Partizan Belgrade 1-3 Arsenal
That was a very good win. Traveling to Serbia is not easy, traveling to Serbia, facing a capacity crowd creating a fearsome atmosphere, fielding a team without your core players and preparing for the game via the light of mobile phones (good Cashley weren’t about, eh?), due to a power failure and getting a win is a very good thing indeed.
You could tell from the images in the stadium that the crowd was a hostile one, it was so loud and when you see a fan at the game claiming that they were throwing bottles full of urine at them it just shows why so few fans traveled out there.
The build up to the match centered around one player, goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski and I am delighted to say that when he was called upon he did his job very well, there was not one single fumble. I think that is when the mistakes happen… when Arsenal are up the other end and a player loses the ball, and all of a sudden the keeper has to regain their focus.
In the first ten minutes we were outplayed which was pretty worrying, was it the light or the atmosphere? Who knows, but it wasn’t looking too good until Arshavin got the ball and ran right at the defence, he poked the ball to Jack Wilshere who somehow managed to roll the ball to the side and back heel it back to Arshavin in one movement. Arsha finished the job.
Wilshere is an amazing talent. It is far more influential than Cesc and Ronaldo were at 18, more-so than Wayne Rooney too. I’m not going to make any comparisons in a public forum but there is one player I would liken him too in respect to his influence on the pitch. It is quite scary.
It is encouraging that we were not really under threat from set-pieces, instead it was in open play when we looked at our weakest with the defensive combination of Squillaci and Djourou not clicking early on – however they improved as the match went on and only a harsh award of a penalty for a handball in the area gave Belgrade a route back into the game. Fabianski was deceived by the eyes and the fact we should have been out of sight didn’t matter at all.
Arshavin and Wilshere combined mesmerically after our first goal, however Partizan were spurred on and until we made it 2-1, were right in the game despite never really threatening.
The header from Chamakh, his 5th goal in a row in the Champions league, and 8th in 9 games (I think), was very, very important. Soon after Squillaci netted his first Arsenal goal, job done… but there was still time for one more story to be made.
Gibbs lunged into a clumsy tackle just outside the area, the ref gave it as a pen. Fabianski dived to his right again and this time pulled off a brilliant save, the resulting cross into the box was also claimed like we had not seen him do in a long, long time. He repeated that trick again before pulling off a stunning point blank save. Redemption? No, but it was brilliant to see. He knew he was under the microscope and would be the most scruitinised player on the pitch regardless of the score and this is the reaction the penalty save drew:
photo from @jaxxbizkit
Maybe that will be the turning point for him, hopefully it is because he has bounds of natural talent and it is amazing what a little bit of confidence can do. It certainly lifted the spirits of the fans who now will hopefully get right behind him, the boss has a selection dilemma ahead of the Chelsea game that is for sure.
Given the circumstances last nights win was a very important one, it means we can travel to Ukraine in the deep winter with no pressure – though hopefully Arshavin will thrive – and one more win will put us as good as through. Two games, nine goals. Not bad.
It was also the first win away from these shores in Europe since the comeback over Liege last season for us.
Now for Chelsea…
Sorry to be a bit capricious but I imagine Fabianski to be shouting ‘SPARRTTTAAA’.
Wilshere showing his precocious skills again. However some caution should be taken to avoid the risk of overplaying the 18 year old.
Martin,
Thanks for the recap. The point you have been making now for a week is so true – make note of it all you Gooners: What is Alex Song doing right now? He is absolutely piss-poor. He is charging up the field into areas he shouldnt be, trying to emulate Cesc and Nasri with fancy footwork, and completing about 20% of his passes. It is no wonder we were so poor against WB this weekend. Song must improve, and it is Arsene’s job to tell him to sit and get back to what he is world class at – winning tackles and being a defensive presence. No more dribbling, no more advanced runs.
Now, a few more negatives:
Djourou is crap. I’m sorry, he is just not quality. He wins a few headers here and there but has no communication, no defensive awareness, and commits stupid fouls. He is a CLEAR 4th on the depth chart, for good reason.
Rosicky is not up to snuff anymore. He should glimpses of being top against Liverpool and a few other matches early, but he is piss poor lately. Dribbling too much, not connecting passes, and, most importantly, he cannot score for the life of him. I would take Eboue in front of goal right now over him. That is saying something. His one moment of contribution, the cross to Chamakh, wasnt even that great. The latter did all the work. He needs a goal in the worst way and needs to improve.
Positives:
Fabianksi was immense. You can see why Arsene is so reluctant to write him off. He is so talented. Perhaps this match will be what he needs to take that next step. I wouldnt mind starting him against Chelsea, as a goalkeeper with confidence makes a world of difference.
Wilshire is pure class. Well said, Martin. One of the best players on the pitch.
Nasri is pure class. His ball to Squillaci was perfectly weighted.
Arshavin looks more interested this season, which is huge because he is top class. He should be more selfish though, not look for the perfect goal.
Squillaci struggled at the beginning, but I want him in my side anyday. Tough, gritty, good in the air, and communicates well. Top class header for the win.
Gibbs is better than Clichy. Another one you have called for awhile. Just more reliable defensively.
Chamakh is so much more than I had thought. The way he holds up the ball, links up, and scores timely goals it is hard to take him out of the side.
Come on Arsenal.
I thought that Song showed some good skills in the ball going forward but the problem is he goes forward far too often for my liking and leaves our already shaky backline with no cover. He should go back to being a tough DM, we commit enough players forward as it is, with most if them (Clichy, Sagna) forgetting to track back and making it easier for our opposition to score on the counter.
As for Fabianski, I really hope his performance in Belgrade will make him a decent goalkeeper,but I seriously doubt his consistency. Unless he puts in at least four or five decent gamesI really think we should loan him and Almunia and buy a WORLDCLASS keeper who wins us games and whom the opposition can take seriously.
That flick from wilshere was amazing and he’s on great form but you’re over-doing his praises
Jack is amazing and might become one of the worlds best, but at 17 cesc had already effectively displaced viera and dominated at the highest level. Jacks only played a few games at this level and he’s not been very good in about half of them
I should add though wilshere already looks like a strong contender for first 11. With nasty and cesc fit though I make him our 3rd choice player already
Interesting on Song – a couple of games ago he was bringing the ball forward and Sagna was unmarked on his right and open to either receive & charge up the right side or Song to pass and go forward to receive again. Instead Song propped and turned inside to find…you guessed it nothing…he turned ourside again and Sagna was still there..unarked. I was screaming at the TV for him to pass right…but to no avail.
Right now his decision making is very bad…although I guess it’s much easier when you just have to give the ball to Cesc.
American Gooner…
Im sorry but i disagree with most of your points.
Rosicky past it?
Have you been watching the same games? He was brilliant when he came on against Liverpool and equally as good against Blackpool.
Had an okay game at Sunderland bar the peno miss and him and jack provided some lift against WBA.
To say he is past is just way over the top imo.
And you would put Eboue over him?
Im sorry but Eboue was one of the worst players against WBA and was no where near as good against spurs.
I would suggest Song to learn how to shoot from long range so that he would both score goals and have time to track back to defence.
It seems, we are all very concerned about Song.His recent performances have been poor. Hopefully with Cesc back, he will leave it to the general, and resume his proper positioning.
Fabianski – Well done; You made your own karma with that good penalty save.Keep a clean sheet Sunday.lol
Djourou – Will not write him off yet, because of his lengthy absence.He does look dodgy though.
Wilshere – super play by the 18 yr old, but we must not over play him.
Arshavin – certainly splits the Gooner nation. Some love him.
When his head is in the game. He influences the outcome, positively.Great effort last night.
Chamakh – Has performed way above expectations thus far. A super addition. Give Wenger credit, as NB, RVP and TW14 are all injury prone.
Eboue – is a decent squad player and not starter material.
Rosicky – I agree, he needs a goal to lift him, but he will be fine. At least he has not been injured.
Gibbs – Great talent. Time for Clichy to recognise he needs to concentrate for 95 mins.
The win will be a good boost for Sunday. I would take a draw because the Chavs have so much power in their lineup. However I do believe that we will sneak it 1-2.
I am usually always nervous when we play the Chavs and the Mancs… Not this time????
Come on You Reds Cheers
I thought Song had a decent game, contrary to all that’s been bandied around. There were so many similar comments that I went back on VOD for a second review.
. Song started the move for the 1st goal, picking up Arshavin who continued from there.
. He again picked up Arshavin who put through Chamakh for the penalty.
. Finally, he spotted Rosicky on the right for the 2nd goal
How bad could that be for distribution and initiating attacking moves?
Now for the defensive midfield cover everyone is howling about… Having the 2nd review allowed me to focus on him. The comments on Song moving too far up field were simply not fair IMO; Denilson was always behind him when he moved up field, and when Denilson was up supporting the attack, Song stayed back for the cover. In fact, he made a number of defensive covers. If you had the chance to view the full match again, check it out again.
Great rebuttal chuats88. I will have to watch the game in full and concentrate on Song. From what I saw, viewing a stream, he was very eager to get forward and support the attack but I kept noticing him losing possession.
I will say this about him, he does try and is not afraid to have another go if it doesn’t work. I like that and you know what, it creates urgency, which the other players feed off. He just wanted to ram the ball down the throats of the belgrade players and it’s probably because of WBA on Saturday.
Lewis,
Thanks for the response. Please read my comments more carefully before you disagree next time. Also, you said you disagree with most of my points and then just pick out one point?
Regarding Rosicky, I did say that he was in good form in the beginning, especially against Liverpool. You say Blackpool, but everyone looked good against them, and really, he wasnt that great. In the last three or four matches he has been fairly woeful. He really has added nothing to our midfield. He makes us smaller, slower, more narrow, has lately gotten into the bad habit of not connecting passes, and most of all he is crap in front of goal. Like I said, he needs a goal in the worst way to get his mojo back. In good form right now he is definitely not.
Also, I didnt say I would pick Eboue ahead of him (although, I probably would. He is much more dangerous – shows how far Mozart has fallen – has more pace, draws more fouls, etc.). I said I would rather Eboue in front of goal than him. At least the former has shown he can score once or twice within the last three years. Rosicky has flubbed every shot he has had, and he has run out of excuses (his injury and fitness is no longer an issue). Regardless, you cannot take away Rosicky’s penalty miss against Sunderland – that was costly and absolutely diabolical, and Eboue’s performance against Spurs is irrelevant, it was at fullback and largely good anyway.
Chuats,
If you truly have gone back and watched, you’ll see that Song gave the ball away left and right, got caught in possession more than several times, and was too far up the field. Having Denilson sit back for him is no excuse. Martin said the same thing about Wilshire having to sit back for him at the weekend and before – just because someone is behind him doesnt make it right. We want Song to be the one back, not Denilson or Wilshire. Song is the more physical, faster, and better player, and we need him, not the others, covering. Moreover, for all his strengths, playing the ball and dribbling are not them. He needs to get Cesc back in because only then does he always look to feed the ball to Cesc rather than dribble it himself.
AG//
Rosicky is absolutely vital in Cesc abscence and should be his understudy as the most attack-minded midfielder when our Captain isn’t available. He makes us tick and provides the urgency and tempo we need to put teams to the sword.
Don’t know what matches you’ve been watching, but to suggest Rosicky is past it when he’s arguably playing at the level he did pre-injury, is very strange IMO.
Anyone consider that Song may have been asked to go forward more?
Chappers,
You must be joking. Playing at the level pre-injury? You do realize he was THE revelation at the 2006 world cup. I know, he had two of the best goals I have ever seen in a world cup against the U.S. He has lost that quickness he once had and, certainly, his prowess in front of goal. I love Mozart more than anyone, but you are truly naive if you think he is playing at anywhere near his pre-injury level (let alone the level of starting caliber player for Arsenal).