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- Written by Barnaby Merrill
After a result of this magnitude I’m finding it hard not to give every player a big fat 10 and then leave to celebrate, but I’ll make an effort to think rationally.
Sczezny: 8
The big Polish keeper wasn’t really at fault for the two he conceded, and he gave a solid performance today, running to save corners and never spilling a shot. As far as I can tell he never once had to deflect a ball away.
Gibbs: 7
Gibbs occasionally looked a little vulnerable when Spurs came forwards, but he did well coming forward and made some good challenges. His coming off in the second half means I can’t give him a top score because I don’t know if he would have maintained his performance in the last 20 minutes.
Koscielny: 9
Koscielny’s star continues to rise with another fantastic performance. Apart from one moment of going to sleep to allow Louis Saha in for 0-1 he was absolutely untouchable. Headers, tackles and driving offensive runs, he did it all.
Vermaelen: 9
Everything I said about Koscielny applies to Vermaelen, only that’s simply what we’ve come to expect from the Belgian. He offered less to attack than his central defensive partner but arguably was an even safer presence at the back.
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- Written by Stuart Willsher
A bright start gave way to increased fear and questions on the direction of our great club as Sunderland earned a much deserved victory against our fading, ageing and uninspiring Gunners.
Lesson from last season
As we all know, the Arsenal ended last season in appalling fashion, earning just 3 wins from 16 games after the crushing low that was the Carling Cup Final defeat. In part, this may have been influenced by certain players being uncommitted to the club and going through the motions.
If we look at our subs bench from last night, how many players will be at the club next season? It seems certain that Squillaci, Arshavin, Benayoun and Chamakh will leave in the summer. Rosicky is out of contract (and having not scored in over 2 seasons, he can go), and there must be serious questions marks over Walcott’s future.
Arsene and his staf have a tough job over the next week picking the team up and getting them motivated for the rest of the season, with a MASSIVE game coming up against Spurs. Are these unmotivated players going to achieve this, or should
Arsene be promoting some of our promising youngsters - Aneke, Afobe etc - players who may show some spirit in the manner of Oxlade Chamberlain?
Captain Dejected
It was disappointing to see RVP walking of the pitch after the match without giving a consolatory arm to Oxlade Chamberlain, who looked very upset after the final whistle. His manner over the past two games does not point toward good news for fans this summer...
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- Written by Arsenal Latest
Arsenal's week got worse as they crashed out of the FA Cup losing to Sunderland 2-0. It was a poor showing from the away side, who have now been outscored 6-0 in their last two matches.
Fabianski: 7
Not really responsible for either goal, Fabianski had an ok game. Never really put under pressure, he handled crosses and balls in the air fairly well. Overall it was not a bad showing from Arsenal's number two.
Sagna: 5
Sagna was one of Arsenal's defenders who was not completely terrible. But by no means was he playing at the level we know he is capable of playing at. Three months out, he may still not be back in form but for a player of his calibre, much more is expected.
Vermaelen: 5
Often without question, Arsenal's best defender was far from it today. Having to move to left back early on, he never really looked to be comfortable. One of his poorest displays for Arsenal I feel but by no means, was he alone.
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- Written by Brian Covert
In bad times you find out who your friends are. This is something us Gooners will be find out as we sift through the wreckage of our team’s 4-0 trouncing at the hands of A.C. Milan on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.
Usually I’m pretty optimistic, a definite cup is half full type of guy when it comes to the Arsenal. But after this performance it’s difficult to pull even one positive from the cadaver that is this team right now.
In fact, forget about positives. Is there anything but negatives to take away from yesterday’s game? Seriously, in three short years we’ve gone from a team on the cusp of greatness, beating the then-holders 2-0, to being completely outplayed in Wednesday’s clash. The two scores demonstrate the current gulf in class between the traditional continental superpowers (what we’d like to be) and our beloved, sustainable football club.
From the outset, with RVP sharing a hug and pleasantries with his Dutch counterpart, Clarence Seedorf, at the coin toss to the end and Zlatan pretending he and Thierry were long lost chums, we carried a too-friendly aura. The only problem was the fact there was a game to be played in-between and when the whistle blew we just weren’t up to the task – misplaying balls and repeatedly getting caught out.
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- Written by John Charalambous
The San Siro - so often the scene of triumphant Arsenal performances in the past - was last night a stark canvas displaying the failed artistry of Arsene Wenger’s side. From the beginning there was a startling lack of desire, application and fight with Milan taking ruthless advantage of defensive failings.
Pre-match, many were saying Arsenal would score and take back a result to the Emirates. The general consensus was that this Milan side were a poor imitation of years gone by. Apparently, Mr Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to read the papers. His performance inspired Milan to inflict Arsenals heaviest ever European defeat.
Arteta
It has been evident that Mikel Arteta has become the heartbeat of this Arsenal side, sitting deep in the midfield and pulling the strings, protecting the back four and rarely losing the ball. Last night saw his worst game in an Arsenal shirt – the Spaniard looked bewildered by the speed and quality of his Milan counterparts. The likes of Walcott, Rosicky, Song and Ramsey did little to ease the burden on Arteta, with players seemingly afraid to take responsibility and influence the game. This midfield malaise left our defence hopelessly exposed throughout the game. Kudos to Allegri and his players, they clearly had their tactics right and performed them on the pitch admirably. Stopping Arteta meant stopping Arsenal.
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