Firstly, let me start by saying that Abou Diaby may just finally have hit the form we’ve expected of him over the past four years or so, and I hope I do eat my words and he proves to be a great player for us. He’s been our best player over the last two games, and a good long run in the team might be just what the doctor ordered. I will be man enough to admit I’m wrong if he turns out to be the player we so want him to be. He’s had two good games, and I’m not getting over-excited, but it’s all looking promising.
Before the Villa game, I wasn’t feeling too confident, and with Chelsea dropping more points I really did expect us to get a draw when we had a chance of capitalising on some lost ground. But we have proved once again that we can mix it with the big boys, and a cracking second half performance, especially for the match-turner Fabregas, ensure we took home all three points against a resilient Aston Villa side.
The full official match report can be found here.
Onto the player ratings:
- Almunia (7) – Not really tested, but did make a couple of decent saves.
- Sagna (7) – Did well to cope with the threat of Downing defensively, and looked good on the ball in some tricky situations. Needs to improve his crossing.
- Gallas / Vermaelen (8) – Both looked solid. Formed a cracking partnership this season, and both kept Heskey and Agbonlahor quiet. Watching Man City recently, you can see why we sold Toure and kept hold of Gallas.
- Traore (7.5) – Kept Ashley Young quiet today. I like this boy. He oozes class and elegance. Great pass to Walcott for the second goal.
- Song – (7.5) – Another quality performance from Song. Player of the Season so far for Arsenal, in my opinion.
- Denilson (5) – Hmmm. I’m not going to be too harsh on Denilson. He was pretty quiet. But in some people’s opinion, he did a job.
- Diaby (9) – His best game for Arsenal. For once, he didn’t give the ball away in silly areas, and he seemed to play the pass when needed. My problem with Diaby is that he holds onto the ball for too long, but he might just have overcome that.
- Nasri (7.5) – Good game today for Nasri. Worked hard.
- Eduardo (5.5) – Maybe I’m being too harsh on Eduardo, but I’m not convinced that our formation suits his style of play at the moment.
- Arshavin (5) – I would have given Arshavin 1/10 for his first half performance, but he improved in the second half. We do need size up front though.
Subs:
- Ramsey (n/a) – Didn’t have enough time to shine.
- Walcott (6) – Looked sharp, and a perfect pass for Fabregas’s second goal.
- Fabregas (9) – Absolutely magical. Changed the game.
Next game is away to Portsmouth on Wednesday, and I’m sure they’ll be petrified of facing us at the moment. Not an easy game though, as Fratton Park is always a difficult place to go.
On a side note, the kind fellas at SoccerPro.com supplied me with some equipment to review. They supplied a pair of ¾ length training bottoms, which I must say are the most comfortable training bottoms I’ve worn. I do own another pair of Adidas ¾ length ones too, but they are nowhere near as lightweight as the F50 Messi ones.
They also supplied a Nike Arsenal hoodie, which I can only say is very comfortable and very warm. Big thanks to the guys at SoccerPro.
We have a new game at Arsenal Opinion, it’s called Football Film Puns. The idea is that you connect a footballer to make a pun of a film title. Some examples being Carry On Bergkamping, Mission To Overmars, and Winterburn After Reading. If you have any funny titles, then please send them onto me at scott@arsenal-opinion.com and I’ll be sure to create a new page dedicated to these. I’ll even try to exploit my Photoshop skills, and create the movie posters.
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Silvestre didn’t even play
just a quick note silvestre did not play that game but rather traore.
Silvestre (7.5) – Kept Ashley Young quiet today.-are u kiding me, u maybe were to OVERJOYED to not see traore there lol.
Nasri did not deserve 7.5, only 6.5 cos he really should do more just as he has donne last seasen, we expect more from him.
Haha! Sorry chaps, copied and pasted that by accident. Will amend later.
Hmmmm, seems like someone is a big fan of Silvestre!!!
and pls do not expect more than that from AA23, he is not a player that will do the nasri job or diaby job or eduardo job, he will do something like against liverpool, man united nothing more, he is a special player he need only a half chance to do something magical and yesterday he was so close to do it, just watch again how fast he can find an opportunity to shout. he did it against stoke, liverpool, man united, vigan athletic and he was nearly to do it again against villa.but finally he needs fabregas to be in the pitch, they understand each other so good so quickly.
I am very glad Traore is playing so well.Gooners everywhere wanted to go for my jugular when i clearly stated that Traore is better than Gibbs and i would play him anytime ahead of Gibbs.I still mantain that i rate Traore higher than Gibbs and i am sure gooners are slowly getting my stance.For the entire season,no defender has kept Ashley Young so quiet like he did,Young was virtually absent from the game.
mate, what should have donne fabregas to deserve ur 10? pls tell me. tell me what a hell he did wrong, 28 minutes on the pitch scoring two fantastic goals changed the game completely, what he could have donne more.
I would’ve given him a 10 if he scored a hat-trick.
In my opinion Diaby was MoM, and he didn’t deserve a 10. 90 minutes would’ve given Fabregas a 10.
Changed Silvestre to Traore. Thanks for pointing that out folks.
Traore, Clichy and Gibbs are all top quality full backs. I’d be happy with either of them playing in any match.
I think differently on your scores n so I’m gunna give you my scores
Almunia–8 Didn’t have much to do but when called into action such as the double save and lunge to stop Abby scoring in the 2nd half
Sagna- I would agree that he needs to improve crossing as well as not being afraid to slide in.
Gallas/Vermalen-9 These guys bring back memories of Keown and Adams. They’ve the partnership we missed last season (look at toure now =)) and these guys must stay fit for us to stand a chance at a trophy.
Traore- 7.5 Really liked this guy, played well and kept calm under pressure. Hope he stays in the future seasons.
Song- This guy is another who must stay fit as he is learning all the time and is exceptionally good at dropping in front of the back 4 and slotting in when gallas/vermalen go on a maziy =)
Denilson- 7.5 He did have a quiet game but on a sly note he took players down for us when Villa were on a break and so helped us in that aspect!
Diaby- 9 Blinder of a game, I hope he’s really begining to grow in Viera’s shoes as I had my doubts bout this lad but maybe he’s pulling it togther? Also his strength was key and he did exceptionally well at holding the ball up.
Nasri-6 Not doing it for me at the mo…I think he’s quite inconsistent and has yet to find any form so far. As soon as Rosicky’s back then I he could be swapped.
Eduardo-6 I don’t think it’s our formation I think he’s confidence is down but I can’t think why. There were times when he needed to go forward yet went back
Arshavin-6 He did not have a great game but I would have still have him out even if he had played badly 6 games in a row because as we saw at Liverpool he has the quality to change a game even if he had been playing badly. However we do need a big guy upfront which hopefully will be addressed in the transfer window.
SUBS
Ramey–n/a
Walcott-7 His speed opened up the game for us as well as a lovely pass for Cesc’s 2nd
Fabregas-10 THIS MAN MUST STAY! We all saw it at the weekend more than ever how key he is to our team. On for something like only 20 minutes yet he manages to win us a free kick which he then goes on to score with style and get us a 2nd to seal the game. The only downside was that he got injured in the process!
Diaby is nothing like Vieira, and people should making comparisons. I’m not doubting Diaby’s ability, but he is completely different player. Vieira was effective starting from deep and running with the ball. Diaby is more an attacking midfielder.
If Diaby was small, fat and white, I wonder if people would still make the comparisons?
well i agree in most of the rating but not on arshavins……u know what sometimes not only having only the ball but having the mind of opposite defenders is worthy so i would give him 7.5 coz he was the one who crippled the villa difence to give others space to act!!
He probably meant Traore , he did say that boy….and Silvestre is anything but a boy… And class and elegance from Silvestre? Thats a oxymoron if I ever heard one.
“If Diaby was small, fat and white, I wonder if people would still make the comparisons?”
I would, But I always saw Viera as small fat and white.
Gooner B, I agree 100% traore is a better player than gibbs (i do like gibbs) and has been quality when we have played him, to play a team like villa and keep both flanks quiet shows just how good he and sagna are. Gibbs is a good player and even better prospect but he should be third choice
To the guy who runs this blog. Thanks for the blog. I have started reading it more often and enjoy your insights about the club I love.
One thing that is strange is your cartoonish dislike for Abou Diaby. You realize that it’s so out of character with the rest of your sober intelligent criticisms that it makes you come off as a bit mad. I mean, the criticism is pathological to the point of being comical. It’s something that pervaded many fans regarding Adebayor and certainly overcame the crowd when the embarrassingly booed off Ebooe.
Frankly, Diaby has been our best player over the last few weeks. I think you noted this in your rating of him, but a few weeks ago you took a pot shot at him about how poor he was when he came on against Liverpool. He wasn’t as bad as you say, but your bias against Diaby is so all consuming that your usual astute analysis flies out the window and you become a bit dense or blind to what has happened.
Anyway, great site, but just had to say that you need to talk to someone about this thing you’ve got against Diaby. It’s weird…
KC, I agree with you regarding Diaby. I’ve got to be honest, I’ve really never rated him in the 4 years he’s been at the club, but I’m hoping that he will prove me wrong, and the past two games has good a good way of doing just that. Let’s hope he can keep up this consistency and I will lay off the lad.
One thing I will say, is that I was never a fan who booed Adebayor, and I thought the fans reaction to Eboue was a disgrace. I’ve always stuck by Eboue, and I believe he is a good squad player. He shows a lot of enthusiasm and energy, and I don’t think there is one player at the club who cares for Arsenal more than Eboue. You need players like him.
Thanks for the feedback KC, much appreciated.