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Post by thehothead on Aug 12, 2012 16:49:58 GMT
FFS Gervinho - stop being a fcuking pleb. Why does he take the difficult option all the time ?
And why is Arshavin so damn frustrating ? Grrrrrrrr
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Post by Jayramfootball on Aug 12, 2012 16:52:20 GMT
4-0 good work out and great to see Pod get a couple of goals...
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Post by Jayramfootball on Aug 12, 2012 16:53:32 GMT
Agreed - but he looks really unfit too... could be it TBH the whol eteam is feeling it now. Cazorla has gone quiet as have most of the team... Just seeing it out now. Cazorla went off at half time. ;D I am watching it on a tiny screen on adh... the commentator keeps saying his name and I just realised its actually Arshavin on the pitch! No wonder I was getting disappointed ;D
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Post by Kyle? - Don't Call me Puddin' on Aug 12, 2012 17:00:25 GMT
Van Persie didn't look fit today, either that or he couldn't be bothered.
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Post by thehothead on Aug 12, 2012 17:14:42 GMT
Probably rusty. Doesn't look like he has done much since the Euros.
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Post by ammaar on Aug 12, 2012 17:22:55 GMT
Player ratings
Only going to do the first half XI because I can't be bothered to do the rest ;D
Mannone - 6 - he was okay for most of the game, but there was a couple of shots that he should have saved/punched away comfortably and he made a hash out of them. A decent shot stopper, but I don't think he has a future here. He didn't flap so much from high balls in the air though.
Yennaris - 6.5 - didn't really see him do much, but seemed composed on the ball and he rarely lost possession. Needs to improve his positioning though.
Mertesacker - 8 - can't seem to recall him putting a foot wrong all game, was strong, dealt with most things that came his way, rarely looked troubled and was handy in clearing away from corners and also handy at attacking corners. Nice flick on assist for the opener. Good performance from the big German.
Vermaelen - 8 - nice goal where he was sharp and reacted quickly, but he didn't seem to bomb forward like he has a tendency of doing and he was also excellent with his relentless pressure and harrying players off the ball. Barely put a foot wrong. Got nutmegged once, but that was about it.
Gibbs - 7.5 - still think he ventures too far forward at times, but all in all, he put in a good shift. Nice assist for Podolski and he linked up well with our attackers. I can't recall us being totally annihilated on that left hand side either which is where teams tend to target us the most, so yeah.
Coquelin - 7 - lost the ball once which almost led to a goal, but he played some nice one-touch, slick football and he looked really comfortable next to Cazorla. A decent display from the young Frenchmen.
Chamberlain - 8 - excellent driving, surging runs forward to win a penalty and he caused the Koln defence a multitude of problems. Theo and Ox linked well with each other brilliantly and he sprayed a few nice passes around as well.
Walcott - 7.5 - lost the ball a few times early on, but his pace also exposed the problems of the Koln defence as their full backs couldn't deal with him. Delivered some dangerous crosses which is an aspect of his game that has vastly improved. Good performance from Theo IMO.
Cazorla - 9.5 - stunning. A near perfect display. Slotted in perfectly in midfield, distributed well, carved Koln's defence open like a hot knife through butter and dictated the game. He dominated the midfield and for a short man, he kept trying to get hacked down but stayed on his feet. Reads the game sublimely, fabulous dribbling ability and very astute passer of the ball.
Podolski - 8 - scored two lovely goals and although he was quiet for most of the game, he did a lot of running and tracking back. Also, when he chipped that ball over to Gibbs, that shows he has a good array of passing ability as well. Tidy finisher and clearly isn't lacking in confident. Great physique, speed and power.
Giroud - 7.5 - won the balls he competed for in the air, held off defenders well, has a good left foot on him, isn't afraid to shoot and had some good lay offs to set other players up to shoot. Gives us extra dimension to our play. Impressive display.
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Post by Kyle? - Don't Call me Puddin' on Aug 12, 2012 17:31:44 GMT
I'd agree with all of those except Giroud and Theo, who i'd each give an 8.5. Giroud really does look a decent player, and a good physical prescence, and he linked up really well with Theo all throughout the 1st half.
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Post by Jayramfootball on Aug 12, 2012 17:56:13 GMT
I would be very confident this year if we keep RvP and Song.
We have a pretty impressive looking squad!
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Post by Kyle? - Don't Call me Puddin' on Aug 12, 2012 18:05:59 GMT
Today's game was a wake up call. The 2nd half team, which was far poorer, was much more like last year's starting 11, the 1st half team, which blended youth with new signings, was far superior.
My combined team from todays performances would be:
Szczesny Yennaris Koscielny (Sorry per, but the lack of pace could be an issue) Vermaelen Gibbs Oxo Coq Cazorla Theo Giroud Poldi
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Post by tufnelltoughie on Aug 12, 2012 18:08:42 GMT
A good win for the team and a reasonable performance from the new signings.
Hopefully we will be able to start the new season with a win which would give some much needed confidence and then who knows.
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Post by thehothead on Aug 12, 2012 19:04:22 GMT
Ammaar, I'd give:
Yennaris - 7.5. he defended and covered well. Podolski - 5. Based on his first half performance when I didn't even actually know he was playing until the penalty. 2nd half display was much better and coincided with him playing more in the middle.
Other than that I agree with you.
The 2nd half team did not inspire me at all .. it was more of the same from last season. The first half we knocked the ball about and got it forward quickly. I fear Wenger will play safe and go for a Song/Diaby midfield and Podolski out wide - which will be completely ineffective.
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Post by Kyle? - Don't Call me Puddin' on Aug 12, 2012 19:07:51 GMT
Ox and Cazorla seemed to have a great understanding today, always linked up well etc.
We actually played as a team in the 1st half, it was nice to watch.
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Post by thehothead on Aug 12, 2012 19:28:37 GMT
Kyle - I thought the same - they ran the middle of the park and Coquelin was able to protect the middle .. apart form the mistake he made that almost led to a goal.
I'd like to see maybe Oxo, Cazorla and Arteta playing in the middle against Sunderland, the ball hardly went sideways in the first half in the midfield.
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Post by Bergkamp a Dutch master on Aug 12, 2012 19:29:58 GMT
Van Persie didn't look fit today, either that or he couldn't be bothered. odd remark!! - he was on for how long? - and how many passes actually got to him 1 maybe 2..... how many dismal half-hearted passes(?) towards him? 4or5 . Service was poor - what did you expect?
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Post by Kyle? - Don't Call me Puddin' on Aug 12, 2012 19:36:06 GMT
Van Persie didn't look fit today, either that or he couldn't be bothered. odd remark!! - he was on for how long? - and how many passes actually got to him 1 maybe 2..... how many dismal half-hearted passes(?) towards him? 4or5 . Service was poor - what did you expect? I was more interested in his movement and workrate, both of which were far down on usual, which suggests he's not match fit yet.
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