We resumed the season campaign on Saturday, the 16th of
August; we were to face Crystal Palace, who decided to let their manager Tony
Pulis go by mutual consent after some disagreements,
The day started in somewhat surprising fashion, not to me
though, Swansea won their first ever league game at Old Trafford. The day in
general was fun/drama filled, tight in all games so no surprise Palace took it
to us. I predicted a 2-0 win for the Gunners, because it was a home game and I
felt the charity shield game was one they could improve on.
I could say they did and I could also say they didn’t
.With a team without a manager, Palace really did good, their pressing,
defending and organisation were very good. Scott Dann and Brede Hangeland, who
was at fault for the first Arsenal goal, kept it cool with Julien Speroni
making a few good saves, Bolaise kept the Arsenal lads busy and Chamahk was dropping
deep to ease the pressure on his midfield.
Their star performer was Jedinak, he was outstanding,
calm and his timing and intelligence was vital.
Looking at the two games we played against them last
season and the fact that we had 3 key players out was a positive for me,
knowing that without a few key players we can still grind out results like this
is a positive moving forward.
Palace sat back and allowed us keep the ball and I think
that’s where the flaw came from, the link up play between the attacking three
of Santi, Sanchez and Sanogo even Ramsey wasn’t all that impressive, we could
say Sanchez is starting his first competitive game so he needs time, but he
still did good on Saturday.
Alexis just needs
to adjust to the English game, his passes/crosses were either too short, too
long or too slow BUT his link up with Debuchy was excellent, been his first
competitive start also. With a 7/10 rating for Debuchy, i don’t think Arsenal
fans will miss Sagna.
On the defence, Palace sat back a lot but when called
upon, it was an okay performance especially Chambers and Koscielny (who got our
first goal, beautiful set piece from Sanchez by the way) even though they were
at fault for the goal they had a good day.
The zonal marking is one I screamed a lot about last
season, in my opinion it is pathetic defending just like the corner on
Saturday, both centre halves were unaware of the incoming threat in Hangeland,
the surprising thing about the goal was that ALEXIS SANCHEZ was the one marking
Hangeland in the box, what was he even doing in the box in the first place?
The second half was a lot better, better passing, better
link up and a much higher tempo especially when Olivier Giroud came in, he was
the attack point of the team, brought the attacking trio into the game a lot
more than Sanogo did. It was still obvious we need Mesut Ozil back for the creativity
but they all had a good game.
I expect a calm game during the week at Besiktas, the
likes of Campbell, Oxlade Chamberlain and co starting, it’s the game on
Saturday against Everton I know we all are bothered about but with the German
trio back, we should have a fine game; an away game so let’s see how the week
plays out, till next Monday have a blessed week.
Article by Asimolowo Abimbola
Follow him on Twitter @GrownLittleMan_
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