The boys were back in action last night at the fearsome Stade Velodrome with not many pundits or journalists giving us a prayer against a team who have not conceded a goal at home in over 460 minutes in the champions league.

The home support was as ferocious as ever before kick off and I sat there thinking this is going to be a long night and I will be glad to come away with a point.

The Game

The match was a fairly cagey affair with both teams looking comfortable in possession without having a real goal threat. Marseille had a few moments, but Szczesny was not made to work particularly hard as compared to other recent games. I think both teams deserved to come away with at least a point but well done Rambo for anticipating the pass from Djourou and nicking right at the end. That was what I like to call a dirty one nil.

Mertesacker and Kosicelny were brilliant at the back. Per seems to be getting better game by game and is starting to turn into a leader. Kosicelny had his best game in a while, I think he needs someone with experience next to him talking him through the game. Jenkinson put in a shift. Yes he has lots to improve on but considering he was playing non league football last year he has impressed me with his attitude and endeavour and within the next 3-4 years he will become a very good right back and don’t forget he has a sweet right foot and a brilliant cross.

Alex song was strong in the midfield but his wasn’t the best passing game he has ever produced, in fact the only down side to our performance was our ball retention was not brilliant.

All of the midfield put in a workman like performance and I thought Rosicky chased and harried all game which was a pleasant surprise. Robin Van Persie led the line well and I think that is the most I have ever seen him run on the football field, making him captain was probably one of the cleverest things Wenger has ever done.

Arshavin & Theo

The only down point from last nights game was Theo Walcott & Andrei Arshavin. These are two of the most annoying footballers currently playing the game. One day they can be magical but those days happen one in every ten games! Arshavin’s work rate is terrible. I know he doesn’t like to defend but if the ball is three yards in front of you, run after it.

As for Theo, well he just goes missing in every game. It’s like he has no footballing brain and consistently looks like a little boy lost on the pitch. If I was Wenger I would seriously contemplate whether I would give these two new contracts in the future, I think the money would be better spent elsewhere.

Man of the match

It seems strange not nominating Szczesny for this award as I have given it to him for the majority of the games this season. There were a few candidates last night in Marseille, such as Rosicky, Jenkinson, RVP and Mertesacker worthy of man of the match, but I am giving it to Kosicelny. He seems to excel in the champions league, hopefully he will start to improve in the Premier League.

One last thought

Hopefully this will be a springboard for the rest of the season. That was our fifth win in six games which seems to be overlooked by the press, as they just seem to concentrate our so called “crisis”.

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