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Article Rating 4 Stars

I'll take that

To lose a 2-0 lead is disappointing particularly with the Walcott chance at the end but given our form going into the game, the chances that Schalke had and the fact we got a stroke of luck for the first goal (Giroud was offside) means that it's hard to do anything but grudgingly accept the draw.

The level of performance wasn't great overall but I think this plus a win against Fulham may well be enough to get us back on track going into a crucial NLD. If we can win our next two games, both at home, we'll be looking good, but we still need to sharpen up at both ends of the pitch.

My ratings:

Mannone - 7.5: looked composed, made a crucial save from Huntelaar and also did well to stop a Holtby deflected drive. Seems to have woken up again with Szczesny once again in the mix.

Vermaelen - 6: Better than against United but still looked unconfident and he slips way too often.

Mertesacker - 5.5: Been really good this season but had a poor game, out of position for the first goal and slipped a couple of times as well, clearances unconvincing. Probably just a blip though.

Koscielny - 7: An improved performance, solid and composed on the ball.

Sagna -6: Not bad but also partly responsible for the first goal. Still not quite fully fit IMO.

Arteta -6: Average, not much to say really.

Wilshere - 7: Tenacious and fairly polished performance, but, like Sagna, not quite fully match fit.

Cazorla - 6: Not his best game, looked tired, luckily we have no midweek game next week because we need him firing on all cylinders for the derby.

Podolski - 7.5: Much improved on his last few performances, which were very poor, looked a lot stronger and more threatening, good cross for the 2nd goal, now he needs to maintain that in the PL. Unlucky not to score in the Hoeger injury incident.

Walcott - 6: Scored a tap-in, missed a great late chance, crossing erratic, still much to prove. He was ill though so we'll cut him some slack.

Giroud - 7:Excellent finish for the 2nd goal but should have done better with that right-foot volley early in the 2nd half. Looked a lot more confident though, first time he's scored twice in the space of 7 days which is encouraging.

If Walcott was ill and Poldi was carrying a knock, why no Arshavin from the bench?

Thoughts?

posted on 6/11/12

comment by JamesJarad (U10013)
posted 32 seconds ago
The first goal wasn't offside as the ball was last played by an opponent
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This.

posted on 6/11/12

Can't be offside when the ball is played by the Schalke player. His contact and effect it had on the ball was notable.

posted on 6/11/12

Wow!! With these ratings, you'd think we played well but were lucky to draw
Cazorla6?? Wilshere7??
R u kidding me?
We could barely make a pass forward

If Huntelaar had scored that 1on1 I wonder what these ratings would have been

posted on 6/11/12

No because Giroud was offside when the ball was initially played out of defence and the phase of play doesn't change.

There was a similar incident two years ago when Saha scored for Everton against us at the Emirates, he was well offside and the ball took a deflection off Kos on the way through but it was still offside and the ref I believe admitted the mistake.

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I am an FA qualified referee and I can tell you the difference between the two incidents. If the ball comes off or deflets off a player (like the Everton game you mentioned), then it is offside. If however the ball is played back or headed back by an opponent, (like this evening), then it isn't offside.

posted on 6/11/12

Stufeez it was the same in Montpellier 2nd half but because we held on (more down to luck than judgement) you were probably fine with it? Spare us the hypocrisy, please. Schalke are a good side and we are very fragile at the moment, I said performance needs improving but a point away to an in-form side is hardly bad no matter what the circumstances.

posted on 6/11/12

I am an FA qualified referee and I can tell you the difference between the two incidents. If the ball comes off or deflets off a player (like the Everton game you mentioned), then it is offside. If however the ball is played back or headed back by an opponent, (like this evening), then it isn't offside.

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OK, thanks for the correction, I'll take your word for it if you're a ref

posted on 6/11/12

The goal wasn't offside.

StuFeez makes a reasonable point but I think he's wrong....our midfield was ok, nothing great but if we had lost (and we didn't) it would not have been down to them.

posted on 6/11/12

But it was still quite lucky as we messed it up but it fell kindly for Walcott.

comment by BO$$™ (U6401)

posted on 6/11/12

I don't think u can blame Per or Sagna for the 1st goal. Blame lies solely with Cazorla IMO. He slips and loses it in a dangerous place when our defenders are out of posistion and basically not set.

posted on 7/11/12

I don't think u can blame Per or Sagna for the 1st goal. Blame lies solely with Cazorla IMO. He slips and loses it in a dangerous place when our defenders are out of posistion and basically not set.

Exactly Boss. This goal was avoidable if Cazorla put the ball away.

Overall I agree with your ratings though and your comments Merte.

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