Arsenal’s lack of width and decent strike force did not enable them to kill the game off

“We wander however whether against a more potent team if Arsenal would have kept the opposition out”.

This was posted on the site after the Villa game. And again against Everton the defence conceded after a set play. All fairs dues the defence played quite well – up to that point. They looked competent and assured and this was aided by the fact of playing one more experienced defender at the back than at the Villa game where Hoyte and Djourou were the Left and Right backs.

AW idea of continuing with Silva in defence allowed Diaby to assume his ‘rightful’ position in midfield and he showed why he will very soon, with more games, become the first choice for that position. He is much better than Sissoko of Liverpool who does not have as good a passing and shooting ability. More selection headaches for AW when Ebuoe returns to the squad as he will surely reinstate Toure in the middle of the defence.

What Arsenal lacked during this game were width and scoring ability up front which did not enable them to kill the game off. The absence of Cliché and Ebuoe in addition to Ljumberg’s ineffectiveness on the right wing meant that there was no meaningful penetration from these dangerous positions. And up front the limitations of Aliadere and Baptista were again very evident – as predicted! We do not believe AW when he says he does not need to buy! AW needs to let these two go so that he can sign a top class finisher to compliment Henry, Adebayor, Van Persie and Bendtner. As analysed in a previous posting “ Arsenal’s transfer targets” there is not a lot wrong with the squad especially when you take into account the injured players and those out on loan returning.