull, he didn't have a spectacular game but he was sold and steady, which is what we need.

Diaby settled in a bit more to his central role but gave the ball away far too much to be effective at the middle. Which is costing us a big part of our possession in the final third.

Nasri was very frustrated at his position on the flank. He created well but kept slamming the ball into the first defender on all his crosses which again is something we need to stop doing... obviously

However, letting Nasri pull to the middle and leaving Diaby on the flank BOTH players look more comfortable. Nasri can pull the strings a bit more from the center, and he has better and more consistent passing while Diaby can have a bit more room and be a bit more free with what he is trying to create as tight passes are not his strong suit.

so our 4th midfielder?

Eboue... I am sorry to say, has to get back to the bench. I have been the biggest fan of his this season, but he is just so inconsistent and his flaws are too evident and there is a hole in the team... we look better with him off the pitch, enough blown crosses and wasted shots and dribbling to no where.

Bendtner deserves the spot. Always coming on strong and always coming through in the clutch. He has shown he can do more than just strike he can create and drive the right side which is normally our weaker side. If you don't think we look more dangerous with Nick on the pitch I suggest you WATCH THIS

So Nasri to the center Diaby on the flank and Bendtner in for Eboue... what else can he do to earn a starting spot? He may be out of his position but he is a dangerous player and we need that from him for 90 minutes instead of leaving it all to the end of the game.

Man Of The Match Vs. Hull

Our Man of the match, ROBIN VAN PERSIE he was involved in the creation of all three goals today against Hull City.

Include the fact that he had TWO spot kicks that were very nearly goals, he was brilliant in the attack all game and Hull ran cowering from his left foot... I would have to say he is not only the man of the match but the man of the season thus far...

RVP has now hit the crossbar 15 times this season... pair that with his 8 goals (11th most in the league) oh and dont forget he is tied for 1st in the league for most assists with 8.

Robin seems to have to fight hard to get ever goal he scores, what if the boy had a bit of luck on his side??? I do think we would be a bit higher in the table if he could find his LUCKY boots. (borrow Nicklas's pink pair?)

ALSO there have been reports of Milan buying up Ade and Clichy from the Money they receive from the KAKA deal with CITY. Along with Barca planning to scoop up RVP and Cesc this summer...

to all of this I say....

Horseshit. complete and udder horseshit

happy Monday

Filling Flamini's Boots... solve our midfield suffering

A little over a year ago, Gunners fans were enjoying the boys sitting top of the table and games that were dominated by beautiful football from a young squad... Well, we all know how last season ended. Our already young squad got even younger as we lost the likes of Hleb, Flamini, Gilberto, Lehmann, as well as sending out Senderos on loan.
Is losing that experience what has brought us to where we are now? 5th in the Prem, struggling to have any sort of consistency, and pulling players out of position to cover a squad that was thin BEFORE our injury crisis? I think not. Hleb was great on the ball and worked our quick touch system like a master, but he had no driving attack force, scoring just 11 times in his Arsenal career in all competitions(mostly in his final season when he learned how to take a shot). I would take Sammy Nasri over Hleb any day, Sammy already has 5 goals this season and 4 assists he is a fantastic creative attacker and could just use a bit more consistency that will hopefully come the more he plays in the Arsenal system. As for Gilberto, and Lehmann both Arsenal to the core, but their time had come Gilberto's injury problems and Lehmann's temper and loss of form showed their prime had past and I was not too sad to see them go. Oh, and Big Phil was sent out on loan to gain some much needed confidence, the big Swiss goon can play he just needs to know that.
So we lost some experience with our older players but what we really lost was one Mathieu Flamini. He was one of the best impact subs we had really giving life to the squad during the 06-07 season and his last season with us we really saw what he could do and was a strong part of our system. Flamini was Cesc's defensive partner allowing Fab to play up and let his creativity shine. No one on the current squad challenges attacking play like he did full force on every ball and just a constant workhorse, the boy was everywhere on the field really challenged for the ball in midfield. He knew the Arsenal system and was wheel in. Now no one seems to fit, Song is the most inconsistent mess I have ever seen either gets beat on ever challenge or makes absurd unnecessary fouls. Diaby is too leggy and while brilliant at times with the attck when he can hold on to the ball he doesn't hold his on defensively. Denilson is fantastic and I think he is going to be a very important part of the team in years to come but when he can't handle rough play, he goes down and loses tough 50/50 balls that we need to be winning our midfield is weak. Someone needs to find Mathieu's old boots to bring some balance back to our midfield as his type of play is what we are missing at the moment. When cesc DOES come back he needs to be able to go up field creating the attack and creating vulnerability in the defense.
The other internal solution is possibly Djourou... but do we dare take him out of our unstable back four while he has been in such good form this season? So who else? A transfer possibly? Noble? Upson? I am sort of at a loss. With all the rumors floating around Im really starting to believe Arshavin is coming, but from what I have seen he is no defensive midfielder. So what to do and who needs to come in or step up? The questions I am sure we are all waiting to have answered. _TGD