A lot can be said about the two teams leading up to this game, one team that develops talent and provides entertaining football and the other that buys talent and provides entertaining football. After todays game I stand a proud Gooner at the fact our fringe and young players stood toe to toe with a decent City side filled with expensive buys in Nasri, Dzeko, Aguero and not to forget Kolo Toure. It was clear that the better team lost but in football all that matters is scoring one more than your opponent and that’s what City did.
Same Old City?
To be fair to City they actually came down to the Emirates and didn’t park the bus in front of goal. The two previous games ended in 0-0 draws where only we were willing to attack. However, with City only managing two shots on target it was Arsenal who were fuelling the attacks all game against an inspired Pantilimon who managed to keep our Park’s classy shot at the beginning and also kept out a couple of powerful hits by the wonderful Chamberlain.
Throughout the game I felt Arsenal were better at defending than attacking, even having more chances, because the defence were brilliant at keeping City outside our area. The whole back four were solid throughout, even Squillaci saved himself from any embarrassment and did himself justice if looking for a move away in January. Koscielny had a brilliant game once again which shows to me he’ll be Vermaelen’s best partner at the centre of defence. The young Miquel looked comfortably out of position stopping Johnson on numerous occasions.
Going forward yes Arsenal had the better chances but I felt we lacked the last cutting ball to open up their defence. We were resulted on either a shot from distance or a cross into the area. Our set pieces were awful tonight which would be the main criticism I’d have on the team, most of our corners were instantly cleared by their defence and it was a poor corner from Chamberlain that led to City’s counter attacking goal.
Fringe v Youth
As expected Wenger kept a balanced but changed side for the Carling Cup match. Youthful players such as Miquel, Frimpong, Coquelin and Chamberlain by far impressed tonight and look very promising. Fringe players such as Benayoun, Squillaci and Chamakh looked solid throughout and unless we had worthy replacements lined up in January I’d be quite happy to keep all of them, but then again I did say ‘Unless’ and the two players looking most likely to go in my books are Chamakh and Squillaci.
Coquelin really impressed me tonight and looked very comfortably on the ball which goes to show our valuable his loan was last season. With the emergence of Frimpong I doubted his chances (along with Eastmonds also) but I feel that’s exactly what Frimmy needs right now, a loan move. He looks like he’s developing into great players but shows his lack of experience when he lets the game get to his head too much.
Final thought
Beaten but not disgraced today, we were able to rest players and still play decently against a top team in our league. However the lack of goals tonight will have given Wenger some food for thought as to what we do without Van Persie in the side. I expect him to be dipping into the January market but only if we lose Chamakh.
With us out the Carling Cup does that lead the FA Cup being the most likely target for silverware this season?
Arsenal: Fabianski 6, Djourou 6, Squillaci 7, Koscielny 7, Miquel 7, AOC 8*, Benayoun 6, Coquelin 7, Frimpong 7, Park 6, Chamakh 6
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