What you need to know : Arsenal FC 2-1 Olympiacos CF
Posted: September 29, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized 6 Comments »
Arsenal beat Olympiacos 2-1 today at the Emirates as Arsene Wenger saw out his two match UEFA ban. Ox got us no 1 and Santos no 2, but thanks to some woeful Arsenal defending we conceded an ‘unnecessary’ goal.
On 7, Alex gave us the lead. The youngster intercepted a long ball from the left before finding space on the left (his) and firing the ball into the net. It was a brilliant show of tactical awareness by the Englishman as he crept into the CF role from the wing.
On 11, Chamakh should have made something of an Arteta corner. At that point, we were emanating confidence at this point of time. But as usual football can change in minutes, and in the 14th minute we survived another Arsenal howler moment. This time it was Arteta who saved us from another defensive embarrassment as the Spaniard made a brilliant clearance of the line.
On 19, the second new boy cashed in. A brilliant ball from Rosicky found Santos’ run on the right. Moments later, after his low driven assist to Chamakh was blocked, the Brazilian picked up the ball on the left beat his man and drove a right footed shot beyond Costanzo.
7 mins later, the Arsenal defense was again exposed as Olympiacos drew one back from a simple set play. I seriously doubt whether Arsenal practice defending, and if you don’t believe me after reading this post go to YouTube and check out the first goal we conceded. Maybe that will change your mind. 90 seconds later we were again on the back foot as Djebbours shot was cleared for a corner. From 25 to 35 we were getting slaughtered, in terms of defending. Wenger was right, we CANNOT play when out under pressure.
How the half started and how did it end? I am actually dumbstruck. Olympiacos were giving fucking with us at the Emirates. Wenger’s policy of letting teams tire themselves is seriously stupid. What’s the use if a team is tired and 3-0 up?
On 48, Ox had his chance to bag a brace after Chamakh played a brilliant through ball to him. The youngster was in a 1-0n-1 situation but he tried to dink Costanzo who read the move perfectly.
Within 7 mins everything had settled down, and we began playing with possession.
The second half to be fair was not that eventful. Infact it was pretty blunt. Apart from the first chance from Ox, which came just 3 mins after the restart neither team looked like they wanted to win. Arshavin forced a save of Costanzo, and Torisidis rattled the bar with a brilliant left footed shot.
The Boss brought on Ramsey and RVP to change something, but it didn’t….
ASSESSMENT:
The match overall was quite satisfactory. As an attacking force we are quite creative, but I would still like to see Arteta playing higher up the pitch. Chamakh has to get his
Arsenal still has to, in my opinion work for on their defense. Today it’s Olympiacos and so we didn’t pay, tomorrow we face Tottenham. Then what?
what ever you say I am well in my bed to night!
we did well absolutely well but we need to work on our defence because is some how not encouraging we must improve.thanks to our boys today.i say kudos becos they all did well.
no mater the performance I will go better in my bed to night
Our boys did wonderfully well 2nite…we are d only PL club dat delivers 3points in dis weeks CL…I tynk dis a plus&I want 2commend Per…I tynk hes improving&settling game by game…UP GUNNAZ
It was not defence it was midfield where Arsenal had problems. Another quality midfielder is urgently required.
Nice observation mate ! Its true that the midfield lacked something, but the defense for the first goal was in shambles !