This wasn’t quite the encore we expected after that magnificient win over Chelsea on Monday night, but in view of our defeat at the same ground last season, it was a step-up of sorts. Too many changes to Monday night’s line-up clearly upset the team’s configuration and it showed last night. Only Fabianski, Koscielny and Sagna retained their places and it was a while naturally before we found any sort of rhythm.
We fell behind to a penalty in the 19th minute after the pace of Charles Nzogbia unsettled our defence and forced Koscielny into a rash challenge. The setback woke us up though and we laid siege-after-siege on the Wigan goalmouth. An alert Andrei Arshavin scored the equalizer with a delightful volley after the Wigan goalie had parried a fierce shot from Bendtner. By the 44th minute, we were ahead after Arshavin (again!) fed Bendtner with a through ball and the big Dane slotted it past the goalie.
We couldn’t build on our lead in the second half and despite the sending off of Nzogbia for a foolish headbutt on Wilshire, we allowed them to claw their way back into the game with a clueless own-goal from Squillaci off a cornerkick. Two minutes later, there was a strong appeal for a penalty of our own after Tom Cleverly handled Samir Nasri’s penalty in their box, but it wasn’t given.
So we dropped two vital points in what is turning out to be a cut-throat race at the top of the ladder; thus leaving us in third spot behind the two Manchester teams.
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| Pick it up...Fabianski does the ball-picking routine twice on the night |
Below are the ratings
· Fabianski (5/10) – His inconsistency came to the fore once more as he failed to deal with the corner that resulted in the own-goal from Squilaci for their equalizer. He was actually called into action much more in this game than against Chelsea the other night, which was a direct consequence of the myriad of changes in our side. Fabianski has to share the blame for the outcome of this game. Not good enough on the night.
· Eboue (5/10) – Didn’t impress at all, all night. He could be spared some stick given that he was played out of position on the left flank, being not a left-footed player. Someone of his experience ought to have been able to cope better with Nzogbia, but he did not as the Frenchman skinned him over and over all night.
· Squillaci (5/10) – Very poor game all round by the French veteran. He is surely the weakest link in our defence and there is now no reason for him to be considered ahead of the calm and younger Johann Djourou. He was caught out of position so frequently you would think he hadn’t played a game in England before. Was targeted by the direct running of Nzogbia and Hugo Rodallega as well and he couldn’t cope. The own goal he scored simply summed up his horror-showing on the night.
Clearly now, it must be apparent to Wenger that Squillaci must always play second and third fiddle to Djourou and Vermaelen when the latter returns. End of story.
· Koscielny (7/10) – Didn’t put a foot wrong apart from the foul on Nzogbia that drew the penalty in the first half. He recovered well though to put in a fine display and help keep the tepid Wigan at bay. I recollected at least five one-on-one tackles he made to stop them coming face-to-face with Fabianski. Can’t wait for his partnership with Djourou to return as the season unfolds.
· Sagna (7/10) – He was his usual bucaneering self. Credit to Bacary; he hardly ever has a bad game. Gives 100% always and last night was no exception. With him around, the likes of Eboue will always sit on the bench. Keep it up, tough guy.
· Denilson (6/10) – After being frozen out of the team for so long, Wenger clearly wanted the likes of him to get a game and do away with the cobwebs. Initially he struggled, but as the game progressed he found his feet and dished out meaty tackles. He is no Alexander Song, but at least he isn’t found wanting either.
· Diaby (4/10) – Did nothing of note for the 20 odd minutes he was on the pitch before he succumbed to his latest injury and departed for an early bath.
· Arshavin (7/10) – On account of his superb volley and the assist that allowed Bendtner to score our second goal, he deserves creditable mention. He upped his game for this one and ran at their defence at every opportunity. Second half though he suddenly reverted to his now-familiar disappearing act and went missing. Was substituted unsurprisingly late in the game and he looked angry about that decision. The Russian is gradually losing his first team place.
· Rosicky (6/10) – The Czech stepped in for the suspended Fabregas and in fairness to him, he tried his best. Put in a hardworking shift and his exquisite pass to Arshavin in the 7th minute was a delight for all purists of the game. Was prominent in our attacks all through the first half but like Arshavin, he faded badly in the second half.
· Bendtner (6/10) – He, along with Arshavin are almost now definitely squad players and it showed why. He lacked control and his snail-like movement slowed things down upfront. Took his goal well and I stand to be corrected, that ought to be his first of the league this season. Completely fell apart in the second half and it was his lack of form that contributed largely to us not increasing our lead. Surprised that he lasted the entire 90 minutes. I can’t see what his beef is about for not making regular starts. He doesn’t deserve to start and the earlier he’s shipped off as he often threatens, the better indeed.
· Chamakh (6/10) – Did his best on the night and though he didn’t score, I believe the multiple changes also affected his rhythm. No reason why he shouldn’t start against what should be stronger opponents, Birmingham, next Saturday.
Substitutes
· Wilshire (7/10) – Came on for the injured Diaby in the 20th minute and held his own despite all sorts of intimidation and harassments. One of those strong-arm tactics by Nzogbia in form of a senseless headbutt, led to the latter’s dismissal in the 77th minute. He was himself substituted in the dying minutes.
· Nasri (5/10) – He was thrown on after they got their equalizer but it was too little too late to weave his magic and salvage anything. Ought to have won a penalty though after a Wigan defender handled his freekick inside the box.
· Walcott (5/10) – Came on for an ineffective Arshavin but time was against him.
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