asajoseph
Established Member
Usually I like to be cool, calm and objective when I take part in these threads - I like to get happy about a win, but will hand out criticism where it's due and praise where it's earned. I'll appreciate the football, but call a spade a spade where due.
Unfortunately though, last night I was pissed by half time (I drink too quickly when I get nervous), watching the game in the Twelve Pins because I couldn't get a ticket, and missed about 15 minutes after the second goal trying to stop my mate getting into a fight with some **** standing behind him. So, all in all, I can't really be arsed. But I do have a fair few comments about this game.
Firstly, Sabre, I love you mate but you're way, way too harsh (although I was wearing beer goggles, which have the same effect on Arsenal football players as they do on women). Yes, Juve didn't look like they played that well, but that was more down to the way we fought than anything else - we didn't allow them a single good chance all night, and considering they were playing two strikers (none of this negative 4-5-1 nonsense
), big, strong and skillful, that's a fantastic feat.
Whilst I'm not going to run through a whole list of ratings, I think a few players do deserve a special mention. Firstly, I feel duty bound in this one to take my hat off to Matty Flamini. I've earned myself a reputation for being one of his biggest skeptics, and, to be honest, I still don't think he's a great midfielder. But his performances at left-back this season, particularly in the last few weeks, have really begun to endear him to me. Last night though, I believe, was the best of the bunch, and a defensive display that any LB in the world would have been proud of. He harried the wingers so so well, won some fantastic balls, was tough, fast, and perhaps even a little bit 'nutty'.
The whole of the back four played fantastically well, positioned themselves in the right places, and Jens, although most are rightly saying he had little to do, controlled his penalty area extremely well. Kolo Toure in particular must now be surely considered among the premier central defenders in Europe.
As for the midfield, again, I really think everyone (even the much maligned Pires and Gilberto) played their part, but Fabregas again stole the show. Whoever was telling us but a month ago that he's overrated and doesn't deserve to be considered in the same breath as 'true wonderkids' really needs to hang their head in shame. Gilberto too, still fairly ropey in his passing, is beginning to pull his defensive weight once more - I'd almost forgotten what that shrug of the shoulders and 'what, me?' expression looked like, but after some of his challenges in the midfield tonight, I surely now remember! Enjoyed his little spat with Camoranesi (I think) too, was great fun!
Anyway, that's my two cents, I'm gonna get back to finding my voice!
Unfortunately though, last night I was pissed by half time (I drink too quickly when I get nervous), watching the game in the Twelve Pins because I couldn't get a ticket, and missed about 15 minutes after the second goal trying to stop my mate getting into a fight with some **** standing behind him. So, all in all, I can't really be arsed. But I do have a fair few comments about this game.
Firstly, Sabre, I love you mate but you're way, way too harsh (although I was wearing beer goggles, which have the same effect on Arsenal football players as they do on women). Yes, Juve didn't look like they played that well, but that was more down to the way we fought than anything else - we didn't allow them a single good chance all night, and considering they were playing two strikers (none of this negative 4-5-1 nonsense
), big, strong and skillful, that's a fantastic feat.Whilst I'm not going to run through a whole list of ratings, I think a few players do deserve a special mention. Firstly, I feel duty bound in this one to take my hat off to Matty Flamini. I've earned myself a reputation for being one of his biggest skeptics, and, to be honest, I still don't think he's a great midfielder. But his performances at left-back this season, particularly in the last few weeks, have really begun to endear him to me. Last night though, I believe, was the best of the bunch, and a defensive display that any LB in the world would have been proud of. He harried the wingers so so well, won some fantastic balls, was tough, fast, and perhaps even a little bit 'nutty'.
The whole of the back four played fantastically well, positioned themselves in the right places, and Jens, although most are rightly saying he had little to do, controlled his penalty area extremely well. Kolo Toure in particular must now be surely considered among the premier central defenders in Europe.
As for the midfield, again, I really think everyone (even the much maligned Pires and Gilberto) played their part, but Fabregas again stole the show. Whoever was telling us but a month ago that he's overrated and doesn't deserve to be considered in the same breath as 'true wonderkids' really needs to hang their head in shame. Gilberto too, still fairly ropey in his passing, is beginning to pull his defensive weight once more - I'd almost forgotten what that shrug of the shoulders and 'what, me?' expression looked like, but after some of his challenges in the midfield tonight, I surely now remember! Enjoyed his little spat with Camoranesi (I think) too, was great fun!
Anyway, that's my two cents, I'm gonna get back to finding my voice!
