Yesterday evening’s game against Coventry will have strengthened Arsene’s believe he does not need to buy another striker; well, at least not for the time being. With goals from Arshavin, Giroud, The Ox, and Walcott (x2) there was ample proof Arsenal have plenty of attacking options.
Okay, Coventry is currently not the strongest opposition and it was a home game as well, but Arsenal hitting 12 times the net in their last two home games is a good sign of our potential up-front. In the game against Southampton Gervinho scored twice, and Podolski and Walcott scored one each. In previous away games against Liverpool and ManCity, Podolski and Cazorla got important goals; so all of our key attacking players are off the mark, and three attackers have already been on the score sheet three times in all competitions this season (Gervinho, Podolski and Walcott).
Obviously, Giroud will be relieved to have scored his first goal for Arsenal, but the missed penalty will still stick in his throat. Missing a penalty in front of 60,000 supporters, almost all willing you to score, cannot have been good for his confidence. But I reckon Arsene will play him against Chelsea on Saturday, as the fact that Giroud has scored his first goal now – and he also produced another assist yesterday – will weigh more than the missed penalty, in my opinion.
Theo was on fire yesterday and the two goals he scored were a strong statement of intent by him. It is not just the fact that he scored two goals but the way in which he did it that will get Arsene thinking again. Both strikes were more than a little reminiscent of TH14(12) goals from inside the box: they were taken with cool and calculated precision and were preceded by strong, fast, confident runs from well outside the box.
Arsene said last night: “I’m not against it [playing Walcott as a striker], I’m not against it at all but we try and at the moment there is big competition up front, we have a different formula and the team is doing well,”. The ‘different formula’ bit in this quote is probably what I alluded to in my post yesterday: our Plan A is to play with a strong and multi-skilled ‘holding striker’ up-front, and Theo is far less suitable for this.
The almost forgotten man, Arshavin, showed us all once again what he is capable off still, with a goal and two assists – and he also made a big contribution to our first goal. He looked eager to impress and played again with a smile on his face. It will still be hard for him to get back to regular first team play with the current level of competition surroundig him, but he is the kind of impact player Arsenal need on the bench this season.
All in all, a good night for all our not-automatic-first-team-choice-strikers and a strong sign we do not have to worry about whether we will score enough goals this season.
Total Arsenal.
Bergkampesque 
Excellent Post again, TA 🙂
Like most, I did not see the game live, but the highlights showed that we really do have a strong squad with the youngsters blending nicely with the mature players not yet able to get a starting spot in the first team.
Oxo’s goal was really special, and I agree with you that Theo’s goals were out of the top drawer.
That is the way I saw him play and score for Southampton, and initially for us too.
Let’s hope these two can carry on and score more like that.
I was impressed with Yennaris, Miquel (tho’ he did not have a lot to do) and also Gnabry who has all the makings, at 17, of being a special player, hopefully.
I should have added that Arshavin looked more like the great player we signed in the first place, rather than the lost and hopelessly ineffective we saw most of last season!
Hi RA, hope all is well with you (given circumstances)! 🙂
Let’s hope Andrey can somehow build on this, for our, and especially, his sake. It cannot be easy for him at the moment.
I saw Yennaris and Miquel live last season at the Reserves away game in Norwich. They are both very good players and can make it at Arsenal. Against Norwich, Yennaris did also play in central midfield and I was very impressed with his quick thinking, ability to penetrate the opposition’s midfield and defence, and passing. And he is a proper youth product as well!
Do you reckon there might be a reprieve for Arshavin, if he gets to play like this again? Or was that just a shop window to enable us to move him on?
I rather like the look of our young keeper Martinez. I am talking about his demeanour here rather than his performance last night.
The looks he gave the defence, and particularly Angha, after Coventry scored, could have killed someone!! 🙂 I like that in a keeper. Letting the others know they should not f**k with him and to do their jobs properly! 🙂
You have always taken a special interest in our youngsters RA and I must admit I did not take much notice of Martinez during the highlights. But you are right to point towards his demeanour as an important characteristic at this stage: especially for a goalkeeper it is absolutely vital.
Re Arshavin – I guess Arsene gave him too many chances now and would like him to move somewhere else. I can see him end up at Everton or West Ham and in a few months or next season. If I knew for sure he would give his all for us, I would love him to stay and work himself back into the team. But….. what do you reckon?
He has all the right skills and attributes, TA, but like Theo, we have not been able to rely on his consistency.
I would like both to sign contract extensions and stay, but with the proviso, that if they still do not give their all consistently this season I would get rid of them next summer – toute suite! 🙂
Funny that you make a comparison between them. I feel I ‘know’ Theo quite a bit, as in what drives him and how he is in general, but Arshavin is a Russian mystery to me. I have just never been convinced he cares that much about Arsenal, or how well the team are doing – it appears to be all about him. But I could be wrong!
TA,
I think because of your professional background, having a ‘feel’ for someone’s personality or characteristics comes easily to you.
My observations about Theo and Arsh are purely objective as to the benefits I see them bringing to the team — or not. They are clearly very different personalities, altho’ if I were to guess, I would say they are both introverted and naturally shy.
As I always say, what do I know? probably sod all! 🙂
great report TA
I just hope Walcott’s statement was to Arsene, and not potential buyers. He looked very intent on holding the ball and scoring himself. The first was a typically great across the keeper finish (if I was a keeper in that position i’d stand more central because Walcott nails that shot every time), the other a Henry-like dribble + goal. I just hope he signs soon because it’s turning my love for him into more of a grudge!
As for AA, amazing game. The purchase of Santi is a blessing in disguise for AA as he fits into the AM position like a glove. It’s great knowing that if Santi needs a rest, or in cup games, that AA can stand and deliver.
Miquel is all class. Love the kiss of the badge too. Keep your mitts off Barca…or else!!!
RA,
I might have a professional background that helps me understand human behaviour and motives a bit, but I can tell you I have learned a hell of a lot again over the last two weeks about people: they never stop surprising you!
Agreed they are both introvert/shy people. The big difference is Theo has a thick skin and can deal really well with disappointment and criticism, which I really like about him.
Hi Oz 🙂
Agreed re Theo and signing a contract soon. Did you have a chance to read my post yesterday (I know you are busy)? If we are to play more and more a ‘fluid-three’ up-front rather than a centrally positioned Giroud around whom we pivot our attacks, then there can be a future for Theo in the centre. I guess we’ll find out in the next few months, although I expect us to stick to Giroud up-front as our Plan-A for the time being.
Hi TA
I’d sit on the fence on that one I think. Mainly because I’d have to see more of Walcott’s finishing (although Arsene thinks it’s top notch so that should be enough of a reference). Against the attacking teams a fluid-three of: Gerv, Lu-Lu, and Walcott could be a handful
Against the stubborn types I’d prefer Lu-Lu, Giroud and theo
Fine post Mr. Total
It’s nice to see the goals being shared around the team rather than like it was last season.
Looks like Wenger will persist with Giroud, so if he can strike a rich vein with goal scoring we will have half a chance of securing some silverware this year. Steve Bould seems to have had a huge success with our defensive formation, so together with our quality mid fielders, the future looks more than bright.
Evening VCC 🙂
It does look bright, and there are plenty of goals in this team, all over the pitch. I don’t think Giroud will be a 20 PL goals per season kind of striker, but he will become more and more vital to our attacking play and I personally don’t care about individual goal tallies: look what it did to the traitorous Dutchman…. As long as the team is winning, whatever way, I am a happy Gooner! 🙂
What do think of Podolski?
Hi Oz, agree with those three for the ‘stubborn types’. I can also see us try Arshavin, Theo and the Ox in the future, Gervinho, Theo and the Ox, but against stubborn ones! 🙂
TA, always nice to have another great Arsenal place to come visit daily… and of course to read your work. great job !
oh, and by the way, your article about Theo in a fluid front three yesterday was fantastic. anyone who missed it, go read it. 🙂
Podolski is the definition of efficient! When he gets a sniff, he makes it count. Great acquisition, and he has definitely come at the right time of his career
Hi Johnny 🙂
Thanks for popping round and glad you liked the fluid front three article! 🙂
Are you writing anything soon for ArsenalArsenal?
Hi Oz 🙂
Agreed on Podolski: a great buy! Did you btw also notice how agitated he was against Citeh in the second half?
No I didn’t TA, as in he was wanting more of the ball? or just frustration?
I don’t know Oz. As you know, he had a relatively quiet game and at one point in the second half he left his foot in on a Citeh player for which he deserved a card. He thought it was coming and looked angry and irritated, but the referee let him off/ did not see it properly. Not much longer after that he got substituted.
Can’t talk a lot about yesterday game.. Just saw at youtube.. But 6-1 is great..
I get a feeling that we will overcome Chelsea tommorrow.
Arshavin and Coquelin will be in the squad..
3 essential point to get..
And we will do it perfectly.. 3-1..
Go gunners..
That’s interesting TA, perhaps not happy with the service. I like his attitude, he appears to be a top line professional.
I’m sure it was very frustrating for everyone involved because we were playing all over the champions, who were at full strength, and at their ground!!
This team is going places
Hey Henry 🙂
Nice to see you here and I like your positivity towards tomorrow’s game and hope you are right we will do it ‘perfectly’ (although I am hoping for a clean sheet as well – there would be strong psychological benefits for us, if this were to happen!).
Thanks bro.
You make a very good blogs..
Congratulation..
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