jaguars4ever
Active Member
Martinez: 5 - He hardly had anything to do the entire match. The one time Coventry threatened to score in the first half, he confidently extinguished the danger. However, he really ought to have smothered the incoming cross which led to the goal we conceded.
Santos: 5 - A quiet game from our favourite Brazilian. No doubt rusty, he gave the ball away a few times in the first half, and was rather sedate the whole game in his forward play. Absent were his cavalier forward ventures.
Djourou: 6 - I thought DJ had a decent game overall, barring one or two situations. He won the ball a couple times further up the pitch snuffing out the danger before it manifested while also allowing us to launch quick counter attacks. However, it was criminal to have let the Coventry player get goal side of him in the 6 yard box for the goal we conceded. While arguably the most experienced defender on the pitch, the gulf in class between him and the likes of Mertesacker, Vermaelen, and Koscielny is profound.
Angha: 4 - He had a poor game in my opinion. This guy did nothing right going forward. His crossing was poor, the passing was awful, and he repeatedly ran the ball into dead ends. Although one can argue that he was stable in defense, this is not enough from a full-back playing in our system especially given that the whole game was camped in Coventry's half.
Miquel: 8 - An immense performance by the young Spaniard. He was solid in defense and rounded off the game with a peach of a goal.
Walcott: 8 - While I don't approve of his posturing in front of the media for advancing his private agenda, it cannot be denied that when given time and space to run with the ball he offers profound penetration and sublime finishing with aplomb. However, what concerned me was the manner that he went missing for substantial portions of the game (sometimes not being involved in the game for 5 to 10 minutes at a time) prior to Coventry's collapse in the second half. Nevertheless, as a mobile false 9, his composure and finishing skills offer us a superior option to Gervinho (or Geronimo as my old man likes to call him). Now whether Walcott's consistency is up to scratch is another question all together...
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 9 - The OX was dynamite all match as was truly unlucky not to have scored 2 or 3 more goals. He was dangerous every time we moved forward, while being involved in the build up and spear-heading many of our chances.
Coquelin: 7 - Le Coq worked hard all game and was a dynamo engine in midfield. While overshadowed by the brilliance of our other players, he most certainly went about his business quietly and efficiently.
Arshavin: 10 (MotM) - Ahh, the enigmatic Arshavin. He had, what you can reasonably call in modern football, a perfect game. Yes, not everything he tried to pull off worked...but pretty much most of it did. And what delightful, imaginative, and precise moments they were. Shavva single-handedly orchestrated all our creative moves and was the centrifugal figure in all our lay-offs, through balls, flicks, and counter-attacks. And that's without even mentioning the Bergkamp-esque first touch and finish for his goal.
Yennaris: 6 - Didn't put a foot wrong. But neither did he do anything memorable of note either. An average performance.
Giroud: 7 - I'm relieved that our big Frenchman has finally broken his duck, and in spectacular fashion too. The move leading up to the goal was Invincible-esque first touch counter-attacking football, and his first touch chip over the keeper failed to disappoint. However, he really ought to have buried that penalty, and being distracted by a half-naked man is no excuse...unless you're Ashley Cole.
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Gnabry: 8 - It appears we might have our hands on another footballing prodigy. The guy looks to be on another level in his touch, ability to glance away from people with the ball, outstanding dribbling ability, and incredible shooting technique. He could have had a hat-trick if not for Coventry's deflections.
Frimpong: 7 - Made a stunning Hollywood ball that really ought to have been converted. Having this guy really makes you forget about Alex Song. He also showed great energy and hunger for the ball.
Chamakh: 7 - While it completely baffles me that he failed to enter Coventry's 18 yard box even once, it cannot be denied that his link-up play was clean, well-timed, and overall quite slick. This guy will never score you bucket loads, but what he can do is help the rest of team do so. And that's exactly what he did this game. A water carrier of the final third if there was such a thing. Whether we can afford such a luxury is another question.
Santos: 5 - A quiet game from our favourite Brazilian. No doubt rusty, he gave the ball away a few times in the first half, and was rather sedate the whole game in his forward play. Absent were his cavalier forward ventures.
Djourou: 6 - I thought DJ had a decent game overall, barring one or two situations. He won the ball a couple times further up the pitch snuffing out the danger before it manifested while also allowing us to launch quick counter attacks. However, it was criminal to have let the Coventry player get goal side of him in the 6 yard box for the goal we conceded. While arguably the most experienced defender on the pitch, the gulf in class between him and the likes of Mertesacker, Vermaelen, and Koscielny is profound.
Angha: 4 - He had a poor game in my opinion. This guy did nothing right going forward. His crossing was poor, the passing was awful, and he repeatedly ran the ball into dead ends. Although one can argue that he was stable in defense, this is not enough from a full-back playing in our system especially given that the whole game was camped in Coventry's half.
Miquel: 8 - An immense performance by the young Spaniard. He was solid in defense and rounded off the game with a peach of a goal.
Walcott: 8 - While I don't approve of his posturing in front of the media for advancing his private agenda, it cannot be denied that when given time and space to run with the ball he offers profound penetration and sublime finishing with aplomb. However, what concerned me was the manner that he went missing for substantial portions of the game (sometimes not being involved in the game for 5 to 10 minutes at a time) prior to Coventry's collapse in the second half. Nevertheless, as a mobile false 9, his composure and finishing skills offer us a superior option to Gervinho (or Geronimo as my old man likes to call him). Now whether Walcott's consistency is up to scratch is another question all together...
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 9 - The OX was dynamite all match as was truly unlucky not to have scored 2 or 3 more goals. He was dangerous every time we moved forward, while being involved in the build up and spear-heading many of our chances.
Coquelin: 7 - Le Coq worked hard all game and was a dynamo engine in midfield. While overshadowed by the brilliance of our other players, he most certainly went about his business quietly and efficiently.
Arshavin: 10 (MotM) - Ahh, the enigmatic Arshavin. He had, what you can reasonably call in modern football, a perfect game. Yes, not everything he tried to pull off worked...but pretty much most of it did. And what delightful, imaginative, and precise moments they were. Shavva single-handedly orchestrated all our creative moves and was the centrifugal figure in all our lay-offs, through balls, flicks, and counter-attacks. And that's without even mentioning the Bergkamp-esque first touch and finish for his goal.
Yennaris: 6 - Didn't put a foot wrong. But neither did he do anything memorable of note either. An average performance.
Giroud: 7 - I'm relieved that our big Frenchman has finally broken his duck, and in spectacular fashion too. The move leading up to the goal was Invincible-esque first touch counter-attacking football, and his first touch chip over the keeper failed to disappoint. However, he really ought to have buried that penalty, and being distracted by a half-naked man is no excuse...unless you're Ashley Cole.
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Gnabry: 8 - It appears we might have our hands on another footballing prodigy. The guy looks to be on another level in his touch, ability to glance away from people with the ball, outstanding dribbling ability, and incredible shooting technique. He could have had a hat-trick if not for Coventry's deflections.
Frimpong: 7 - Made a stunning Hollywood ball that really ought to have been converted. Having this guy really makes you forget about Alex Song. He also showed great energy and hunger for the ball.
Chamakh: 7 - While it completely baffles me that he failed to enter Coventry's 18 yard box even once, it cannot be denied that his link-up play was clean, well-timed, and overall quite slick. This guy will never score you bucket loads, but what he can do is help the rest of team do so. And that's exactly what he did this game. A water carrier of the final third if there was such a thing. Whether we can afford such a luxury is another question.
