A bad, bad game by Arsenal. We didn’t need to win this game but even so this was a performance which stunk of careless passes, missed defensive assignments and even laziness. Eduardo put us up early and after that we simply switched off and expected Sevilla to run away with their tails between their legs. That didn’t happen. You could look at our first loss of the season as a burden being lifted, it’s better to lose here when there’s little at stake than concede valuable ground in the league table. However, it’s not the loss that bugs you so much (even though the prospect of finishing second isn’t great), it’s the way we lost.

A weakened side which featured the return of Philippe Senderos was presented and Senderos was back up to his old tricks, giving away balls, letting headers go over his head and scrambling to make up for his undoings - the first Sevilla goal a direct result of his carelessness (video below). Senderos never had the quality of a first team Arsenal player and today was further confirmation of that. The Arsenal defense were worked heavily all game and the midfield’s inability to maintain any possession had a lot to do with that. It got so bad that Wenger brought in Rosicky to inject some sanity into a midfield which was giving away balls for fun. Cesc Fabregas was talking out as a precaution after a slight hamstring pull.

Gilberto’s best days appear to be behind him and I’m doubting that he’ll even get a charity contract from Wenger. It’s completely apparent now why Arsene Wenger chose Gallas as captain over Gilberto but in all fairness to the Brazillian, he hasn’t really gotten any playing time this year where he could establish a rhythm. Asking him to perform against a motivated and determined Sevilla attack might’ve been a bit much, same goes for Senderos. Denilson stepped in at midfield and although he’s a fine player his control just wasn’t there today. The communication between him and Traore was often poor resulting in Sevilla to easily pick off passes between the two.

There weren’t any bright spots except perhaps the play of Eduardo and Bendtner, unfortunately our midfield failed to supply any sort of ammunition to our two strikers. Well, I should say one striker because we had the 4-5-1 deployed with Bendtner up front, a formation that hasn’t yielded much success and should by all accounts be ditched in favor of a traditional 4-4-2. Packing the midfield never was our thing.

It’s best to forget a performance like this and attribute it to severe levity. Arsenal are now two points behind Sevilla and if the status quo remains, we’ll be playing a group winner in the Round of 16. And you just know it’s going to be Barcelona.

Check out the match report and make sure to latch on the feed. The BBC match report has the post-match interview with Arsenal captain Kolo Toure who praises Sevilla. It also mentions something about Arsene being sent to the stands, pretty mundane stuff, let’s just move on.

Eduardo 1-0 ‘11: Download

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Keita 1-1 ‘24: Download

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Fabiano 1-2 ‘34 (plus phantom freekick): Download

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Kanoute 1-3 (foul + penalty) ‘89: Download

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With more than half our first-choice midfield (Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini) out due to injury or suspension, Arsenal struggle against a defensive minded Wigan squad that showed resistance through harsh tackling and packing the midfield at times with six men. All for naught though, Bakari Sagna’s cross found William Gallas’ run for the breakthrough. Manchester United lose to Bolton (thanks Nick) so Arsenal are 3 points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand.

It looked at times that we were destined for a scoreless draw with Denilson being unable to replicate Fabregas’ vision and Lasanna Diarra rarely going forward with any real intention. Rosicky and Walcott were the only apparent threats for the better part of the game, the latter had to be stretchered off after an Emile Heskey challenge from the back that must’ve felt like an earthquake. The sheer height/weight difference between the two was probably enough to see that Walcott had no further part in the game. Yellow cards all around for everybody including Gallas who felt the need to speak up given the hostile nature of the tackle.

How many times have long-balls to Adebayor been successful? I can’t think of one this season so it perturbs me that we continue to look for him in a 4-5-1 setup through long passes that even if he does control, can do little with. I know it’s almost become fashionable to rip on Adebayor but at times he makes it a little too easy to do so. He should’ve scored early in the game after finding himself with enough time and space from 10 yards out, but as expected he delivered a weak shot that the goalie had no trouble saving prompting me to wonder what Eduardo would’ve done with the same opportunity. It’s also apparent that Adebayor’s greatest strength appears to be as a holding forward who can win those balls in the corner and contest for headers, but his suitability as a sniper has always been questionable. It’s also a bit odd that Wenger continues to play the 4-5-1 with a player of Eduardo’s caliber on the bench. Hard to complain however when you’re top of the table. The MOTM has to be our fiery captain William Gallas who’s initial pass that setup Sagna’s cross followed by his determined run for the goal saved Arsenal. Rosicky’s goal was a result of Wigan coming forward leaving them vulnerable at the back. I also enjoyed Galls giving the referee an earful after every debatable call, especially the Heskey foul. The captain fired the Gunners up at just the right time. Arsene Wenger praised Gallas and the team’s ability to generate goals in tough circumstances:

‘He is a forgotten centre-forward because he knows where to be in the box and he can always turn up with a goal when you need it. Once again we found the resources to win the game. It is not the first time, so I do not feel it is a coincidence.’

Eduardo and Bendtner’s introduction seemed to inject some much needed pace up front and although neither had much to do with the Gallas goal, the Wigan defense appeared more stretched when the two were in the game. Theo Walcott’s pace was causing great concern for Wigan and at times looked to be our only chance of unlocking a Wigan defense that was playing for a manager in the stands. A lesson to be learned here is the relative success that Wigan had pressuring our midfield and forwards, not allowing us to play the one-two-touch football that we like to play, then again, we had our Carling Cup squad out there. Robin van Persie is being greatly missed on set-plays, especially freekicks, we didn’t have a single threatening freekick all afternoon with Denlison resorting to chipping the ball in hoping for a header - RVP’s return is the event I’m looking most forward to this season.

The Gunners are cruising, up next is a Champions League clash against Sevilla in southern Spain which if we win, will seal first place in the group allowing our first team to take a break on Matchday 6.

Check out the post-game reaction from the two managers and also the Arsenal.com match report. Make sure to subscribe to the Arsenal feed for highlights and other Arsenal goodies.

Gallas 1-0 ‘83: Download

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Rosicky 2-0 ‘85: Download

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Gunners needed to win by two goals to climb back to the top of the table and after Reading did their best to resist for almost a half, Flamini struck after a pinpoint pass by Hleb found his midfield run. Earlier Adebayor had made a mess out of a good chance and his offering to the left of Hanneman grazed the outside of the post making me think if he was every going to score again. But he did early in the second half on a fairly high quality shot which had to be placed very well. Everybody loves to hate Adebayor and I’m one of them but today he wasn’t half-bad. He should’ve had two goals but the linesman denied him on a call which wasn’t even close. The funny part was that the linesman was trailing the play when he made the call - there’s no way he’s in position to make such a judgment.

We conceded a pretty stupid goal late in the game (highlights below) which kinda sucked because I get a sick feeling that goal difference is going to play a huge part when this season’s all said and done. From Reading’s perspective they probably were better off trying to attack us and hopefully score rather than trying to sit back and defend with a defense that conceded 7 earlier this year. Oh well, they really never had a chance.

There’s a report out there that Wenger’s looking to improve in one area in the transfer market. Wonder what that is? It can’t be the midfield so that leaves us with the backs and strikers. Of those two positions I’d say the back is solid with Gallas, Sagna, Toure, Clichy + the fillers so that leaves us looking for a striker? Not sure of that either because you would think Eduardo’s abilities haven’t even come to the forefront yet and it’s too late to congest that position even more so he’s buried deeper on the bench. I didn’t even intend for this paragraph to be in this post but it’s too late.

PS to all your Arsenal fans. You need a basketball team to cheer for, how about the Raptors?

Check out the match report .

Flamini ‘44 1-0: Download

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Adebayor ‘52 2-0: Download

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Hleb ‘78 3-0: Download

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Shorey ‘88 3-1: Download

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Literally, nothing happened. Arsenal qualify for the round of 16 after netting 10 points from four games. Lot of regulars were out of action including Fabregas who didn’t even make the trip.

Full Highlights

Shorter Highlights

Good comeback by the Gunners, went down twice and came back in dramatic fashion. We definitely didn’t deserve to lose this game after having quite a bit of possession and controlling the game for long periods. Both Man Utd goals came on the counter-attack where were were left figuring out who we’re trying to mark. Adebayor sucked as usualy, he’s about as likely to score for Arsenal as I am and I live in Canada. We’re missing RVP on the freekicks, the corners, the counter-attack, well..everywhere really. I’d say give Eduardo more playing time, the man clearly deserves and plays with aplomb (look this word up, it’s pretty cool). Either way I think it’s time for Adebayor to have a seat, apparently Drogba hates Chelsea so maybe get him over here….drooooolll…..

Good job by the linesman for calling the Gallas goal over the line, I missed it like everybody else too, but then again I was watching the game in piss-poor quality over Sopcast. Eh, still something I guess. Thank God for Fabregas, the guy just loves to score crucial goals. Anderson epitomizes what a cunt is. What else, it’s the one year wedding anniversary so I’m off to cottage country.

Read the match report and also grab the feed. There’s also the comprehensive Third Gen match report, damn good recap.

You can watch the highlights using VLC. Be sure to check out the 15 minute highlight pack.

Wayne Rooney ‘45: Download High Quality Download

Fabregas ‘47: Download High Quality Download

Ronaldo ‘82: High Quality Download

Gallas ‘90 Download High Quality Download