Another easy three points for Arsenal with a convincing 3-0 win over North London rivals Tottenham. The full match report can be found here.
Two goals from Robin van Persie, and a wonder-goal from Fabregas secured Arsenal into a handsome position in the Premiership, and within touching distance with Manchester United and Chelsea.
Robbie Keane’s words prior to the game…
If you look at the two squads, you look at us and think, ‘We’re definitely on a par,’ but that will only be judged at the end of the season. If you look at the last four or five years, for some reason Arsenal always got ahead of us slightly, but if you look now, it’s certainly even. And if you look at the squads, the bench that we have is probably a little bit stronger than their bench.
He really needs to keep his mouth shut. There are eleven players on the pitch, and it’s irrelevant who is on the bench. Silly boy.
Anyway, onto the player ratings, and we have some interesting ones for you to take in.
- Almunia (7) – Looked comfortable enough. Definitely feels safer with him between the sticks.
- Sagna (9) – Absolutely quality game. A consistent performer who averages a 7/10, but this was one of his better games for Arsenal.
- Gallas / Vermaelen (8.5) – Both had quality games. Solid as usual, and working up a great little partnership.
- Clichy (7) – Nothing outstanding from Clichy. Had moments, but overall nothing to rave about.
- Song (10) – Best player on the pitch. Was absolutely quality. Can’t say much else about Song.
- Fabregas (8.5) – Good game from Cesc, capped off with probably the goal of the season.
- Diaby (3) – Useless as usual. Never has a good game. All you Arsenal fans who say ‘Diaby has potential’ are idiots. He’s had potential for about 15 years!
- Arshavin (6) - The Russian hasn’t really hit the form that took us into the top four last season. Looks a little off the pace this season.
- Van Persie (8) – Two goals from the Dutchmen, and two very uncharecteristic goals.
- Bendtner (7.5) – Limped off with a groin injury early on, but he looked promising before that. I think we’re going to start seeing the best of Bendtner soon, and he could prove the critics wrong.
Subs:
- Eduardo (5) – Missed two one-on-ones, which you would generally bet your house on him scoring. He doesn’t seem to be the same player he was before his injury. Actually, he’s looking quite dreadful.
- Eboue / Ramsey (n/a) – Not enough time to make an impact.
You may think I’ve been a little harsh on Diaby, but quite frankly, I don’t care. It’s all about opinions, and why not share yours.
Next up, we have a couple of away games against Wolves and Sunderland, which should prove tricky, but I’m sure we’ll overcome them both.
Adios folks.
25 Comments
November 1, 2009 at 7:11 pm
No you are absolutely correct, Diaby should be janitor at Emirates, not even on the bench nor 2nd team, nor reserves, he should play for Spurs, no wait, maybe he’s only good enough as janitor.
Eduado slightly better, he should be grass mower.
November 1, 2009 at 7:23 pm
A bit too harsh on Arshavin and van Persie. For me Arshavin deserved at least 6.5. He caused some problems and made some great runs but eventually ended up with nothing. He might be a little out of pace but he made Arsenal looked great with his little skills and flicks.
Van Persie deserved at least 8.5. He scored two good goals. He proved everyone that he’s deadly in the box as well. He’s probably the most completed striker in the world. He can take dead balls, scores from outside the box, scores with his weaker foot, his first touch and ball control is perfect, very intelligent in the box, links up well with everybody, he is athletic, experienced, and the most important thing he has that characteristic that will make the whole team looks good. Who else is as good as him ? Torres, Drogba, Eto’o, Rooney, Ibrahimovic, and Forlan are all deadly but not as complete as van Persie. We are very lucky to have him.
November 1, 2009 at 7:49 pm
U’ve left out another 10/10. Thats Verminator who together with GAALAAS kept d cockroach in a tight cupboard.
November 1, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I’d take Torres or Drogba over Van Persie all day long. Van Persie is weak, and he cannot use his right foot or head at all. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player, but not the most complete in the world.
November 1, 2009 at 8:06 pm
how the hell is Eduardo dreadful. other than the two very rare misses he was pretty good. fucking stupid to say hes dreadful.
November 1, 2009 at 8:08 pm
talk about talking tripe. Did u watch the game yesterday? If you did you would have noticed Van Persie scored TWO goals with his right foot. What about his strike against Man City? And close to half his goals last season I think were with his right foot.
The best striker statistically in Henry, had a weaker left foot and hardly scored many headers ever.
Cut Van Persie some slack will you puffin. Heaven forbid he goes through a really bleak period and then you’ll be calling for him to leave the club. Sheesh!
November 1, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Diaby tried his best but his passing and decision making at times lets him down .If Nasri,Denilson and Rosicky are available he probably wont start a game.I still think your score was too low, i would give him a 5 for effort and for trying to score with his shoulder when most would have used their head…………..thats tongue in cheek by the way!
November 1, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Scott puffin didnt see the game then to see RVP score both with his right foot yesterday.
Fed up with even mentioning Diaby. Wenger continues to break records – I just cannot see which one he is trying to break with this guy who is worse than…….everyone! Not since Igor Stepenos has Wenger been so blind to a player, Ramsey all day for me in that position – or just about anyone else in the youth team….uuuurrrrgggghhhh.
He did host a good Grand Prix today though!
November 1, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Scott,
I thought that Song was the best player on the field yesterday also, it seems we are the only two that think this way.
Ok now to Diaby, yes he was shocking in the first half, but he was also a whole lot better in the second half. I would give him a 5.59999999
November 1, 2009 at 9:59 pm
fuck off..u idiot just know how to use Diaby as a scapegoat…if his form is 3, Arsenal would not have win the game. Could u use some sense, absolutely dreadful to be linked to this fucking rating.
November 1, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Why would you take the aging Drogba over van Persie ? And Torres grrrh,, he’s good but overtalked.
We have to admit Diaby is not a big game player and always shocking during big games. Wonder why Wenger wouldn’t choose Ramsey over him. If he needs height why don’t he signs for a 6′4″ unknown and lost boy from Ligue 2. He must be much better than Abooo Diabeh.
November 1, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Interesting how highly Arsene rates RVP……
and as Renan said, he is a jack of all trades: linking play, ferreting in the box, dead ball player, spectacular goalscorer, etc etc.
I back him to score 25 goals in the Prem this season, health permitting.
Perhaps he is our Jack in the box.
November 1, 2009 at 10:40 pm
these ratings loose any credibility when you give song (who played decent, but did not have his top game) a 10, and diaby, a starter for a team that runs out 3-0, a 3.
November 1, 2009 at 10:44 pm
if u think that eduardo is terrible then u r a fucking idiot! hes had 1 bad game and instantly dickheads like u are on his back! usually he is one of our best players nd by far our best finisher so cut him some slack. btw how did bendtner look ‘promising’, did u even watch the game? everytime he got the ball he gave it away nd when he didnt have the ball he was constantly offside! although the 1 thing we do agree on is KING SONG, he absolutely dominated the midfield and should have got man of the match. Vermaelen should be higher, he totally made crouch his bitch lol
November 1, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I agree absolutely that Diaby is crap. I’m surprised that Wenger has kept faith in him. How can he keep Nasri on the bench and play Diaby. He doesn’t tackle and gives the ball away far too often when he gets it. On top of the goal for Manu, he just missed one for Blackburn. Did you see the look on poor Song’s face? Eduardo is a brilliant player. We should get off his case. All he needs is a string of starts to get his form back.
November 1, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Song has been great from the beginning of the season. His dribbling is better, his passing has been brilliant, he closes down players. The only thing he needs to work on is the timing of his tackles, though it’s better this year than last; but he needs to watch it. We can’t afford to give away cheap free kicks and penalties.
November 2, 2009 at 12:00 am
Nasri was not ready I think to start in a big game like yesterday. I guess he will be given the chance to play this midweek ! Looking forward to see that.
Song has improved a lot. But the problem is when he gets injured or when he leaves for African Nations Cup who will replace him ?
November 2, 2009 at 12:23 am
even if nasri is fit can’t play for expenses of diaby unless the guy is injured ,denilson is ok.arsenal play 4-3-3 for playing two attacking player it come 4-4-2 which failed last season.diaby will play always
November 2, 2009 at 12:29 am
I think Diaby had a pretty decent game. He’s extremely underrated and I think he deserves a break. Often when our defence is under pressure and the ball is smashed from inside the area to about 20-25 yards out, Diaby springs up, takes control of the situation by shielding the ball, taking the sting and momentum out of the opposing teams attack. No he’s not spraying balls left and right, but I think the fact that he does put his foot on the ball helps Arsenal when a lot of players are panicky. Although he doesn’t always pick the right pass, he’s shown he can definitely provide Fabregas-esque passes, just look at the set up last year for Van Persie’s equaliser away at Everton. From 40 yards out, over the defence, onto Van Persie’s left foot and into the net. You need to cut him some slack.
I do however share some of your concern for Eduardo. He doesn’t seem to be on the pace at all since coming back, his finishing is disappointing given his high standards before his injury. Let’s hope he can turn it around.
Come on you gunners!
November 2, 2009 at 12:35 am
I thnk by the time song leaves 4 africa cup denilson wil b fit
November 2, 2009 at 5:05 am
Diaby is Shit!! He has no potential. I agree with the poster above. If he still wants to stay at the Emirates, he should work as a janitor.
November 2, 2009 at 8:28 am
My ratings are based on one game, not the season. Eduardo had a bad game, and he hasn’t been the same since he came from his long-term injury. I am not giving him a low score for missing two one-on-ones, I’m scoring him low because his overall game was mediocre at best.
Diaby is dreadful. FACT!
Count the good games Diaby has had in 3-4 years. I’d say he’s had 3 at best. Not good enough. He is an absolute joke, but Arsenal fans continue to give him a chance because they think he is Vieira-like. Don’t make me laugh.
November 2, 2009 at 10:31 am
Bendtner was terrible ! Didn’t you realise that until Eduardo came on it was 0:0? Eduardo may not have scored but he made space and chances for others! Wake up! Bendtner and Diaby must be sold!
November 2, 2009 at 11:37 am
I’m not sure this guy watched the game Bendtner played really bad but so did most of our midfield inside the first 35 min we lost too much of the ball which would have been punished by a stronger team.
Diaby does have potential but holds onto the ball too long and in this league you cant do that …. that’s why he gets closed down to fast and gives off bad passes.
Arshavin needs to work on his fitness and although he didn’t score he really had a tendency to give the back four some trouble.
Ramsey is starting to look like a carbon copy Fabregas just needs to become stronger.
Eduardo’s finishing was poor but every player has he’s bad days, but the guy can still create something out of nothing.
Almunia didn’t have much to do but the Verminator and Gallas were partly strong because of a strong commanding keeper directing he’s back four Mannone cant do this at the moment and he lets the pressure get to him.
Song was good as usual he may not be the best in the world yet but trust me the guy is close as he is consistent and great at breaking up the run of play.
November 2, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Song is one of the best holding players in the league, however I though Diaby was very poor; gave the ball away several times. Diaby is too inconsistent, Denilson when he comes back isnt much better, I say we give Ramsey a Chance, See what the young Welshman can do. Hes 19 now, no use in him sitting on the bench.