howdy folks...So as far as routine wins go, last night couldn't have been more err...routine. No sooner had we settled down to our intricate passing game on the pristine Emirates pitch did the Hull City Tigers calmly surrender and hand over the 3 points. No roaring, No fangs bared..not even an attempt to scratch...Just happy to settle down to the saucer of milk we served them with a pat on the head for good measure.. :) They managed to escape an embarrassing scoreline last night, such was our commanding dominance of the game.
We got the early goal, which is never a bad thing to help in settling down and all that. But more importantly, the covering players who where brought as stand ins for the regulars did their jobs without fuss...Here's a player by player ranking as i saw it...
Szcesney----------------8
Lately he has been great. The opposition tonight where sub-par and far more busier nights lie in the wait this month, but as far as confidence goes...he cannot be more prepared to face the likes of City and Chelsea to come. He only had few saves to make in this one, i recall him coming out bravely once in the 2nd half to collect a ball from a cross at the on-rushing feet of Sagbo and getting clattered for it . But in all, his ball handling is great,his concentration level excellent, what more can you ask for? This zone he is in right now, i definitely like it.
Jenkinson-----------------7
He must have been desperate to get back on the pitch to banish the horrific memories of his last game against Chelsea where he was quite frankly poor. Today he was a lot better, doing the basics right and of course whipping in his marquee tantalizing crosses whenever he had the chance. One of which led to the first goal. With Sagna out with a Hamstring injury, this may mark a period of games for the Youngster. Lets hope against the big boys he steps up and raises his game.
Koscielny------------------8
A confident Koscielny is a delight to watch anyday. He looks comfortable and when that is the case you do not see cards. (Red or yellow) you also do not see any of those kamikazee defending or rash tackles you know he is capable of. Instead what you get is pro-active marking, inch perfect anticipation and commitment. All on show tonight.
Mertasacker----------------8
I call him the ''Calming influence''. When you pair him with Kos, he instantly turns him from a ''Bull in the china shop'' to a ''Dove on an Olive branch'' magical i tell ya. Per is a blessing to us really. He goes about his job in the most professional manner without as much as a reprimand from the referee. One of those players in my estimation we simply cannot afford to lose to injury this season. Crucial player for us.
Monreal---------------------8
Have i mentioned it how much i like this guy? No? you must be a newbie on this blog then. Nacho is a top player. He is just as good as Gibbs but only less offensive by default. However, he is not a slouch in that area, as he can attack as well if he needs to. His defending is sound,only slightly suspect in the area that his turn of pace isn't great but he makes up for that by having a good concentration level and game reading ability. He didn't allow any threat from the Hull wide man last night and he is evidence of our squad depth this season being vastly improved from previous ones.
Ramsey----------------------7.5
Rambo was a tad quiet today, in the first half he was more on the ball and delivered some really good shots one of them a rasping beauty that was headed for the bottom corner before the Hull Keeper flung himself and with his left glove denied him at the last minute. He amazes me with his work rate. The boss speaks about him having a good engine, but when that engine is working along-side his brain to track runners, make tackles and popup at dangerous moments in the opponents box to deliver assists like the one for the 2nd goal..you have to give him credit. I hope we can give him a proper rest at some point, but for now you cannot help but worry when you do not see his name in the lineup.
Rosicky----------------------7
Another of my favorites. Had a good firs half but faded largely in the second. His now trademark sliding tackles are one of the reasons i like seeing him on the pitch. Those tackles when they come off and are won cleanly can trigger dangerous counter attacks with the other team on the back-foot. Rosicky is one of the reasons i pray we win the EPL this season, so if it comes down to him leaving us(I hope he ends his career with with afc mind you) he can do so on a fantastic note. He's been great for us over the years.
Flamini-----------------------7
He must have been disappointed he didn't get the kind of opposition he would have liked. Huddlestone and Meylar turned out to be lightweights on the night. Nevertheless, he still had a good game, protecting the back 4 and getting forward whenever he could to support the offensive side of things.
Ozil-------------------------8
One of his best games in the shirt. I had him down as my Man of the match.. Mobile, incisive, disciplined and Clinical. He looked like he was enjoying himself out there compared to a few games ago when he looked leggy and uninterested. Took his goal well after being found brilliantly by Ramsey in the box. I still say we haven't even seen half of what Mesut can do. The moment he begins to ''feel it'' in this team.. The rest of the division better look out.
Carzola---------------------6.5
Its not quite back but there are signs Santi Carzola is gradually returning to his best. The movement is there,the long range passes almost there, the finishing still off but encouraging because i observed he is getting into the positions to score. Had one really good chance in the 2nd half after being found by Monreal's cutback, but blazed it high and wide. The moment we can add his goals to the mix, then we'd have a scoring Midfield of Ramsey, Ozil, and Carzola. Interesting prospect.
Bendtner----------------------7
He got a goal today, but in fairness that was pretty much it from him. He still has this weird knack of missing sitters that has always been a strange part of his game. I cannot point out any other player i know in football who can be so close to scoring yet still be so far from doing so. Few seasons ago against Burnley at home in the Premiership, he missed so many ridiculously easy chances that i started to feel he was doing it on purpose! better stop here by saying he had an Ok game, cos if i continue i find him an easy target to criticize to no end!
SUBS:
Walcott-----------------------6
Still haven't seen the pace yet. Boss says he isn't a 100% ready yet. So it means Theo needs games to get back to what we know to be his normal self.
Wilshere---------------------- N/A
Arteta------------------------N/A
So its on to Everton on sunday. The boss made a good point recently that we have enjoyed the benefit of warnings by opponents just before we get to clash with them regarding how we mustn't underrate them. It happened with Cardiff and how they took out Man City and Drew with United. Then it was Hull and their result against Liverpool..Now its Everton and their remarkable result at Old Trafford! We definitely will have a tough game with them. There will be no room for complacency from us not after seeing the performance they put up last night. But they've been great all season too beating Chelsea and now United!...we have a few days to prepare for that so lets rest up and recharge our battries after yet another inspiring 3 points..
It's Cazorla....
ReplyDeletemany thanks for that..correction noted
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