Match Review: Arsenal 2 vs Tottenham 0 (Derby delight for Arsenal)

A brilliant game that was charged with emotion and the usual intense rivalry ended in victory for the home team. Tottenham came into this game on the back of a victory over Man utd and were definitely not low on confidence. Our lineup was symptomatic of our current injury state and it was not surprising to see a few regulars missing by virtue of the knocks they sustained over the hectic xmas schedule or due to Fatigue in general.

Fabianski, Sagna,Vermaelen,Koscielny,Monreal,Cazorla,Wilshere,Arteta,Rosicky,Gnabry,Walcott.

That was the starting lineup, not too under-strength in any way but the early concerns were if Theo would be able to deliver in the top striker role..It turns out he didn't do that bad. He was dangerous through out the game and played better than i expected. Cazorla scored in the 32nd min after good work from youngster Gnabry while Rosicky got the 2nd in the 62nd after making Danny rose look really stupid. It was a team performance that was rewarded with progress to the round of 32..here's my player rating as it happened.

Fabianski:-------------8    Great game. Made the saves he needed to make (especially the Erikson one in the 1st half) and looked composed all through. I understand his need to play and have to say he deserves to even if it means bidding us farewell.

Sagna:----------------7    Always a confidence boost for me when i see this guy on the starting list. Is there anything i can say to describe his performance? his consistency is unparalleled. I hope news of progress on a new contract is true, really do.

Vermaelen------------7    Showed his battling qualities and read the game well. His tackling remains as robust as ever (just ask Dembele) but had to be subbed in the 2nd half ostensibly due to a knock ..like i'v said here before and i'll say it again,.its great to be able to call upon some one of his quality if the need arises.

Koscielny------------7  i wasn't happy with his concentration early on in the game as silly give-aways that could have been costly were committed by him in the first half. Maybe it was as a result of his pairing with Vermaelen as no sooner had Per entered the fray, Kos was back to his best.

Monreal--------------7.5   Very good shift by the Spaniard today. He came under some deserved criticism in the Mancity game for what was a pretty poor afternoon, but today he was faultless in everything.Kudos

Arteta----------------7      Mikel was his archetypal self. Doing the silent dirty work and ensuring protection for the back 4. Found himself outnumbered on one or two breakaways but was experienced enough to escape any serious fouling without a card.

Wilshere-------------6     I wish jack would just ignore certain things on the pitch and learn to get on with it. He appears to quick to react to every thing on the pitch these days at the expense of his focus on the game. When he's switched on, he's unplayable but when he starts fighting and being petulant not so much.

Cazorla--------------7.5  Great to see Santi back to somewhere near his best. His goal was great, and the kind of goal in this squad i don't see anyone outside him able to score. First time shot on the left foot with dead eye accuracy. brilliant

Rosicky--------------8  My  man of the match. Always runs his heart out for the team and never shys away from making a tackle. He scored a goal that came about as a result of his own making. Pressing the opponent is his specialty and in this occasion he got rewarded. i pray he winds up this glorious career with us.

Gnabry---------------7.5   I forsee big things for this boy. Brilliant and confident in possession, this guy has an air of unpredictability that i love. Raw natural skill sees him able to hoodwink defenders and he also showed he has an eye for goal..Great assist to Cazorla, the pass was perfectly measured.

Walcott-------------8      A great night for Theo who looks ever so confident these days of his ability and game. He led the attack in his own way today not by Holding up play like a big guy would, but by making good runs and positioning himself brilliantly. He deserved a goal, but can be happy with his performance. (NB: I admit that 2-0 hand gesture took him from a 7.5 to an 8 on the ratings :-)

Subs:

 Per-----------7  came in and was Big as always.

Flamini--------7 no one wanted to mess with him when he came in to the fray, says  a lot.

Ozil-----------7.5 game was already won by the time he was introduced,  still nearly grabbed a third goal but Lloris made a good save.

So Spurs got served what they deserved and its now time we rest some legs ahead of Villa on Monday. Hopefully Theo is fine and Giroud can start. Till then cheers.

P.S: im hearing the FA may charge Theo for the hand score gesture. Seriously? look the game needs moments like that to remind us why it is a competitive sport not a Soap opera...