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Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Steaua Vs Arsenal: Hleb ran the show. Plus video highlights: Did it cross the line?

By 1970’s Gooner

It was not a great performance. The players looked a little jaded and could not get their flowing football going.

Maybe tiredness is beginning to set in with practically the same players playing in almost every game so far. There were also niggling injuries that a number of the Arsenal players were carrying.

They did however dominate the game, created many chances and should have scored more than one goal.

Still not being at your best and creating chances bodes well for the rest of, what looks like, a long campaign this season and probably in all fronts.

Wenger called for goal line technology claiming that the ball had crossed the line from one of many crosses from Clichy which was deflected into goal. See for yourself by clicking on the video window.

Fabregas missed a sitter in the first half from about five yards scooping the ball over the bar where it would have been easier to score!

But the goal came eventually on 75 minutes from yet another cut back from the left hand side by Adebayor. Van Persie buried it in the roof of the net.

After that confidence took over and the young guns passed the ball around in their customary style.

Almunia:

Did not have much to do but gave a very assured and confident display: 7

Sagna:

Strong and decisive but did not get going forward a lot. Probably due to instructions and Eboue’s insufficient support: 6

Toure:

Strong, decisive and a real leader. Never put a foot wrong: 8

Senderos:

Faultless. Never missed a header and won all his interceptions decisively. One of his best performances: 8

Clichy:

His usual bustling self, defending well and bombing forward on every occasion. He is important in this Arsenal side as Hleb does not usually stay on the wing much : 8

Eboue:

Disappointing. Never in the game and was at most a peripheral figure. He went passed his man on only one occasion during the whole game. Preferred to come inside and lay the ball off to colleague rather than try and make things happen for himself : 4

Hleb:

Man of the match. Run the show overshadowing Fabregas in this respect.

He always wanted the ball and by coming inside he was making things happen, laying off balls and then running into positions to receive it.

He made Arsenal tick last night. A shadow of his previous season’s self! 9

Fabregas:

Just below his best with a lot of his passes uncharacteristically going astray or to opponents. Is he tired? 6

Flamini:

Played his usual game full of running and determination. One of the few Arsenal players who performed at his best: 8

Adebayor:

Was below his best and did not link well with his partner RVP. But his runs down the left channel were difficult for the opponents to stop due to his strength and speed. His cut back created the goal for Van Persie: 6

Van Persie:

He was also below his best and his link up play with Adebayor was again lacking as it was in the previous game at West Ham. These two still need to get it together and when they do many more goals will come! Took his goal very well: 8

Sunderland on Sunday now. Lets hope the players rest well and that there are no more injuries.

Keep Well

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Eboue was disappointing for me too. Reminded me of Wiltord in his last year at Arsenal. Always prefering to pass inside.
I agree with your assessment of Hleb. He was fantastic last night.

Anonymous said...

The opponents were not really up to standard and Arsenal should have had the game sewn up well before they did. Still not playing well and winning is not a bad thing!

Anonymous said...

Personally, i think Eboue's style of play is known to all and sundry and should be permanently relegated to the bench. Last two season in a carling cup game against Wigan, Bendtner was introduced as a right winger and i was do amazed. trying him there in matches like this i think will boost his confidence and morale. Adebayor is being over-praised. Scoring three against Derby is nothing like having a good game at Bolton. Eduardo should be back ASAP. Thank you

Anonymous said...

I agree with the previous anonymous in that Eboue had a terrible game. He was also below par against West Ham when he came on. He needs to improve if he is to stay at Arsenal.
Eduardo though needs more games to acclimatise himself to English style football

Anonymous said...

I think Bendtner is underated and should be given a chance

Anonymous said...

Ok last night Arsenal was'nt playing their free flowing football but we dominated and deserved to come away with victory. I think us Gooner's are spoiled by our football and when we have an "off night" we have to accept it. We got the win and thats the most important thing. Hleb was fantasic last night and the way he effortlessy ghosts past players is unbelievable! Great finish by RVP! Wrighty7

Anonymous said...

I also think that Hleb was fantastic. So much improved this year its unbelievable.

Anonymous said...

We have so many players that can make the difference. Its Hleb and RVP now tomorrow it could be Rosicky or Adebayor or even Bendtner.

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