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Arsenal looked more like pretenders rather than contenders as they scrambled a home draw with Everton at Ashburton Grove yesterday. A last-gasp deflected effort from Tomas Rosicky rescued a point that the Gunners barely deserved having looked second best all afternoon.
After the match Arsene Wenger praised the team's fighting spirit in keeping going to salvage a draw. It might have been better if they had shown that level of urgency from the kick off though rather than trying to raise their game far too late on. To say the Gunners were slow to start would be an understatement. They looked disinterested and clueless. In the sub-zero temperatures in North London, most of the players gave the impression they would rather be anywhere else than running around in the cold.
In contrast, the visitors hit their stride immediately. They looked hungrier than their hosts and far better drilled. When the diminutive Leon Osman rose above the Arsenal defence to head the Toffeemen into the lead from a Landon Donovan corner, it was no less than they deserved.
Going a goal behind did rouse Arsenal from their slumber but, without the inspirational Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings, they were short on ideas and penetration. It took a deflected effort from Denilson to level the scores before half-time and provide a foothold in the game.
Things did not improve that much in the second half. With Everton constantly pressing defensively and Andrey Arshavin looking completely out of sorts, it was hard to see where a winning goal for the Gunners would come from. In fact, it was David Moyes's men who looked the more likely team and when Steven Pienaar broke clear in the 81st minute and scored by delightfully dinking the ball over the onrushing Manuel Almunia, the game looked over.
Had Everton taken all three points, there could have been very few complaints - a fact acknowledged by Wenger after the match. But, to their credit, Arsenal did keep plugging away and when Rosicky struck with a second deflected goal a point was saved.
Despite the disappointing nature of the display, some consolation can be taken from the fact that one point was better than none and the Gunners were the recipients of some good fortune in both their goals. The old adage that "if you can’t be good, be lucky" holds true and luck is always a vital ingredient in any title campaign. That said, too many performances like yesterday’s against teams willing to take games to the Gunners will see Arsene Wenger’s team yet again fill the role of "best of the rest" this season.
It is a strange title race this year. Chelsea - who look the strongest team on paper - have dropped points for fun over the past month or so. Manchester United are not the team they were since the departure of Ronaldo and have been struggling with injuries to their back four. This Arsenal team are a long way from being the best that Wenger has presided over during his 13 years as manager and they do seem to have the propensity to take two steps forward and then one back but, in a season where no one is taking the league by the scruff of the neck, they are still in there and do have a chance.
Coming up in the Premier League, the Gunners travel to Bolton and Villa for what will be tricky away games. Following this, they face United, Chelsea and Liverpool back-to-back over an eleven-day period. This would appear to be a critical five-game run and it seems pretty evident that we will know a lot more about their title credentials come the middle of February.
Comments
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Posted by Arsenal Fan on 01/10/2010
This was a disappointing match, especially, playing at home. We really miss Song, as Everton's midfield was running all over the place with no one to stop them. Denilson can try but he's too lightweight to be a stand-in for Song. Hope Wenger will be a striker and a DM soon.
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Posted by Arsenal Fan on 01/10/2010
Meant to say, hope Wenger will be buying a striker and a DM soon. We can only hope that chelski drops some points. We have been lucky they have in the past matches but we can't ride on luck for long unlike this match with Everton.
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Posted by umo-nkan on 01/11/2010
My dear prof,i woke up by 0100hrs to post this mail after dreaming that i joined my fellow gooners at the Emirate Stadium to lift the league trophy.Please Please make this dream a reality by signing two or three players at least to beef up our present squad.We really struggle agaist Everton. Please am too young to be hypertensive so also are some of my young gooners here in Nigeria.
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Posted by Maran on 01/11/2010
"Two steps forward, and taking one back". Well said David, and that I think sums up this season for Arsenal thus far. The vulnerable nature of teams on top is a blessing but,and Arsenal never going to capitalise on these golden oportunities with such a ludicrous form. And I think "second best" is being too kind. They were simply the losers that night if not for the lucky goals. From kick off, the battle was lost in the midfield. Relying on Denilson to stand in for Song was calamitous. He is a boy who is never going to fit in the English game, except that he scores a few odd goals. It would have been wise to ask Diaby to collectively shoulder the responsibilities in midfield. Alas, Diaby went missing. When he finally decided to work, he created the second goal. Traore's inexperience at this level was clearly exposed. What the team showed in terms of character and spirit in the last 5 minutes is what we need for the whole game, and game after game. NOT this slumber that we witnessed.
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Posted by David Fitch on 01/11/2010
having to view the game at 4am the first half arsenal looked slugish it might just be the early morning but i think not they were awful the worst part was they do not deal with the high ball heading was poor everytime the ball was in the air there was a certain amount of panic from goalkeeper upwards on attack the passing game was not there everytime they lost the ball it sent everton on the attack. what was said at half time did not work until the last 20 minutes the good thing was they got the draw we seen it before that arsenal fall off the pace at this time of the year and by feburary they are out of the title race and serching for 4th. with the fixtures coming up they will have to find the game they had at the start of the season.
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Posted by Maran on 01/11/2010
Did anyone notice how Alumunia performed? Lost, clueless, and entirely a misfit. Incidentally, that encapsulated the Arsenal team performance on Sat. Who are we kidding? Challenging for Premier League, Champions League with an average, championship class goalkeeper? Once he clashed with Traore with his wild and misjudged run. Next he threw the ball out hastily and spectacularly setting up Sagna to lose the ball in a dangerous area. He also reacted 2 seconds late when Osman headed the ball in. Lucky for him, attention was drawn to Denilson who was seen trying to keep the ball out. Yes our defence is most plucky and leaky among the top four. But I think partly it can be attributed to weak goalkeeper. A good gk will instill confidence in the defenders. In our case, it is the opposite. But then, who do we have to replace Alumunia? Fabianski and Mannone? Forget it. We just got to live with it. And rely on the old adage "if you can’t be good, be lucky" for the rest of the season.
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Posted by Bert Hamilton on 01/11/2010
Can't underestimate the absence of Song, he is the best holding midfielder period. Of course, Cesc is missing in action; and Arshevin is playing out of position to the detriment of creativity. Go Gunners!!
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Posted by SG Gooner on 01/11/2010
Everton's kept closing down our midfielders. Without the composure of Cesc and the cover that Song provides, we looked very vulnerable. We were at 6s and 7s when pressured by the away side in our own half. It looked bad and we got away with a somewhat fortuitous result. I think we would do well with bringing in a holding midfielder during this January transfer window. Whether a good enough one is available for a decent price is another thing. I believe in Le Professeur's philosophy when it comes to buying players. We shouldn't panic buy and spend obscene amounts of cash for a half-decent player. In Arsene We Trust! Go Gunners!
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Posted by Dan T on 01/11/2010
Song has quickly established himself as one of the finest holding midfielders in the league. His progress has been so spectacular that almost every expert in the country has been made to look like an utter fool by Wenger. But the team's reliance of Song is worrying. He is the only one in the front 6 who stands up to a physical challenge. How we will do without him in the next few games will determine whether we can win the title.
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Posted by julian on 01/11/2010
Arshavin may hv a off day, but he hv the talent to change the game in a moment.Should keep the same line-up for the coming game.
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Posted by Adah on 01/11/2010
Our weakness was clearly in Denilson. I feel Wenger should play Diaby in his position and start Rosicky. Diaby as we know can win tackles hold the ball well just like Song, all Wenger needs to do is to ask him to give the pass faster. Then with Rosicky we have more creativity. It is sad that only Fabregas ticks with Arshavin, I don't see the other players having a game with him. We are better than what we saw on Sunday, that I am sure. Credit to Everton, but the imbalance in our team favoured them more than their display did. Need I say anything about Almunia? We need a goalkeeper more than a striker. If you ask me, Fabianski or Manone with a run of games would be way better. And Wenger, the captain's band doesn't make him better, give it to Arshavin.
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Posted by laoanywhere on 01/11/2010
So big the disappointment. If we won, there should be 2nd place and still have one more game in hand. But now and forward, we have big games against Villa, ManU, Liverpool, Chelsea.
Just pray for Hull and Sunderland share one point with racers is not enough. Hope the squad should be strengthen. Sign some now now Wenger. We trust on you.
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Posted by Heffy on 01/11/2010
"This Arsenal team are a long way from being the best that Wenger has presided over during his 13 years as manager and they do seem to have the propensity to take two steps forward and then one back..."
I cannot agree more. he got the balance right in his first full season but he seems to have found a new philosophy in a team's balance. Even style of play is different - when I watch Arsenal in the late 90's, they were faster in attack. 3/4 passes and we were shooting on sight. now, it's like more based around Cesc's game, and is slower but still beautiful though.
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Posted by Erichero on 01/11/2010
Man Utd drew as well, while Chelsea are as you say "dropping points for fun". If these two are the supposed contenders, then saving a point against a vivid Everton team does not disqualify Arsenal by any means.
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Posted by ifeanyi udemezue on 01/11/2010
Not a good game from Aresenal's point of view. But the important thing, it seems to me, is that they showed grit and determination to salvage a point.
On a related note, i am surprised that no player has been signed thus yet. A good striker and a good central defender are imperative. Vermaleen and Gallas should have a cover. Silvestre cannot cover for any of them. We have all seen how good he presently is in the games he has played this season. He has indeed given his all to the game - nothing to prove and not much to impact.Eduardo does not seem to be the player he once was while Arshavin may not be able to lead the line all the time. No specific news about Bendter. Has he had the scan? What was the outccome?
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Posted by the gunners fan on 01/11/2010
i think wenger should buy some forward and especially like gonzalo higuain or chalton cole to replace robin van persie and i hope robin, bendtner and fabregas will recover and help gunners to win the premier league.gogogo gunners.we trust you Arsene!
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Posted by Maran on 01/12/2010
Time to time we have discussed how the current crop of Arsenal players lack grit and fighting spirit. Last weekend we saw how Denilson collapsed spectacularly in the middle of the field with Everton players in advantageous position to pounce on the ball. What was he thinking? The referee to halt the game and nambie bambie him? What was it? Pain in the abdomen that happen to incapacitate him completely? I thought he had a heart attack. And I heard he was walking about normally in the dressing room soon afterwards. Is this the character we would like to see in Gunners? I have seen players even refusing to seek treatment and fight for the team's cause in the past. Think about Tony Adams, Martin Keown, John Terry. They were fighters and we need fighters in the team and not lame ducks. I am not advocating they should be Rambos, but at least show character that is requisite for all sportsmen. I think Denilson should be given immediate attention and be sent to his cradle back home.
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Posted by SG Gooner on 01/12/2010
I personally disagree with splashing the cash on players like Higuain. I think he's a wonderful player to have in any squad but what will happen when RVP gets back next season? I highly doubt Arsene Wenger would revert to having two strikers after his current tactics have been so successful. We might not have the best players in the world in every position but we are playing so well that it would be quite daft to fix something that isn't broken. It just isn't a good long-term plan. Furthermore, in such an inflated market, Higuain would cost us a bomb. I highly doubt we would break the bank for him. Trust in Wenger. Cheap and skillful players will be coming our way soon. Remember Anelka? :) Cover for Song should be our main priority followed by a striker with some ability to hold up play then finally cover for our centerbacks. Until Djourou comes back, we have no real capable centerbacks on the bench.
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Posted by Parthiban - Arsenal Fan on 01/12/2010
Sometimes people the harder you try the worst it will be and thats the case that happened last Sunday when Arsenal took on Everton at the Emirates. They did not pile the kind of pressure that they used to do when they take on anyone at anytime. They were just toying around with the ball and loose some silly balls to the Everton players. That was the main reason why Arsenal did not get all 3 points last Sunday. In other contrast Everton players did not even bothered to stop the game when they saw a player has gone down to the ground.
The need for a new forward and a holding midfielder is mounting day by day and i hope the club will do something about it. If they want to be champions come May then spend wisely and bring back the trophy to Emirates Hall of Fame.
Its not hard but at the same time its not easy. To be a Champion or to be a runner up depends on the mind set and the will power amongst the players.
They need to beat the dust and absorp the challenge to be a Champion.
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Posted by seray jah on 01/12/2010
facts about Aw.
he is the best coach in the world, and no couch (including ferguson, bernitez etc) will guide such group of players and still challanges the likes of manu and chelsea. If Aw is given the likes of chelsea or manu- he will win atleast two trophies per year. the question is did AW once again wants to win trophies for arsenal. If D answer is yes, then he will buy players to cover for song and another attacker. if no he willnot buy. If Aw is D captain of a boat, dont travel with him-because he will try to use the last supplies before realizing to replaced those supplies. he will let D boat stranded 4 days & always has a reason for that-as D way he let us stranded against everton. he said he will buy a player when the time is right. yes he will buy fuel when D tank is really empty. then he will arrived @ D destination after other competitors. if its a race then he loses, nothing worries him and pays no attention to others concerns. if he really wants to win the Epl, this is his year. but he will only do that with some amount of buying. D board agrees with what ever decision he took, what about the fans did he really cares about their feelings.fans if everything is lost again this year please blame AW not D players and please dont bued on them if they have a reason to leave the team. Henri, ade and col toure let for the same reason.
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Posted by Roy Alvarez on 01/13/2010
Maybe Arsene need to change formation for a while to 3-5-2 during an absent of Clichy and Gibbs.
I think the suitable player that can fill this formation is: Sagna, Gallas & Vermaelen; Denilson(DM), Nasri, Diaby, Fabregas,Rosicky; Eduardo/Vela and Arshavin. Other teams will be impressed with this formation.Go Gunners forever and ever......!!!!!Arsenal will win the title this year....!!!
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Posted by Komesha on 01/13/2010
The performance was terrible to say the least.How can a proffessional player loose possetion of the ball in a similar way in every game.They play as if the opposition is asleep.How can someone come from behind and take the ball away.They must always be expecting a tackle inorder to deal with it. Galas is still a dissapointment, have said again and again, he should play the ball and not the man.His traps always fail. If these players were to walk some back streets of Nairobi,Kenya, they will end up without even a pantie. What we need is charcter and fighting spirit like Everton did. they gave us no time on the ball and hard tackles. I thing wrestling should be a mandatory paractice for this team for building strength and watching home alone to be cunning and creative. The speed of the game should be maintained with deffence in mind not to fall to a run away goal like last game.
AW is doing a briliant job but the players are not implimenting 100%. Arsenal for the EPL TITLE
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Posted by des on 01/13/2010
Asene, sign sergio aguero
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Posted by Ronald on 01/13/2010
I hated the show put up on saturday but saluted the result.I liked the fighting spirit but what has lwft mw wondering is why they couldnt respond early when the game was level.
As for the players Almunia cant improve ,he is who he is but Arsenal's no 1.Traore put up a brave show,but still much more expected of him.the teams perfomance can be generally be summed up as awful,
though I still hope for the best
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Posted by vic on 01/14/2010
sign henry. sign joe hart.
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Posted by the gunners fan on 01/15/2010
go arsenal sign chalton cole and stefan kiebling..gogogo
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Posted by kanut pius on 01/15/2010
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Posted by stallone on 01/15/2010
Almunia should cut the raggaelike grass hair he is carrying,that might just be the perfect solution to his problem of aerial complencency. Wenger should try and sign 2 world class strikers and a cover up for song and vamaelem and gallas.Gunner fans are second to none in the world, because we have the power of being the best.We must lay our fingers on a trophy this year. Wenger thanks for a job well done so far, nigerians love you.
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Posted by sayotg on 01/15/2010
when will arsenal faithfulls ever savour a trophy back,only when AW changes his attitude towards d transfer market.A great coach he his no doubt but he his forgetting dat fame is an attribute of what u won at the end not how u played.please Wenger,buy a holding M and C.D and i also hop Sol Campbell will do us fine.
Posted by sayo on 01/15/2010
'THERE ARE SOMETHINGS IN LIFE THAT NEVER CHANGE BUT SOMETHINGS DO CHANGE'.Arsene Wenger has proved again to be a gambler when it comes to Transfer policy.Arsenal mental strenght is about to be put to test whef Febuary and d first transfer pick is none other than SOL CAMPBELL can u imagine.When we shud be thinkin of agile,strong and quick defenders against the likes of Rooney,Agbonlahor etc AW has proved again to rely on instinct.i hop his experience helps prevent goals.
Posted by th gunners fan on 01/16/2010
sign mario gomez and stefan kiebling...gogogogo
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About
Sam Limbert: My retirement as a football player came at the age of 14 due to being rubbish, it's fair to say I was more Kaba Diawara than Thierry Henry, so I turned my focus to writing about the game. I'm a lifelong Arsenal fan and have been lucky enough to watch the team across England and Europe. My favourite Gunner of all time is Dennis Bergkamp, and the 2004 Invincibles is the greatest side I've ever seen in English football. I try to be positive about the Arsenal as it's the hope that keeps us going! Follow me on twitter @SamsMatchReport.
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