Jekyll And Hyde Gunners Hit Back
Oct 18th, 2008 by 'holic
Where to start? The first-half of this contest saw Arsenal pick up where they had left off against Hull. Just nine minutes had gone when Osman left the ball-watching Denilson and beat Silvestre to give the visitors the lead. Only the alert and impressive Clichy prevented Everton from doubling their advantage with a goal-line clearance from Lescott.
Worse still was the shoulder injury sustained by Kolo Toure which eventually saw him replaced at half-time. Both first choice central defenders are now likely to be out for the Champions League visit to Istanbul on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s best efforts before the break saw Howard deny van Persie at point-blank range, Fabregas fire wide from distance, and Adebayor head over from a good Clichy cross. Everton looked comfortable and were dangerous on the break.
The frustration of the home fans was evident as the half-time whistle blew. It wasn’t the quality of the chicken balti pies that had caused several thousand seats to empty long before the whistle. Many of those that had not gone for refreshments jeered loud and clear.
Toure’s misfortune became the turning point. For the second-half Theo Walcott was summoned from the bench, and Alexandre Song moved alongside Silvestre, with Eboue dropping back. Attack became the best form of protecting a new and untested defensive pairing, and Walcott was in the forefront of a spectacular transformation.
The equaliser arrived when Samir Nasri collected a lay-off from Silvestre on the edge of the box and saw his superb drive take a slight deflection to beat Howard at last. Arsenal were maybe denied a penalty when Adebayor was felled in the box (edit. It was RvP, thanks commenters), but in fairness the referee was making, or not making, decisions that baffled both sides.
The second Arsenal goal was inevitable, and arrived when Adebayor set up Fabregas for a blocked shot that bounced up into the path of van Persie, who gratefully headed home. The final ten minutes saw a return to action for Abou Diaby, but worryingly it was an injury to Nasri that was the prelude. The next couple of days will see us nervously checking the updates on the walking wounded.
Diaby was involved in the ninetieth minute clincher, cutting the ball back into the path of a rampant Walcott. Theo’s drive was angled across Howard into the far corner, and the reception for the side at the end of the second forty-five minutes was in marked contrast to the one they received at the end of the first-half.
Does the spectacular second-half suggest we are emerging from the fragility that has been the trademark of the early weeks of the season? Probably no more than the opening half was a sign that we are struggling to maintain a title challenge. As usual the truth is probably somewhere between those two viewpoints.
Those who booed at the interval would probably say they are justified by the transformation after the break. I am still concerned that booing young players halfway through a game is not likely to lift already fragile confidence. I’ll accept though that it is difficult to sit back in your expensive seat and try to visualise the bigger picture when you are watching your side perform with such inconsistency.
If Nasri and Toure have joined Gallas, Djourou, Sagna, Bendtner, Rosicky, and Eduardo on the treatment table there may well be an opportunity for a couple more of the younger players against Fenerbahce. Are you wondering how much depth is in this squad? We may just be about to find out the hard way. Let’s get behind them and try to lift the side.
23 Responses to “Jekyll And Hyde Gunners Hit Back”
I thought it was the pies. Nice one ‘holic.
You summed it up well, holic.
I thought the first half performance was really poor. The team looked lethargic and tense. They played, not only with the hand brake on, but with one foot on the foot brake too. There were few who seemed able to control or pass the ball at anything like the high standards the team has set for itself.
I think the team selection didn’t help. Eboue is NOT the quality of mid-field player that a team aspiring to win the chamionship needs. He IS a very capable right back. Why start Song, therefore, at RB and add to the frailty of the defence? Please, AW, Eboue at RB in Turkey and until Sagna returns. Silvestre was just OK.
The width, pace an fear factor that Theo added really helped to give the team both width and an extra cutting edge. The final scoreline was a relief for me, not a cause for optimism. BUT, we live to fight another day.
You’re spot on about the booing. OK, people pay good money, but they need to rise way, way above that level of behaviour if they want this young team to grow. Also, looked like there were many empty seats in the base case despite the “sold out” label on the game. City crisis beginning to bite?
lets get behind them if not why do we support them
First half was poor, but at half time we were booing the ref, not the team. Once again it seemed that a physically stronger team was allowed to kick us in the ankles but as soon as we go in heavier it’s a card. He didn’t take the hint though – should have sent off hibbert for challenge from behind on denilson. And I’m not sure how van persie didn’t get a penalty, it looked like he got flattened from where I was. But once again it was very noticeable how much of a difference Walcott made. He really gives us someone to look to when we need to make things happen. Fingers crossed for the injured.
I thought the first half performance was as poor as I have seen for some time. Struggled to find a decent pass and played like strangers for a lot of it. Their goal was born out of some awful defending. Thought we werte lucky to go in just one down.
2nd half was a vast improvement but against what I feel was a poor Everton side. That said, we got the result in the end.
Thought that Clichy was head and shoulders above anything else in red today. His drive and enthusiasm were one of the major plus points. He linked up very well with Nasri who I also thought looked good. Song was shocking at right back and looked far more comfortable back in the middle. We had far more shape when Theo came on and the side looked far more balanced.
I have said it several times now but I think we lack any true leaders. When the going gets a bit tough I do not see anyone getting hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and driving us forward. We have some fantastic young players but I can not help but thing that their progress is being slightly hampered by the lack of experience around them.
Onwards and upwards. Off to Turkey next.
There was lot of booeing on Icelandic Arsenal forum at half time today.
I turn of TV and go to shops instead
beer
Its gone beyond a joke now. Once again we conceded a silly first goal and were trying to play catch-up for the rest of the first half. Does it have to happen EVERY time. The introduction of walcott for the second half made the difference and we played the game at a proper tempo and reaped the rewards. does Robin practice shooting, and does he miss them in training too? The greatest shock I had today was that Diaby was available for selection; the second greatest was that I was visited by aliens from outer-space this morning.
idiot
Steve T is spot on about the lack of leadership. I knew we’d miss Flamini’s drive and energy.
The thing I’ve noticed in the last few games is this: we play at a high tempo – we look like world-beaters. We let the tempo drop – we struggle like f*ck. We need someone who’ll ensure we dictate the pace of the game, like Flamini used to.
Totally agree with Steve T; the worst 1st half I’ve seen at The Grove. Couldn’t pass, couldn’t tackle, no leadership. Simply an execrable performance and in large part it was of AW’s making.
I’m still not quite sure what to make of Song but right back is not his position – check out his (lack of) contribution for their goal. At CH he looked ok.
The idiot Eboue somehow managed to play at inside left when he was meant to be right midfield and consequently the team had no right side, no width and no balance. At least at full back he, vaguely, knows where he’s supposed to dive.
What worries me is that despite this being obvious to everyone at the ground it probably was only the unfortunate injury to Kolo that forced Arsene to correct the situation.
In comes Theo and instantly we have balance and width and we then see a total transformation.
Possibly tea cups were thrown at half time but really after Hull and Fulham that shouldn’t have been necessary and having pissed around with the team selection at Sunderland AW really should know better than to play people out of position and out of their depth.
Clichy was magnificent and, despite my many reservations I would have to give some credit to Silvestre. Since Gael at times felt it necessary to cover every inch of the pitch (well, someone had to) it was good to see Silvestre aware of the need to cover. If only our “capi” showed such initiative – don’t come back soon Billy.
If by some miracle we stay in touch ‘til January surely Arsene must buy an experienced midfielder and centre half to provide leadership and launch a charge to the title? Flying pig time then . . . .
Give it a rest – we won the game, why do some of you have to pick it all to pieces?
You can’t enjoy a good cheese without some crackers. Crackers and fine wine please, ‘holic.
Who was captain when Toure went off?
Although we didn’t play too well in the 1st half, we could have easilly scored one or two if Robin had taken his chances. And it was Robin who was fouled in the box for a 100% penalty – although the whole situation wouldn’t have occurred had the ref spotted a foul by Ade. Hibbert should have been sent off for attempting to strangle Gael (who was by far our best player).
I think Fish-Face had a good game, and Song was good as CB, apart from his mis-kick which freed Yakubu for a 1-on-1 with Almunia. Almunia saved us there, but his first real mistake of the season nearly cost us a goal when Clichy chested the ball away off the line.
I’m not sure that Walcott should get the acclaims for changing the game. I think the whole team was more balanced when Song and Eboue slotted into more familiar positions, and the whole team played a higher tempo.
Almunis was captain
Sorry – Almunia
passenal – I think people want to pick it to pieces because, despite the win, there are good grounds for concern. Not for booing but for concern.
1) AW’s team selection – Song out of position when he has good enough cover for Sagna in Eboué, and Song is better than Eboué in midfield anyway. And this when we already have Silvestre in for the first time – I just don’t understand it.
2) Ade and RvP’s ability to miss the barn door when sitting on the handle. Plus I still don’t think these two gell together and I’m beginning to think Snejder has a point about RvP not being a good team player but out there for his own glory. Yes. he scored but …..
3) If Touré is out for an extended period, we could be in deep do-do’s. Silvestre was fine once he shook off the ring rust and Song looked like he knew more about what to do there than at right back but …..
Yes – it was a win but there are still too many “buts” to feel confident. We need strengthening, we needed it before the sesaon started, but nothing was done and I fear AW will stick to his same mantra in January.
We regard to the Cesc rumour, it seems to have started in the NotW – nuff said? I’ll believe when Cesc or AW says it in public.
Almunia captain when Kolo went off????? Kind of says it all really.
With regards to the booing I think we need to really look at it context of the whole game. I do not see it as booing, more of a way of fans venting their frustration. Just a brief reaction from those who feel passionate about the club. Lets be honest, if at the half time whistle we had all stood, clapped and shouted out “bravo, well played” then it would have showed that we had no cares at all about the way we were playing. Everyone was behind the team from the moment the palyers emerged for the second half. Don’t read too much into it I say. A perfectly natural reaction from those that care.
Re Cesc, I guess we will have to put up with this kind of stuff until the day he leaves. Just as we did with Vieira, Henry etc etc.
NOTW reports branded rubbish by Cesc on Sky. Is it not about time that these papers were taken to task for making up so much bollocks?
Am I too late for a drink?
I’ll h ave a drink before I go to bed. Thanks.
The funny thing is I quite (unfortunately) expected boos at half-time, but didn’t in fact hear any in my corner of the ground.
Unless my hearing was really selective.
I think Wenger started Eboue and Song where he did because Eboue attacks, and Song does not, and AW wants to maximize attack and possession, for both offensive and defensive reasons. And he wanted to rest Theo, otherwise Theo would have started, no doubt.
To me, Song was at fault on the goal, followed by Almunia — he should have stopped that ball.
When was there not a game when our side missed some sitters, leading our supporters to bewail the inadequacy of our strikers and where the other side’s strikers missed some sitters, leading our supporters to bewail the inadequacy of our defense? Get a grip, people; the man who missed more goal opps than anyone last year was Ronaldo. Scoring is very very hard, even at the easiest of times.