Come the end of any succesful season, there are certain games that play a more significant part than any other, and the 2-1 win over Hull City today could be just that result. The full match report can be found here.
In a match where Arsenal were never allowed to play their quick, fluid football, instead preferring to grind out a result against a Hull side who have only lost three games at home previous to today. Arsenal have proved time after time this season that they can mix it up with the teams who like to get ‘in our faces’, and can now resort to a Plan B, which I believe we have been missing for a good couple of years. Bendtner is proving key to this.
Onto the player ratings.
- Almunia – 7 – Don’t really remember Almunia having that much to do apart rom the penalty, which you can’t really blame him for.
- Sagna – 7.5 – Solid game from Sagna. His crossing is improving.
- Campbell – 6.5 – Looked shaky at times, and I think two games in a week is taking it out of him. Can’t really blame him for the penalty, JVoH was yards offside and played for the penalty.
- Vermaelen – 8 - Absolutely quality again. If he continues, he will go down as one of Arsene Wenger’s greatest ever signings. He’s absolutely quality.
- Clichy – 7 – Is getting better since coming back from his injury. Still not at his best, but he’s getting there.
- Eboue – 7 – Added some stability defensively, and looked decent enough going forward.
- Denilson – 6 – Did well for the final goal, but didn’t really notice him do much else.
- Diaby – 7.5 – I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really starting to like Diaby. He seems to have cut out his sloppiness and just keeps things simple.
- Nasri – 6 – Not a great game from the Frenchman. Probably his greatest performance in an Arsenal shirt in the week, followed by a quiet one.
- Arshavin – 6.5 – Great goal from the Russian, but another hit and miss performance.
- Bendtner – 7 - Great awareness to grab the winning goal, and he’s getting in some great positions. Just needs to pull the trigger earlier at times.
Subs:
- Walcott – 7 – Looked good when he came on, and gave us a different dimension. Seemed to liven the game up. Tiring Hull players were always going to struggle with a quick sub.
- Eduardo – 5 – Didn’t notice him!
Phil Brown was kicking up a fuss after the game about Sol Campbell’s tackle on Zayette. Not sure why he’s moaning as it was a cracking tackle. But, that’s Phil Brown for you. The prick.
I’m out of here, goodnight folks.
13 Comments
March 14, 2010 at 1:19 am
Hi Guys, Greetings from Kenya. I have read a lot of the stuff on this site before but never commented so here it goes.
I agree with a majority of your ratings. I think the biggest talking point was Denilson who lets face it contributed the second goal but almost cost us several times. Unlike you I did notice denilson and most times he seemed to be giving the ball away. Indeed Campbell’s tackle to block Zayate came about from a Denilson mistake. If Hull had scored from that initial mistake then we may have drawn the game. Today’s game may have therefore have been similar to the Everton and Stoke game (FA cup) where Denilson cost us a goal then scored one for us. The question is what is the use then? Denilson must stop his sloppy play, only then will his other contributions be sufficiently appreciated.
March 14, 2010 at 2:44 am
A great win in as much as we were well under strength team wise & no doubt tired after the Mid week game. I don’t think Denilson’s a holding midfielder so I’m not surprised by his average performances in this respect..he’s being played out of position. Credit though for turning the second difficult game round this season with his willingness to shoot from distance. Nice goal from Arshavin but surprisingly he blasted 4 shots from comfortable positions over the bar..he’s so frustrating.
March 14, 2010 at 3:05 am
Yep Denilson was played out of position, i.e. he should be on the bench. His presence hinders more committed youngsters from getting their chance. All season it has been Ramsey and now it is Eastmond. I am glad he went for goal, he odes have a good right foot but over the whole game? it’s just laughable how weak he is, always getting knocked over, never tracking back and incapable of proper tackling. If Nasri was a 6 which I think is acurate, Denilson was a 5 then add 1 for the shot at the end – so well done – good marks
March 14, 2010 at 5:28 am
how can you not single out Eboue who is twisting turning and making darting runs into the box and making defence splitting penetrations?
he had a great game last week too. consistency is key for him now.
i will give him an 8.5.
March 14, 2010 at 5:32 am
So lets face it… its not only bendtner that misses chances… Arshavin does too!!! Arshavin misses several chances against porto and now against Hull City.
Therefore every striker can have their off days.. But I still love the Arshavin Bendtner partnership.
Denilson on the other hand was really anonymous. I couldnt see him. He made several mistakes throughout the game but he did made a good shot that got us the second goal. However, i would definitely prefer Song over denilson since Song is a much more stronger and physical player than denilson. Song’s ability to dribble and hold the ball is also much better than denilson.
With Fabregas and Rosicky coming back next week against west ham, I reckon that we might just have the chance to score much more goals against a team that is facing relegation problems.
Next week would be crucial. Man utd is facing liverpool. Seriously I hope liverpool wakes up soon during this match against utd. They are fighting for fourth and they need to win. If utd loses next week, we would take over them provided we win west ham. That saying, Arsenal would be second in the league. Chelsea is having the CL with inter milan and I hope that this match goes to extra time and probably penalties. This will tire the players out and hopefully when they face blackburn at ewood park, the bb players would get into their faces and kick them out of the match.
Next week’s starting line up for Arsenal against West Ham: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin and Bendtner.
Subs: Fabianski, Silvestre, Rosicky, Nasri, Eboue, Eduardo, Denilson
March 14, 2010 at 9:03 am
nawaambia mashabiki wote kuwa ubingwa wa ligi ya uingereza ni wa arsenal tu, wengine wanatapatapa tu.
March 14, 2010 at 9:05 am
Good ratings. Nasri and Denilson probably need a lower score though.
March 14, 2010 at 10:02 am
Nasri gav away the ball which led to Campbell’s tackle,not Denilson.
March 14, 2010 at 11:18 am
nasri tried
March 14, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Diaby is the key to Arsenal winning the League as he controls the play brilliantly giving the other midfielders breathing space and some respite from the relentless pace of the English game.
March 15, 2010 at 1:31 am
[...] Hull City 1-2 Arsenal: Player Ratings Come the end of any succesful season, there are certain games that play a more significant part than any other, and the [...] [...]
March 15, 2010 at 10:34 am
I’m a shit footballer but a great serial killer.
March 16, 2010 at 4:34 pm
and as an added bonus to this win, phil brown was sacked