RSSSevilla 3 Arsenal 1: Senderos the ticking bomb + playa ratings
Blameless for the goals and largely faultless with the exception of one poorly punched corner.
7
Fine. I liked his ‘accidental’ stamp. The guy completely deserved it. Go in like that and you can have no complaints about getting hurt.
6.5
Looked good next to Senderos. But then so would I. Unlucky for the penalty.
7
In an excellent squad, he stands out.
5
Given a bit of a runaround but looks seriously good.
6.5
Started well but faded seriously. Back in the game at the start of the second half but then pulled his hamstring.
6
Marginally at fault for the opening goal and not at his sharpest. Failed to get a foothold on the game in the second half..
6
Honestly, if this guy got his head together he could be excellent. There were some outstanding moments where he beat his man and crossed brilliant balls in too. But there was the usual idiocy too.
7
Like the team, he looked sharp from the start. Like the team, he faded afterwards.
6
Brilliantly taken goal and frankly that’s all you can ask for from a striker in a game like this. Looked really dangerous early on, far less so as the team waned.
7
Brilliant work for the goal and looked really sharp early on. In fact, he looked really sharp for most of the game. It’s fair to say he’s pushing Adebayor for a place in the side.
7
Failed to make an impact of any kind.
6
Unlucky for the penalty.
6.5
Little time to make an impression.
6.5
AFTER going 28 games without defeat I should really be sanguine about this loss.
I’m not. In fact, I’m bloody furious.
Why? Because we started brilliantly and threw it away due to sheer ineptitude.
Ignore the ITV prattling on about poor defending for our goal (they are to football analysis what England are to Euro2008) and instead appreciate how brilliantly worked it was.
An ingenious back heel down the line from Eboue (no, really), great hold up play and a perfectly flighted ball from the excellent Bendtner and the kind of attacking play from Eduardo that had it come from Rooney would have prompted Man U supporting commentator Clive Tyldesley to completely lose it. The Broatian chested the ball, ignored a barge in the back, took it past the keeper and defender and slotted it home. Lovely.
And we were in total control. In fact, we were confounding my expectations. I’d banked on a really tough night but we had drawn the Sevilla sting, got our lead and were in control. All that is required in these situations is sufficient defensive competence to ensure that if you do concede it will at least be a good goal and sufficient attacking nous to snaffle a second if the chance arises.
Instead we got Phillipe Senderos. I’m going to lay the criticism on like custard here because most of the time this guy dodges bullets with a deftness that would make former Prime Minister Blair blush. Honestly, forget Teflon Tony, up until now it’s been Teflon Phil: however inept his defending, it’s been impossible to pin responsibility for a single goal on him this season.
But not any more because his shanked clearance for the Sevilla clearance was inexcusable. Honestly, I put in a distinctively average substitute appearance for a Sunday league side on err Sunday but nothing I did was remotely as bad as what Senderos did.
Don’t get me wrong - had Kolo done the same I’d have dismissed it as an aberration. But this had been coming and loathe as I am to overreact, you have to ask where things are going for Senderos. It’s been cock-up after cock-up and it’s hard really to argue that he’s improving when he should be.
It was all the inspiration Sevilla needed to turn the tables and we can only be thankful it happened in a largely irrelevant game as opposed to a crucial qualifier. But the worry is it will happen again and potentially in a more important game.
We essentially had to win the game again and against a decent Sevilla side with their tails up it proved tough. Their second goal was well worked and despite the best efforts of Bendtner, we struggled to create much.
The most obvious sign of our inferiority was Cesc’s failure to touch the ball for the final quarter of an hour of the first half.
There were a few interesting moments, such as Eboue being brought down for what should have been a penalty. But staking your future on an Emmanuel Eboue penalty claim is about as safe as sticking your life savings in Northern Rock, so we can hardly complain.
Given his position, how the ref could give a penalty (subsequently overturned) for the handball by Senderos is beyond me. Were it the official’s job to punish crap defending, then fair enough. But it’s not and that was never a penalty. The penalty that was given was generous too, but we can hardly complain about the defeat.
It’s a frustrating result because it was a needless loss. What matters now is that unlike the reverse at Old Trafford three years ago, we don’t let the end of an unbeaten run get to us. We’ve three tough away games coming up and a win would have been great but there is no need for a defeat to be a death knell either.
Before I finish, I should correct a couple of inaccuracies spouted on ITV. The first is that when Toure goes to Africa, it will automatically be Gallas and Senderos with Gilberto as back-up. It won’t. Djourou will be back.
And secondly, we do not need Slavia Prague to beat Sevilla. We have to beat Bucharest and if we do, then a point for Slavia will see us qualify as top of the group. There you have it.
28 November 2007 at 1:47 am
I’ve seen elsewhere that Djourou will be back. There is no guarantee there. There is an option to extend and the likelihood is that the loan will be extended. I don’t see Djourou returning unless Gallas or Senderos are injured. Arsene is looking at Senderos, Gilberto and Song as backup while Kolo is away. Djourou may be better than any of them in the position, but i wouldn’t be surprised if he stays at Brum. Several of our loan deals in recent years have had similar options and usually the player has stayed until the end of the season, e.g. Bendtner at Birmingham last season.
28 November 2007 at 1:52 am
are you blind?
gilberto was the reason why senderos was exposed.
he was the main reason we failed. his childish mistake for sevilla’s first goal gave them confidence. he was uninterested and unprofessional.
28 November 2007 at 1:53 am
I think Senderos has huge potential and just needs playing time. He is suffering a crisis in confidence I believe and needs a run in the team to come around. Yes, he looked pretty fallible tonight but lets not forget his young age still. Eboue was a surprise and if only he could cut out the histrionics he could be great. Bendtner looks the real thing and I would have loved to see Eduardo play further forward in a 442 line up. We were due a bad game and this was the one to have it in. i just hope it doesnt cary over against Villa and Newcastle, two tough games.
28 November 2007 at 1:56 am
Djourou will be back because Wenger can see that Senderos doesn’t cut it. Neither does Gilberto, not at CB anyway, and don’t get me started on Song!
Bendtner will be a star.
28 November 2007 at 2:01 am
You have rode your luck enough times this season, winning games where you should have lost.
Well luck doesn’t last for ever; You ain’t gonna win sh*t this season…..again
28 November 2007 at 2:02 am
Did u even watch the match? Gilberto did misplace a few passes, but compare that to all the mistakes senderos made?
Senderos doesnt even have the basic ball skills.
He picked up the ball when there is no whistle.
Too clumsy and always loses the challenge when he commits upfield and leave a gap at the back.
Obviously, he is not good enough to be in this arsenal team. Come back, djourou!!
28 November 2007 at 2:03 am
I stated before that Gib has got to go. He’s been a great servant but a) He’s past his best and b) he knows his fate and his heart is not in it.
Senderos is NOT the man for the big occasion. He’s been exposed by both skilful attackers, and physical attackers (Drogba) on far too many occasions. He is OK as back up when we’re playing lower teams. We desperately need a Centre back to cover for Afican nations and for injuries.
28 November 2007 at 2:25 am
i told u we dont need senderos. he was playing more from sevilla than for gunners. i dont know how will this defeat affect to the players?!??!?!
28 November 2007 at 2:31 am
How about we get Matthew Connolly back? Seriously, Senderos should NOT play again.
28 November 2007 at 2:32 am
ihateugooners Says:
28 November 2007 at 2:01 am
You have rode your luck enough times this season, winning games where you should have lost.
Well luck doesn’t last for ever; You ain’t gonna win sh*t this season…..again
crawl back into your hole. cunt.
28 November 2007 at 2:35 am
Agree with above. Gilberto was almost as bas as Senderos. Unfortunately, he’s the type of player who needs to be playing every week in order to be at his best. Either he returns to the starting lineup or we let him go in January. Diarra’s more than adequate replacement and probably better suited to coming on every now and again. Also, for all their talent, Denilson and Traore are a long way off the starting 11. Anyone know how serious Cesc’ hamstring is?
28 November 2007 at 2:43 am
what a surprise, arsenal lose for the first time in 28 games and you’re on here critising your two favourite scapegoats, senderos and eboue. predictable and sad. there’s even some moron suggesting calling matthew connolly back from colchester on the basis of one defeat away to one of the best teams in spain. incredible.
28 November 2007 at 2:52 am
I don’t think he criticized Eboue much. Fact is if Eboue hadn’t been playacting the entire match he would have had a much better chance to earn the penalty.
We got bossed around in this match, but it’s not a big surprise. Once we scored we took our foot off the gas. Yes Bendtner looks like a good player but I really don’t think he’s putting pressure on Adebayor. Bendtner can’t hold up play as well as Adebayor, you could see that when the ball went to his feet in the second half, several times Seville broke from passes played to him.
Fabregas looked either uninterested or injured. Gilberto wasn’t very good was he? He absolutely laid their first goal on a plate, and that’s not hindsight: he played that ball like he thought there was someone sweeping up next to him, but in an instant it was clear that was a goal coming.
28 November 2007 at 2:53 am
BTW. If there was a single match I’d pick to lose out of all we have played so far this season, this match surely would be it.
28 November 2007 at 2:59 am
Listen a few points to state, Senderos has the ability to be as as good as a turnip on ice, hes that good. Eboue is fast but hes not a winger and I dont think hes a right back either, try him in the centre he might do some good. Gallas is the only decent def, Toure is alright but nothing special not a ferdinand or a vidic. Arsenal can play theres no doubt about that, but I think too many people are getting excited, they aint won shit yet and there defence will be exploited you watch. I guarantee you they will finish below Man U, any bets anyone?
28 November 2007 at 3:08 am
[Ew. Just so it's clear, the 13 & 14 Bill (i.e., me) is not the 16 Bill (i.e., a c**t)]
28 November 2007 at 3:38 am
Senderos made some very poor errors and he did a couple of good things too, but really not many in comparison. I like Swiss Tony but if he can’t be consistent after all this time I worry that he’ll never be it.
Gilberto was pretty shocking too and I’m glad some other people have admitted what so many of our fans pretend isn’t the case (that Gilberto is too inconsistent). Ye he’s quite often great, but he’s also quite often shit, but people always ignore that.
Above all else though I think Wenger has to take the blame for this shocking performance. I mean the defeat isn’t what bothers me, it is the tactics he used.
WTF? Eddie the goal poacher on the left wing with a support striker playing alone up-front. 3 in central midfield (which with our current squad almost always kills our midfield play). Our boys can’t do 5 man midfields. The past 5 or so times I’ve seen it against halfway decent opposition it’s terrible. It becomes wayy too crowded and rather than providing extra support for each other, they each don’t see enough of the ball and players like Fabregas go worryingly quiet. It’s not the first time that has happened, it’s happened numerous times this season. I mean it’s not surprising that Eddie can’t defend either, so why is the goal poacher playing in front of our 18 year old left back who frankly hasn’t had too much experience at this level? Even when Rosicky came on he usually played behind Nicklas rather than on the left and it was just atrocious tactically. Wenger made very similar mistakes in the Slavia game and if I remember correctly Wenger admitted he got the tactics all wrong that time. Well then why the fuck did he use the same shitty tactics against a much better team?!
I just can’t believe why he would fail to notice when stuff repeatedly doesn’t work. I love the man to death and all, but his one major fault is sometimes not be daring enough to make changes when he’s clearly getting it wrong- and that has potentially cost us first place.
With any luck we’ll get a good tie and all of this will be forgotten, but if we end up playing against and losing to Barca/Inter etc just because Wenger didn’t use his brain for that Sevilla match and we finish second then I will be a seriously unhappy bunny.
Don’t get me wrong, I can handle that we lost, just not that we lost with such dyer tactics.
=/ CMON ARSENE FFS
28 November 2007 at 3:48 am
When given the chance, Senderos has proven to be a liability. Yet there are still Senderos supporters out there. I would say give him a few more games in the Reserves, Carling Cup and FA Cup before letting him loose in an impt game.
It seems to me that Wenger was fielding a Carling Cup side against Sevilla with an eye more for this weekend’s game against Villa.
28 November 2007 at 3:59 am
This has got nothing to do with Old Trafford. This was basically a Carling Cup game: nice to win if you can, but not worth tiring out your best players for. I’d rather have the second game on the road anyway, with the bloody away goals rule it’s a lot easier to control your destiny that way. Keep ‘em quiet at home in the first leg, and then you only need a goal in the return leg with the away goals rule. The other way round is a lot more worrying, especially if Mr. Senderos is involved.
28 November 2007 at 4:05 am
Senderos has to go. It’s been years, years! If he can’t do it by now then he won’t do it again. Gilberto has always had his failings. I like the guy and he was excellent last year, but …..
Maybe it’s time for him to go too. We should not have played this way last night. I am bitterly dissapointed, and if this spills over into the league like it has before then we are royally fucked.
We have to pick ourselves up and get into it at Villa now. All 3 points and we are back on track, but any kind of stumble and we could find ourselves in real trouble.
So strange to see that our attackers were so good and our defense so shit, why oh why did Wenger make so many changes at the back. We have been strong there this season. Senderos should not be starting CL games after so long out and his previous mistakes last time he played. Even Song would have been a better choice.
Up the Gunners
28 November 2007 at 4:05 am
I would not be sad if Gilberto, Senderos and Eboue would all be sold in January. Lehmann can go with them. I am not saying this in frustration after the loss, these players are just simply not in the Arsenal status.
You can argue about Gilberto, how professional he is and how we need his experience. I haven’t seen a single game this season where he has played well. I can’t believe that a man with his passing ability has gone so far in football.
Eboue is probably the most idiotic person alive. He might have some good moments and excellent crosses but compare that to all his stupid decisions that cost us posession, his awful finishing and his disgraceful diving. He is a good definition of a cunt and I hope he never plays for us again.
Lehmann is another cunt and Senderos is just to bad of a player. He is our Titus Bramble. He was really talented and both were amazing at age 19 but when the grew up they became shit.
But despite the loss I am certain that we will crush Villa this saturday. I hope that Cesc pulls his act together, this was by far his worst game of the season.
28 November 2007 at 4:13 am
The positives from the game?
Bendtner and Eduardo worked together nicely in the first half, and Eboue looked strong as well.
It’s nice to even begin to experiment in a CL game and get away with it. Not many teams can do that!
28 November 2007 at 4:20 am
1 da sila is a poatcher no good on the wing we we only see the best of him when wenger lets him play his own game roaming in the box
2 gilberto has lost his heart for arsenal the more he plays the less diaby ,lassana,denilson and the great mathiu will he is slowing up there development ,hes reached that age wheres its time 2 go
3 im sure sagna can play cb so he can fill in more eboue rb
4 eboue could become a true great but every game he gets him self into stupid stupid situations probaly the biggest diver in aresnals history
ANY 1 AGREE
28 November 2007 at 4:46 am
after reading some of the comments here and on due reflection everyone is due a shocker once and a while. I like Senderos i honestly do HOWEVER
BIG PHIL was just appaling tonight. So what if Gilberto was caught out of position the clearance was PUB FOOTBALL. I”M sorry but SENDEROS ALWAYS MAKES ME NERVOUS. ALWAYS HAS - ALWAYS WILL. If we were playing UNITED OR BARCA I”D be petrified with BIG PHIL on the Field.. He is just to error prone period.. despite what on occasion can be an eye for mini suge upfield and half decent pass. That does not however cut the Mustard for me and i would not be surprised if that is his last game in an Arsenal shirt.. He really was that bad…!!! and me thinks Wenger is losing patience despite the insignificance of the game..
Now i hate random bullshit transger spec about players but my moneys heavily on Velosa to be an Arsene conversion to centre back by the January transfer window.. any takers.. he was blinding against United this evenining..
28 November 2007 at 7:09 am
hey dont panic we are still arsenal and i believe too that senderos has alot of potential. he is just having confidence problems because like flamini senderos is a good leader and i read somewhere he was in the reckoning for gunners captaincy. he will come good. just like bendtner who needs to be played alongside the creativity of fabregas, rosicky and hleb. i dream of that attacking option with eduardo’s striker instincts running off him.
gummers for life
28 November 2007 at 7:16 am
Northern Rock is backed by the Government unlike Eboue
28 November 2007 at 8:02 am
Saw the game live in HK.I must say if AW persists in intricate passing patterns it is going to make life tougher for whoever is to shoot at goal because bf he can do do he will be surrounded by t two if not three defenders.
I’ve looked at other games and and 3 to 5 passes and bang the ball is in the net.Arsenal=AW must realize at the cl dedenders are not so so naive as to give you extra time on the ball.
And I firmly believe all the top notch sides in the pl and cl are not going to spend time ball watching. Until then I find it difficult for the gunners to go beyond the qt final .
28 November 2007 at 8:10 am
Relax. This game meant almost nothing. Many of our reserves played away (in a tough stadium) to a quality side who fielded their best XI.
But with that in mind… Senderos has got to go.
We’ll recover, don’t worry. Funny how the hecklers just showed up. I can almost guarantee they won’t have many more opportunities than now this season.
28 November 2007 at 8:37 am
I have NEVER been convinced that Gilberto is a good player. He is the MOST overrated gunner that I ever know.
I had been reading those weird articles of how good and what a invincible wall he is, pure rubbish. Sometimes I do wonder do you guys do really go into the details of how a player perform.
It will be the end of Arsenal if Gilberto is given a CB role as a permanent position in his final year as a gunner. Trust me, he is a time bomb, just like Lehman.
Anyway, Bentner, Eboue and Eduardo did play well. Senderos? Sell him.
28 November 2007 at 8:53 am
Senderos was good in the champs league run and the tail end of that season when big gay sol had his big gay strop! He went on to have great World Cup.
Unfortunately, his injury seems to have affected his brain and corodination. Like Goodplaya says, I seriously doubt any of us would have sliced the ball like he did. No place in the side for him anymore. Get rid!
Gilberto has never been the world beater so many gooners think he is. He has a good footballing brain and is OK in the air but his passing has always been questionable and he doesn’t always fit into Arsenal’s style. Diarra is a far better option.
If Eboue stops with the petulance he could be great. You heard it here first!
28 November 2007 at 8:54 am
Phil’s first touch is often poor, he lacks mobility and does not have enough composure for this level. This is a bad combination for any position but at CB it is lethal. Not convinced by Bert and Song in this position and even if we get Djourou back we are still weak in cover. We need to buy but the issue for me is that if we buy big what happens to Kolo ?
Niklas had a good game and I’ve always though he had big potential - powerful, surprisingly agile and with great vision - Adebayor had poor game v Wigan !
28 November 2007 at 9:02 am
Totally agree with the comment about itv’s inept commentry. The Arsenal goal was excellent, and Eddies finish was ultra composed. Shame thats the only positive of the game. Yes Senderos i’m afraid looked as solid as northern rock. Gilberto looked sloppy and dissapointing. Our balance was wrong and we played far too deep. Sevilla closed us down very quickly in midfield and with a nervous centre back, we were more reluctant to pass backwards. Bentner did very well indeed and i feel confident in all our strikers and their various strengths. As for other comments on this article. Jps? Are you fucking kidding me? Ferdinand, Vidic? Two of the worst centre backs in the game you mug!! Toure is better than both of those idiots put together. He has real commitment and will never be seen out snorting lines of coke with his muggy mates in peckham! Tosser!!
28 November 2007 at 9:22 am
[...] I could harp on all day about Senderos’ errors, indeed a number of other Arsenal blogs already have, but I was very surprised with the sluggish performance of Gilberto and Hoyte and [...]
28 November 2007 at 9:28 am
Senderos i a joke plain and simple, never has never will be good enough i have nightmares thinking of January when toure is off that why i agree with the comment regards to Sagna can see him moving into the cb position once toure is of to the africian nations, with eboue slotting at rb. Very pissed of with gilbertos lack of desire and care with the ball. Bentner is improving thought he had an excellent first half.
28 November 2007 at 9:38 am
Accept I made one vital mistake eboue will be gone as well, ok so maybe diarra at rb he has been playing in that position for France. Unfortunately in cant see hoyte ever being near the first team.
28 November 2007 at 10:05 am
Please, please stop making excuses for, or mentioning the potential of, Senderos. He’s had more than enough chances and the only consistant thing about him is the fact that he will commit at least one major unforced error per game. In a team that seems to pride itself on being good athletes and who are comfortable on the ball, he is neither.
28 November 2007 at 10:08 am
Like some commenters here I love Big Phil, but he clearly stands out in a team where everyone is confident Senderos just looks like the odd man out. Having said that he was not directly responsible for any of the goals we conceded, but that in itself does not forgive a poor perfomance.
I always had the feeling that we would lose this game, but what matters most is winning the next 3 games, in the grand scheme of things if we could afford to lose one game then this would have been it. I feel sevillia will have a tough time in Prague, they were really up for it last night but thier indifferent form probably will cost them against Slavia.
Lets look forward to the upcoming premiership games, and at least make the doubters have to come up with another “test” for us after we win at Villa.
Oh and I hate Eboue’s shenanigans, but he was otherwise brilliant last night. Why can’t he just lose the other stuff and just play football.
28 November 2007 at 10:13 am
We’ve got to stop piling on Senderos. Yes, he made a mistake to lose the ball, but he and the defence recovered well. In fact, the attack would have fizzled out with proper defending. Gilberto was the one at fault. He was under no pressure to clear and had time to control the ball instead of make such a great lay-off to an opposing player who scored. Gilberto is to blame.
28 November 2007 at 10:25 am
There are alot of Scandalous Gooner fans on here like terry and Matt, I’ll be honest ure the type of Arsenal that piss me off the most! Yes Arsenal are a fantastic team and we are privileged to have such a great manager, but he like everything in life is not perfect, and his biggest flaw up to date is not Seeing how bad and out of his depth senderos is! The guy is a lumbering mess he cant turn swings legs wildly how can matt say it was gilly’s fault, what for Senderos havin no co-ordination! It’s so blatant to me all I can say is can anyone tell me anything that Senderos has done well in all his time! Cosw I can name countless cock ups! he’s so so so Poor! I honestly dont believe he’s of premiership standard and ould look average playin for a team like hull!
28 November 2007 at 10:27 am
Senderos is just the worst thing thats happened to Arsenal. where on earth was he picked from? even young Djouroou is much better. the back four were inexperienced and that placed much pressure on Kolo. Gilberto was match rusty but the guys should pick up their broken pieces and face the league. what did we lose? 28 match unbeaten run, top spot of the group. but we’re still in the Champions league and still league the Premier league. i still think Wenger’s selection was ok.
28 November 2007 at 10:30 am
err…
nobody here talks about our invisibles midfield’s last night.where is denilson?why in the hell cesc is playing much2 deeper than either denilson or gilberto?
the things that i learn from last night game is denilson and traore are not ready yet,senderos needs to buckle up and work harder,gilberto’s body is there but his mind is in Juventus and Bendtner will become better and better.
28 November 2007 at 10:31 am
1. If you don’t give Almunia who has not done a lot wrong a chance, how can you possibly keep defending Senderos.
2. Both Hoyte and Eboue didn’t get any protection what so ever from the ref, so the theatrics was fully justified. Eboue was our best attacking player last night, my man of the match. He beats players, gets crosses in, gets in the box, good passing, you need to open your eyes, guys.
3. Denilson, Gilberto, Diarra, no one is even close to breaking into the central midfield.
28 November 2007 at 10:42 am
Will someone just run over Senderos so he can’t play again? Its the most humane thing I’m sure. Double back over him just to be certain..
28 November 2007 at 11:19 am
[...] Traore, Fabregas, Da Silva, Hoyte and Denilson. I am quite happy the line up. And the team did not performed well. The formation 4-5-1 that AW use is not giving more impact defending and should maintain the [...]
28 November 2007 at 11:34 am
No. 5, go and stick your fingers in a plug socket, scum.
28 November 2007 at 11:43 am
I think you are all being a bit harsh on big Phil. It’s his first game back after a long injury. He was completely exposed for the full game. I lost count of the number of time Traore, Eduardo and Gilberto went walk-about. He only really made one mistake (for the first goal), recovered well to push the attacker wide, only for Gilberto to gift wrap the shot. It was Toure who was at fault for the second (I think) and the third. CBs need playing time together and with a little bit more he would tighten up. Whether he is a long term squad player, I am not 100% sure.
28 November 2007 at 11:49 am
I’d just like to say that I think Senderos just needs time - he’s been out injured for a while, and every time he comes back he breaks down again. The guy is low on confidence, that’s obvious to see, and getting on his back about mistakes is only going to make things worse. he used to have this look in his eyes, scared the fuck out of everyone - he looked like Jaap Stam, just younger. It was genius. he was composed, strong in the air, and always went into the tackle 100%. now… he just looks shot. but it’ll come back, just look at hleb - most of you bastards bagged the crap out of him, sell him off, etc., but this season he’s been the driving force in midfield. Is it coincidence that Hleb put together a small run of not being injured, and his form exploded into world class? Give Senderos the same chance, i mean god - Wenger was going to make him Captain!! its obvious Arsene believes in him - why can’t you?
28 November 2007 at 11:57 am
Chaps/Chappettes,
I gotta say that Gilberto was pretty poor last night… I know that Senderos made a couple of howlers, but if he wasn’t exposed by the invisible wall then there would have been no issue…. I think Gilberto’s been a great servant for the club, but his time has expired… We definately missed the drive of Flamini yesterday… As for Eboue.. He’s so frustrating.. If he just put all that energy into his game instead of moaning; perhaps he would have had a bit more impact on the game and we might have actually won…. Can’t wait to see RVP back again…. And what’s the story with our fabulous number 4??? Not injured I hope..
On another note, I’m not gonna make excuses cos we lost. But I was absolutely fuming with the professionalism of some of the Sevilla players last night…. I so wanted Arsenal to put their energy into the game and just hammer them!!
Oh well, roll on the weekend… Let’s just put that game behind us!!!!
28 November 2007 at 12:03 pm
Come on you Gounners!
What is wrong with you we had a really weak side out there yesterday, no wonder we lost the game we had at some point anyway. The game proved our reserves are not ready for first team games for sure. All the back four looked rusty to me and perhaps there should have been more experience there. Seville had their strongest side against us and did the job well. Lets not forget what we did to them when they came to london…wasn’t it 3:0 to Arsenal…
Get a grip you lot stop saying s**t about our players who just got a good taste of our own medicine!
28 November 2007 at 1:16 pm
Having read the article and the responses you fail to raise the fundimental points, one that the Seville side looked fitter and quicker and therefor for nearly ninety minutes harrassed us all over the pitch like Jack Russells which in turn means that if Arsenal cannot play at high tempo then we are fonder. I agree that Gilberto’s heart is not in it and that without Flamini Cesc might as well not play. Eboue needs to be told play the game or bugger off as his constant play acting is wearing very thin. Justin Houte will never make it at Arsenal so put him out of his misery and sell him in January and Denilson struggled as he had to cover for Gilberto and Serious Sendoros will make a good centre back playing in the CHampionship division 2. finally last night against quality opposition showed that the replacements for the main eleven are ok in the Carling Cup but are not ready for the Champions league and Wenger knows that.
28 November 2007 at 1:27 pm
Arsene has been reading this blog, and he whispered to me “Pah! What do these cunts know? They should stick to their computer games, nes pas?” Just thought you should know, although he really does pay attention to all the advice he gets from blogs and appreciates the enormous time and effort you all put in to solving his many problems and overcoming his gross inadequacies.
28 November 2007 at 1:31 pm
…. on the plus side, we may as well play no first teamers in the last of the CL group stage games, we have a very busy and demanding December, it’ll be the making or breaking of our season so the chance of a rest for the first team has got to be a good thing… we have qualified anyway so why risk injuries to anyone when we don’t have to ?
28 November 2007 at 1:53 pm
Although you are quick to criticise ITV for negative comments about our defending,you must have been influenced by them in going over board about Bentder.Sure he was ok but he is so cumbersome and his first touch so poor on lots of occasions that,although playing a difficult lone role,he is at present a long,long way from being a first team regular.
28 November 2007 at 2:13 pm
Have we won any matches this year with the 4-5-1 formation?
28 November 2007 at 2:46 pm
I’m not sure Djourou is as good as some people think he is.
28 November 2007 at 3:19 pm
1. This is obviously therapeutic for everyone. We haven’t had a chance to b1tch and moan for a good long while now.
2. It’s good to give Eduardo experience on the left, as he could well be asked to play there in a more significant match in the future, despite it not being his best position.
3. Traore won’t have many more difficult matches than that.
4. It’s not a crime to be rusty, which is what Senderos and Gilberto were.
5. If we had a fifth gear for that match we could have gotten a result, but for all of the reasons discussed we didn’t bring that fifth gear with us to Seville. But we know we have it.
28 November 2007 at 3:38 pm
Is it just me, apart from eboue playacting has any one noticed that he pretends to tackle he does not go through with it and just pretend’s to jockey his opponent.And if i was sagna who keep’s making those fab overlapping runs but eboue just passes inside i would headbutt him.
28 November 2007 at 3:40 pm
Frankly, Senderos needs to get some game time. It is very uncertain even with game time that he has the ability to play in an Arsenal side. In fact, lets be clear. Senderos does not have the abilities to play in an Arsenal side. He is genuinely pathetic. His clear lack of confidence has absolutely ruined any chance of him playing in the Premiership full stop.
28 November 2007 at 5:09 pm
Senderos huge potential? HAHAHAHHAHA. The guy is a fucking lump. He toddles around like an overweight granny and has no self-confidence. The Arsenal players don’t get on with him off the pitch and he has become shy and withdrawn in his personal life. We can do SO much better than this turd.
28 November 2007 at 5:20 pm
I think it’s unfair to hold Senderos responsible for the defeat last night.
But he is.
28 November 2007 at 5:55 pm
Hello my name is Bill I have supported arsenal for the last 2 yearsand I honestly feel this is the worst performance I have ever seen. SACK WENGER NOW before we lose another game, put RICEY in charge, hes alright ya know.
28 November 2007 at 5:58 pm
P.S lay off big phil, hes probably one of the best def we got. He has the potentiol to be one of the best in the europe if not the world, anyone who saw him against Barnet in pre-season will know this. Enough Said
28 November 2007 at 6:00 pm
I think Gilberto’s mistakes were due to his long time stay at the bench. So let’s not talk that much. he’ll show us his real talent as he was previously.
28 November 2007 at 6:02 pm
I agree with our Jimmy, Djorou is not as good as people think, if fact he is shit, I spoke to a birmingham scout the other day, who said he cant even get into the side becuase even he thinks hes better then he is
28 November 2007 at 6:07 pm
If Senderos is a confidence player and needs a run of games to hit top gear then I am genuinely worried for him.
He is never going to displace either of Toure or Gallas who are starting to form an impressive partnership, which means he is going to have cameos and sporadic appearances. He should be using these to stake a claim and if as everyone is saying he need a run he will find himself in a vicious cycle.
Regarding Bendtner his touch was superb, he was bringing the ball down excellently and his first touch is far superior to Adebayor’s. For me he is ready for the first team.
Traore did struggle but any player would have struggled against Navas and Alves. (Especially with the lack of cover from Dudu).
I don’t think that we should read too much into the game, I am worried about Phil & Gilberto but don’t forget Sevilla are an excellent side.
Also nice to see the fans didn’t get in any trouble particularly after the trouble the Spurs fans had out there.
Also - I thought the TV coverage was shocking. The replays of incidents was scarce (particularly the given penalty) and in general the standard was appalling.
Finally… If the Qualifiers were to end now and we finish second Arsenal could draw…
Milan, Inter, Barca, Real or Porto.
Bit of a sobering thought I think.
28 November 2007 at 6:34 pm
People are mad overreacting after this game. It’s the FIRST game we’ve lost. OK so if this spells doom then Man U (who have lost 2 or 3) must be in danger of exploding and creating a nuclear fallout bigger than Chernobyl’s. We lost to a good side with a B-team. Big fucking deal. And who gives a fuck who we face in the champions league? Bring it on. I want Barca.
28 November 2007 at 6:35 pm
senderos is all to blame even if gilberto dint ave the best of games but really we need a quality centre back for cover and if djorou wont be back then arsene needs to buy 1. wenger should have played diarra instead of denilson
28 November 2007 at 7:26 pm
senderos doesn’t deserve to be an arsenal playa,he was totally and utterly useless.he is always making blunders year after year. Wenger should have replaced Gilberto with Diarra in 2nd half. he is slow always passes backwards and you never see him attack,he doesn’t show grit and determination.Traore was exposed,but he’ll learn quickly.Hoyte was quite good for someone who hasn’t had alot of game time.
28 November 2007 at 7:53 pm
Isn’t football a team game? And weren’t there 11 (+3 subs) Arsenal players out on the pitch last night? How is the defeat down to only one or two? Certain players have faces that just don’t fit and surprise surprise at the first sign of trouble the villagers are ready to burn them at the stake.
28 November 2007 at 8:56 pm
anyone who says gilberto exposed senderos is talking absolute shite.
Pascal Ponderos is SHIT. He’s had no confidence since FOREVER.. part deux cygan.He has to go.
Djourou must come back .
28 November 2007 at 8:57 pm
the whole team played solid..but a moment’s lapse of concentraion from ponderos fucked it for us. He is lucky to gey with just one goal given away.
He will cost us if he starts a crucial match again.
THe fucking a***hole reincarnation of Pascal Cygan all over again.
28 November 2007 at 8:58 pm
Bill Says:
28 November 2007 at 5:58 pm
P.S lay off big phil, hes probably one of the best def we got. He has the potentiol to be one of the best in the europe if not the world, anyone who saw him against Barnet in pre-season will know this. Enough Said
LOL
28 November 2007 at 10:15 pm
Just came back from Sevilla and am amazed to see so many comments. On the good side, Sevilla is an absolutely fantastic city, the atmosphere in the stadium was fabulous, and the Sevilla fans were great. The bad side was the absolutely appalling performance put in by Arsenal! Given that I never get to see live matches it was a real disappointment.
I don’t have much to add to what has already said, but I will put in my two (five)bits.
1. Senderos really was terrible. But so was pretty much everyone else. Gilberto was appalling, Hoyte useless, and Traore completely out of his depth against Navas and Alves on the left. I don’t think I have ever seen such an inept defensive performance. Worse, they kept giving the ball away trying to get it out of the defense. We we are lucky it was not 5 to 1.
2. The midfield was pretty anonymous. Despite their similarities, Denilson is not Cesc (yet). In fact, Cesc was not Cesc last night. Except for Eboue there was pretty much nobody who could get the ball through the midfield.
3. The poor individual performances aside, the team looked completely disjointed and got more so as the game went on. One thing that was obvious at the game was that there was nobody coming to support or help the player with the ball. There was also little tracking back, Eboue being particularly guilty of standing around as Sevilla came charging at our defense.
4. Arsenal deserved to lose, but might have actually tied with a decent ref. Eboue had a perfect claim for a penalty turned down, while I couldn’t tell if Kanoute really deserved his penalty at the end. However, having called and then rescinded a ridiculous handball against Senderos that he could not possibly have seen, everyone in the crowd knew that the next one would go to Sevilla. Even before that, pretty much every call was going their way.
5. I am not really too worried about it. I walked back to town with a depressive fan (who almost threw himself under a bus while he was talking to me!) who went on about how we would never win the premier league or the champions league because our second team isn’t good enough! I tried to point out that we would never field 8 second stringers in a game we had to win, but the point didn’t get across. Anyhow, I think a win or tie would have been great, but perhaps this game will turn out to be a good ego-check for the players and particularly the young players, who definitely need to keep working. As for Senderos, I am not sure there is much hope.
28 November 2007 at 10:21 pm
That’s the spirit Donjohnni
29 November 2007 at 1:20 am
havnt had time to read all the posts but:
gilberto was disgusting, he screwed up for 2 of their goals, and when he was tracking back he was slow, or out of possition. at one point he was tracking one of their players near the touchline, and just backed off to let him cross.
i think we should either spend some of our money on another cetre back, because be honest, toure and gallas are going to miss games, galls to injury and toure with AN
either that or bring back Dijouru, or start working on Havard Nordveit guy we picked up
29 November 2007 at 1:31 am
Nice perspective vlcgooner. With you all the way. I particularly agree with your assessments of Hoyte, Traore, Senderos and Gilberto and the fact that you are remaining positive. At the end of the day, this is not a bad game to lose. Here’s to 3 points at Villa Park.