Evening gooners,
A good important win today, we were lacklustre first half but fairly impressive 2nd half I think, I certainly appreciated the maturity with which we saw out the game, and it's a big relief to qualify before Olympaikos.
Ratings:
Szczesny 7: didn't have much to do but was commanding when necessary and made one important interception, can't tell you how much my blood pressure has been reduced with him rather than Mannone.
Vermaelen 7: Got beaten early on but otherwise kept the dangerous Cabella quiet and produced good crosses for Koscielny's header and the 1st goal.
Sagna 7: Solid and dangerous going forward, almost got an assist for Giroud but he was denied by good defending.
Koscielny 7: Generally solid and brought the ball out of the back well but had one hairy moment late on.
Mertesacker 7: Decent performance, great feet as well
Arteta 6: Average and slightly sloppy in the first half. Starting to fall out of love with him a bit tbh.
Wilshere 7: Sloppy initially but very tenacious, good in the 2nd half and took his goal well
Cazorla 6.5: Great close-control but gave the ball away a few times. Fouled a lot and unlucky not to score.
Podolski 8: Anonymous in the first half an hour but was still our biggest threat in the first half, he worked hard, made intelligent runs, played a nice through ball for Giroud late on and his goal was a world-class finish. Top player.
Ox 5.5: Not his night, only just coming back from injury but has nevertheless been average this seasona and was poor tonight.
Giroud 7.5: Poor first half, excellent 2nd, classic knock-down for the first goal before proving that he has finesse and creativity as well as power with a lovely touch for Poldi's volley, unlucky not to score and was victimised by the ref. I love him.
Subs:
Ramsey 7: looked tidy
Coq and Gervinho didn't have enough time to do anything.
Thoughts?
Ratings
posted on 21/11/12
Yeah agree with Pete, he was superb second half
Vermaelen was excellent tonight, haven't said that in a long time. Kos is undroppable though imo so I still think Verm should be dropped to the bench.
Giroud came up with a typical performance. Not the best technically, not the greatest passer of the ball and certainly not anything like a certain dutch , but he brings his own qualities which help the team, always gets in goal scoring positions.
posted on 21/11/12
I think everybody was shiiiitte in the first half.. and all out of a sudden things changed after the break. Wonder what Wenger said in the locker room.
No question about this. Poldi is the MOTM. Not only the fantastic goal, but also the chances he created (and misses). He was a real threat on the field tonight.
Together Pole-di and G-rude are getting better and better.
posted on 21/11/12
I think you rating is overall to high and don't reflect our poor performance in the first half.
I don't know but Cazorla was our best player and should easily get a 7.5
Kossy should really get a higher rate.
Our weakest player was imo the Ox.
posted on 21/11/12
Forget to mention Arteta. He was far better in the second half and made some good interceptions. Agree with Pete here.
posted on 21/11/12
First half performance was embarrassing overall. Lack of chemistry was painfully evident, and a lack of effort too. Seemed like the players were all drunk.
Second half it picked up and we finished well. Good to see but must start games in a better fashion.
Yeah Ox was disappointing tonight.
posted on 21/11/12
How is Giroud not getting more praise? Little or no support, still wins 90% of aerial balls, two superb assists, chased everything down, turning into as good a buy as Cazorla!
posted on 21/11/12
Giroud was class. 2 great assist add the fact he hardly got any service himself means he should be at least an 8
posted on 21/11/12
Nah Giroud first half performance were awful. He stepped it up in the second half. Was more impressed with his working rate and never give up mentality when things didnt go his way.
posted on 21/11/12
Mentally G-rude is a lot stronger than Poldi.
Poldi can be very emotional when things not going right, but G-rude always works hard.
You are right, Gunnerthru.
posted on 22/11/12
The whole team were awful in the first half.
Agree with pretty much all the ratings.