Ratings and post-match discussion vs West Ham

[yuvken]

Quicker, AW recently said Theo is "too quick for his own good". Where does that leave you?

 

[Tourbillion]

Miles ahead

 

[scytheavatar]

It's a testament to Cesc's ability that despite having his worst ever performance in an Arsenal shirt, he was still able to produce several outstanding passes, and almost a goal.

Certainly wasn't Cesc's worst game by any means.

It most definitely was, IMO. I've never seen him look so poor. Like Ricky said, every part of his game was letting him down.

Incidentally, Cesc agrees.

Have you completely forgotten how he looked towards the end of 2008/2009? Back then he had a string of games where he was completely useless and where people were constantly giving him 4/10 in match rating threads. He looked a bit Arshavin-istic against West Ham at times but at worst this is a 6.5/10 game for him; his superior talent is still as clear as day.

 

[est]

On another day, Theo could have easily finished the game with 2 goals. Goes to show how dangerous he is at the moment.

Him and Cesc in the same team is the stuff of nightmares for any defense.

 

[russkiegooner]

Fabianski 6

Sagna 8
Squillaci 7
Koscielny 8 MOTM
Clichy 8

Song 8
Denilson 5
Fabregas 6

Nasri 6
Chamakh 5
Arshavin 5

Subs

Theo - 7
Bendy - 5
Eboué - NA

Thought Koscielny was very solid. However, it was a close call with our full-backs who were both excellent.

Song scored a winner but I still find that he was much better last season and that him playing almost a forward now is completely mind-boggling.

 

[Nela]

I've barely seen in mentioned, but Parker's tackle on Denilson looked really ugly.

 

[russkiegooner]

Parker's tackle on Denilson looked really ugly.

Was a yellow at least. He says he played the ball... As one French commentator put it: "To be sure, he touched the ball, but before then he nearly broke both Denilson's legs!"

Am I mistaken or did he leave the pitch without being carded at all? He deserved at least a couple of yellows on Saturday, if it wasn't not three or four...

 

[outlaw_member]

Seems like I have, Scy.

Parker looked exactly like Bale from American Psycho after that challenge on Denilson. Cor blimey!

 

[redanddread]

outlaw - agree it's a moot point, and I don't remember exactly when - I just had that feeling, in other games, I'd rather see him off (not for injuries, etc.). At NO point in the WH game did I get that feeling (the Theo pass probably says why). As "poor" as he was, I always felt we have less chances to score without him.

Agreed 150%. He enhances our attacking play unbelievably. With Cesc, even a Cesc playing "poorly" you always feel he will find "that" pass to unlock the opponents defense and create a gilt edged scoring oportunity for us. This team cannot, at present, win consistently without Cesc. Our style of play is tailor made for his visionary abilities-Arsenal & Cesc are a perfect fit.

 

[Tourbillion]

Our success rate without Cesc is better than most of our rivals' when they're without their talismen.

 

[redanddread]

Our success rate without Cesc is better than most of our rivals' when they're without their talismen.

Is this a statistical fact? Regardless, on recent times we have not shown that we can win the big ones without Cesc.

 

[Biggus]

Indeed, as Kami said- Without him we're Sp**s.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

Our success rate without Cesc is better than most of our rivals' when they're without their talismen.

Is this a statistical fact? Regardless, on recent times we have not shown that we can win the big ones without Cesc.

We couldn't win them with him in our side either.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Indeed, as Kami said- Without him we're Sp**s.

My God man. Are you serious? :shock:

 

[est]

Indeed, as Kami said- Without him we're Sp**s.

Bollocks.

...and you know it.

 

[yuvken]

This team cannot, at present, win consistently without Cesc. Our style of play is tailor made for his visionary abilities-Arsenal & Cesc are a perfect fit.

Indeed, as Kami said- Without him we're Sp**s.

A context which makes Jack's emergence even more meaningful and dramatic.

(and if Aaron returns in like fashion, this may give not just our mid, but our entire team, a new set of options while still playing our game).

 

[Armor for Sleep]

Indeed, as Kami said- Without him we're Sp**s.

Please stop saying that Biggus. You know thats garbage.

 

[mistaT]

Is Chamakh even a goal scoring threat? Starting to become a little disenfranchised with him as he vacates quality scoring positions just to find the ball and help it move along.

We need him more in the box, more willing to shoot, and more in tune with what a striker should be doing. I'm at the point where I think Bendtner would be a better bet, at least with him you know he'll pot a goal.

Saw a number of beautiful crosses in the game with Chamakh no where in the box. Bah.

 

[Rorz]

Goals have never been that big a part of Chamakh's game. I think his highest ever total in a season is 16, and he already has 6 this season for us. His link up play and creation of chances are great, and with him as our main striker we're averaging 3 goals a game so I don't see what's wrong really.

As you said though, there are times when he should be in the box getting on the end of crosses, and he's not. Frustrating as he is one of our best aerial threats.

 

[flobaba]

Goals have never been that big a part of Chamakh's game. I think his highest ever total in a season is 16, and he already has 6 this season for us..

They weren't a big part of Adebayor's game when he came to us either, yet he scored about 30 goals one season. It's all about confidence and getting into the right positions at the right time. Also, our midfield will create more scoring opportunities for strikers than other teams do (definitely more than Bordeaux anyway), so his numbers will undoubtedly improve in that department.

Chamakh is more of a team player than Ade ever was though.