Arsenal (4) vs Bolton (1) Player Ratings

[Burnwinter]

No one would accuse you of being easily pleased, Don.

As far as technique goes, with his first two competitive headed goals for Arsenal we've seen he's an excellent converter of free headers. That alone is not to be sniffed at.

The other notable thing about his goal v. Bolton was that the ball in wasn't direct from the corner. If you look at Chamakh off the ball as the second effort comes in, his efficiency at assuming a threatening position and subsequently rising to meet the ball with a quality header is impressive.

Anyone who watched Bordeaux's CL campaign last season would've gotten a better sense of his prodigious leap and his ability to dominate aerial contests. I watched a couple of Bordeaux matches because it was evident he was coming here, and he was sitting on his defender's shoulders on more than one occasion.

 

[banduan]

Again, why focus on the heading when it was his footwork that was so outstanding?

 

[Burnwinter]

Well, because that's what was being talked about. However, if you want to set the topic

Obviously though, you're right, Chamakh did a lot of other useful things in the game. He did enough in terms of bringing other players in that if it had been van Persie out there we would've been praising his contribution.

I was a bit disappointed with his attempted finish when he was one out with Bogdan. Needed to be anywhere closer to the post.

 

[IBL]

but isnt he right footed? iirc that attempt was left footed

 

[Rohit]

Chamakh is fantastic in the air, free headers or not. We didn't play too many long balls yesterday but he has shown previously he can win those duels with defenders and flick on the ball for our runners.

He is way better than Adebayor in my opinion.

 

[Humble Rex]

Correct IBL.

 

[Burnwinter]

Correct IBL.

but isnt he right footed? iirc that attempt was left footed

Well spotted - I hadn't thought of that. Still, why was that? He had a little time and space.

 

[clockwork orange]

Chamakh's performance was key for me. Looks like he'll be a good striker/player for us. exactly what we needed. Cesc was by far the best player on the pitch, but my MOTM award goes to Song. That was some sick goal for a DMF.

Going great so far, only Chelski can keep up with us.

 

[irishgunnerz]

Voted Fabregas...can't argue with three assists. Any worries about his form after the summers antics must surely be gone.

Chamakh was a lose second though. I think you've been overly critical though Don. Chamakh's technique in the air is excellent, while his footwork is also quality. He hasn't fully settled in yet either I'd imagine but so far, so good. His work rate is also inspirational... can see him becoming a fan favourite

 

[fabo]

Watching the game again, I'd down Song to a 6/10.

Cesc was definitely the best player on the pitch.

 

[irishgunnerz]

Almunia: 7 Keep it up

Eboue: 6 Solid..but could cut out the theatrics

Koscielny: 6.5 Strong in the air, and read game almost perfectly except for one woeful error. Rarely has Davis caused us so few problems so Kos gets kudos for that

Squillaci: 6 Considering its his fist game for us, solid.

Gibbs: 6 Poor for their goal but apart from that rarely troubled

Song: First half 5, second half 7. Classy finish for his goal

Fabregas: 8 On the back to the form we have grown to expect from him. Classy performance

Wilshere: 6 Super cross for Kos goal but seemed sluggish enough at times. Perhaps guilty of trying a little too much

Rosicky: 7.5 Please please please stay fit. Some great play from him. As he gets back into his flow again, he could be instrumental this season

Chamakh: 7.5 Strong in the air, quick with his feet, and with an impressive workrate to match. Took his goal well and looks like a quality signing. So much so that losing RVP for six weeks is an inconvenience rather than unmitigated disaster

Arshavin: 7 Timing of his runs was immaculate. His finishing eh was not. But still encouraging to see him get into those positions - he wont always be as wasteful

 

[IBL]

Well spotted - I hadn't thought of that. Still, why was that? He had a little time and space.

I dont think he had enough space and time to accelerate from the defender at that stage so had to shoot early, I thought it was a decent effort as he put his foot through it and forced the keeper into a good save.

 

[lagos]

Err why so many 6s and 5s, didn't we just beat bolton 4-1 without RVP, the in form Theo, an untested C-B pairing and 2nd choice LB and RB?


what a hostile crowd!

 

[kel varnsen]

fabregas easily the MOM yesterday. best player in the league. no other player in the league could have hit those passes. the quick turn and through ball to arshavin in the first half was some of the best stuff i've ever seen. a friggin genius and one of the best players to ever wear the arsenal shirt...

 

[Klaus Daimler]

Not to mention that long chip over the top to Chamakh in the second half. Pure genius. Seven Bolton players eliminated with one single pass.

 

[Klaus Daimler]

I'm not sure if people noticed by the way, but the goal that Vela scored yesterday was apparently preceded by 24 passes within the team.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

fabregas easily the MOM yesterday. best player in the league. no other player in the league could have hit those passes. the quick turn and through ball to arshavin in the first half was some of the best stuff i've ever seen. a friggin genius and one of the best players to ever wear the arsenal shirt...

Completely agree. Magnificent player.

 

[Humble Rex]

Fabs was great, but for me the best pass of the game, and the season thus far, was Rosicky´s throughball to Arshavin at the beginning of the game. Wow! And with the outside of the foot of course...

 

[Burnwinter]

fabregas easily the MOM yesterday. best player in the league. no other player in the league could have hit those passes. the quick turn and through ball to arshavin in the first half was some of the best stuff i've ever seen. a friggin genius and one of the best players to ever wear the arsenal shirt...

That that ball bisected the defence so beautifully was impressive, but the weight on it was utterly, absurdly precise.

As the ball arrived it was travelling at Arshavin's exact foot speed: it was like watching two spacecraft dock with each other in zero gravity.

Never mind the efficiency and elegance of the turn.

For a man to be able to calculate that pass on the run, by instinct, is exceptional. When Fabregas retires his brain should be examined by medical specialists for the benefit of all humanity.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

fabregas easily the MOM yesterday. best player in the league. no other player in the league could have hit those passes. the quick turn and through ball to arshavin in the first half was some of the best stuff i've ever seen. a friggin genius and one of the best players to ever wear the arsenal shirt...

That that ball bisected the defence so beautifully was impressive, but the weight on it was utterly, absurdly precise.

As the ball arrived it was travelling at Arshavin's exact foot speed: it was like watching two spacecraft dock with each other in zero gravity.

Never mind the efficiency and elegance of the turn.

For a man to be able to calculate that pass on the run, by instinct, is exceptional. When Fabregas retires his brain should be examined by medical specialists for the benefit of all humanity.

I'm straying pretty far off topic, but that's why I reckon Cesc has an extremely long career ahead of him, as opposed to someone like Theo, for example.
As soon as Theo's physical attributes start to wane, he'll struggle to maintain his level of performance. Cesc, on the other hand, will barely be affected when he loses his pace (the little he has!) and strength. It's all about his brain.