Braga 2 Arsenal 0

It wasn’t a game of too many chances as both teams clearly lacked ideas upfront. We were however more dominant as the possession count showed but when it mattered most about putting the ball into net, there was no one brave enough to do the deed.

Fabregas departed in the 62nd minute after stretching and hurting his hamstring for a Nicklas Bendtner lofted pass inside Braga’s eighteen yard box.
Wenger rung the changes by introducing Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and later, Carlos Vela, but it was the hosts that got the breakthrough, when an 83rd minute counter attack left our defence flatfooted, allowing the speedy Mattheus to beat Fabianski from close range.
Vela was cut down in the box for a legitimate penalty shout in the 82nd minute, but the Hungarian referee instead said he dived and booked him. In stoppage time, another counter off a failed Denilson tackle, saw Mattheus run at our backpedalling defence before smashing the clincher high into the roof, off the bar. It was the last kick of a forgettable game and a dismal week all round.
To add to our misery, Fabregas and Eboue picked up injuries that rule them out of contention in the near future.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1332450/Braga-2-Arsenal-0-Matheus-stuns-Gunners-late-double-Cesc-Fabregas-limps-hamstring-injury.html


Below are the ratings for the game:
• Fabianski (5/10) – It’s five goals conceded now in two games for him and all the accolades and glowing performances of the past six weeks are now almost distant memories. Wasn’t troubled at all in the first half but when called upon to stand up and make saves in the dieing minutes, he couldn’t. Not at fault for the goals, but not excusable either. With the imminent return of Manuel Almunia from injury, his position will surely now come under x-ray.
• Eboue (6/10) – For some reason, he wasn’t his usual overlapping and confident self. Got beaten easily on a couple of occasions in the first half, forcing him into needless tackles that earned a caution in the 30th minute. Did averagely in the absence of Bacary Sagna but the injury to him will now put him out of the picture as we head into a very busy time of the season. Unlucky injury it must be said and somehow, being forced to play ten men in the last ten minutes, contributed to the goals we conceeded.
• Squillaci (6/10) – He did his usual best to contain the threat of the Portuguese particularly their big frontman, Lima. Was at sea for both goals and the pace of Mattheus was clearly too much for him. Probably his worst game for us so far.
• Djourou (8/10) – Despite the goals conceded, I still rate him as our best player on the night. His high confidence levels were apparent as he did everything with an air of assurance at the back. Tackled and defended with authority beyond his years and I personally never saw him put a foot wrong all night. His passing is also top of the range as he found those in front of him with accurate distribution. I’m hoping he avoids the injuries that have blighted his career so far because from the evidence of the season so far, he has a big, big future. Sadly, his record of never being on the losing side all season, ended last night.
• Gibbs (7/10) – Put in a tidy and accomplished display. His defending isn’t up there yet with the best but he’s getting there. Wasn’t ruffled at all and overlapped like his superior, Gael Clichy. One particular move where he beat three Braga defenders in the first half will stick in the memory for long and maybe, maybe he has a future as winger.
• Denilson (6/10) – Still not convinced about the defensive qualities of this bloke. He was supposed to fill in for Alex Song but if the truth be told, no one in this team can match the tough tackling Camerounian. He tried his utmost though but his inability to shield the ball led directly to the second goal after he was robbed by Mattheus. Not a convincing performance by any yardstick.
• Wilshire (6/10) – He started in his usual role beside the defensive midfielder and did his usual best. He was never over awed and of all our players, he was the one with the most fighting spirit. Never shirked a tackle and while with the ball, was neat, tidy and compact. Linked well with his fellow midfielders but all the things he tried did not come off.
• Rosicky (4/10) – A very disappointing night for the Czech playmaker. More annoying is how easily he is bullied off the ball. I couldn’t remember one instance where he held onto the ball long enough without being stripped of it with so much ease. I know he’s lacking in inches but for God’s sake, can’t he stand on his feet?! Very frustrating.
• Fabregas (6/10) – Not a happy night for the captain. Considering all the pre-match talk about resting his hamstring, was surprised to see him lead the team out. Eventually, after running around like a headless chicken for an hour, his night ended early with a damaged hamstring. So far, no one is certain when we’ll see him again as he succumbs to another spell on the sidelines.
• Walcott (7/10) – No one could fault him on account of effort even if there wasn’t much end product to point at. Took up position on his usual right hand flank and troubled the Braga defence from there. Had two good attempts at goal in the first half but poor marksmanship robbed him of any crack at the target. Started the second half with a fine freekick that kissed the roof of the Braga goal but faded soon after before eventually being replaced by Vela.
• Bendtner (5/10) – Did nothing of note. Considering all his protestations in the press about being dropped to the bench, you would have expected him to seize this chance with both hands. Failed to have a single shot at goal and it was curious seeing him receiving balls in the midfield and way, way behind the attack. Can’t see why anyone would lose sleep if he departs as he seems to enjoy threatening he would. Not surprised to see him substituted.


Substitutes
• Nasri (5/10) – Came on in th 69th for the injured Fabregas but the game seemed to pass him by. Couldn’t impose his refreshing style on proceedings and lacked ideas around the opponents’ area.
• Chamakh (5/10) – Came on in the 76th for the ineffective Bendtner but couldn’t make hay as there was little or no service from the midfield.
• Vela (5/10) – In a crisis (as was the case last night), he is definitely not the man to call upon. Hardly troubled their defence and instead played himself into a huge, talking point by drawing a tackle in the eighteen yard which rightly, ought to have been a straight forward penalty. Instead, he was booked for diving and that was the end of his contribution for the night.


Everything that could go wrong, went wrong for us on the night and it was a game that did little to erase the disappointment of the Tottenham loss. The only news of joy for all Gunners however was happening 1,200 kms aways at our own ground where Aaron Ramsey was returning to action on the pitch for the first time since March when he was almost cut in two by the thuggish Ryan Shawcross.
Ramsey played for 45minutes in a friendly against Wolves reserves which obviously means he’s over the traumatic injury that almost ended his bright career. Hoping to see him rejoin the present campaign and help steady a listing ship.