RSSArsenal Reserves (wretched) 1 Spurs (chokers) 1
I’LL deal with us first and then Spurs.
We were wretched.
In a way it was understandable: against sides who can play a bit you can only push the whole reserves thing so far. And by not starting a single fit first-teamer, Arsene pushed it further than ever last night.
Last season Toure, Adebayor, Cesc, Hleb, Rosicky, Clichy and Gilberto all featured at some point over the two legs. This year Arsene clearly thought their participation unnecessary, which I’d find mildly patronising if I played for Spurs.
Against Chelsea in the same competition a decade ago he judged it wrong and we were stuffed 5-0. He judged it wrong last night and the same should have happened.
Against decent sides, you really need that little bit of class, confidence and assuredness that a smattering of A-teamers bring. We had none of that.
And with these thrown together teams confidence becomes a fragile thing - it soars or dips but rarely middles. Last night it didn’t so much dip as plummet - only for a late rally that was as unlikely as any of the many the Emirates has seen in it’s short life.
Arsene also completely took the mickey with his plan to play RVP for 45 minutes and then withdraw him. Think about it for a second. You do that in pre-season friendlies. You do it in international friendlies. But in a competitive club game? I’ve never heard of that. You put him on the bench and bring him on at the end for 25 minutes.
But such are our priorities.
As I said, we were wretched. Spurs had countless opportunities. At the back, we struggled to win balls in the air and frequently failed to hold any kind of line.
Their goal was a case in point: Djourou screws up aerially, then rather than Senderos step-up to play Keane offside, his eyes remain glued to the ball and before you know it the Spurs man has a simple task to square to Jenas for a tap-in.
Oh yeah, Jenas. That brings me nicely to the midfield. We were totally and utterly outrun. We all know what a terrier Flamini is, but seeing Gilberto and Denilson plod around while Spurs midfielders streamed past them was a reminder of just what a fighter Cesc is too.
On the ball, we were wretched too. Denilson took to not just playing stupid long, straight balls, but actually pointing to what he was going to do beforehand just to make sure everyone knew exactly what he was up to. Gilberto was ugly on the passing front too.
And then there was the whole dribbling the ball around in our own box. Fantastic idea when confidence is soaring and you are half way up the pitch and want to lure the opposition in. But when you’re second to every ball and in your own box, just boot it.
Diaby was particularly culpable on that. Even my brother, who loves Diaby, admitted he was utter turd. Walcott was not up to much either. But it was no worse than his usual failings and unlike Diaby he did at least once or twice create the illusion (albeit usually a false one) of excitement.
Bendtner didn’t really do enough of his own grafting, while RVP looked what he is: head and shoulders above most of the other players in an Arsenal shirt. It was inevitable that when he came off we would to an extent lose the ability to hold the ball up front.
When the goal came it was a perfectly weighted through-ball from Eduardo and a very intelligent run by Walcott. Yes, it was lucky. But it was lucky in the same way a deflected Lardarse shot is lucky. It had to go somewhere.
We did, to an extent, rally. And the players deserve some credit for that. Frankly, after 60 minutes I would have been delighted with 1-0 and probably taken 2-0 if offered.
Ultimately, amidst the poverty, the question is: does any of this greatly matter? With one exception the answer is no. Take almost any of those players, chuck them in our first 11 and they would be fine if surrounded by A-teamers. Not as good as the man they are replacing, but fine.
That exception is central defence. I pray to the footballing gods that we are not to pay for the absence of Kolo, but I fear the worst. There is an argument that both Senderos and Djourou have regressed in the past six months and based on last night it is hard to feel hugely comfortable about either of them partnering Gallas. Why Djourou ever needed to go out on loan, I don’t know.
Given the performance it’s a good result - though my hunch remains that Spurs will go through. I’ve neither the time nor the inclination to give playa ratings - it’s fairly obvious what I thought.
And what of Spurs?
What a feeble, pathetic, toothless, bollockless shower of chokers.
How, in the name of humanity, did they fail to win that game? Forget talk of a flukey equaliser - it should have made it 4 or 5-1.
Honestly, that football club should just cease. It should face the footballistic equivalent of being put down.
The players should be auctioned for charity, the ground converted into a landscaped water feature and the board of directors just sent somewhere far away.
Then the fans should be divided into those who are fans by nature and those who are fans by nurture.
Where it is by nature (ie they were just born with it and are the first generation of Spurs supporter in the household), some kind of reprogramming using electronic impulses would be appropriate. Where there is evidence of supporting Spurs being passed from generation to generation then, reluctantly, the only realistic answer is sterilisation.
You may, at this stage, be thinking I’ve gone a little mad. But their sheer ineptitude actually made me angry at one stage.
And to hear them afterwards, some of them were happy - pleased to have got a draw at the home of the mighty Arsenal.
You were playing our reserves. You will win the return leg. But it’s pathetic. Have some self-respect.
10 January 2008 at 10:02 am
“Their goal was a case in point: Djourou screws up aerially, then rather than Senderos step-up to play Keane offside, his eyes remain glued to the ball and before you know it the Spurs man has a simple task to square to Jenas for a tap-in.”
Robbie earl made a good point last night that troare was too concerned with lennon that he didnt tuck in jus b4 the ball was played to keane which would have helped out more than jus watching lennon who had no involement in the goal.
sendeross should have stepped up but he was not the only one responsible for that goal
The back four are a unit and when they doont operate as a unit individuals get exposed.
10 January 2008 at 10:09 am
Yes, Traore was responsible in part, but you can understand why he was focused on Lennon. I thought Earl’s point a little harsh.
10 January 2008 at 10:10 am
Its voodoo
10 January 2008 at 10:24 am
I thought King fouled Sagna inside the box, am I the only one.
Wretched is correct playa, but what must sp*rs fans be thinking? um…We outplayed them, we outshot them, we had the lead, what do we have to do to beat that Arsenal.
Personally I think we will win the tie, we cannot possibly be that bad again.
10 January 2008 at 10:28 am
i think we will win the next game as we cant be that bad again and we know to expect from spurs. Also a lot of the youngsters will want to prove to wenger they can be trusted in the remaining title challenge.
They crazy thing is we got 6 points from spuds in the league now we’re letting oour reserves have a pop and they still comming up short. That must be heartbreaking!!!!!!
10 January 2008 at 10:35 am
the only positive to take out of the game was hoyte at centerback. would be intresting to see him paired with gallas
10 January 2008 at 10:38 am
I understnd your frustration but I think you are being too harsh. For the kids to get a run out, and move along in their learning curve, and to fight for a draw on a night the team was a yard off the pace says great things about these lads.
I thought Denilson was OK, partivularly in the first half, he harrassed them in the mid field, won alot of balls, he dipped as did the rest of the team as the game went on.
Most dissapointed in Diaby. I had expected him to make a step up and become more of a visible leader on the field.
The more i see Fabianski the more i like, and I thought eduardo was very good.
Remember, 2-2 see us thru to the finals so lets not be all so the sky is falling……
10 January 2008 at 10:40 am
We’ll win the return leg, Sp*rs WHL advantage can sometimes have a propensity to lull them into a false sense of security defensively.
Also Eduardo is a mighty mighty fine passer of the ball. His pass for Croatia’s 2nd v England and the one against Burnley and then Sp*rs and one or two others, have reminded me of bergkamp’s class in a way.
10 January 2008 at 10:43 am
4 or 5-1 scorline is a bit harsh . how many proper chances did they have ?
10 January 2008 at 10:44 am
We played crap with our reserve team, still didn’t loose! At the end it was actually a happy ending that brought a smile to my lips once again… it’s happened so many time this season, turning games around, grinding out results, demolishing oposition with beautiful football. A full bag of treats if you know what i mean… no matter what happens further into the championship race this will go down as one of the happiest seasons i’ve had as an Arsenal supporter (been one since 1993). Even more so than the 2003/2004 unbeaten finish. There’s just something about this young squad that really makes me love them more than any other previous generation! BTW, i wasn’t worried for a minute that we’d lose last night! It’s like destiny or something, but we just won’t lose to Spurs! Gunners for life!
10 January 2008 at 10:57 am
It was a very poor performance - but, with two exceptions, this is the same team that played a blinder at Blackburn. The two exceptions though, are critical. i.e. Diarra and Song. They were both real powerhouses at Blackburn. The fact that our midfield was so inept last night underlines how significant Diarra is - and clearly Song is a better centre-back than poor old PS, with more bite and nous altogether. Taking those two out was the equivalent of removing Flamini and Gallas from the first string. The important factor now is that very few of last night’s team will have to play again before the return leg, whereas most of the tiny totts team will have to play three games including an FA cup replay. That should certainly give us an edge in the energy stakes. I back us to go there and win, even if only by the odd goal.
10 January 2008 at 10:57 am
yea we played poo…defense was shite, but for me, what we were really lacking was an offensive midfielder who could connect the attacking play with our midfield…there was no service for the front men.
Denilson is a good player, but not a true offence mid. And don’t even get me started on Gilberto..he made my blood boil last night (and the thought of him replacing Kolo in central denfense just makes me shudder).
10 January 2008 at 10:58 am
Hi,
I couldn’t agree more. I just can’t believe it ended 1-1, it should have been 1-4. Senderos and Djorou will never become good central defenders and Arsenal must buy a decent central defender asap.
The only positive players were Fabianski, Traore (at least better than he was against Burnley), Eduardo and Walcott who somehow managed to score.
Thomas, Finland
10 January 2008 at 11:00 am
Hoyte was good at centre back. That was the only good thing yesterday
10 January 2008 at 11:02 am
A very frustrating game to watch for Gooners. Did not control the game at all and none of the midfielders took it upon themselves to dictate the play. Gilberto was terrible and hopefully he is on his way out soon and not Diarra.
Senderos is quite possibly the worst player ever to play the game, Gary Neville excused. We desperately need reinforcement at CB or it could see the end of our title aspirations.
Although i must say Hoyte played quite well there in the 2nd half.
10 January 2008 at 11:16 am
Your rant is wrong and useless. Yes the kids, our reserves, did not walk it, but get real, if this is the best a fantastically expensive full Spurs side could do then we should celebrate.
Facts = long before Spurs put together their 10 minutes before half time, our kids had dominated and should have been 1-0 up via Bentner….it could have been 2-0 with VP’s off colour volley five minutes later! Djuorou and Gilberto mistakes gave Spurs their goal and of course it changed the game. They could play it around and await the inevitable gaps which appeared.
In the end yes Spurs COULD have scored more but didnt but so could our reserves, and didnt. BUT they did come back again and earn a draw…..so I cant understand your moan.
AW will not be play the kids twice in 3 days again before the return so lets see what happens YES? In my opinion the kids will win 2-1 oin that old stadium and shut up the doubters.
10 January 2008 at 11:21 am
alex - “The fact that our midfield was so inept last night underlines how significant Diarra is”
I agree with your sentiments, I really wish he would stay and fight for a place.
If he would just keep his head down and keep working I am sure he would get the games he crave.
10 January 2008 at 11:35 am
i thought we would loose last night due to the fa cup game making the players abit fatigued. we pulled a result out. in the next leg it will different. hopfully diarra would have learnt his lesson to shut it and focus on performing when his chance comes. i dont want him to go. lehman and gilberto on the other hand……
however while toure is gone gilberto at cb would be good. Justin Hoyte is turning into an english success; he has bags of enegy heart strength and ability more so then ps or djuroo due to the fact that he has been trusted in a few games this season. i believe he could play at cb. i believe trore, denilson, djuroo and ps have regressed. we did need diarra last night.
10 January 2008 at 11:52 am
Gilberto was, for me, totally shite last night. He was the Gilberto of a few seasons ago that gave the ball away with misplaced passes every other ball. Denilson wasn’t the player he can be and I thought that Sagna (positional play aside) had actually come on for Walcott for the first 25 mins of 2nd half.
It’d be a real shame if Diarra were to leave rather than Gilberto. Bert’s performances this season seem like he’s just going through the motions because he has to.
We were incredibly lucky with walcott’s goal and I just thank my lucky Gooner stars that the Spuds have Malbranque on their team.
I do think that we may get through to the final tho, as people have already said, We cannot play that badly next time!!!
10 January 2008 at 12:01 pm
Maybe Diaby needs more playing time but he certainly is no Veira. Veira would tackle, run with the ball at defenders and release a killer pass for either TH14 or Pires to tap in, all this while the opposition is frozen in awe at his movement and execution. Diaby receives a pass, turns his man Viera-like, puts his head down and tries to dribble the next man, loses the ball, makes a late tackle and gives the opposition a free kick (you look at the distance he has made and he has only made 3 metres from where he received the ball), thats disappointing.
Somebody needs to tell him that, though he is played out of position, he should track back and help Traore, just like what Rosicky is doing by helping Clichy. I think that he should be played into a central position, this guy is certainly not a winger.
In the next game somebody should man-mark Bebartov, he kept falling into the midfield to receive the balls and release killer passes with no-one tracking him. If he is going to pass the ball let him do it under pressure.
I saw nothing wrong with the performances of Djourou and Senderous, all that we needed was for Gilberto to mark the space that Berbatov kept falling into to receive the ball and release killer passes. SOORY TO DISAGREE
10 January 2008 at 12:27 pm
if you look for mistakes, you’re gonna find them. How long has that defensive unit been playing together? How many games have Phil and Jo had under their belts, let alone together? Yes, Djourrou’s header contributed to the spuds’ goal, but wasn’t he ‘under pressure’ from Keane? The same ‘pressure’ that led Berbatov to crumble everytime he didn’t get past his marker and let him win soft free kicks.
Yes, Hoyte played better at CB and Sagna added threat to the right. Yes, Traore was better than he was on Sunday. Yes, Gilberto is not the player of last season, but how many games has he had? He’s not had a run in the team, so he’s not match-sharp (but he was sharp enough to thread the ball to Eduardo which led to the equaliser) and neither was van Persie yesterday.
Denilson seems to have regressed if you cotnrast his performances last season, but Diaby is a worry; he’s very obviously not a left-winger and when he is, he seems distracted and holds on to the ball for far too long.
I’m quite positive about the return leg, but then again I’m quite positive about all our games because I never expected us to be where we are this season. Oh, the sky commentary team last night were to a man, f***ing C***S, in particular Ray Wilkins, for wanking on about spuds’ supposedly composed of ‘good english players’. Give a toss.
10 January 2008 at 12:29 pm
Senderos was very poor, especially first half. the whole back line looked uncoordinated and there was very poor linking play between the defence, midfield and strikers. Most of the midfield was largely anonymous, or, like Gilberto, looking well off the pace.
10 January 2008 at 1:27 pm
Spurs should have won - they didnt.
May have missed their chance - second half to see if they have.
Our defense never played together before and Tottenham have been scoring goals for fun this season.
1-1 was such an escape its unreal. Second leg we wont play as badly.
Anyway back to the nitty gritty league stuff at the weekend after what is really a nice distraction so see our fringe players play and see who might make it.
10 January 2008 at 1:37 pm
Yesterday i said you were wrong in assuming that we could lose to Spurs and the fans wouldnt mind.
I did mind. A lot.
I hate losing to them and we didnt lose.We were not good but we didnt lose.
I may be the most pessimistic Arsenal fan on Earth otherwise but I say we are going to win at WHL.
10 January 2008 at 1:40 pm
I cant fathom what some see to always compare Diaby with Veira!if truth be said Diaby even when he has the chance to play for the first team is a clog in the Arsena’s wheel.The guy is way too slow to play for AW’s team.He’s better off playin for the likes of Spurs,Boro or even the Magpies.
10 January 2008 at 2:10 pm
The problem last night is that there was no LEADERSHIP on the pitch which fed anxiety and resulted in a lack of cohesion. Big Phil will be a good player and is already an excellent squad member but he is too low in self-confidence at the moment to inspire his team mates.
I think Spurs will bottle the second leg and that we will go through with a more mature and composed performance than last night’s.
People compare Vieira with Diaby because they are both French, tall, long-legged, thin, black and shaven-headed. They look somewhat alike. But Patrick Vieira had much more talent, you could see that from his first match for the club. Diaby has much potential, but no more than that at the moment.
10 January 2008 at 4:48 pm
I agree with GunnerPete that this analysis is all wrong. I also agree with Blog Head: It was voodoo!
I will reverse Goodplaya’s order and start with the Spurs. They should not be judged by their crap early-season form. They are a good but inconsistent team with a lot of talent, particularly in attack. Berbatov was a monster last night, constantly pulling our defense out of position, holding the ball up and freeing teammates with clever passes. However, you always knew they might be done in by a defensive error, and that was what happened (along with some luck).
As for Arsenal, I didn’t think that Senderos and Djourou did that badly. The Spurs goal was one exception, but even that came after a very pretty bit of work by Berbatov. The real problem seemed to be in the midfield where Walcott and Diaby do little to track back on defense, meaning that Gilberto and Denilson were constantly pulled out to the sides to defend. Put a better midfield in and the defense would have been fine.
Finally, the midfield: Diaby, Gilberto, Denilson and Walcott were never going to compete. I guess we are all now on the same page regarding Diaby: very talented, but mentally and physically lazy. Both Gilberto and Denilson don’t seem as sharp as last year. With Gilberto it might be age or lack of playing time. With Denilson I will guess that it is just a blip in his development; he is shouldering more responsibility this year. Too bad, however, he couldn’t get one of his corner’s over the first man because the Spurs cannot defend set-pieces. And Walcott just isn’t very good at defending.
10 January 2008 at 4:48 pm
You have this game analysis absolutely correct in every detail. This was in every respect a very reserve team that Arsene fielded last night. You comment about attempting to dribble the ball out of the defensive third as being odd was echo’d last night by one of the pundits who commented that there was not a team in the Preimiership who would allow players to perform like that in their defensive thirds. Shocking, and an abomination and this applies to selection which I also thought was very amateurish.
10 January 2008 at 10:41 pm
Feel bad for Gilberto, actually. Utterly useless and almost un-needed now, but such a good servant of the Club.
His early season rant about the Captaincy really put me off him, and his form this season has been shit for the most part. Diarra has to stay, he has potential, has pace, power and that bite that is SO needed. He is not the nest passer we have, but he could do a great job if given the chance.
10 January 2008 at 10:59 pm
Come on really did i just read that someone wrote that Senderos and Djourou did’nt do that badly?! They were woeful, if Steve Bould is coaching at the club what must he have made of that 1st half “performance”. Gilberto and Denilson equally turgid, so much so they made Jenas look good. Nuff said. I want to like Walcott and Diaby but they don’t make it easy for you do they? Completly spot on about the lilyshites though, pathetic serial failure’s.
10 January 2008 at 11:24 pm
Lighten up people! I actually enjoyed watching that game, safe in the knowledge that it’s only the Carling Cup (ffs!), and if they had won, we’d split our sides at the sight of them celebrating beating our second string.
When I saw the line-up, I knew we were in for a tough time, the midfield could hardly be more lightweight. Our back four actually performed remarkably well considering how our midfield completely failed to provide any sort of screen for them.
For all their possession, Fabianski only had one notable save to make. Malbranque wasted two decent half-chances and Defoe another one. What else? And does anyone seriously think Spuds would have been anywhere near as threatening if Cesc and Flamini had been playing?
11 January 2008 at 2:42 am
I think Alex’s comment (#11) is very relevant. The absence of Diarra and Song was crucial. This is mostly the same team that played Blackburn (a better team than Spurs) and played brilliantly at times. One bad game doesn’t mean we need to start referring to them as mere reserves immediately. I think some of the players will come back and prove us wrong - some won’t granted. But Diarra and Song were the two best players in the last game and were missed. There is no urgency and drive with Gilberto in the middle.
11 January 2008 at 5:49 am
it’s the carling cup. it’s nothing to panic over.
but what is worrying is the fact that both gilberto and diaby have taken enormous steps backward. and diaby isn’t even a proper defensive midfielder.
face it. diarra is off. and now, if flamini gets injured, we’ve got no one to step in. cesc and berto didn’t work well together even when berto was decent, and now he’s got WAY too many miles on his legs. he’s simply not up to the pace anymore. forget center half. it’s defensive midfield we’ve got worries over.
11 January 2008 at 6:12 am
I feel Goodplaya is unfair on young Denilson who will prove to be an exceptional player.
I am one of the 05% who has been watching Arsenal for 60 years.
11 January 2008 at 11:05 am
I feel gunnerusa’s hands trying to grope me all the time.
Gunnerusa, I dont like it. Keep your filthy hands off me ugly boy. Save that shit for walcott. Your worse then Pat Rice
11 January 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’ve been doing extra work(tricks) lately and I’ve saved enough, after buying me crack, to get your dinner, so dig into that Pot Noodle son…your worth it.
11 January 2008 at 8:35 pm
I’m really surprised at your rant Goodplaya given that you suggested that a loss to Spurs was not such a big deal.
This was not our first team, they were missing 2 key players from the previous rounds i.e. Song and Diarra with a CB partnership playing together for the first time. End of the day, did Spurs first team starring the ‘brilliant’ Berbatov beat them? No is the answer.
The match is still evenly poised for round two and anything is possible. These CC games are about giving experience and match practice to players who do not get regular first team opportunities. Getting to the final or winning would be a bonus and it is not worth jeopardising an opportunity to do well in the PL or CL for the possibility, not the guarantee of winning a meaningless trophy.
23 January 2008 at 10:38 am
How, in the name of humanity, did they fail to win that game? Forget talk of a flukey equaliser - it should have made it 4 or 5-1.
Oh well.
There is allways the second leg to make it 5-1.
I say 5-1.
Thats
Tottenham 5 (five)
Arsenal nomads 1 (one)