St. Andrews is a place where we’ve had nothing but grief in the past three seasons. A place filled with
bad memories for all Gooners. A place of frustration, anguish and broken bones – ala Eduardo Da Silva.
Saturday night finally, we banished all the years of pain and broken dreams on a rainy night at St. Andrews as we pummeled Birmingham before dispatching them 3-0.
As unfriendly as ever, the venue presented itself as a cold, miserable place with the rain turning the surface into a field of potholes.
Disregarding history and the elements though, Arsenal walked allover their hosts in a performance that oozed class as goals from Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri and an own goal gifted us by the unfortunate Roger Johnson, enabled us depart St. Andrews with the three points for the first time since 2006.
It was a performance that restored pride after the same team that annihilated Chelsea was rolled out to do the business yet again.
We start the New Year on a very positive note with this win and as the league hits the home straight, the table shows us in third place – just two points behind leaders Manchester City and United – with our postponed game against Stoke in hand.
Yes, Man Utd as well have two games in hand, but who says we can’t overhaul them both with everyone fit and brimming with supreme confidence.
On a night that asked questions of the mettle of this team, they delivered – and with a clean sheet for once!
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| Target men...Van Persie and Nasri who both scored on the night |
Below are the ratings of our first game of 2011.
· Fabianski (7/10) – Restored his reputation after the horror show at Wigan three days earlier. Clean sheets are a measure of how well the goalkeeper and his defence have performed and on this night, they recorded one in a long, long while. The Pole is now firmly established as our Number One after Arsene Wenger’s declaration on the eve of the game that Manuel Almunia could leave if he wanted. Baring any huge calamity now, the starting shirt is Lukasz’s to lose. He however did his case a world of good by blocking a goalbound Sebastian Larsson freekick in the first half and stopping everything thrown at him in the second half. I was particularly impressed with his punching and timing.
· Clichy (7/10) – Was at his alert best all night and refused to allow Birmingham any leeway from his corner of the pitch. Didn’t do too much of his trademark overlapping runs but defending remains his primary duty and he performed without blemish.
· Koscielny (8/10) – One of his better games since he joined us. Critics like to single him out for blame anytime we concede, but I rate him as a very good manmarker. He put every foot right on the night and frustrated the marauding Cameron Jerome all night, before the lone Birmingham striker was eventually substituted. ‘Kos’ is quite good in the one-on-ones and on this occasion, he was not found wanting.
· Djourou (9/10) – My pick of the bunch in the defence. He outjumped the entire Birmingham attack and on a pitch which he called home some three seasons back, everything from the hosts was like meat and drink to him. Johann seems to enjoy a good partnership with the Kos and they clearly compliment each other far better than Squillaci does. Our young Swiss has matured in leaps and bounds so far this season and baring injuries, he will be a factor as we chase trophies. Picked up a knock late in the first half but recovered to marshall the backline and help silence the giant Nikola Zigic and another substitute, Alexander Hleb – remember him?
· Sagna (7/10) – Our tenacious French international is nothing if not a hardworker. Never gives anything less than 100% and Saturday night was no different. Ran his socks off as he tackled and shackled each of the Birmingham players that strayed into his territory. Found a lot of room as well to roam forward and deliver some tasty crosses. He is a handful indeed, this Bacary.
· Song (7/10) – After his brilliant game against Chelsea on Monday night, repeating the same against Birmingham was like a walk in the park for him. He has really, really grown into one of the finest midfielders in the premiership and last night, he enhanced that reputation with another flawless effort. Tackled and harried the likes of Lee Bowyer, Barry Ferguson and Johnson with ease and still found time and space to spray some delicious passes. His all round game is very impressive indeed.
· Wilshire (7/10) – His combo with Song is developing into a productive partnership. Jack, who turned 19 on Saturday has emerged as a force to reckon with in the heart of our team. He of course displays ability and awareness of a veteran and Saturday night was no different. Had the chance to mark his birthday with a goal after being teed up by Van Persie, but blasted wide.
· Fabregas (7/10) – El Capitan returned from an enforced suspension to deliver yet another accomplished performance in a long, long list of accomplished performances. He was at the end of a hefty challenge from Johnson in the 6th minute, but emerged to dictate the game with his vision and ball control. He looks happier now as we march on and results continue to fall our way.
· Nasri (7/10) – Not at his brilliant best, but in whichever form he is, the little French maestro is still a handful for defences. His tandem with Fabregas may well be the key to our success this season as they both enjoy a telephatic relationship. They combined with delightful one-twos for the second goal in the 58th minute, which Nasri scored to take his season tally to 13. At this range, it wouldn’t be out of place if he notches 20 goals by the end of the season. His endless movement and bag of tricks just puts him head and shoulders above anything Birmingham could offer on the night.
· Van Persie (7/10) – Not back to his devastating best, but he’s getting there and such amounts of time on the pitch like against Birmingham surely helps. He scored a freekick for the first time in ages to give us the first goal and was involved in a lot of our attacks. His role as lone frontman on the night does not suit him perfectly but with the likes of Nasri and Fabregas providing support, he was never really alone. Did well all in all.
· Walcott (7/10) – Didn’t score this time but wasn’t far from doing so. Troubled Scott Dann and Liam Ridgewell with his blinding pace and in all modesty, he must be the fastest player in the premiership. It may just be that he has played his way into the starting line-up following his five-star showing against Chelsea on Monday night. Already, this has been a breakthrough season for him.
Substitutes
· Arshavin (6/10) – Came on in the 76th minute for Walcott as we looked to close up the game and introduce some fresh legs. Almost scored with a fierce shot which Ben Foster did well to stop.
· Denilson (5/10) – Replaced Wilshire and slotted in beside Song as a bulwark against Birmingham’s last-minute attempts to salvage something.
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