A disappointing performance at Anfield still has everyone drooling. Plus players ratings

By 1970’s Gooner

It was a disappointing game from Arsenal’s point of view and a disappointing result. Don’t get me wrong. To get an away point at Anfield and to have so much of the play must be considered a good performance and a great result.

And this performance would have convinced those doubting Thomases that this team can grind out results at “hostile” places such as Anfield.

Yet it was a disappointing game because Arsenal were not at their fluent best. They allowed Liverpool’s quick tempo and in your face tactics to crowd them out on many occasions.

Passes were uncharacteristically given away and the below par performance from three of the Arsenal players, Adebayor, Eboue and Rosicky meant that Arsenal’s movement off the ball and persistence could only in the end result in a draw.

It was also a disappointing game because defensive disorganization returned again giving away a goal from a badly managed wall in front of Gerrard’s free kick.

Yet it could have been an away win if on two separate occasions Fabregas and Bendtner had kept their heads in front of a gaping goal with Reina nowhere.


Almunia

Could not be faulted for the goal. There is nothing that a goalkeeper can do when the wall disintegrates in front of him like that. Especially when the ball is hit with such pace. Also made two good saves; one from Gerrard from outside the box and another from Voronin from inside the box. Lehman is a goner. 8

Sagna

Had an average game. Did not do anything wrong but on the other hand he was not that offensively minded. Wenger should have substituted Sagna instead of Clichy (unless he was injured) who was after all more adventurous going forward. 5

Toure

Played well albeit against an ineffective and lone man attack lined up by Benitez. Did well in the air against Crouch when he came on. Ventured forward by the closing stages of the game and added to the threat posed by the rest of the attacking players. 7

Gallas

Made one very important sliding tackle to save an almost certain goal from Gerrard when he burst into the penalty area with Almunia already committed and exposed. However Gallas did not look that comfortable on the ball with a few of his passes going astray. Maybe he needs more games still. 6

Clichy

Like Sagna had an average game. Good at the back defensively but not as effective as per usual when going forward. 6

Fabregas

Man of the match; but not at his top best. He was closely marked and with a very congested midfield found it hard to dictate the game as much as we have been used to so far this season.

He was at fault for conceding the free kick to Alonso on the edge of the area which led to the goal.


He was however the central focus for nearly all the Arsenal moves and he did score the equaliser with an audacious pass into the net which surprised and thus wrong footed Reina. 8 (he usually gets a 9 from me)

Flamini

The usual high powered and full of running performance which is typical of him. Kept his position well and provided once again the cover for Fabregas to play his game. 7

Rosicky

Was not much into the game and found it difficult to make the penetrative runs and passes he is usually known for. Liverpool’s congestion of the midfield helping to put him off his game. Correctly substituted. 4

Hleb

Shone throughout the game. His close control and deft touch was just what the doctor ordered for such a tight and congested middle of the pitch.


His close control between three Liverpool players and his vision to spot Fabregas’ s run for the goal was sublime. 8

Eboue

Had a disappointing game although his performance was better than midweek against Slavia. He was too casual and frivolous in his play loosing possession too often and unnecessarily. He should be dropped for the next game. 3

Adebayor

Was not at the races. Looked out of touch without making his presence felt either in the air or on the ground. His runs were not timed well and often caught offside. Did not contribute at all in the come back. Needs to improve if he is to keep his place in the team. 3

Manchester United will provide the opportunity to put things right.


Arsenal’s movement, Liverpool’s long balls and Adebayor’s hunger

Line up considerations for Arsenal plus prediction

By 1970’s Gooner

Arsenal have won all four of their matches against Sparta, each of which has come in the Champions League group stage.

Two seasons ago, a half-fit Henry marked his return from a six-week absence through injury to supply Arsenal’s goals in a 2-0 win in the group stage match in Prague, breaking Ian Wright’s club scoring record in the process.

The striking aspect of that game was the conservative approach adopted by Wenger who appeared to give a little bit too much respect to the opponents than was merited.

The system adopted was a rather timid 4 5 1 with the lone striker more often than not left isolated. It wasn’t until Henry was unleashed from the bench that the whole team was liberated.

Arsenal won their home fixture 3-0 with goals from Henry and two from RVP.

How Arsenal will play

I can see Wenger adopting a conservative approach again as this has served him well in the head to head counters with Sparta Prague. In addition this is an away tie and there is always the home game to come at, hopefully, fortress Emirates where things could be put right if need be.

There is also the need to accustom the players in treating this first European game in the manner that will be followed in the away games of the Champions League competition proper.

So a 4 5 1 formation is likely to be adopted

Judging by Hleb’s performance and crucial goal he scored against Fulham he will again play the withdrawn role behind RVP. Only this time he will be instructed to stick to that and not venture too much back into midfield crowding out playmaker Fabregas.

Rosicky and Eboue are likely to be trusted on the wings again although the latter was rather subdued against Fulham. However his defensive background will come in handy if Arsenal have to defend a lead late on in the game.

Diaby and Denilson have not travelled due to ankle problems. The players to travel include the same 16 which were picked to face Fulham, plus full backs Justin Hoyte and Armand Traore. The players on the bench against Fulham were Almunia, Senderos, Song, Walcott and Bendtner.

It is a pity that Diaby in particular could not participate as it is this type of players that have the qualities needed to protect the defence in those difficult European or indeed Premiership away games.

Nevertheless, according to our resident season ticket holder at the Emirates, Flamini put in a very strong performance against Fulham and the same will be required of him again.

Bendtner will probably be on the bench and ready to come on late in the game if need be. I can see him scoring if he comes on. He nearly did against Fulham.

Prediction

I don’t see many goals in this game as both teams will not want to risk too much lest they concede; especially the home team.

Arsenal will also be thinking about the difficult away encounter with Blackburn on Sunday, so if they go a goal up they will probably not break leather to add to it.

Away win. 1 - 0

Best odds at time of writing this post:

Arsenal win : 5/6 Bet 365
Draw : 5/2 Paddy Power
Sparta win : 19/5 Expect.com

Arsenal win 1-0 : 11/2 Bet 365, Better, Betdirect, Sporting Odds, Blue Square

Bendtner to score the first or last goal: 7/1 Skybet, Extra bet, Stan James
Hleb to score first goal : 14/1 VC Bet
Hleb to score last goal : 12/1 Bet Fred, Stan James


Part I: Sparta’s manager fears Rosicky

Bendtner should start every game. It makes more tactical sense

By 1970's Gooner

There were two tactical weaknesses apparent during Arsenal’s first game of the season against Fulham at the Emirates. The first concerned Hleb’s positioning during the game and the other the obvious lack of a strong centre forward.

In my preview of this game (and considering that Wenger was not going to select Bendtner) I favoured Hleb to partner Van Persie over Eduardo even if the latter had been available.

Hleb looked sharper and rejuvenated during the pre season relishing his new role behind Van Persie and getting on the score sheet too. A feat which he promptly repeated again in a real game.

However what he tended to do a lot during the game was to drop deep into midfield and try and dictate play from there.

This crowded out Fabregas and Flamini not only in terms of space but more importantly restricting Fabregas from running the show as only he knows how.

And I think that we all agree that Fabregas is much better at it than Hleb; who has shown however that he can replace Fabregas if need be.

This had another negative effect. There was no support for Van Persie which restricted his passing options when he was able to receive the ball.

The second tactical weakness concerns the role of Van Persie himself. He is better deployed behind or next to a strong centre forward and not as a lone striker.

This was very evident last season when Henry was around and now with Bendtner in the friendlies. This is probably the way Wenger intends to deploy him when Adebayor returns.

However he chose not do so for this game probably because, as he has said recently, he does not consider Bendtner ready for the Premiership yet.

In my posting after the Ajax game for the Amsterdam Tournament I argued that Bendtner was the new fox in the box that we have for so long been looking for and that he should be starting against Fulham.

Wenger I think has underestimated the boy’s capabilities. The answer is staring him in his face yet he refuses to see it.

Bendtner has proved more than capable of playing that role and it clearly showed when he was brought on the pitch at 72 minutes.

This had a multiple of positive effects as you often get in football games when a weakness is corrected.

The introduction of a strong and tall centre forward raffled the opposing defence and allowed Van Persie to play off him thus becoming more effective himself. Additionally Hleb’s repositioning on the left flank (to make room for Bendtner) released Fabregas to weave his magic.

Bob’s your uncle Fabregas releases the killer ball that Hleb dispatched into the net on 90 minutes for the winner.

The latest news is that Eduardo has joined Adebayor on the injury list. Bendtner, if called upon, is well capable of performing well in the Champion’s League qualifier.

We have set up a poll on the issue of who should partner Robin Van Persie. Please cast your vote and leave a comment!


Bendtner makes a case for starting against Fulham

Strength in depth eases Wenger’s team selection worries for the coming season


Ed: Can Asa or anyone linking here from the "Same old Arsenal" blog please contact me using the comments box as the link from Arsenal Analysis" does not appear to be working!

Preview of Arsenal Vs Fulham. Breaking up packed defenses is hard to do

By 1970’s Gooner

You knew what you were going to get from Fulham when Chris Coleman was in charge. Attacking football home and away, having a go at you with the midfielders and full backs encouraged to go forward.

His philosophy was that if you put a lot of players behind the ball you will eventually succumb. Attack was the best form of defense.

This was the reason that Fulham surprised a few teams but it was also the reason why they ended up letting in fours and fives, as in their opening game of last season against Manchester United.

They did in fact concede 60 league goals last season. As compared to Watford’s 59 and Sheffield United’s 55. Both went down.

Judging by Northern Ireland’s excellent performances on the international scene, Lawrie Sanchez appears to be of the other persuasion.

Stick men behind the ball and pack the midfield whose first priority will be to adopt a more conservative approach.

And become more adventurous through quick counter attacks when the opportunity arises.

Sanchez’s recruitment strategy has reflected this mentality.

The players brought in are not necessarily top quality but they are well equipped for tough battles out there on the football field.

Also in Kamara and Buazza they have two very pacy players who can hit you on the counter attack.

The problem however will be to assimilate all these new players in the squad and also keep them happy. Not an easy task.

So it will appear that Arsenal will return back to familiar ground.

No I don’t mean that they are by now used to the Emirates; it was to me a very feeble excuse anyway, invented by Wenger, in desperation, to keep the players’ morale up when points were being dropped at home left right and centre.

What I mean is that Arsenal are likely to face a packed defence. And we all know that breaking up packed defenses is hard to do!

This is what Arsenal failed to find answers to last season. And if they haven’t learned their lesson then this game could turn out another first home fixture where points are dropped; again.

Remember Aston Villa last season?

It is this background that Wenger’s team selection will have to take into account for the two positions that are really still open.

These are deciding on who to partner Robin Van Persie in the forward areas of the pitch and who to trust for the wide left slot.

I say this because the occupants for the rest of the positions are either well known or have passed their trial during the “perfect pre-season”.

The right midfield position has to my mind been successfully claimed by the excellent Eboue and the right back slot by the new recruit Bakary Sagna.

These two have gelled together very quickly and they compliment each other very well.

Now who will partner RVP up front is not as straight forward.

I have advocated for Bendtner’s inclusion before for the fact that he compliments RVP very well who himself is better deployed not as a front man but playing off the centre forward.

But obviously Wenger thinks otherwise so who am I disagree!

I believe therefore that Hleb should get the nod before Eduardo as he has played very well in that position during pre-season.

He showed that his skills in close ball control and dribbling can be very effective when playing off a front man.

More importantly however these are the skills that will come in very useful when trying to unlock defenses, as I suspect Arsenal will be trying to do on Sunday.

There is no obvious candidate for the wide left midfield spot simply because no one from the usual suspects impressed there during pre season.

Rosicky who may get the nod was not up to his usual standard. Clichy did impress but he will be trusted with the left back spot.

Wenger may make therefore the pragmatic decision and play Hleb on the left and partner Eduardo with RVP instead.

I personally would keep Eduardo on the bench and introduce him to Premiership football in a more gradual manner rather than throwing him in at the deep end.

My starting eleven would therefore be:

Lehmann

Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy

Eboue Fabregas Diaby Rosicky

Hleb

RVP

Prediction: Arsenal carry their pre-season form into the League and hit the ground running. 2 - 0

Arsenal look ready to hit the ground running, more so than the others
What does Arsenal need to do to challenge for next season?
Bendtner makes a case for starting against Fulham