Details

Written by Theo Andrew

Published: Monday, 03 February 2014 06:59

Arsenal came through in what was potentially a tricky fixture with a patient performance against a disciplined Crystal Palace. This was not an easy game for The Gunners, and it is one they will be extremely pleased to have overcome given the magnitude of their February fixture list.

Sticking to task against disciplined Palace.

The first half performance that Tony Pulis’s Crystal Palace side gave at the Emirates was everything that we have come to expect from the Welsh manager. Defensively well organised, firm, committed and at times cynical tackling, Arsenal were left frustrated. The Gunners however didn’t allow themselves to feel irritated and in the second half there persistence was the difference.

Details

Written by Shane Thomas

Published: Sunday, 02 February 2014 19:25

The now customary 2-0 win was in effect again (for the 11th time this season). Crystal Palace were awkward opponents, but Arsenal ended up having just enough quality to overwhelm the Eagles to send the Gunners top of the table (for now).

Wojciech Szczesny - 7 – His kicking remains a concern, but the Pole's overall level of performance remains strong. And his save from Cameron Jerome at 1-0 up probably stopped 3 points becoming 1. It's these moments that can make the difference at the end of the season.

Bacary Sagna – 7 – Another solid display from Sagna. He stopped Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon make much headway down his side of the pitch, and was a willing option for his teammates in the first-half.

Per Mertesacker – 8 – Mertesacker's form dipped slightly in the past couple of weeks, but he was back to his best today. He made a series of important tackles in 1 vs 1 situations when Arsenal were in danger of being exposed on the counter.

Details

Written by Theo Andrew

Published: Wednesday, 29 January 2014 01:53

This was truly a game of two halves, as Arsenal generated a first half performance that will be hard to top as their worst of the season so far. The Gunner’s somehow weren’t prepared and could have easily been two or three down by half-time. Despite an early second half resurgence, on this performance Arsenal were lucky to gain a point tonight.

In spite of achieving five straight Premier League victories, the performances have not always been convincing and against lively opposition in Southampton tonight, it is clear that Wenger’s men are not performing as they would like to.

Wojciech Szczesny - 6 - No doubt the Pole will be extremely disappointed in himself for Southampton’s first goal, letting in at his near post. Didn’t let it bother him though as he grew in confidence throughout the game, producing some excellent sweeper keeping and a flurry of saves in the last ten minutes, meaning we could at least leave St. Mary’s with a point.

Details

Written by Jason Phillips

Published: Saturday, 25 January 2014 04:06

Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory against Coventry City in the FA Cup fourth round tie at the Emirates.

Lukas Podolski opened the scoring with a trademark left-footed strike after compatriot Mesut Ozil slotted him in. Podolski scored again soon after, putting the Gunners 2-0 up going into half time with a clinical header. After a second half with a few Coventry scares, substitutes Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla put Arsenal into the fifth round of England’s prestigious domestic trophy.

Lukasz Fabianski – 7 - The Polish keeper had little to do tonight, his trusty centre backs shielding him from any potential slip-ups. Bar a shaky moment at the start of the second half and a much needed save in the 49th minute, it was a confident performance by the Pole in Goal.

Carl Jenkinson – 7 - The young heir to Sagna’s throne put in a show at right-back today, the lower league opposition giving him license to bomb down the wing regularly. Whipping in dangerous crosses, Jenkinson gave his attackers the opportunity to score throughout the game.